Best of the Gold Coast 2019: the region’s best nightclubs as voted by you
If the Gold Coast knows how to do anything, it’s party. After counting the votes, we reveal the top 10 nightclubs where the bottles pop and the bass drops.
Best of Gold Coast
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If the Gold Coast knows how to do anything, it’s party. After counting the votes, Amber Macpherson reveals the top 10 nightclubs where the bottles pop and the bass drops.
10. Love Nightlife
Albert Ave, Broadbeach
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Spring has sprung at Love Nightlife, the club that celebrates the changing of the seasons with a new-look venue. “We’ve just started enchanted spring,” marketing manager Danni Jones says. “At the moment the whole thing’s decked out like a massive garden with a tree and fairy lights. We decorate the entire venue and the staff dress up, and every three months we have a big theme opening night party.” Every Friday Love hosts RnB Flava nights designed for entertaining the ladies, and coming up on October 6 it will turn into LGBTIQ-friendly venue Tickle with a Queens of the Night party.
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9. Cocktails Nightclub
3 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
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This year is Cocktail Nightclub’s 30th birthday which is a feat in itself, but marketing manager Yana Simovich says there’s something extra special about the milestone. “(It’s) one of the longest running nightclubs on the Gold Coast but added to that, it has had the same owner the whole time,” she says. “I think that definitely says something about the work culture we have here.” The venue plays remixes of Top 40 music on party nights and regularly hosts charity events for clubs and community groups. In the lead up to summer Cocktails is also upgrading its airconditioning system.
8. Bedroom Lounge Bar
26 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
You might be turned away if you rock up in your pyjamas but Bedroom is certainly the place to indulge in a nightcap or three. This nightclub literally has queen size beds for stretching out when you need a break, but there’s no disco naps to be had when the music is blasting. “The music’s a bit edgier, not as commercial,” general manager Tim Martin says. “(The DJs) are always trying to catch the next trend through the music. They’re young, upcoming guys that are taking over the Coast.” While he couldn’t give too much away, Tim says there’s some huge acts booked to hit the decks later this year “off the back of big festivals” coming to town.
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7. The Avenue
3-15 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
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A more relaxed watering hole on the glitter strip, The Avenue is a top spot for people watching or cutting a rug with room to windmill those arms. Owner Michael Russo says the new and improved Avenue has become a club with plenty of variety in its offerings. “When we moved across the road (in 2016) we wanted to do something completely different,” he says. “The fit out’s a rustic warehouse with a nightclub in it. The old Avenue was pretty one dimensional, this one has different areas, different levels, it’s got a lot more character. It’s a one-stop shop, you can dance, you can have a quiet chat, within the one venue you can do a lot of things.”
6. Shooters Nightclub
15 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
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Shooters on Cavill Ave is two nightclubs for the price of one. The main room pumps out EDM while RnB and hip hop fans can pop and lock in the second room Republic. It’s a formula that’s working for a club that’s beat the odds, following a building fire in 2012 and reopening in 2014. “We’ve been around for sometime now, we’re everybody’s favourite,” manager Tammy Wood says. “It’s varied with different music, you can enjoy the night with friends in those different areas and be treated like a VIP when you book a booth with the bottle of vodka. You can always rely on the good old house DJs — there’s always the confetti cannons.”
5. Elsewhere Bar
1/23 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
It’s not quite a coming of age milestone but Elsewhere is celebrating 16 sweet years in business this year. The Surfers Paradise nightclub, known for drawing alternative crowds with music from progressive DJs and producers, marked the milestone with a safari party in August. You won’t hear Top 40 at this club and that’s just the way its patrons like it. On the books for August is Raw Deep, Hot Coffee, Cactus and Cassian — ever heard of those DJs? If your answer is no, that’s all the more reason to check out this longstanding, iconic club that’s passionate about sharing underground talent with music lovers.
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4. The Club Pink Flamingo
Corner of 88 Surf Parade and Victoria Ave, Broadbeach
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Looking for a sophisticated night out in Broadbeach? Think pink. Every Saturday night new burlesque entertainment club Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub opens up the doors to the public for dancing and drinking with a party called Taboo. “Following the 9pm show, the Spiegelclub transforms into a high-end club,” Pink Flamingo co-owner Sue Porrett says. “All guests who have seen the show are welcome to stay in the venue. At 11pm, new guests are welcomed into the club. The Club is only open on Saturday nights and the first offering is Taboo. It features performances all throughout the night that explore the sexier, darker side of cirque.”
3. Melbas on the Park
46 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
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An icon on the Surfers Paradise night-life scene, Melbas on the Park is growing up and getting with the times. Downstairs is a spacious bar area with live music on the weekend, but upstairs is where things have levelled up. The venue recently opened NXT LVL, a new concept dance club hoping to take Surfers Paradise night-life back to its glory days. “We’re trying to bring back a really good entertainment venue for the town, to bring it to the level it should be,” general manager Dave Allen says. “(The opening night) had a huge crowd, a great mix of people, a couple of great DJs which we’ll always be having. And with the TAB and gaming room about to go in (downstairs), it’ll be a real market leader.”
2. Retro’s Cocktail Lounge
3-15 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
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If you know all the words to Bohemian Rhapsody or can moonwalk your way across a dancefloor, Retro’s Cocktail Lounge sounds like your scene. Recently celebrating two years of business, punters can’t get enough of this nightclub’s playlist of ’80s, ’90s and naughties pop hits. “We just had our second birthday party,” manager Tammy Wood says. “It was a nostalgic flash back, everyone was dressed up, and all the staff got into the spirit.” With fluoro decor and fishbowls filled with sweet cocktails, there’s no shame in revelling in a bit of old school fun at this novelty nightclub.
1. SinCity Nightclub
22 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
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The party never stops at Sin City, the Gold Coast’s only nightclub open six nights a week, minimum.
Sin City general manager Tim Martin says the constant flow of locals and tourists looking to throw shapes to Top 40 tracks keeps the club pumping after dark.
“Sin City is the only one that’s open all week,” he says.
“It’s the one stop shop when the tourists get here. We’ve got a big strong following from Melbourne or Sydney. We have a great local following as well.
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“The music is a bit more commercial than some of the other venues, it appeals to a lot more people.
“Some people like to stick to certain genres, the venues that do that can’t open more than two or three nights. That’s what it’s about — not trying to be too cool.”
Well, with the likes of Justin Bieber, Bernard Tomic, Usain Bolt and Amber Heard among those who have graced the guest list, SinCity’s got to be at least a little cool.
“Famous (people) have a great experience while they’re there,” Tim says.
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“We have the best VIP booths with the bottle service. The demand for people to have their own areas and private service is growing.”
SinCity is gearing up for plenty of events as high season rolls around, including the Uni Games next week, GC600 and Schoolies.
“We’re licenced to serve drinks until 5am during lots of those events so it’s going to be good,” Tim says.
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