Gold Coast bikini-clad Meter Maids to open bar restaurant in Surfers Paradise

WELCOME to the bar where it’s acceptable to wear a bikini — the Gold Coast’s world-famous bikini-clad Meter Maids are opening their own bar and restaurant on the Glitter Strip.

THE Gold Coast’s world-famous bikini-clad Meter Maids are going next level with their own bar and restaurant in Surfers Paradise.

The racy new venue is coming to party strip Orchid Avenue thanks to Meter Maids owner Roberta Aitcheson teaming up with bar co-owner John Sankey and Coast-based silent investors.

Exterior posts to promote the first ever Meter Maids bar in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

It is pencilled in for a pre-Commonwealth Games opening and will be entirely staffed by Meter Maids in trademark gold bikinis but with a male manager. It will also stock its own ‘Meter Maid Blond’ beer by Carlton United Breweries.

Gold Coast Meter Maids Bec Herft, Patrick Hill and Camille Shakespeare at the new Meter Maids Bar and Grill in Surfers Paradise which opens soon. Picture Glenn Hampson

Other features include a small alfresco bar plus beach scene wall with an actual vintage parking meter acting as a photo booth. The interior will have posters celebrating the 50-plus years Meter Maids have strutted the streets of Surfers saving visitors from fines by topping up parking meters.

It will be licensed from 10am to midnight.

Gold Coast Meter Maids Isabela Delanhesi and Nicole Dolly have fun painting the new Meter Maids Bar and Grill in Surfers Paradise which opens soon. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Sankey, a Queenslander who has spent two decades globetrotting as a drummer for some of the world’s biggest heavy metal bands, said the idea struck when having drinks with friends of Ms Aitcheson.

“A mate said ‘How good would a Meter Maid bar be?’ It was a light bulb moment. I said ‘it’s such a good idea’.”

Mr Sankey said the fit-out was six figures and aimed to recreate a vintage beach culture atmosphere.

Gold Coast Meter Maids Isabela Delanhesi, Nicole Dolly, Bec Herft and Camille Shakespeare with owner John Stanley at the new Meter Maids Bar and Grill in Surfers Paradise which opens soon. Picture Glenn Hampson

Brisbane’s award-winning King of the Wings are doing the food, which will include its famed chicken dishes.

Exterior posts to promote the first ever Meter Maids bar in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

Artesian director Matt Keegan, who has nearby nightclubs Sin City and Bedroom, said he was excited about the new bar giving patrons another different option for early evening socialising on the strip.