Glitter Strip bar bosses vow: ‘We will behave’
GLITTER Strip bar bosses given an extra hour of partying during the Commonwealth Games promise to behave responsibly, hoping it’ll become permanent.
The Labor State Government has extended alcohol service by an hour for all Gold Coast restaurants and licensed venues during the Games from April 3 to 17.
Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president Tim Martin said venues would embrace the opportunity to show they could pull off safe late trading.
“We understand the Government couldn’t bend too far with the hours extension because of their election promises,” he said. “But hopefully this will show the businesses can do it well and responsibly.
“We’re hoping this will prove to Government trading hours has not been the issue.”
Mr Martin said the Government requiring compulsory ID scanning to weed out troublemakers was working to reduce night-life problems.
“The scanners are eliminating the few per cent which have caused the problems.”
The Government’s temporary licensing relaxation enables bars in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach Safe Night Precincts to serve booze until 4am.
The existing cut-off is 3am after Labor axed 5am last drinks as part of a suite of new laws aimed at tackling alcoholrelated violence.
The Games change also means 162 licensed Coast cafes and restaurants can serve alcohol until 1am or 2am.
Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones, who helped drive the consultation with the sector which led to the compromise, has promised businesses the extension will be automatic and they won’t have to pay extra fees or apply for extended licences.
Artesian Group boss Matt Keegan, whose company bar portfolio spans Surfers Paradise nightclubs The Bedroom, Sin City and Hennessy, said he welcomed the opportunity to showcase a vibrant sector to Games visitors.
“If we want the Coast to be classified as a world-class city we need to have a night-life that reflects we are one.
“All eyes are going to be on the city during the Games and the authorities are going to be all over it.
“We want to make sure it can be done responsibly to prove it can be done.”