New age for city’s nightlife

THE Glitter Strip has lost an institution with Howl at the Moon’s demise but night scene options for over 30s are growing, say hospitality operators.

Surfers Paradise riverside venue Howl – which catered for an older crowd and thrived in Broadbeach before relocating two years ago – has shut, as revealed in yesterday’s Bulletin.

The owners partly blamed lack of redevelopment of the riverside area but also themselves for moving to a spot where their once-popular Howl didn’t work.

House of Brews owner Sacha Kanaghines said he started his central Surfers Paradise craft beer bar – famed for quirky cocktails and Americana BBQ menu – two years ago to target an older crowd.

Living in Surfers and in his 40s, he was his own target market, and with high-end accommodation such as the Hilton and Soul tower he sensed it was a growing market.

“But there were very few places to go and have a drink. There was a real dearth of options. But there are becoming more and more options for the adults.

“There is a large proportion of people walking around who are over 30s and don’t want to go clubbing.

“They want to go out but they don’t want to be in a nightclub – they still want to be part of it, they just don’t want to be in it,” he said.

Mr Kanaghines said the market had started determining the type of venues popping up but he believed there was room for more targeting an older crowd.

Former Glitter Strip nightclub king turned festival promoter Billy Cross said in the past 18 months he had noticed far more over 25s and over 30s heading out for a fun night at restaurants and bars.

“Gone are the days when nightlife was typically just limited to your 18 to 20 year olds.

“Ten years ago there wasn’t really a market but now your over 25s and 30s is a huge market, whether it’s a Sunday session, or dining with drinking and keeping going.

“It’s catered for more from Broadbeach south. There is a real excitement about that market now but I feel like there still needs to be more options.”

Patrick Gennari, who has opened The Roosevelt Lounge in Broadbeach for the sophisticated over-30s crowd, said more spots for the older demographic were “so needed”.

“Last Friday we sold 11 bottles of Dom Perignon. It’s something classy for people who want to enjoy a night out without having to mingle with young ones.

“The other place people are going is Garden, that’s taken a lot of the older crowd. People spend if you provide the standard,” Mr Gennari said.