The best Gold Coast bars you need to visit
List
By Chelsea Tromans
It’s no longer just the beach culture that the Gold Coast is famous for. With a host of bespoke venues, breweries, hidden bars and luxe rooftop spaces popping up all over the Gold Coast, the surf city has certainly raised the bar when it comes to drinking destinations.
Here are some of our favourite Gold Coast bars for a tipple or two, after a long lazy day at the beach.
North Gold Coast Bars | Surfers Paradise & Beyond
Mr P.P.'s Deli & Rooftop
Once the residence of Postmaster General Philip Palmer Agnew (Mr P.P.) and his family, this 1968 building sits in the heart of Southport’s CBD. It has now been transformed into an impressive deli, pizzeria and bar at street level, and an airy rooftop bar – Southport’s first – up top.
The rooftop is all about cocktails and conversation in the sunshine, and the pizzas, deli meats, cheeses and pasta can be enjoyed upstairs or down.
The Island Rooftop
Set in the heart of Surfers Paradise overlooking the CBD, this alfresco hotspot is one of the largest rooftop spaces on the Gold Coast. Located atop the 1960s Surfers Paradise icon, The Island Rooftop oozes vintage Californian style and is known for its stellar line-up of DJs and bands.
Hyde Paradiso
The view from within is almost as good as the view directly onto Surfers Paradise beach at this lively European-inspired lounge bar. A foliage canopy hangs from the wood panel ceiling and archways frame the extensive array of liquor bottles behind the terrazzo bar. With room for 130 diners, the space feels surprisingly intimate. Shared cocktails and a tapas menu are made for group gatherings that start early and last well into the evening.
The Exhibitionist
With incredible views that sweep from the lush ranges of the hinterland out to the ocean, you’ll be hard pressed to find a prettier spot to sip than The Exhibitionist. The menu features drool-worthy eats like Steak Frites, lobster rolls, oysters and cheese boards – all of which are perfectly paired with the cocktail menu that is inspired by HOTA’s impressive art collection.
Surfers Pavilion
Dining at Surfers Pavilion
With uninterrupted river views, sprawling indoor/outdoor seating, live music and a frosé bar, Surfers Pavilion is perfect place for a tipple with friends. Want to extend your drinks into lunch or dinner? The huge menu has something for everyone from towering burgers, melt in your mouth pasta and seafood platers to oyster happy hour on weekdays. Pro tip: arrive at dusk, grab a seat on the deck and watch the sun dip beneath the hinterland.
Destino
Tucked into chic Sanctuary Cove’s The Marine Village, Destino is a sunlit, cacti-filled, beachy cocktail and wine bar that’ll have you settling for a few rounds after a spot of shopping: it doubles as a luxury homewares store. Slinging coffees by day and cocktails by night, this is a dreamy Mediterranean spot for all occasions.
Central Gold Coast Bars | Broadbeach to Miami
Nineteen at the Star
Nineteen at The Star
For a glam night out, Nineteen certainly delivers. Located on the 19th floor of the luxury suite hotel The Darling at the refurbished The Star Gold Coast, this luxe rooftop lounge bar boasts sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the city’s skyline, and an infinity pool with day beds to lounge on while you’re sipping margaritas and people watching.
The Cambus Wallace
This Nobby Beach favourite is a bit of an institution. The cosy nautical-themed rum and whisky bar and eatery is known for live tunes, a moody vibe and very hospitable staff. Sip your way through their extensive list of rum and whiskey from around the world or let them know what you like and they'll whip you up something bespoke.
Precinct Brewing Co.
Photo by @precinctbrewing
The GC has added another notch in its thriving craft-beer belt with Precinct Brewing Co. Tucked away in Miami, the space has transformed an old workshop into a community drinking hole. Brewed onsite, Precinct uses locally sourced ingredients to give their range a real coast flavour, from fresh and fruity XPAs to tropical stouts and hoppy sours, along with beer-friendly share plates and pizzas.
