Noise complaints flood Surfers Paradise nightclub Casablanca before it even opens

Disgruntled residents of a party precinct are fighting to stop the opening of a new nightclub, which they say is destroying their peace and quiet. WATCH THE VIDEO

Disgruntled residents of a party precinct are fighting to stop the opening of a new nightclub, which they say is destroying their peace and quiet.

Casablanca nightclub on the Surfers Paradise riverfront at Tiki Village has been hit with a number of noise complaints before the venue has even opened.

Nearby resident Ellie McCoy described the noise coming from the 58 Cavill Ave venue as “insane” after it conducted sound testing on Tuesday night.

Casablanca nightclub in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Melanie Whiting

“They have been testing out the sound systems on and off for a few weeks and I have lost sleep on the weekends from the bass in the mornings,” Ms McCoy said.

“I’m not anti-business. I was excited (about the opening) initially, but the sound is carrying straight into us.

“I can’t even hear my TV over it with the doors and windows closed.

“If I literally have to deal with that all day and night, seven days a week, I cannot live here.”

Other residents in nearby high-rise buildings have also raised concerns about the location of the venue and the safety of patrons walking through the nearby Lionel Perry Park late at night.

Resident Nina McKinnon said it was not the right location for such a venue.

“It is right beside a park that is very dark with poor lighting,” she said.

“The whole thing is an accident waiting to happen.”

Social media image of inside Casablanca nightclub. Picture: Instagram

Panorama Tower building manager Cameron Moir said a liquor licence application for the venue also listed its primary activity as a commercial hotel with extended operating hours.

“You can’t deny this is a nightclub,” Mr Moir said.

“They have mounted large outdoor speakers.

“If the music was just kept to inside and there was the ability to manage the risk of the nearby park at closing time, we would be OK with it.

“The fact that it can’t be policed and there are massive outdoor speakers, that’s the real concern.”

Alex Said is the director and sole shareholder of Casablanca, which previously operated out of a Broadbeach venue before its closure.

At the new Surfers Paradise site on Wednesday, he said he did not want to comment on the complaints.

When asked when he would be reopening, he said: “As soon as we get a liquor licence.”

Casablanca director Alex Said.

In 2021, the business was accused of owing staff thousands in unpaid wages.

At the time, Mr Said denied any moneys were outstanding to former staff, adding: “I am being targeted. I have showed everything that I will present to a court of law once asked. The reason I say that with confidence is because nobody has contacted me.”

The business has since been advertised on social media as “reopening soon” at the Surfers Paradise location.

The club was described as “the best place to relax, drink and eat during the day, and party by night”.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming was contacted for comment.