The longest-running nightclub on the Gold Coast party strip on Orchid Avenue is closing its doors tonight. Cocktails, formerly known as Cocktails and Dreams, announced its final night of operation on social media.
The venue has been a Gold Coast institution and celebrated 35 years of operation in 2024. In a statement posted online, venue management expressed gratitude to patrons and staff.
“Tonight is the final goodbye, doors close on Cocktails nightclub for the final time. We hope you can join us tonight for the final curtain. We would like to thank all our staff and everyone who has made Cocktails what it has been for the last 30 years,” the venue posted.
Three Decades on Orchid Avenue
Owner Mr Girardi spoke with the Gold Coast Bulletin in the lead-up to the venue’s 35th birthday in 2024, reflecting on his 35 years with the nightspot as both a co-owner and sole owner.
“Myself and three other partners took it over in 1989 and we ran it until 2006 with partners, and then since then, I’ve had it on my own, so we bought the partners out,” Mr Girardi said.
During his time running the venue, Mr Girardi observed significant regulatory changes within the industry, including smoking bans, security guard licensing, ID scanning laws, and lockout laws. He noted that these reforms were “mostly for the better”.
Future of the Venue
No official statement has been released regarding the exact reason for the closure. While reports have circulated suggesting new owners may have taken over the venue, these details could not be confirmed at the time of publishing.
