Best of the Gold Coast 2017: Top 10 Nightclubs, as voted by you
THE votes are in! Here are the top 10 nightclubs on the Gold Coast as voted by readers. With a couple of new faces and some surprising omissions, this year’s list is a little different.
Best of Gold Coast
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THE votes are in! Here are the top 10 nightclubs on the Gold Coast as voted by readers.
With a couple of new faces and some surprising omissions, this year’s list is a little different.
FLASHBACK: TOP 10 NIGHTCLUBS OF 2016
10. Shooters Nightclub, Surfers Paradise
LOCATION: 15 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
After a tumultuous few years for Shooters, including being destroyed by fire and ownership changes, general manager Nathan Sudana says they’ve found their groove.
“Shooters really is a place where there’s something for everyone,” he says.
“We’ve got the main room for anyone looking for some EDM to get their night going, Republic for the R&B lovers and our new addition Our House, where you can still listen to your favourite tunes while getting a taste of our new food and cocktail menus. We’re constantly evolving and changing to meet the needs of our patrons, which is why I think we’ve stood the test of time.”
9. Sin City, Surfers Paradise
LOCATION: 22 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
This Gold Coast institution has been the go-to spot for big names over the years, including Jarryd Hayne, Geordie Shore reality TV stars, Justin Bieber, Bernard Tomic, the owner of Heineken, Arab royalty and most recently, Aquaman star Amber Heard.
General manager Tim Martin says these visits are thanks to Sin City’s international reputation. “When people come to the Gold Coast they always seem to know Sin City,” he says.
8. Love Nightlife, Broadbeach
LOCATION: Niecon Plaza Basement, Albert Ave, Broadbeach
For years now, Love Nightlife has been a venue for glamour and quirk, especially since its renovations in 2015 and event more recent renovations this year.
Currently the club runs Friday and Saturday nights, with the former labelled Phresh Kutsz Fridays, with DJs Mollie Rose and Fletcher on the decks spinning everything from top 40 to hip-hop to house music, while the latter is labelled Synesthesia, dedicated to music, colour and happiness.
7. Retro’s Cocktail Lounge
LOCATION: 3-5 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
With Retro’s, the name says it all. Event manager Tammy Wood says, despite only opening two months ago, the place has been packed.
“It’s the whole retro vibe that attracts everyone coming back into Surfers Paradise,” she says. “We definitely attract a diverse age group, from 25s up to 45s – so there’s definitely no age limit. We find the younger ones love a bit of retro fun with the illuminated dancefloor and fishbowl cocktails. The older ones remember those times of clubbing when they were younger. They’re having flashbacks to every song and dancing the night away.”
6. Cocktails and Dreams
LOCATION: 3-15 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
Promotions manager Claire-Marie Poissant says with Uni Games in September, GC600 in October, Schoolies coming up later this month and then the holiday season, busy is an understatement.
But amid that, their regulars are their priority. “I think the best thing is we have a lot of regulars. All our staff know everyone pretty well, they know people by name. It’s really good to have that friendly atmosphere of a big family. We try to look after everyone.”
5. Platinum Nightclub
LOCATION: 19 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach
After undergoing a major renovation under new owners in March, Platinum has been exclusively bringing international and interstate artists to the Gold Coast, including Will Sparks, Timmy Trumpet and Brooke Evers.
“Platinum has shifted its force to bring a major city night-life experience to the Gold Coast,” managing director Rachelle Woods says.
“With our visual, sound and lighting upgrades including our ever-popular Luxe R&B room.
This wouldn’t be possible without the hardworking team who are the back bone of the Platinum experience. Watch this space big things are coming in 2018.”
4. Underground Nightclub
LOCATION: 3 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
Before Underground opened in 2014, venue manager Jodi Miller was at Bourbon Bar and Crazy Horse – both now closed, as Surfers Paradise regulars would know. Having seen a thing or two in the nightclub world, she says their beats and consistency make all the difference.
“We’re dedicated solely to R&B, we don’t change so we have great consistency in the music. The people we get in here are all pretty loving and close knit. They love R&B so this is where they come.”
3. Rattle Snake
LOCATION: 23 McLean St, Coolangatta
After being Never Land for six years, Rattle Snake was given a total shake-up three years ago, spearheaded by in-house music and events expert Brok Neilson.
“We continually pride ourselves on always striving to be a part of the community and offering a safe space for everyone to party,” he says.
“Never being about one genre or one style we love to keep it party friendly downstairs and a mixture of Aussie house and funky beats upstairs. We also have had the occasional visit from live acts like Peaches, Grinspoon, Dune Rats and many more across the years. It has been so amazing to witness and to be a part of the culture shift from small surf town to an area that has some of the finest dining and arts across the entire Gold Coast.”
2. Elsewhere
LOCATION: 1/23 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
There’s a congratulations and happy birthday in order for this Glitter Strip veteran, which recently surpassed the 14 year mark.
While most 14 year olds yearn to fit in with the crowd, this one has made its mark by standing out. Always going against the grain, Elsewhere has made a name for its alternative musical offerings, including resident DJs whose set lists seldom include mainstream tunes and a stage or decks for left-field artists with an underground following, such as Motez in October.
With so many people all going with a common interest, a huge portion of the Elsewhere crowd are ritualistic regulars.
1. The Bedroom
LOCATION: 26 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
After a rebrand and well publicised tough times throughout Surfers Paradise, Bedroom’s general manager Tim Martin says things have hugely improved.
“The kids on the GC seem to really dig Bedroom at the moment ... it’s picked up a lot of traction again,” he says.
“It’s just busy all the time these days, it’s been really exciting to watch.
“It’s gaining national branding again, a national following, which is great for Bedroom but also great for Surfers Paradise.
“It’s a new generation of kids that have come through. They’re really liking the music we play I think.”
A solid, consistent team behind the decks is a contributing factor, with residents DJs spinning tunes that are well-known but not overdone, and always delivered with the skilful touch only experienced DJs can provide.
“Jake Carmody, our resident DJ, is by far one of the best DJs on the Coast and he’s got quite a crowd,” Tim says.
“Him with a few of the other guys we’ve got are a great combo.
“It’s still quite commercial dance music but they’ve got their own edgy style.
“You can be on the dancefloor dancing or you’ll even see people at the bar who don’t stop moving while they’re ordering a drink because the vibe in the room is so energetic.”
The beds are often a particularly energetic place – yes, there are actual beds in the Bedroom – but Tim says it’s not as suss as it might sound. They’re just a comfortable spot to chill out, as are the booths and private areas.
“The beds are basically private booths, it’s just a different experience,” he says.
“It was a bit of a novelty when first started but people do like to book out the beds.
“We’ve got great areas for bottle service and more and more groups are turning towards booking private areas.
“I think it’s just because clubs can get quite hectic, so when you book out a booth you get your own waitress, your own drinks so you don’t have to line up and you can just hang out with your friends and do what you want.”
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