Calm before the storm: Athletes ready to party on Gold Coast’s glitter strip

IT’S been a slow start to the Games as far as the partying scene is concerned, but clubs on the glitter strip say it’s the calm before the storm as athletes near the end of competition.

IT’S been a slow start to the Games as far as the partying scene is concerned, but clubs on the glitter strip say it’s the calm before the storm as athletes near the end of competition.

Games Confidential hit up Surfers Paradise at the weekend, shocked to discover just how dire the streets were around the famous party hubs.

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However, popular bars tell us they expect it to amp up from Tuesday night as athletes let off steam after their events.

We ran into boxers Mitchell Barton and Robbie McKechnie from team Scotland on Sunday night, who revealed athletes were ready to let their hair down.

The pair also said they were enjoying what the Coast had to offer.

Boxers Robbie McKechnie and Mitchell Barton out and about in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Mike Batterham

“We were pretty enclosed in the athletes village so it has been really good to get out and see what Surfers Paradise is all about,” McKechnie told Games Confidential.

“Everybody (the athletes) is in their own lane so to speak, there are different sports and different event dates so everybody is preparing for different things. But everybody is going to let their hair down after, so we are really looking forward to it.

“We will behave ourselves but we will still enjoy it,” Barton added with a grin.

Plenty of countries have joined forces with bars across the Coast.

Boxer Robbie McKechnie of Scotland doing his “day job” against Thomas Blumenfeld of Canada. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

The Aussies party capital is based at The Star in Broadbeach, while the New Zealanders have set up camp at QT Gold Coast’s trendy Stingray Bar.

Team Canada have claimed American inspired bar House of Brews as their turf, with a party for the team on Wednesday night, while Helm Bar will be known as Jamaica Commonwealth Manor during the Games.

The British team have taken hold of the famed Southport Bowls Club.

We also hear Burleigh will be popular among the athletes as celebrations get underway this week.

Originally published as Calm before the storm: Athletes ready to party on Gold Coast’s glitter strip