BEACHFRONT BAR BACK ON

Bleach* pop-up success prompts renewed push

A GOLD Coast restaurateur has re-energised plans to “spend millions” on a beach club after a successful trial at Burleigh.

Pat Gennari says he was buoyed by the reaction to the popup bar at the Bleach* Festival and has “already been on the phone to council”.

The Star says it has not ruled out pursuing a bar at Main Beach once The Spit masterplan is finalised.

A GOLD Coast hospitality bigwig and The Star are reenergised about the prospect of beach-edge bars after the success of a temporary one at Burleigh for Bleach* Festival.

Pat Gennari, who owns Marina Mirage’s Glass, and popular Broadbeach venues Koi and The Loose Moose, is ready to spend “millions” to turn his beachfront bar dream into a reality.

Yesterday, off the back of the Bleach* Festival’s trial popup bar – the Burleigh Bleach* Club – Mr Gennari was in contact with Mayor Tom Tate about his plans.

“We need it, we are willing to spend millions to set up a beach club on Broadbeach,” Mr Gennari said.

“After the trial at Bleach* I have been on the phone to council, we are ready to build.”

He first spruiked the controversial idea in July last year when he revealed plans for a 500-plus capacity space with a bar, full kitchen and decking overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The plan includes a commitment to funding beach clean up, green waste disposal and solar power.

“We don’t want it to look tacky, we don’t want it to look like Bali. It will be a classy venue with low impact, all we need is a few ticks from council and we will be ready to go.”

In November the Gold Coast City Council resolved to trial commercialisation of beaches proprietors gained State Government approvals.

Star Entertainment Group, which owns the Sheraton Grand Mirage and has previously considered a beach club, wouldn’t rule out pursuing something similar at Main Beach.

A Star spokesman said: “We will see what comes out in the final masterplan for The Spit and if there is an opportunity to pursue a beachside activation we would be interested in looking at the options.”

It is understood the proposed site would be around the Sheraton Grand Mirage.

Cr Tate said Gold Coasters were likely to see developments into the future.

“The events bar was a resounding success and I received nothing but positive feedback from patrons and organisers,” he said.

“We will be looking to establish events bars of this nature at future festivals as it adds to the experience.’’

An online poll by Councillor William Owen-Jones found 70 per cent of 894 people supported the pop-up licensed beach bars.

But the idea has been slammed by some residents online, with many advocating for a separation between business and public beaches.

Departing Bleach* Festival CEO Louise Bezzina said the pop-up bar was a success that may continue as it added to the event’s bottom line.

“I believe it will continue with other festivals. We always need ways to diversify our income as it is not-for-profit and everything raised goes back to the festival.”

The bar was at capacity a number of times during the festival, she said.