Thriving Nobby Beach: Scott Imlach says changing for better as Tropic Vice and Zephyr close

The owner of a rooftop bar has revealed what’s behind its mystery closure in thriving Nobby as other operators say it is becoming the new mecca of the Gold Coast.

With the quiet exit of Tropic Vice and Zephyr, Broadbeach's Mamasan owners are getting ready to join the upturn of Nobby's. Scott Imlach says the area now has 'everything' a Gold Coasters could want and need. Picture Glenn Hampson

A rooftop bar owner has revealed what’s behind its mystery closure and why he’s quitting thriving Nobby Beach as other operators say it’s the new Gold Coast hospitality mecca.

In January, rooftop bar Tropic Vice and restaurant Zephyr closed after almost four years of trading in the hotspot social precinct.

After four months of mystery surrounding the closure, the owner James Tantis-Hall said his “time had come” to an end at Nobby.

“The significant affects of the rain over the past three years, especially over the summer period just took its toll,” he said.

Mr Tantis-Hall said he had sold the business to someone who had planned on putting a roof over what was Tropic Vice.

“It will be great for him when he takes over.”

While Mr Tantis-Hall was ready for a change, he said Nobby was “evolving” for the better.

Inside Zephyr in January when Jimmy Tantsis-hall closed his two Nobby Beach venues, Tropic Vice and Zephyr. Picture Glenn Hampson

In January when Jimmy Tantsis-hall closed his two Nobby Beach venues, Tropic Vice( above) and Zephyr. Picture Glenn Hampson

Jimmy Tantsis-Hall and Thibault Lang Tropic Vice and Zephyr Kitchen & Bar owners in Mermaid Beach.

“Everything needs to evolve and Nobby is going in the right direction for that,” he said.

“Car parks are the only thing Nobby is missing now.”

Bine Bar and Dining owner Scott Imlach – operating in Nobby since 2013 – said they were due to lose another 38 car parks in the coming months.

Mr Imlach said he was advised the 38 car parks between Lavarack Ave and Chairlift Ave between Grill’d and Chempro Chemist would be taken by Light Rail Stage 3 works.

“Council and the State Government won’t do anything about it. Even councillor Nick Marshall won’t stop the 40 more car parks we will lose in the next few months.

“They all say their hands are tied. But I call bulls--t, grow some balls and stand up to them.

“We may need a protest.”

Despite the bad blood over impacts from Light Rail Stage 3 construction, Mr Imlach said Nobby had seen a trade upturn since developer Daniel Veitch’s multi-faceted hub The Oxley launched in December 2023.

With the quiet exit of Tropic Vice and Zephyr, Broadbeach's Mamasan owners are getting ready to join the upturn of Nobby. Scott Imlach says the area now has 'everything' a Gold Coasters could want and need. Picture Glenn Hampson

Since then many of the top restaurateurs on the Gold Coast have jumped on the Nobby wave including Rick Shores owner Nick Woodward, Lars owner Lars Kollrepp and Broadbeach-based Mamasan owners Lauren and JP Duitsch opening a Nobby “pop-up” version.

“Since the Oxley opened a whole influx of people have arrived in Nobby,” Mr Imlach said.

“Nobby has become the new Broadbeach and Burleigh mecca for dining.

“There is so many options which is great. It is no longer the sleepy joe neighbourhood it once was.”

Many businesses have come and gone in the hospitality precinct including his own but Mr Imlach said Bine Bar and Dining had “stood the test of time”.

Bine Bar and Dining in Nobby Beach. Picture: Jerad Williams

“We stick to our formula of ‘mates meet mates’,” he said.

Mr Imlach said there was “no fears of Bine ever closing or being sold”.

“Bine is my baby and my second home,” he said. “It isn’t a business, it’s an institution people need and want. The Gold Coast needs more Bines.

“I’ve been approached by lots of people to buy it and I give the same answer: ‘Not for sale’.

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