Draculas Gold Coast celebrates 40 years of blood, sweat and fears

From pilot strikes to pandemics – Draculas celebrates a major milestone and it’s all thanks to decades of blood, sweat, and your very own fears.

Iconic theatre restaurant Draculas has been crowned Australia’s longest running entertainment company as it celebrates four decades of escapism on the Gold Coast.

Spanning three generations of Newmans – John and Tiki, then Paul, Marc and Haydie and now Luke – Paul and his son Luke said Draculas still stands thanks to the locals.

Having survived the pilot strike of 1989, the GFC and Covid, the duo said they owe their longstanding success to the pillars of true escapism, live music and of course, the people of the Gold Coast.

John Newman of "Draculas" in 2005.

“During the pilot strike we got through that because of the local people,” Paul said.

“The Gold Coasters adopted Draculas from the start, it was down on T. E. Peters Drive, not on the main strip and it was mainly for locals to bring their family and friends – we weren’t even focused on tourists back in the beginning which is hard to believe. It built by word of mouth and it still is.”

Paul and Son Luke Newman at Draculas 2025. Picture: Annette Dew

Since then the venue has seen celebrities from across the world enter Draculas Castle, such as rock legend Alice Cooper.

When Covid hit, Draculas made history as the first theatre in the world to reopen.

“We have 100 staff who were desperate to come back, it’s like a family here,” Paul said.

“Finically it was not positive at all, none of it was,” Luke added.

“But we thought if we can get moving again and give people a bit of confidence and direction, maybe it will flow on, and luckily it did.”

The duo said they’ve never looked back, hitting one of their busiest years in the 12 months following Covid.

Draculas Cabaret Restaurant launches its new show Redrum, lead actors Tania Crealy and Richard Macionis.

Opening its doors in 1985, the family-owned and operated theatre restaurant has become a mecca for locals and tourists across the country and overseas, ushering 2.5 million guests through its doors.

With more than 40 productions under its belt, the show continues on with no plans on slowing down.

“One of our greatest achievements is being able to keep it fresh and young,” Paul said.

“And every night is opening night.”

Originally published as Draculas Gold Coast celebrates 40 years of blood, sweat and fears