Bars
Slurpee who? Cool down with El Camino Cantina's Summer of Swirls dual frozen margaritas
Food & Drink

Slurpee who? Cool down with El Camino Cantina’s Summer of Swirls dual frozen margaritas

Ah, summer in Queensland. The last couple of days have truly reminded us just how hot – and humid – it can get. When you can't escape the heat, there's nothing quite like a cool iced bev to regulate your temperature from the inside, out. To help, El Camino Cantina has just launched its limited-edition Summer of Swirls dual frozen margaritas, giving us an adults-only version of a summertime favourite. more

Bars
Much-loved Sunshine Coast brewery Brouhaha opens a mammoth second location in Baringa
Food & Drink

Much-loved Sunshine Coast brewery Brouhaha opens a mammoth second location in Baringa

Since its 2016 opening, Brouhaha has made some serious waves in the Australian craft-brewing scene. What started as a passion project for Sunshine Coast mates Julian, Jeff, Dave and Matt – who set out to build a modest, no-fuss brewery – has grown enormously, much more than they could have ever imagined. After receiving numerous awards and gaining a seriously loyal following, Brouhaha soon outgrew its humble Maleny digs. Friday December 17 marked the beginning of a new chapter for the brewery with the opening of a second location in Baringa – with the capacity to increase production by 500 percent. more

Bars
The year in review: the trends and tastes that consumed the Gold Coast in 2021
Food & Drink

The year in review: the trends and tastes that consumed the Gold Coast in 2021

Well, 2021, it's been a time. We'd be lying if we said it was all sunshine, lollipops and rainbows, but despite it all, some pretty amazing things happened here on the Gold Coast. The year that was witnessed the Gold Coast's dining scene evolve in interesting ways, from bars and pool clubs to the influx of sip-from-the-source breweries and the return of the not-so-humble sandwich. Before we close the book on this year, we thought we'd take a quick skip down memory lane and commemorate some notable happenings and spotlight some of the pieces that resonated with you, our dear readers, the most … more

Bars
The round up: the biggest foodie openings of the year
Food & Drink

The round up: the biggest foodie openings of the year

Well, we made it. The year's end is imminent and that's got us feeling more than a little nostalgic. Despite intermittent lockdowns and dining restrictions, the Gold Coast's dining scene continued to flourish. New eateries popped up with surprising regularity, from sophisticated tipple temples to sandwich bars, a bounty of beach bars and pool-side sip spots, it's been a big year! We've compiled a list of stand-outs from the past 12 months. While not an exhaustive selection, it's a snapshot of the diverse array of arrivals we had the privilege of checking out this year. more

Bars
Barbecue, beer and moonshine – Against the Grain Distillery opens its doors in Mudgeeraba
Food & Drink

Barbecue, beer and moonshine – Against the Grain Distillery opens its doors in Mudgeeraba

It's often said that barbecue is an art, not a science. Distilling, on the other hand, is both an art and a science – a distinction that Stephen (Steve) O'Brien, the owner of Woodchoppers Inn at Mudgeeraba, knows all too well. Having won over the local meat-loving populace with a mouth-watering menu of authentic woodfired smokehouse cuisine, Steve set his sights on a lofty new project – to add an in-house distillery to craft his own range of spirits. After almost a year (and a few COVID-related shipping mishaps later) he's set to pull back the curtain on Against the Grain Distillery. Here's everything you need to know. more

Bars
Let's get fizzy – Hard FIZZ is opening the world's first immersive seltzer brewery this weekend!
Food & Drink

Let’s get fizzy – Hard FIZZ is opening the world’s first immersive seltzer brewery this weekend!

