We asked and you voted: Here are the top 10 nightclubs on the Gold Coast
A WILD night out on the Gold Coast is a rite of passage and whether you’re 18 or 65 there’s a good chance you’ve got a crazy story from a night out on the strip. Here are the best as voted by you.
Best of Gold Coast
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A WILD night out on the Gold Coast is a rite of passage and whether you’re 18 or 65 there’s a good chance you’ve got a crazy story from a night out on the strip. Clubs come and go, but the best will always weather the storm and see us through the good, the bad and the ugly. So here are the best of the best, as voted by you (club crawl, anyone?).
10. Melbas on the Park, Surfers Paradise
46 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
5538 7411
The richest in history on this list, Melbas is still dishing out good times 32 years after opening. While the bottom level’s restaurant and bar is laid-back and accessible to all, upstairs is another matter with vibrant lights covering every surface, an unmissable sound system and a huge dancefloor.
9. The Avenue, Surfers Paradise
3-15 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
5592 1678
While the old Avenue was perhaps more pub than nightclub, the new Avenue falls neatly into the category with its closed off soundproof dancefloor, creating a totally new atmosphere. Where the old Avenue’s main dancefloor played the Nutbush and Macarena, the new one plays on-trend, high energy hits — not that there’s anything wrong with the Nutbush. Owners Vince and Michael Russo unveiled the new venue, across the road, back in July. The public’s reaction has been seemingly unanimously positive and for a cool $3 million they would hope so.
8. Platinum Nightclub, Broadbeach
19 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach
5592 4433
Platinum has a reputation for being all about the music, regularly hosting world class acts including Will Sparks, Tigerlily, Timmy Trumpet, New World Sound, Tenzin, Kyro, Brooklyn and more. The Broadbeach club also hosts a regular psy-trance and progressive club night under the name Eden, which recently hosted international sensation Darude. Both Platinum and Eden support local talent with local DJs behind the decks weekly in both the main room and left field Green Room.
7. Love Nightlife, Broadbeach
Niecon Plaza Basement, Albert Ave, Broadbeach
0423 801 195
Since their refurbishments in March last year, Love has stepped up the glamour a notch with a luxe and somewhat eccentric new vibe.
The walls are covered with glamorous, abstract and feminine illustrations and the staff uniforms change regularly, with everything from lace to latex.
Venue manager Carly Parish said the team hold themselves to a high standard.
“We’re definitely a luxury club, top 40 with five star visual entertainment and high-end spirit selection,” she said.
“We’ve had international acts in like Havana Brown and Jason Derulo and host international events like the Maxim Model Search and lingerie competitions.”
She also said despite rumours Love is closing down and moving out of Niecon Plaza, they are “100 per cent staying” and excited about some big things coming up.
6. Shooters Lounge Bar and Nightclub, Surfers Paradise
15 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
180074668377
The Coast’s only ‘Super Club’, Shooters has seen turbulent times over the last few years, but they’ve overcome adversity and are back better than ever.
General manager Wayne Towie said while they’ve had a lot to overcome, their focus now is on the enjoyment of their patrons.
“We have had to adapt and overcome many obstacles, but our future is certainly very bright and long term — we’re so excited about what’s in store,” he said.
“Our focus at Shooters is delivering great customer service, a fun, clean and safe environment and good value for money for our patrons.
“However, the key component is having exciting entertainment that varies across multiple genres such as electronic dance, house and R’n’B.”
Perhaps something you wouldn’t expect from a nightclub, Shooters are the major sponsor for the White Ribbon Australia’s ‘The Face of Confidence’ campaign.
“Shooters is very involved in the community and we have recently taken on the role as the main sponsor for White Ribbon Australia — The Face of Confidence,” he said.
“This is a not-for-profit charity event that raises much needed awareness against domestic violence within our community.”
5. Cocktails Nightclub, Surfers Paradise
3-15 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
55921955
Cocktails has been a Surfers Paradise staple since 1989 but was recently refurbished after the infamous Schoolies 2012 fire. The doors were closed for over a year while the interior was rebuilt, however for unknown reasons the downstairs component was never reopened as CDs. With the new generation sweeping through Cocktails is once again a popular spot to hit on a night out, with its famous ‘Best Dressed’ competitions enticing patrons to dress up, DJs who know how to read the crowd and friendly, personable service.
