Rising number of rooftop bars planned to take advantage of Gold Coast’s perfect weather
THEY’RE a holiday highlight for travellers around the world but until now the Gold Coast has been strangely devoid of rooftop bars.
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THEY’RE a holiday highlight for travellers around the world but until now the Gold Coast has been strangely devoid of rooftop bars.
Tourists will soon be able to flood their Instagram feed with stunning photos of the skyline with open-air bars planned for a number of venues in central and northern Gold Coast.
Ridgeway Group owner Daniel Ridgeway is among those looking to add to rooftop bars at House of Brews in Surfers Paradise, Justin Lane Establishment in Burleigh Heads and recently 8th Ave Terrace in Palm Beach with a secret project at Runaway Bay.
Mr Ridgeway, who operates BiN 12, BiN 72, BiN 232, BiN 89 and Little Truffle Dining, said it was only a matter of time before the rooftop trend gained momentum on the Gold Coast.
“Our stunning coastline and views make us an ideal location to enjoy rooftop venues,” he said.
Mr Ridgeway was tight-lipped about what the new rooftop bar would involve but promised more details would be released early next year.
Southport will get at least one rooftop bar with Southport Sharks and the Mantra in plans to build one atop a 162-suite hotel planned for Olsen Ave.
Also in Southport, a development application is before council to have a bar at the top of a 19-storey student accommodation tower on the corner of Ferry Rd and Meron St.
Not Tonight on Nerang St has approval for a rooftop bar but is yet to make plans to open up the space. A rooftop bar on a 27-storey tower at Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise, is also before council.
House of Brews owner Sacha Kanaghines said their rooftop bar, which holds about 80, was so popular they were planning to expand the area.
“It books out about a fortnight in advance,” he said.
Mr Kanaghines said it was difficult to understand why it had taken so long for a rooftop bar to take off on the Coast.
“People want to be outside in the fresh air,” he said.
“You go to the big cities in the world and they all have one — and we have the perfect weather here for it.”
Justin Lane Establishment owner Adam Haralampou was just as confused as to why the rooftop trend was not more popular.
“Melbourne has dozens of them and they have crap weather,” he said. “We have perfect weather and we have not had rooftop bars.”
Mr Haralampou said people came to their rooftop bar both in summer and winter to sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere.
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