For those who are late to the party, let's just recap real quick – hard seltzers have been dubbed the unofficial drink of summer. The fizzy, spiked sips are dominating the normally sugar-heavy and calorie-laden RTD (ready-to-drink) market with its better-for-you booze, because ain't nobody got time for hangovers. Gold Coast-born seltzer brand Hard FIZZ has been delighting tastebuds since its inception almost a year ago to the day, racking up a cool $7.5 million in national retail sales. Now, the boozy brand has unveiled its brand-new HQ in beautiful Burleigh Heads. Here's everything you need to know about this effervescent newcomer ... more

Bars
Mermaid's beloved Apres Surf has ventured south to sling brews and bites in Burleigh Heads
Food & Drink

Mermaid’s beloved Apres Surf has ventured south to sling brews and bites in Burleigh Heads

Those who have been kicking around the coast for a hot minute and fancy a frothy are likely to have fond (hazy) memories that involve Apres Surf. The watering hole – nestled between a massage parlour and an Asian grocer in Mermaid Beach – found a loyal following of folk thanks to its refreshingly down-to-Earth approach to brews and bites. Unfortunately, the neighbourhood locale became a casualty of the development wave that is currently surging across the Gold Coast with the entire block set to be transformed into a supermarket. The Apres story, however, does not end there. We're stoked to reveal that Apres Surf has returned in a brand-new Burleigh Heads location. Here's everything you need to know about Apres 2.0 ... more


Bars
Madocke Beer Brewing Company brings Belgian brews to Ashmore
Food & Drink

Madocke Beer Brewing Company brings Belgian brews to Ashmore

The local brewing scene on the Gold Coast is thriving, thanks in part to the introduction of the state's artisan liquor licence in 2020, but also our penchant for sipping from the source. While the majority of commercial brewers focus their attention towards American-style beers, Madocke Brewing Company is going against the grain to produce Belgian ales. Belgian-born, coast-crafted – Madocke Beer Brewing Company opened the doors to a sizeable new brewery and taproom on Southport Nerang Road in Ashmore last weekend (Saturday October 30). Here's everything you need to know about this impressive newcomer ... more

Bars
Broadbeach scores a sophisticated new hetero-friendly LGBTQIA+ sip spot, Chameleon Lounge Bar
Food & Drink

Broadbeach scores a sophisticated new hetero-friendly LGBTQIA+ sip spot, Chameleon Lounge Bar

There's been a pretty noticeable absence on the Gold Coast bar scene for the last little while, but Dan Duncan is here to change that. The qualified zookeeper and veterinary nurse has traded khakis and scrubs for nightlife, opening a hetero-friendly LGBTQIA+ lounge bar in Broadbeach. Perched along Surf Parade, the refined new watering hole is a safe space for everyone in the community to enjoy a drink and a show. Here's everything you need to know about this colourful newcomer ... more

Bars
Step back in time at Murwillumbah's brand-new bistro, Tweed River House
Food & Drink

Step back in time at Murwillumbah’s brand-new bistro, Tweed River House

A grand old manor has been perched on the banks of the Tweed River at Murwillumbah for more than 100 years and, thanks to an inspired plan by its new owners, is now receiving a new lease on life – and it’s looking pretty damn spectacular. While we can't head across the border for a long lunch just yet, take a peek inside the brand-new (but old) venue for when we can day-trip to Northern New South Wales. more

Bars
Palm Beach's new eatery Scott's Luncheonette & Bar delivers a winning trifecta of sandwiches, coffee and wine
Food & Drink

Palm Beach’s new eatery Scott’s Luncheonette & Bar delivers a winning trifecta of sandwiches, coffee and wine

If you're not yet familiar with the name Perry Scott, you soon will be. Perry has shaken and stirred sips for some pretty famous faces around the world, having first learned the craft from New York's Dale DeGroff (A.K.A. The Cocktail King) before moving on to London’s Match Bar Group, as well as some of Soho’s most renowned cocktail bars including Milk & Honey and The Player. Inspired to pioneer a drinks revolution here in his home state, Perry opened Lark Food & Drink in Brisbane as well as a roving cocktail bar The Dispense Station, which toured the country at major music events (remember those?), picking up a stack of accolades along the way. Now, Perry has turned his attention towards the food side of things and has opened a laid-back beachside eatery called Scott’s Luncheonette & Bar right here on the Gold Coast. Here's everything you need to know ... more

Bars
An icon reimagined – say hello to the new-look Atrium Bar at The Star
Food & Drink