4. elsewhere, Surfers Paradise
23 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
5592 5880
Elsewhere boss Benny Roney is just as cool, sweet and dedicated as you’d expect and he said the secret to elsewhere’s success is being personal and respecting art.
“The secret is people like to be remembered and comforted and that’s the secret, personal energy even if it’s just a nod of recognition,” he explained.
“There are no intense energies in the room.
“Then there’s the acts — I’ll only have people play who have dedicated themselves to the cause and they’re good at what they do for the love of entertainment.”
In their 14 years, Benny said the acts that play at elsewhere say his crowds are the best of the best.
“We have acts on the international circuit and they’ll say ‘Your audience are amazing man, we can take them anywhere and they’ll come with us’,” Benny said.
“We’ve had well over a million people and nobody has ever hurt themselves, apart from one unfortunate lady who hurt herself trying to get in.”
Benny is now working on his next venture, a live music venue dedicated to showcasing local talent and a pre venue for elsewhere patrons.
3. Sin City, Surfers Paradise
22 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
5538 7543
General manager of Sin City Charlie Embley has been with the company for 14 years, before it was even Sin City.
“It started off the Sugar Shack, then just The Shack, then Cheerleaders then Sin City, it’s been Sin for about seven years,” he said.
“My favourite thing is getting to meet everyone and socialise, make a lot of great friends — who else gets to go to work every day and party with their friends and look after people?
“It’s really rewarding having an 18 year old come in on their birthday or someone who just got engaged and making their night unforgettable.”
Charlie said Sin City is a “celebrity playground”, most significantly for arguably the biggest celebrity in the world right now, Justin Bieber.
“Justin Bieber, he chose to come he flew into Brisbane and him and his management had heard about Sin City before so they took the trip down here,” he said.
“Celebrities know any day of the week it’s going to be busy so there’s a good atmosphere and our music is very similar to Vegas style.
“Our VIP services are very well known — the booths are raised and our staff are all gorgeous and highly trained.”
2. Underground Nightclub, Surfers Paradise
3 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
5592 4170
Despite only being open approximately one year, relative newcomers Underground Nightclub has taken out the number two spot.
Created and run by the former owners of the Bourbon Bar and Crazy Horse Showgirls, they shut up shop to work on the Underground venture.
They currently trade downstairs from Cocktails and Dreams’ where its sister nightclub, CDs, used to be before fire caused chaos in 2012.
Underground is open Friday and Saturday nights and focuses on R‘n’B and hip hop with international hip hop star Sean Kingston recently performing live.
1. The Bedroom, Surfers Paradise
26 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
5592 0088
After taking over ownership of the Orchid Ave hotspot from his father in August, Maxwell Pickering said things couldn’t be better.
It was a long time coming for the 24 year old, who started in the club seven years ago as a glassie.
“I was working there for seven years, first as a glassie, then a bartender, then a manager and now the owner,” he said.
“Working there so long I definitely developed a love for the place.
“I’ve been away for the past month or so, so this is great to come back to.”
While Max is the owner, you won’t find him taking credit for the club’s success, which he attributes to his staff and management team.
“I reckon the reason we’ve done so well is the staff, you won’t find better staff anywhere,” he said.
“They’re just friendly and polite to everyone but in saying that we have the best management team on the Coast as well.
“Service and safety are my number one things to run a club successfully.”
The Bedroom has a few iconic features behind it, from the old beds that have made a comeback since they were a part of the furniture a decade ago to the relatively new cheeseburger Sunday promotion.
Max said everything they do is just to get people in and show them a good time.
“The cheeseburgers were pretty much just because my father loves cheeseburgers and wanted everyone to be able to eat cheeseburgers in the club,” he laughed.
“He got a bit excited in the marketing meeting, we started out with 50 cheeseburgers and by the end of the meeting we were at 200.
“The beds we got back just because they were so well known back in the original bedroom, we just wanted to bring it back.”
If you haven’t seen them first hand, the beds are literally queen size beds in allotted spots towards the back of the club. They were removed when the club rebranded to Vanity in 2010 in a move to attract more of the local market rather than just tourists. Once the team were happy with their local turnout, they changed back to The Bedroom in March this year, which saw the reintroduction of the beds.
Max said people attempt to “get naughty” from time to time but security put an end to it right away.
Over the years as Vanity and The Bedroom the Orchid Avenue underground club has partied with celebrities Delta Goodrem, Calvin Harris, Skrillex and Justin Bieber.
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