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The Best Bars on the Gold Coast For Sunshine Sipping
Sunshine is beckoning... answer the call at the best bars on the Gold Coast for elevated eats, curated cocktails and incredible natural wines.
Gold Coast bars have an energy all of their own. There’s something about that laidback coastal vibe, fresh salty air and the sunshine-filled days that just make social hour so much better!
A popular holiday destination for many Aussie or international travellers, the Gold Coast is full of trendy pockets bursting with fresh new restaurants, fun bars and boutique shopping. With good reason, this coastal city has become a popular place to live, work and holiday within — there’s just so much to do!
Whether you’re kicking back after a day at the beach or getting glammed up for a night out, we’ve found the best bars on the Gold Coast for any and every occasion.
Sueno
From the dynamite team behind Rick Shores comes a brand new establishment that’s bound to have your heart a-flutter. Sueno is a vibey rooftop haunt above Norte, serving ceviche, skewers and tortillas, alongside some dangerously drinkable cocktails.
If tequila or mezcal are your go-to tipples, you’ll discover hard-to-find bottles here to enjoy at one of the best new bars on the Gold Coast.
2217 Gold Coast Highway, Gold Coast
Lulu Rooftop
After drinks with a view? Head to Lulu’s. Bringing together atmosphere, views, drinks and tasty food is effortless for the crew behind this venue, with in-house DJs supplying chilled daytime house music, tropical sunset house tunes or party vibes as it creeps toward nighttime.
A flavourful menu has been crafted with passion to ensure your meal is anything but boring. The bottomless brunch is the best way to kick back on a weekend with tasty frozen cocktails and tasty eats.
Level 2, 4 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Garden Kitchen & Bar
Garden Kitchen & Bar nails the live music, delicious grub and creative cocktail trifecta impeccably. On top of that, the rooftop lawn offers sparkling views of the city. Bar snacks have a uniquely Aussie twist and include the likes of chicken and truffle dimmy’s, Stone & Wood beer-battered scallops and king prawn rolls. As for mains, think elevated takes on classic bistro dishes.
Casino Level, The Star Gold Coast
Burly Bar
The makers of some of the Gold Coast’s tastiest (and most chic) gins have opened their very own bar for lovers of this botanical spirit. With an exceptional fit-out, moody corners to curl into and warm, glowing hues, this new Gold Coast bar will soon become a regular haunt.
Designed as an immersive experience for gin lovers, here you can sample the entire Burly Gin range, experimental cocktails and modern Australian cuisine all in the one place. Settle in for a tasting flight or sip your way through signature cocktails and spritzes, each drink promises depth, flavour and fun.
60 Currumbin Creek Road, Gold Coast
Kirra Beach House
Quite frankly, we feel that there are very few places on the Gold Coast that could beat this view! Kirra Beach House boasts indoor booth seating, spacious balconies, and comfy bench seating to perch on with a cocktail.
Kirra Beach House is also perfect for hosting private functions, with an enormous function room, a cosy cocktail bar (named Preston’s) and an outdoor barbecue alcove on the balcony available for hire.
4 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Kirra Beach House
Originally established in 1956, the Kirra Beach Hotel is one of the Gold Coast’s longest-standing iconic locations. Kirra Beach Hotel retains a laid-back and deeply Australian heart, embracing the surfers and beach-goers that walk in, barefoot and sandy in search of a nice frosty drink to refresh themselves after a day at the surf (they even keep a tub of thongs behind the counter if you need to slip on some flip-flops).
Enjoy weekly seafood specials, icy cold beers, Australian wines and much more as you drink in the view of one of Australia’s most famous point breaks.
2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Burleigh Pavilion
No list of the best bars on the Gold Coast would be complete without the Burleigh Pavilion. “The Pav” has it all: beachfront views, incredible cocktails and a mouth-watering menu from the highly esteemed Guillaume Zika.
Share plates of fresh seafood, wood-fired pizza, salads or nachos while the calming ocean views deliver instant vacay vibes, all year round.
The Pav is also home to one of our favourite Gold Coast restaurants, The Tropic, so this gorgeous spot in Burleigh Heads is a one-stop shop for incredible food and drinks when you’re next feeling drawn to the Gold Coast.
3a/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Destino
Destino is Hope Island’s answer to the Mediterranean. Feel as if you’ve stepped overseas when you walk into this elevated wine bar, furnished with white-washed coastal flair.
With a live music calendar giving you plenty of excuses to stay social, we love Destino’s concept of reimagined sun-drenched afternoons spent in Mykonos or Santorini, right at your doorstep.
You’ll find us sipping a Miss Pomona (butter vodka, peach syrup, passionfruit, whites and apple) and sharing plates of warm olives, deconstructed garlic bread and boards of charcuterie.
You can even take a little piece of Destino home with you, by exploring their range of furniture, fashion and home wares in-store.
4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
Paloma Wine Bar
From the award-winning team behind the celebrated restaurant Labart, comes one of the best bars on the Gold Coast: Paloma.
This cosy and ambient neighbourhood wine bar is an inviting space for a date night or intimate catch-up with your nearest and dearest, located on the bustling James Street in Burleigh Heads.
Offering a seasonal menu of small plates that reflects their local suppliers’ produce day to day, this wine bar is the perfect place to stop in and enjoy the simple pleasure of quality food and incredible wine.
Their extensive wine list is approachable and refreshing, offering high-quality international wines, unusual varietals and new favourites like pet nats and skin contact wines.
1/12 James Street, Burleigh Heads
The Malibu Racquet Club
No sign of the former tattoo parlour remains at this beautiful bar in Burleigh Heads — The Malibu Racquet Club has completely transformed the space into one of the Gold Coast’s best bars. With an oh-so-chic and modern fitout, we’re mesmerised by the neutral and emerald green hues that define the Racquet Club’s aesthetic.
An elevated menu of bites offers warm Mount Zero olives, sea salt crisps served with caviar and dill creme fraiche and a smoked burrata that will make your dreams come true.
Expect all your favourite cocktails, along with a few new favourites crafted especially by the Malibu team — we expect you’ll be returning to this bar time and time again.
1740 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Rosella’s
Is there anything more Australian than a pet nat slush puppy? You might just have to step into Rosella’s and find out! Enshrined in nods to Australiana, Rosella’s has been a staple on the Gold Coast bar scene since 2019.
Popular for their warm and welcoming ambience, Rosella’s is a place for everyone to sit back and wind down with a natural wine, cocktail or a tinnie whilst nibbling on some native and nostalgic bites.
Our favourites are the spag bol spring rolls and hot chips with chicken salt, Rosella’s smoked tomato sauce and aioli. Nothing says iconic Aussie Gold Coast quite like chicken salt hot chippies!
1734 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Planning a holiday now that you’ve devoured our list of the best bars on the Gold Coast? Check out our curated list of the best accommodation on the Gold Coast for a luxurious stay. You’ll need somewhere to go for breakfast too, so be sure to try one of the best cafes in the region to start your day with a killer cup of coffee!