An icon reimagined – say hello to the new-look Atrium Bar at The Star

If you're a Gold Coast local over the age of 25, chances are you have at least one story that involves a wild night at Atrium Bar at The Star. Since its inception in the 80s, the venue's dance floor has witnessed the genesis of countless love stories and has set the scene for many hazy, happy memories. So when news first broke of the beloved Atrium Bar's sudden closure, many long-time locals felt a collective sadness for all the nights they didn't spend dancing to Whitney's 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'. Thankfully, we weren't without the iconic tipple temple for too long with the brand-new bar officially turning the page on its exciting new chapter on Friday August 27. more

Bars
Giddy up for the social event of the season and celebrate Melbourne Cup at The Star
Food & Drink

Giddy up for the social event of the season and celebrate Melbourne Cup at The Star

There's a lot happening at the minute, so you'd be forgiven for thinking we're still hovering around mid-year. Friends, we're well and truly on the downhill slide into the silly season, which everybody knows (un)officially kicks off on Melbourne Cup (Tuesday November 2, in case you forgot). Undoubtedly one of the biggest and most anticipated days on the social calendar, the success of any Melbourne Cup festivities hinges on a little pre-planning to ensure you don't get left at the gate. No matter what you're in the mood for, The Star Gold Coast has you covered with a range of happenings, from low-key to all-out baller. more

Bars
Australiana bar Rosella’s ditches its famous jaffles in favour of XXXX damper, lamb cutlets and cocktails
Food & Drink

Australiana bar Rosella’s ditches its famous jaffles in favour of XXXX damper, lamb cutlets and cocktails

When Burleigh's Australiana bar Rosella's opened in 2019, the menu was designed to give childhood faves such as Vegemite sambos and Bunnings snags a contemporary overhaul with the use of native Australian ingredients. Its jaffles became the stuff of legend, lining the bellies of all those who passed through its tiny doors. Friends, we have some good and bad news – the good news is that the menu has had a glow-up of sorts, the bad is that they've ditched the tasty toasties. Before you go shedding too many tears for all of the jaffles you didn't get to devour, the all-new grown-up menu retains the venue's signature Australiana vibes with plenty of personality. more

Bars
Catch culinary masters in action at Oi Izakaya's new-look interactive sushi station and bar
Food & Drink

Catch culinary masters in action at Oi Izakaya’s new-look interactive sushi station and bar

If you've ever attempted to make your own sushi at home you'll appreciate it's actually way harder than it looks. First, there's the delicate rice-to-ingredient ratio to consider followed by the all-important rolling technique – push too hard and the rice busts through the nori, too little pressure and you end up with a very sad-looking snack that falls apart in your chopsticks. If you too have tried and failed, pull up a seat at Oi Izakaya's brand-new interactive sushi bar and get some pointers from the pros. more

Bars
Fig + Frankies has had a facelift, and it's got us tickled pink
Food & Drink

Fig + Frankies has had a facelift, and it’s got us tickled pink

It’s a classic story – boy meets girl, they settle down, open a hugely popular bar and, due to demand, expand into a full-service restaurant while juggling a little one … no, but seriously - Bella and Euan Lovell are a powerhouse duo who have just opened the new-look Fig + Frankies in the heart of Broadbeach. Step inside this aesthetically pleasing locale to discover an impressive drinks list and the delicious new menu that will now accompany it. more

Bars
First look – sip award-winning spirits from the source at Burleigh's new distillery, Capricorn Distilling Co.
Food & Drink

First look – sip award-winning spirits from the source at Burleigh’s new distillery, Capricorn Distilling Co.

The local distilling scene is hotter than the surface of the sun right now with some top-notch tasting rooms and sip-from-the-source bars popping up all over this fine city. Adding to the already impressive selection is Capricorn Distilling Co., Burleigh's newest small-batch urban distillery, which has expanded operations to the sunny Gold Coast from its original home in Rockhampton. The sizeable new space in Ern Harley Drive in Burleigh Heads opened its doors last week, here's what you need to know ...  more