Sip your way around the best bars in Surfers Paradise

Refreshing, vibrant, cool, invigorating, and topped with foam… we could be talking about the famous turquoise waves of Surfers Paradise – but we’re also describing the delicious tipples waiting to be enjoyed along its glittering strip.

A day spent soaking up the unmatched energy of this northern Gold Coast cityscape by the sea is thirsty work – and from an art gallery to a brewery, nightclubs to rooftops, there’s a watering hole to suit every taste. Here’s a selection of the best bars in Surfers Paradise.

The Island Rooftop

Switch to island time at The Island Rooftop, sprawled on top of boutique hotel The Island. The biggest rooftop bar on the Gold Coast, its expansive alfresco patio is home to DJs, a cocktail bar, and plenty of seating, all with an impressive view of the Surfers Paradise CBD and pristine coastline of Main Beach as the backdrop. Part nightclub, part bar, part live music venue, from mid-week events to Sunday sessions, you can enjoy top-notch food, delicious drinks and impeccable coastal vibes at this chic oasis in the sky.  

Hyde Paradiso

With Hyde already a household name in the US, there was no better home for its first foray into Australia than Surfers Paradise. Blending Gold Coast cool with a Mediterranean aesthetic, this stylish dining and cocktail destination overlooks the iconic sands of Surfers Paradise from level one of Peppers Soul hotel. 

Surrounded by lush foliage, neon lights, and a warm sea breeze, salted coconut margarita in hand as you soak in the sunset, it’s hard to argue that life on the Coast isn’t pretty darn good. The food here is no afterthought, either – from early until late, there’s a menu of delicious Mediterranean fare on offer to tempt all tastes.

BOBs Beer

Feeling parched and searching for the "Best of Beers"? Look no further than BOBs Beer – the coolest (and only) brewery in this part of town. Head brewer Ryan Fullerton blends the local Surfers vibes into every sip of his beers, which are all brewed on-site so you can taste the freshness of each pot. Feeling hungry? BOBs Beer's food is just as amazing as its brews. They carefully pair their beer and food menus, so you can focus on catching the next wave instead of worrying about your appetite. 

Surfers Pavilion

There was plenty of buzz when this iconic waterfront spot on Ferny Avenue was brought back to life, with the old Helm Bar transformed into a cool Californian-style coastal dining and function venue perfect for foodies and party-seekers alike. It’s a gorgeous light-filled fitout, but the real showstopper is the uninterrupted view of the Nerang River, facing west towards the hinterland for spectacular sunsets. If that wasn’t drawcard enough, there’s a huge mooring for patrons to pull up their boat or jetski in true Gold Coast style (they’ll even do takeaway out to your boat!).

Locally sourced seafood is the star of the menu at Surfers Pavilion, with an interactive oyster and champagne station for next-level luxe, as well as a frosé station, mouth-watering cocktail menu, or plenty of beers on tap to complement your kingfish ceviche or lobster mornay. 

House Of Brews

Pull up a seat at the bar at House Of Brews, an American-inspired eatery and taphouse boasting the largest number of beers on tap on the Gold Coast. All about rock, brews and BBQ, this gastropub has an impressive selection of 32 craft beers from both local and international breweries, including some excellent drops from local brewers like Black Hops, Burleigh Brewing, Balter, and Lost Palms. 

Soak it all up with their share menu of traditional American BBQ flavours like buffalo wings, sticky BBQ ribs, and sliders all to the tunes of live rock and blues artists.

Stingray Lounge

Retro pop art meets industrial-chic at this trendy Gold Coast hotel bar, found inside the QT Hotel in Surfers Paradise. Stylishly eclectic, there’s a strong southern California vibe, immediately evident in the selection of 50 different in-house tequilas that form the basis of many of the Mexicali-inspired cocktails on their list – including skinny cocktails sweetened with agave nectar. Pair them with Mexican-inspired bites like chicken empanadas or pork belly bites with tequila glaze and caramel pineapple salsa, then dance the night away.

Cali Beach Club

Cali Beach Club is a luxury beachside precinct boasting phenomenal ocean and city vistas. Make the oh-so-tough decision between the VIP cabana, booth and daybed options, then kick back and immerse yourself in live music, a choice of four spectacular glistening pools, or sporty vibes on the sandy volleyball court. Multiple bars and two separate restaurants offer a tempting menu of bites and beverages, and there's also an outdoor cinema and open-air luxe showers perfect for cooling off after a long day in the balmy sun. 

Sandbar

No list of the best bars in Surfers Paradise would be complete without Sandbar, one of its longest-established beachfront watering holes. Perfectly located on the corner of The Esplanade and Elkhorn Avenue across from iconic Lifeguard Tower 35, this laid-back venue was recently renovated with a breezy Balinese aesthetic. Blue and white umbrellas, floating fishing lanterns and woven furniture perfectly capture salty holiday vibes, as do more than a dozen tap and craft beers, an extensive selection of sparkling, white and red wines, and refreshing cocktails.

The White Rhino

Want to be wowed? Head for The White Rhino, a sleek, double-storey restaurant and bar located in the Circle on Cavill precinct. Open and airy, its buzzing, glitzy interior is filled with quirky delights: think an elaborate waterfall above the bar, theatrical cocktails, extravagant five-metre-high ceilings to accommodate established trees, lush greenery everywhere, a private mezzanine floor with romantic velvet booths, and (if you didn’t catch it from the name) a couple of life-sized white rhinos. Meanwhile, outdoor garden seating is perfect for summer drinks in the Gold Coast sunshine. 

The Exhibitionist

Perched on the rooftop of state-of-the-art HOTA Gallery and boasting panoramic views from the city to the hinterland, as the highest open-air rooftop bar in the Gold Coast, The Exhibitionist really does what it says on the tin: showing off the absolute best of Surfers Paradise. 

If you fancy an automatic talking point as you sip, this is the spot – the creative cocktail menu changes to reflect the exhibitions and major artworks on show downstairs. 

Steampunk

Far from your typical beachy drinking spot, Steampunk’s theme is taken to the hilt with cogs, antique clocks, Victorian-style booths, gas masks, industrial fans, antique furniture, exposed piping, and a copper bar complete with bar staff in full getup. Just like the quirky theming, Steampunk’s cocktail list is full of eccentric concoctions like the absinthe-based Dancing Fairy, or their signature smoking cocktail balloons. A true sensory experience, this is one you’ll remember long after last drinks are called.