The round-up: our guide to throwing a killer office Christmas party
It’s that time of year again – we’ve hit the peak and now it’s a speedy downhill roll to the silly season (weeee!). Those of you who have been delegated the task of planning the office Christmas party, it’s your time to shine. Don’t fret – we’ve got you covered on this one, with a bunch of Christmas party ideas sure to please everyone from the stubborn Grinch’s to the silly-season fanatics.
Fun in the sun
This is where the Gold Coast really turns it on. Head down to Currumbin Creek for a day of stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) in the sunshine – the crew down there treat the newbies well, and will show you the ropes before giving you a gentle push into the middle of the creek. After you’re all SUP’d out, park the paddle boards and head to The Boatshed Restaurant & Bar’s quaint waterfront function room for sunset oysters and champagne – possibly one of the best water views on the southern end. For poolside fun with the office peeps, you can hire a bunch of private bungalows at Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino. If you’d rather keep dry, grab the crew and head to Cabana Bar & Lounge at Southport Sharks – this is a stellar spot for both large and small groups. The open-air bar overlooks the sprawling green sports oval, with tasty tapas and colourful cocktails making for an awesome party venue by day or night. Kick the shoes off, grab the work buddies and test your skills for an afternoon of barefoot bowls. There are plenty of barefoot bowls destinations, but we’re opting for Burleigh Heads Bowls Club, simply because you can kick-on with a pre-booked function at Justin Lane’s rooftop bar, or Mermaid Beach Bowls Club so you can keep the alfresco theme rolling at Glenelg Public House just up the road. You can always pub crawl next door to BonBon bar as you may well need some sneaky late-night tacos after a big day on the balls. If you’re thinking something nautical, then book a lunch, afternoon or dinner cruise (with local trawler prawns!) aboard the Spirit of Elston – it’s a brand new multi-million dollar, purpose-built dining vessel, with a relaxing garden-style upper level complete with astroturf, lounges and a pop-up bar.
The longest lunch
Christmas party luncheons are all-time, and they’re a laid-back way of saying sayonara to another work year. Book a table in the sun at Society of Florida in Broadbeach, the newly opened 8th Ave Terrace in Palm Beach, or sit back and pass the buck to the folk at QT Gold Coast who can tee you up with a Christmas party to remember at Bazaar. Don’t forget that Burleigh Social is available to hire, so you can take over the picnic tables and get saucy in the sun. California Cantina will put on an awesome Mexican lunch spread, or if you’re thinking of an Italian theme, then you can’t go past Cichetti and Justin Lane for a long lunch. Keep it hearty at the Loose Moose Tap House & Grill in Broadbeach, Little Mermaid in Mermaid Beach, or venture further south to Cafe Dbar for awesome hill-top group function. Spice up the Christmas lunch and go street-food-style – Burleigh’s Jimmy Wah’s, Fu Manchu in Chevron Island and Hideaway Kitchen & Bar in Broadbeach are the picks. Long lunches by the beach are a no-brainer, so check out the Gold Coast’s numerous surf clubs for a Christmas lunch with a view – Currumbin Vikings SLSC if you’re down south, head to North Burleigh for absolute beach frontage, or hire the function room at the quaint Miami Surf Club (just above Piccolo).
Wining and dining
The options are endless for tasty and fun group dinner options across the Gold Coast, but we know when the planning is on your shoulders, it can get a little hard to decide. If you want it fancy, look no further than the likes of Edgewater at Isle of Capri, Rick Shores and The Fish House in Burleigh, The Lazy Goose or Room 81 in Broadbeach. A little further north is Tonic on Chirn and SoPo Dining Room, and don’t forget the new Pacific Fair dining venues, Torii and Comuna Cantina, where you can kick-up the heels ’til late. Estu in Mermaid Beach makes for an exciting group dinner, as does Koi in Broadbeach and Hellenika in Nobby Beach. Or, take it back a gear and swap the wine and dine for a fun night of pizza and beer at Slice Virtual Golf in Surfers Paradise.
Get the party pants on
There will always be plenty of work peeps who are keen kick-on into the night – it’s been a big year, so it’s time to let your hair down! Stingray at QT Gold Coast is always hoot, get into the steins at Barvarian Bier Cafe in Broadbeach, or if the group vote is for cocktails, then Mamasan Kitchen & Bar is just next door. The cocktails are awesome at Garden Kitchen & Bar at Jupiters Hotel & Casino, or you’d prefer to sip whisky, get the group together at The Cambus Wallace in Nobby Beach. Surfers Paradise is always party central, with top-notch choices like Chapter & Verse Bar, the newly opened The Avenue, House of Brews, and Pigs and Pints. If you like to party alfresco-style, have a read of our round-up of the Gold Coast’s best outdoor bars and beer gardens.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.