Gold Coast Instagram, Facebook giant Shammi Prasad’s Memory Lane opens then closes for week
Social media pranking giant Shammi Prasad’s new Broadbeach venue - which had a wild launch and abruptly shut straight after - has a sensational new update for fans.
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UPDATED: The bar-restaurant of Gold Coast social media pranking giant Shammi is back taking bookings despite questions around its abrupt closure straight after its launch party.
In a post late on Monday, Memory Lane told Instagram followers: “We are now taking bookings from Friday onwards! Avoid the line up and DM us to secure your spot.”
The post came a day after Memory Lane - a seven-day a week operation - posted to say despite its “epic” launch last Saturday it would postpone reopening until this coming weekend to sort out how to best handle giant queues into the venue.
At the same time, it is understood the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) is probing potential licensing breaches after inspectors visited in a venue blitz in Broadbeach and Nobby Beach.
It the first venue for Shammi Prasad who has whopping 14 million followers on Facebook and is one of their leading content creators. He also has 1.6 million Instagram followers and a merchandise range Making Memories.
EARLIER: SOCIAL media prankster Shammi Prasad’s new Broadbeach venue is in hot water with regulators after its wild opening night.
Memory Lane on the Surf Parade dining strip opened on Saturday with fire cannons, table dancing and live outdoor music, attracting good and bad reviews, including a complaint by one resident who called it “unacceptable” for the area.
COMPLETE GALLERY FROM MEMORY LANE
Despite a big launch crowd, Memory Lane will close for the next week. Its social media account said they would “postpone opening again until next weekend” after the “epic” launch.
“The line up into the venue got so big that we’re working on the best solution to go bigger and better,” it said.
But it’s understood Memory Lane has been forced to close to rectify any alleged licence breaches being probed by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR). Inspectors visited the venue at the weekend during a blitz on Broadbeach and Nobby venues.
Records show Vivid Lounge, operating as Memory Lane, holds a Commercial other – subsidiary on-premises licence (restaurant). Under that liquor license, the principal activity must be provision of meals. Noise can’t exceed 75 dB (C) and speakers cannot be located at outdoor, veranda or patio areas of the premises.
Liquor licensing expert Matthew Jones of Liquor and Gaming Specialists could not comment on the specific incident but said there were clear rules for the holders of subsidiary on premises liquor licences for restaurants.
“Essentially under the legislation providing meals must be the focus of the business, not the sale of alcohol,” he said.
“Regulators will look to see if on any day of trading most of the customers have had a substantial meal, if the kitchen is open until at least an hour before close, and if the premises are set up predominantly for the consumption of conventional meals – that is, served at a table, on a plate with cutlery provided and so on.
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“Under COVID rules there are further responsibilities for the licence holder to follow.
“An approval is also required from the regulator to transfer a licence to a new holder and to make other changes to the business, like a new name.
“If offences are detected the OLGR has up to 12 months to prosecute.
“New liquor licence applications typically require a budget of between $5000 and $6000. Transfers of existing liquor licences would ordinarily be no more than around $1200.”
An OLGR spokesman said they were not able to comment on any investigations due to Liquor Act privacy provisions.
“During routine compliance activities over the weekend, the OLGR inspectors attended The Vivid Lounge (operating as Memory Lane), Broadbeach,” OLGR said.
The listed licensee is a subsidiary firm EMK PTY LTD. Self-titled entrepreneur Emre Kusbeci is listed as director.
Mr Kusbeci, who operated Vivid Charcoal Grill House and Shisha Lounge at the site, would not comment on the matter or potential OLGR probe.
“It is private and confidential, I won’t discuss any business with you,” he said.
Mr Prasad did not return calls or respond to texts.
The pair were in a photo together at Memory Lane, posted on Mr Kusbeci’s social media on Sunday evening.
“Congratulations bro, I hope you will rock it,” he captioned the photo tagging Mr Prasad.
Originally published as Gold Coast Instagram, Facebook giant Shammi Prasad’s Memory Lane opens then closes for week
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