New and old collide at revamped Rocky nightclub

ROCKHAMPTON'S Flamingos on Quay Nightclub, formerly the Republik, will open its doors to the public tonight.

Richard Pickering (manager), Wayne Riddell (owner) and Tina White (financial controller) inside the new Flamingo's on Quay. Photo Sharyn O'Neill / The Morning Bulletin. Picture: Sharyn O'Neill ROK231112sflaming

FOR the better part of the 80's and 90's Flamingos Nightclub was the place to go for a big night out in Rockhampton.

But the times changed, the owners changed, the name changed and inevitably the clientele changed and things haven't been quite the same at the iconic Quay St building.

All that could be about to change, however, as Flamingo's on Quay opens its doors to Rocky club goers tonight.

The former Republik club has been re-imagined by new owner Wayne Riddell, manager Richard Pickering and financial controller Tina White with the purpose of offering something different to Rockhampton's night life scene.

The trio sat down with the Bully yesterday and explained what the aim of the reinvigorated Flamingo's on Quay is and what set it apart from the other venues in town.

"Flamingo's was such an iconic venue for Rockhampton, I guess we really wanted to get a bit of that back," Tina explained.

"But obviously the times have changed so what we are really trying to do is offer a modern version of that club and something that Rocky doesn't already have."

Richard said rather than trying to grab young clubbers, they were hoping to appeal to a different sort of demographic.

"We're really trying to appeal to those who are over 25 with Flamingo's on Quay, people who just want to have a good time out without being crammed into one small dance space," he said.

"We're trying to offer something a bit more sophisticated and something that caters for people with different tastes."

The new Flamingo's on Quay will have a bar and bistro that will be open from 5pm, a dance floor and main bar which will be open from 9pm, as well as a cocktail lounge and a sports bar which will screen live sporting events.

Mr Riddell said he hoped that Flamingo's on Quay would bring back some of the former clientele, who may not enjoy other venues in Rockhampton.

"We've got all the elements that people would come to expect of nightclubs, like DJs and the dance floor, but we're also going to be offering the live music that Flamingo's was famous for, so we're hoping to catch the attention of those who have been looking for real live music that other venues haven't been able to provide," he said.

Originally published as New and old collide at revamped Rocky nightclub