Gold Coast nightclubs get green light to reopen after pandemic but no dancing or 'mingling'

Glitter Strip nightclub bosses are at odds over the green light given to the weekend club scene which allows venues to open – but with no ‘mingling’ or dance floors.

NIGHTCLUB bosses are divided on a shock green light to reopen – with dance floors, live acts or mingling banned – leaving some scrambling to party and others refusing.

Surfers Paradise R & B nightclub Havana raced to open at 9pm last night – among the first in the country – after Queensland’s licensing body clarified nightclub operators could trade under existing stage two coronavirus pandemic restaurant rules.

But operator Hallmark Group said it would not reopen its Glitter Strip nightclubs, arguing it was “not the atmosphere we want” if people could not dance, mingle or enjoy live acts.

An Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) clarification released late on Thursday night said nightclub licence holders could “serve food and drink on a seated, separated and served basis” under stage two rules that allow restaurants and cages to operate.

But the OLGR said party spots “can’t provide normal nightclub entertainment services such as dance floors or live bands”.

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Keen clubbers can get back to the party this weekend – but strict COVID-19 rules are still in place.

Up to 20 patrons are allowed via a COVID Safe Checklist, or 20 are permitted per “defined area” if under a Queensland Hotel and Clubs Industry COVID Safe Plan.

Havana, on Gold Coast party strip Orchid Avenue, put on a dozen staff to host a maximum of 100 patrons across five “defined areas” last night and plans reopening tonight.

Havana general manager Tim Martin, the Surfers Paradise nightclub lobby group president, said he believed the clarification allowing nightclubs to trade came after sector “blow back” about restaurants, bars and cafes being able to open.

“People are ready to go out, we’re ready to provide entertainment and it’s time to move on,’’ Mr Martin said.

“People can’t dance, it’s table service only. They can drink while seated. But it’s going to be an amazing experience.”

Havana, which has capacity for 500, had VIP booth bookings last night and would open each Friday and Saturday for 100 patrons, with week nights added if in demand, he said.

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Havana General manager Tim Martin – “People are ready to go out, we’re ready to provide entertainment and it’s time to move on.”. Picture: Jerad Williams

Hallmark Group marketing manager Tammy Wood said her Orchid Avenue nightclubs Asylum and Retros would not reopen yet.

“We don’t want to if people have to be in separate 20-people sections. That’s not the atmosphere we want to provide,’’ she said.

“If rules that allow live music and a nightclub atmosphere return, then we will open.

“Restaurants are allowed to open to 20 per area. We have a few venues like Finn McCool’s (Irish bar) and Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria under those guidelines, but until we get the all clear about nightclubs, we won’t be opening.”

An OLGR spokesman confirmed nightclub licence holders could open if adhering to dance floor, live music and mingling bans.

“The advice by OLGR on 18 June clarified under stage two, all venues authorised to offer pub, restaurant or bar service can do this. This followed extensive consultation with Queensland Health on how nightclubs could operate safely and in compliance with health directives that apply to other hospitality venues.”

Nightclubs will not be permitted to operate as traditional nightclubs until stage three kicks in on July 10, the OLGR spokesman said.

The restricted nightclub return comes seven days after Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged states to reopen economies but made it clear nightclubs were “not on the agenda”.

Asked about the Havana reopening, Mr Morrison’s office said the National Cabinet had agreed on a three-step process for easing restrictions.

“Each jurisdiction is responsible for their own implementation. When Queensland eases these restrictions is a matter for them,” the office said in a statement.

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said people should “get out and support local businesses”.

“They’ve done it so tough for such a long time, it’s great to see small businesses on the Gold Coast starting to open,’’ she said.

“Because Gold Coasters have done such a great job in fighting COVID-19, we can now start to focus more on our economic recovery.

“(But) we’re still in a pandemic and relying on people to adhere to directions from Queensland Health to keep safe.”