Havana in Surfers Paradise first nightclub to open in Queensland as coronavirus restrictions ease

The first nightclub in Queensland has opened despite lingering coronavirus restrictions – with a group paying $5000 for the privilege. Here’s how the first weekend went.

GROUPS have forked out $5000 to party in a Surfers Paradise nightclub which was the first in Queensland to open despite lingering coronavirus restrictions.

R & B haven Havana reopened with numbers limited to 100 patrons - just a fifth of its 500-person capacity – on Friday and Saturday night from 9pm to 3.30am.

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General manager and Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president Tim Martin said the “sort of bizarre” return to business was “very successful” and a novelty for patrons.

Strict conditions limit nightclubs to 20 people per defined area, they cannot operate a dance floor and customers must stick to their family or social group.

Kristie Hammond and Savannah Peterkin at Havana when coronavirus restrictions were not in place. Picture: Jack Fogarty

It is also table service only. The Bulletin understands at least one group paid $5000 for its VIP booth. Some patrons were offering $300-$400 to queue jump but the venue stuck with its normal cover charge.

“We were under 20 per cent capacity. We ran a few less staff but because it’s table service, you couldn’t go to the bar, so it was something a bit different for us,” Mr Martin said.

“We had a few big booths in, larger groups. We did have some groups spend quite good money,” Mr Martin said.

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“There was people inquiring about paying to skip the line, but we decided to run things as normal to help everyone out, people who’ve been lining up.”

Mr Martin said “the vibe was surprisingly good”.

Havana's management team: General manager Tim Martin and managers Alex Webb, Alana Zaidan and Eric Walkington

“We had a lot of tables spread through the room, it closed the room up a bit and there was a great atmosphere. The people there were having great time,” he said.

“We were concerned about being able to maintain it (the atmosphere), but people were happy to be back and we were definitely happy to have them.

“It’s something different and it seems to have paid off.”

He said Havana’s opening hours will be reassessed to see what’s next for the club.

Mr Martin said he wanted to see the back of COVID-19 restrictions as soon as possible.