Veladora
Want the inside scoop on Broadbeach’s very own speakeasy? Getting here is part of the challenge, but keep your eyes peeled for a red palm tree and you’ll find Veladora: a small 30-seater bar that specialises in all things tequila and mezcal. There’s an inventive bar snacks menu to keep you going, including guacamole served with green ants and squid-ink infused popcorn.
Grandad Jack's Distillery
With its exposed brick walls, tin ceiling, and recycled wood and steel beams, the old surfboard warehouse turned family-owned distillery is not only an attractive space for a tipple from Friday to Sunday, its boutique gins and whiskies are also seriously good. Distilled on-site with tours and tastings on the regular, the friendly team at Granddad Jack’s are all too happy to impart their wisdom and passion onto others. You can even make your own gin under their expert guidance.
South Gold Coast Bars | Burleigh & Beyond
Burleigh Pavilion
It’s hard not to breathe a relaxed sigh as you sit down with a drink in hand at one of the best beachfront bars on the Gold Coast. To match your now blissed-out state, the atmosphere here is casual with wood-fired pizzas and beer-battered fish and chips, and wine on tap. Pro tip: order their signature Frosé and thank us later. Open seven days a week, stroll in straight off the beach for the perfect end to another glorious day on the Gold Coast.
Rosella’s
Patriotism runs deep at this all-Australian bar. Natural Australian wines, XXXX damper, spag bol spring rolls, and a cocktail menu inspired by Aussie greats like Kylie Minogue and The Man From Snowy River are testament to the true blue theme. It’s also one of the few places where you can grab a cold schooner of Fosters.
The intimate space plays homage to our great land, too, with a wooden bar, eucalyptus green leather booths, art deco prints of Australian animals, and a welcoming spirit that makes you feel at home.
Paloma
Nestled on Burleigh’s bustling James Street, this chic neighbourhood wine bar is the perfect place to grab a natural wine, innovative cocktail, and tasty small plates. The coastal interior was inspired by its surroundings – the ocean, sand and sun – and is a great spot to pull up a chair and people watch.
The Scottish Prince
This younger sister of Nobby’s favourite The Cambus Wallace is one of the best spots for a cheeky late-night tipple on the Gold Coast. Named after a ship which ran aground near Main Beach in 1887, this dimly-lit Palm Beach establishment is a warm and inviting space to feast on share plates and platters – their Walk the Plank cheese board is a firm favourite for drinks with a group of friends – while you sip whisky and listen to live music.
The Collective
Photo by @thecollectivepalmbeach
Why go to one restaurant when you can have five at your fingertips? That's the theory behind The Collective, a sprawling restaurant and rooftop bar in Palm Beach that offers five kitchens serving up American, Italian, Asian, Greek and Mexican food. There's really something for everyone here - and the bar menu will impress too, with a huge wine list and range of signature cocktails.
Wildflower Gin Distillery
Gin isn’t having a moment: it’s here to stay. And you can taste it with a local twist at Burleigh’s boutique Wildflower Gin Distillery. After opening a cellar door back in 2020, Wildflower has now launched an intimate gin bar where you can taste the range of gins made from wildflowers and local honey in a concise but delicious cocktail menu. If you’re up for a more in-depth experience, book the gin making class where you create your own gin from over 50 botanicals.
Balter Brewing
The brainchild of pro surfers Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Bede Durbidge and Josh Kerr and well-known Aussie brewer Scott Hargrave, this beer brand has developed a cult-like following since its launch in March 2016. Their HQ, a cool warehouse-style space tucked in the burgeoning industrial area at Currumbin Waters, is open from Wednesday to Sunday with food trucks, music and good vibes aplenty.
For more great beers in the area, stop by these Gold Coast craft beer hotspots.
Eddie’s Grub House
If your playlist is rock and your drink of choice is whisky, make your way to the dive bar digs of Eddie’s Grub House. Tucked behind the retro-glam The Pink Hotel, this Coolangatta hotspot boasts the best burgers on the southern Gold Coast, live music and good vibes.
