If the sun is shining, make the most of it and nab a cabana overlooking the water at Cocoon Ultralounge Bar Dining and while away the afternoon with molecular cocktails and craft beers or park yourself in one of Vintage Velvet’s relaxed outdoor settings and enjoy some live music and beers that are colder than your ex-partner’s heart. If you fancy your brew with a view, the Soul Boardwalk offers some sensational selections for your afternoon swill including Elston and Gringo Loco Cantina. On the southern end of the coast, pull up a pew in the alleyway at Pigs and Pints in Burleigh or venture across and grab a table on the tapas terrace at Oskars on Burleigh and make the most of its 60-strong cocktail list. The balcony (and the bacon-infused cocktails) at Lester & Earl in Palm Beach becomes increasingly irresistible to resist on a sunny afternoon and if you’re in the mood for a couple of casual frothies, soak in the relaxed vibe of Kirra’s Tupe-Aloha or Coolangatta’s Sunhouse Surf Shop & Cafe’s  beer garden. As far as views go, it’s hard to go past the ever-popular Bin 72 on level 1 at The Strand at Coolangatta.

If your arm could be twisted for a pre-dinner beverage, Miss Margarita in Broadbeach celebrates happy hour daily from 5:00–7:00 pm as does Bine Bar and Dining in Nobby Beach, head in between 4:00–6:00 pm to enjoy $5 tap beers. Since you’ll already be in Nobbys, venture up the road to The Cambus Wallace and disappear into the vortex. If you can manage to resurface, head into Mermaid Beach and partake in a beverage at BonBon bar. Just outside, The Glenelg Public House is also shaking and stirring up a delicious selection of classic cocktails. Sink into the Chesterfield couch and indulge in a delightful Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Afterwards, venture up the road to K Bar & Meze for one of the venue’s famous Peanut Butter Martinis that contains vodka, peanut butter reduction, vanilla essence and chocolate. It could very well be heaven in a martini glass.

If you happen to find yourself in Surfers Paradise, there are plenty of options for a snifter that probably won’t end with you belting out Bon Jovi at the Beer Garden at 3:00 am. Probably. House of Brews offers 32 sorts of beer from pale ales to stouts so you may as well head on up to the rooftop bar and order a serve of porky rings and get comfortable, you might be here a while. Brooklyn Depot and Pigs and Pints are also viable options for a bite and a brew but if it’s a cocktail you seek, Walrus Social House hidden underneath Watermark Hotel, FIX Cocktail Bar in the Hilton, Seventy7 Cafe & Bar in Q1 and Black Coffee Lyrics all throw together a deliciously dangerous concoction that may or may not make you forget why karaoke is never a good idea. QT’s Stingray bar is a sure fire bet for a great night and if you’re in the mood for some top-notch tipple, Nineteen Orchid Avenue is your place. Cleverly disguised as a bespoke tailor shop, the clandestine bar offers top-shelf liquor including the likes of Sullivans Cove French Oak whisky. Southport’s Not Tonight boasts the largest range of small batch spirits on the coast while Taste at Chirn Park and Cabana Bar & Lounge provide the ideal backdrop for your evening’s enjoyment. With no less than five different kinds of Veuve Clicquot available, The Covenant at Sanctuary Cove is the perfect place for a celebratory champagne.

Southern Gold Coast dwellers are fairly spoilt for choice when it comes to watering holes so we won’t bore you by listing them all. Pull up a stool at Justin Lane Pizzeria & Bar or next door at Cavalier Bar and Italian and allow head barman Duncan to create something spectacular from the list of classic cocktails with a modern twist. The Fino Cobbler with white pepper-infused fino sherry, orange curacao and pineapple syrup always goes down a treat. Nearby, burger institution Ze Pickle also serves up a pretty darn delightful array of craft beers and curious cocktails or head down to Tugun to venture back in time to the roaring twenties at HIDDEN and sip on a martini of Hendrix gin and vermouth as you pick at a charcuterie board of miscellaneous meats and picked vegetables.