Surfers Paradise nightclub Sin City lockout: Operator’s rent payments

The operator locked out Sin City has proof of $10,000 weekly rent paid to mid-March, claiming the landlord only alleged arrears when COVID-19 forced it to shut.

B.O.B performing at Sin City Nightclub, considered an icon venue on the Glitter Strip after 13 years down Orchid Avenue.

THE operator locked out of famed nightclub Sin City has proof of rent paid to mid-March, claiming the landlord only alleged arrears when COVID-19 forced venue closures.

Melbourne-based landlord Bada Bing Holdings last week had Sin City’s locks changed to keep out operator Rockbah Bar, claiming six-figure rent arrears back to September.

But Artesian Hospitality partner Matt Keegan, whose Surfers venue stable includes Sin City, yesterday supplied the Bulletin bank statements showing Rockbah paid $10,000-a-week rent from December 12 to March 13. The 14 payments total $140,000.

Artesian Hospitality’s Matt Keegan, whose hospitality stable includes Sin City, says operator Rockbah Bar paid $10,000 a week rent for three months before it was locked out.

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Mr Keegan also claimed it was Bada Bing Holdings which suggested the $10,000 a week back in December – after Rockbah had approached it for a reduction.

“The fact the landlord or its agents are now trying to dispute this is ridiculous,” Mr Keegan said. “We paid the amount of $10,000 each week for three months.

“The landlord and its agent raised no issues with us paying $10,000 per week until the COVID epidemic started.

“The landlord has broken its agreement and taken action during COVID-19 when they thought we wouldn’t be in a position to respond or fight back,”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison shut pubs and clubs a month ago to halt the spread of coronavirus. His National Cabinet then unveiled a code of conduct for rent negotiations to guard against landlords terminating leases of operators struggling with the pandemic shutdown.

Landlord David Brandi’s Bada Bing Holdings, via Legacy Legal, yesterday acknowledged receipt of $10,000-a -week rent – or just over $40,000 a month – but said the lease required $60,964.84 a month and Bada Bing always requested that amount.

Melbourne accountant and landlord David Brandi of Bada Bing Holdings.

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“There was never a rent reduction to $10,000. Simply because the Lessee decides it will start paying $10,000 and the agent accepts and receives such partial payments, does not indicate (Bada Bing) should now only be entitled to $10,000,” Legacy Legal claims.

“Sporadic $10,000 contributions towards the lease amount is by no means payment of the rent amount due.”

Bada Bing served Rockbah with a notice on April 7 giving it 14 days to remedy a lease breach of alleged arrears totalling $268,250.18, yesterday’s Bulletin revealed.

Rockbah, in response, disputed any arrears, said the deadline to pay was “unreasonable” and pointed out a new $10,000-a-week “deal” plus coronavirus impacts.

Mallory Isobel, Sophie Dim and Emma Barker at Sin City Nightclub earlier this year before its operator was locked out last week during the coronavirus shutdown.

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Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said he hoped the Sin City dispute was resolved because the nightclub scene was “significant” for the precinct entertainment offering.

“It’s been such an iconic nightclub for years and very well managed by Tim Martin, the president of the Safe Night Precinct and Licensed Venues Association,” Mr Winlaw said.

Sin City general manager Tim Martin. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We hope they could resolve this in some appropriate way for the sake of entertainment offerings in Surfers.”

Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw on Sin City’s lockout: “We hope they could resolve this in some appropriate way for the sake of entertainment offerings in Surfers on the Gold Coast.” Picture: Tertius Pickard

Mr Keegan said it was “unlikely or impossible” Sin City would reopen in the premises it was locked out of.

“Our strong hope is Sin can continue but it’s too early to say what that’d look like,” he said.