REVEALED: Surfers Paradise RSL opens doors after multimillion-dollar reno

A multi-million dollar renovation now has a Gold Coast venue boasting what’s believed to be the longest bar in the city. Here’s your first look inside.

BOASTING a 43m-long bar, believed to be the biggest on the Gold Coast, this stalwart venue has laid down the gauntlet for other licensed bars in Surfers Paradise.

The newly renovated Surfers Paradise RSL will officially open its doors to the public today offering a whopping 42 taps of beers and premix.

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The bar at the newly refurbished Surfers Paradise RSL measures an incredible 43 metres. Picture: Tim Marsden

Gone is the “tired” decor in favour of fresher styles and an alfresco feel.

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It is a multimillion-dollar overhaul more akin to a cool new club, but RSL board member Ross Eastgate said the organisation needed to move with the times in order to keep up.

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The alfresco area overlooking Cavill Ave. Picture: Tim Marsden

“It's the longest continually licensed venue in Surfers Paradise,” he said.

“Thirty years ago we had WWI, WWII, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam veterans coming in, now they’re ageing and we need to get the young veterans and their families involved,” he said.

“This place generates the income to help the community and provide our commemorative activities.”

Situated between Beach Rd and Cavill Ave, Mr Eastgate said he hoped the venue would be embraced by locals.

Evan Ryan and Ross Eastgate cheers to a job well done. Picture: Tim Marsden

The dramatic change was only made possible by eleventh hour funding by businessman Evan Ryan, which saved the club from closing at the start of the year.

With the downstairs area revamped, and renovations on the upper function rooms still to come, Mr Ryan hopes the club can not only survive, but thrive.

“For me it’s all about supporting the vets, I’ve always had a soft spot for them,” he said.

“I’m in their age group but I never got called up to serve, it’s something that’s very important to me.”