Melbas location to be taken over by multipurpose bar The Cavill Hotel

The location of a popular Surfers Paradise nightclub has had a facelift and is ready to showcase a new venue. SEE THE PHOTOS

The Cavill Hotel in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

• Why Coast childcare centre stands above pack
• Shark attack victim’s ashes scattered in ocean

THOSE behind a revamp of former Surfers Paradise nightclub Melbas hope it’ll draw a new crowd.

The institution shut in late 2019 due to COVID-19 but has been reinvented as The Cavill Hotel.

Hallmark Group, with Surfers Paradise venues Finn McCool’s, Retros, Asylum and The Lost Kingdom, has taken over the Cavill Avenue lease where Melbas has been since 1981.

Director Matt Heanen said the first and hardest step was deciding on a new direction: “We had a lot of roundtable discussions about what we wanted to achieve and how to change the institution that was Melbas.”

The Cavill Hotel in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We weren’t sure if we would keep the name. We can never live up to what the Allen family made. It was an iconic venue,” he said.

The Cavill Hotel had a guest-only opening last Thursday before doors opened to the public.

It boasts Surfers’ largest screen for live sports, state-of-the-art gaming and a bar.

With bespoke cocktails and craft beers, Mr Heanen said Hallmark wanted to bring a different crowd to Surfers.

“Melbas is known as a late-night venue, it changed to a daytime venue. We want to capture that daytime, evening crowd and not go until 3am,” he said.

“People associate Surfers with late nights because we have the nightclubs but they are pretty much all on Orchid Avenue.

“We are between Finn’s and White Rhino so we’ll try and get those crowds in Burleigh and Nobby’s Beach to come back to Surfers.”

THE BAR TAKING OVER MELBAS NIGHTCLUB

FOR close to four decades Melbas sat in Surfers Paradise but now the location is being used for a new bar.

The Cavill Hotel will open from 9pm on Thursday to the public and will feature a huge screen for live sports, a state-of-the-art gaming lounge and a bar facility.

MELBOURNE CUP GOLD COAST EVENT GUIDE

The bar on Cavill Ave will serve a range of crafted cocktails, beers, and carefully selected beverages.

The Hallmark Group, who own other Surfers Paradise venues Finn McCool’s and Retros, have transformed the lower level of the old Melbas into a stylish bar, with a wooden interior design with greenery throughout.

The dining space at The Cavill Hotel in Surfers Paradise: Jerad Williams

The dining space at The Cavill Hotel in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

COAST ICON CAV’S DESTROYED BY WRECKERS

Hallmark Group director Matt Heanen said he’s excited to reveal the new venue, which he promised to be far more than just a watering hole.

The biggest screen in Surfers Paradise at The Cavill Hotel in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

Bartender Kristine Gillingham behind The Cavill Hotel bar. Picture: Jerad Williams

LEADING COAST CHEF’S DRASTIC BROADBEACH RESTAURANT PLANS

“We’re beyond excited to breathe new life into the former buzzing nightspot, the heart of Surfer’s Paradise with a modern refurbishment, plus an impressive live sport offering with the biggest screen in Surfers Paradise,” he said.

Hallmark Group Director Matt Heanen and Bartender Kristine Gillingham at the new Cavill Hotel. Picture: Jerad Williams

“From the impressive sports bar and gaming lounge – a hero offering for The Cavill Hotel – to the delicious modern menu, reliable and homely service, expansive beverage options and excellent TAB facilities, we can’t wait to open the doors of our venue that offers something special for everyone.”

Follow @kwizz19