Gold Coast Dining: Bar 11 is our first New York City style bar in Southport

The first New York style bar has opened on the Gold Coast. Here’s where you can find it.

Bar 11 Mixologist Carlos Mosqueira making a French Mojito cocktail. Picture: Jerad Williams

DAWN Crichlow mixing New York-style cocktails? That’s cool – especially when the flavoursome berry and lychee concoction is called a Chill Out.

The veteran councillor was happy to take over the mixing duties at the official opening yesterday of Bar 11, a New York-style venue that wants to boost the night-life in Southport.

Veteran Gold Coast Councillor Dawn Crichlow helping to launch a new Southport bar, Bar 11. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Cr Crichlow was among the first to down a drink in the Manhattan-inspired cocktail lounge.

“To get something like this to come to Southport is great. We have every type of food and dining now,” she said.

“This is an up-market place for people to come and enjoy and be safe.

“Southport is so different to other areas because it’s not allowed nightclubs.

“Well dressed young people can come here and feel safe and meet nice people.”

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Bar 11 owner Richie Dia. Picture: Jerad Williams

Japanese-born Richie Dia, who was the former owner of Sydney bar Donny’s, was keen to open the bar in Como Crescent after spending years working in Washington DC training to be a chef.

“This area of Southport is continuing to grow as a resident and tourism hub,” he said.

Eleven unique cocktails are on offer, made by mixologist Carlos Mosqueira.

Australian cuisine with a hint of Asian fusion is being dished up.

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New Southport bar, Bar 11. Picture: Jerad Williams

A council report has shown night-life in the Southport CBD has grown 65 per cent since 2015, in line with an increase in residents as 1512 dwellings and 187 short-term accommodation units being approved in that time.

Council records show 60 venues are serving up drinks, and Cr Crichlow said she thinks the CBD is offering a “much better” night-life than the Surfers-Broadbeach Glitter Strip.

But Tim Martin, owner of nightclubs Bedroom and Sin City, said the suggestion was an “ambitious statement”.

“Southport is definitely growing but it’s always going to be rough for them to compete,” he said.