IT’S ALL ‘TABOO’ IN THE PARTY PRECINCT
THE duo behind popular Broadbeach venue Aloha are venturing into Surfers Paradise with a new bar in the midst of the party strip.
Aloha co-owners Tim Glasson and Gavin McDougal have signed a lease for a vacant space under icon strip club Hollywood Showgirls. They plan to create a laneway bar with a “tropical” theme.
Its working name is Taboo Tiki and Mr Glasson said the focus would be on a laidback “tiki” style watering hole unique to Surfers Paradise with quality, share plate food through until 3am.
“It will be all bright colours and tropics designed drinks based on rum and tropical fruits and juices,” Mr Glasson said. “It is what I’ve always been into as far as bars go. There is no pretention, you can have fun.”
The experienced hospitality figure, 35, said he was aiming for a late September opening and aimed to carve out their own crowd, not competing with Surfers Paradise nightclubs.
“It’s more of a cocktail bar with food,” he said.
“We’re just offering an alternative, something a bit different that hasn’t been offered for a long time here.
“If people want bottle service and house music there are plenty of other great places they can go.”
Taboo Tiki’s menu will be serviced by the pair’s second Smashed Burgers joint they plan to open under a separate lease in the same building.
They opened their first Smashed Burgers in Broadbeach. Their Surfers Paradise one will replace what was Super Slice kebab and pizza shop fronting Orchid Ave.
Mr McDougal, an American who made his pile from selling an IT company in Sydney before investing in hospitality, said the pair were shelling out six figures on Taboo and Smashed Burgers.
Mr McDougal said he believed in Surfers Paradise’s future and was happy to be part of new investment in its social scene: “Something is changing in a positive way and it’s great people are putting their money into it.”
The laneway to Taboo would have a feature neon sign and graffiti artwork.