Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach night spot bosses give a tick to Labor Government 3am last drinks rule

GOLD Coast nightclub bosses admit they are “content” with the new 3am last drinks rules — but fear the looming 1am lockout will cripple businesses.

Surfers Paradise nightclub The Bedroom at 1.48am on a Sunday.

GOLD Coast nightclub bosses admit they are “content” and adjusting to new 3am last drinks rule but say they fear the looming 1am lockout will cripple businesses.

Two months after last drinks were brought forward two hours from 5am, both Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach venue operators say the first stage of the Labor Government’s new liquor laws aimed at tackling alcohol-fuelled violence are workable, business-wise.

Tim Martin, the acting president of the Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association and general manager of popular nightclubs The Bedroom and Sin City, said: “We’re more than content at this stage. Most operators are happy, they’re adapting.

“Most of the operators aren’t actually against the reduction of hours.

“It’s the (looming) 1am lockout that’s going to hurt our industry.”

Mr Martin even conceded the 3am last drinks “has had some positive effects”.

“Don’t get me wrong — it’s not the greatest thing for everyone’s business model but it’s not the end of the world either,” he said.

“For a lot of venues they are not that busy 3am to 5am anyway.

“There is not a lot of alcohol sold 3am to 5am.

“There was a mass misconception about that and, yes, there are some people who should have gone home by 3am and chose to stay out.

“The one negative is there is a lot more preloading.

“Kids are definitely drinking at home more before they come out and we’ve got to be careful with that.”

In Broadbeach, East nightclub owner James Tweddell said venues and patrons were adapting and the only real negative had been fewer hours for staff.

“The reality to be honest is we haven’t seen a massive impact — 3am to 5am is the witching hour.

“Not too much good happens after 4am.

“At East, our patrons tend to be a bit older anyway and most people are gone by 3am.

“We never ever foresaw any major issues with having 3am last drinks.

“If it stays at 3am, I wouldn’t be too perturbed.”

Surfers Paradise strip club boss Craig Duffy, who owns Hollywood Showgirls, said 3am last drinks so far “isn’t a big concern” but he said the 1am lockout was “not going to be pretty”.

“People can survive 3am last drinks no problem but a 1am lockout is going to cripple a lot of businesses.

“It’s manageable as it is now.”

Owners say they would be happy for things to stay as they are and for the Government to ditch the 1am lockout but its February 1 introduction has been written into the legislation.

A spokesman for Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said it planned to go ahead with the 1am lockout.

A flurry of venues are planning to open — including a revived Shooters nightclub — flying in the face of predictions the reduced hours would result in the death knell for the industry.

Any review of the laws can’t be judged on a night, week or month of trading.

Ms D’Ath said: “It is pleasing to note that the Surfers Paradise entertainment precinct continues to be a vibrant destination, that’s central to the Gold Coast’s famed status as a premier tourism destination.

“Indications of the precinct’s continued strength should not be a surprise.

In Newcastle, similar laws resulted in a 110 per cent increase in the number of licenced venues around the CBD while assaults decreased.”