SURFERS CLEANS UP ITS ACT
No longer ’dirty and dodgy’, the nightclub scene is going up-market according to the man behind the quality upgrades
THE go-to man for Glitter Strip nightclub, cafe and restaurant fit-outs is busier than ever and believes the Surfers Paradise nightlife hub is leaving behind its “dirty, dodgy” rep.
Gold Coast builder Leigh Weber, of Hammer Brothers Construction, is working on renovations to Retro’s nightclub in Orchid Avenue and an upcoming craft beer venue. Plus he has just finished work on new nightclub Asylum, which opened last night.
But the man behind the interiors for a stack of the city’s newest and upgraded venues – he’s done Hollywood Showgirls, Moo Moo, Mamasan, No Name Lane, Edgewater and BSKT – says he’s seen Surfers Paradise party precinct reputation change with time.
“I feel at the moment there’s going to be a real big push where you’re going to see next level places,” he says.
“We’ve seen a massive change and it needs it.
“The mentality from the shopping centres, and new investment from other cities, states and countries is leading the way.
“As the shopping centres spend a lot of money, the restaurants are all competing and we find the quality of the fit-outs has raised the bar.”
He adds the many revamps for Glitter Strip venues are helping strip away the “dirty” look of yesteryear for not just Surfers Paradise but the whole city.
“The more that gets done in Surfers, the better the Gold Coast ends up being,” he says.
“You end up getting a place where you can go dining and drinking with great entertainment, whereas before it was a dirty, dodgy Surfers.
“Within another year, by the time a couple more places are finished, it’s going to be looking pretty good. If Surfers Paradise is firing, the rest of the Gold Coast is firing.” Within another year, it’s going to be looking pretty good