Rumours are swirling around Fisherman’s Wharf closure due to upcoming redevelopment
The famed waterfront tavern Fishermans Wharf - which hosted huge acts in its heyday including Nirvana - is now hosting its last hurrah. Find out when the last drinks call is coming
Gold Coast
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A famed Gold Coast waterfront tavern which hosted giant acts in its heyday including Nirvana is hosting last drinks this weekend.
Speculation has been mounting the iconic 25-year-old Fisherman’s Wharf is closing amid an ugly dispute around a multimillion-dollar redevelopment, but multiple sources say it’s “closing” and Sunday will be the last hurrah.
More than 30 Gold Coast tourism operators based at Mariner’s Cove have been faced with uncertainty after a $480m redevelopment for the area was announced.
The Giannarelli and Pelligra groups have lodged a development application for a proposed Main Beach Superyacht Marina and Ritz Carlton Hotel on the site.
On Wednesday, Gold Coaster Nikki Stoneman took to social media, saying Fisherman’s Wharf could be closing on Sunday after 25-years in its location.
Ms Stoneman’s husband, who was a DJ at Fisherman’s Wharf, had his gigs “pulled” and she said she had heard the reason for the venue’s closure was it would be “demolished to make way for the upcoming major Marina redevelopment”.
A Fisherman’s Wharf employee declined to comment on the talk surrounding closure due to ongoing legal matters.
“Going to miss this place,” Ms Stoneman said.
“Obviously the tavern is not the same Fishos building from the 80s that held famous concerts etc, but it’s still a well established Gold Coast business that has been around for decades.”
The previous iteration of Fisherman’s Wharf, which was demolished to make way for Palazzo Versace, hosted an incredible array of musical guests including INXS, Midnight Oil, the Violent Femmes, Nirvana, Joe Cocker and Jimmy Barnes.
“He is sad to have lost his gig there,” Ms Stoneman said of her husband’s situation.
“It all happened so fast. We knew for years that this fate was looming, but the actual closure notice was very sudden.
“Farewell Fishos and staff, you will be missed.
“Another iconic Gold Coast venue gone.”
There was public outcry to Ms Stoneman’s suggestion of the possible closure, with many reminiscing on their time at both the original and current venues.
Hundreds of people commented on her post and said they remembered “running around as a kid” and “watching Nirvana play”.
“The early 90s OMG good memories,” Michelle Brown said.
The speculation about the site comes after police were called, locks were snapped and workers threatened to tow a tour operator’s boat at the Mariners Cove precinct.
Majority of the 30 marine businesses had been given advice from the developers, Giannarelli Group, that they would have 60 days to vacate once the project was approved by Gold Coast City Council.
Despite the project still awaiting the green light, operators such as Happy Holidays were locked out on Tuesday.
Paradise Jet Boating had been fighting an eviction notice with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
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