Burleigh’s got a gritty, new “anything goes” bar Nightjar

NO dresscode, no kitchen, no worries — now that’s refreshing. There’s a new bar in Burleigh that’s giving cool and casual a new meaning.

Nightjar Manager Toby Young with a Stawberry Caprioska. Photo by Richard Gosling

IN a world gone mad with rules, political correctness and limitations, one bar is setting out to provide a haven where anything goes.

From Scott Imlach, Simone Tunbridge and Michael Craighead, of Hideaway, Soho Place and Bine Bar hospitality fame, comes Nightjar.

It’s their second small bar after Broadbeach’s speak-easy Soho Place, which means no kitchen and an intimate capacity, but freedom to be yourself.

“Our whole appeal is based around the fact that on the Gold Coast there are so many rules and regulations,” Scott says.

“Things you can’t wear, things you can’t do. My rules are there are no rules.

“Wear thongs if you want, wear a T-shirt with your tats hanging out.

“I think it’ll be nice to have somewhere on the Gold Coast where everyone is actually welcome.”

Sailor Jerry’s art adorns the walls of Nightjar. Photo by Richard Gosling

The interior is simple and grungy, adorned with 1952 Sailor Jerry’s art; edgy skulls and buxom beauties that set the scene for an anything-goes watering hole.

“I got the idea about three years ago ... there was a place in San Fran,” Scott says.

“It was a blues bar with no windows, with a low ceiling music room and high ceiling bar room. “We’re not doing blues and we have a few windows, but we’ve got the same sort of layout.

“It’s very dark and dingy with charcoal-rendered walls, but opens up at night-time into a funky bar.”

As for the bar menu, Scott says they’ve taken it back to basics, but with career bar staff manning the shakers and taps, patrons can expect consistency and quality.

Nightjar’s Passionfruit Margarita. Photo by Richard Gosling

“You can get a margarita but with your choice of passionfruit, or lemon, or whatever. Same with the caprioska and espresso martini,” he says.

“We’ve got a really good range of spirits, especially whisky and rum and a separate Sailor Jerry cocktail menu and then we’ve got beer on tap as well.

“It’s for the everyday person, the casual drinker, like old-school bars used to be.”

Open seven days a week, from 4pm weekdays and from midday on weekends, this new spot is truly for the locals — roll in off the beach or for post-work drinks.

“We want it to be a local icon rather than a tourist icon, that’s why it’s a bit hidden down a back alleyway,” Scott says.

The back alley digs make Nightjar a spot for in-the-know locals. Photo by Richard Gosling

“I think there was a Salvation Army shop out the back before, but originally it was an old garage workshop.”

“We left the garage doors in and we were going to leave a few other parts that were left in there but they were stolen,” he says, laughing.

“There was a big old wind-up car jack made of concrete.

“I’ve got no idea what they wanted it for, but it took three of us to lift it outside so I didn’t think it’d disappear.

“So yeah it was already set up for that rustic, bunker style and we’ve just gone with it.”

WHERE: Nightjar, Justin’s Lane, 7a/1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads