Finally – it’s super busy
THE Gold Coast Commonwealth Games finally became the Party Games at the weekend, with bar, cafe and restaurant trade picking up.
A first-week downturn during the Games led to the city being dubbed the “Ghost Coast” in parts, with the only operators trading well tending to be on thoroughfares to events.
Traders reported secondweek improvements but relieved Glitter Strip bar bosses finally had the influx they were hoping for at the weekend with several Surfers Paradise venues filling up to capacity.
Usain Bolt’s late-night favourite Sin City and Canada base House of Brews – hit capacity on Saturday night and had to stop any more queuing patrons coming in at times.
Bolt headed out again on Saturday, his fourth party night in a row, but opting for Broadbeach’ Love Nightlife.
Men’s 100-metre sprint gold medallist Akani Simbine and silver medallist Henricho Bruintjies were partying with fellow African athletes in a private Sin City VIP booth.
Bruintjes – who upset bronze-winning Jamaican star Yohan Blake – told the Bulletin about 1am: “We are going to tear this place upside down brother.”
House of Brews assistant general manager Jess Legault last night told the Bulletin she was expecting another bumper night and had athletes packed into the upstairs bar and ground-floor level too.
“I don’t know if we’ll ever be as busy as it was last night (Saturday). It was a whole other level. But we are definitely in for another very big night,” she said.
Meanwhile, Runaway Bay Caffene Break cafe operator Greg Hill – whose venue was on yesterday’s Games marathon course – said it had been their busiest day of the Games.
“I don’t know if it made up for the first week but it was certainly good to catch-up.
“I have enjoyed the Games but it has been hurtful to a lot of businesses.”
Surfers Paradise Italian restaurant owner Nuccia Fusco said their Costa D’Oro venue on Orchid Ave had been busier the past few nights: “Although we have been pretty steady right through.”
On Saturday night, Sin City at one point had a four-deep queue going back about 50 metres.
Sin assistant manager Ric Gibson said: “The whole street is busy.
“It’s crazy tonight, it’s awesome. This is what we wanted in the first week.”