Owners Nikki Graieg (formerly of Glenelg Public House) and Alanah Mounsey (Little Truffle) quietly opened the doors to southern hub’s newest seaside hang this week, after an extensive three-week transformation of the Gold Coast Highway premises, which was formerly occupied by restaurant and bar, Spoonful. The duo, who have both worked extensively under restaurateur Daniel Ridgeway over the years, have created the Gold Coast’s first authentic Spanish pintxos bar, bringing the culture, tastes and vibe of northern Spain to the heart of Palm Beach. The ethos here is simple – ‘eat, drink and chill’. It’s all about grazing on food that compliments what you’re drinking – and it’s a concept that fits in seamlessly with Palmy’s laid-back culture.

There are no rules when it comes to pintxos, which are traditional Spanish bar snacks, often served skewered onto bread. Whilst the pintxos created here are Spanish in style, there are hints of French and Italian tastes throughout the menu, taking a shine to our three most favourite things – meat, cheese and bread. The pintxos menu will rotate and develop over time, and is designed so you can grab a few different bites to graze on as you sip. You’ll find combinations like grilled haloumi with peaches, jamon and a honey reduction, boiled quail egg with anchovy, roasted pepper and sour cream, and tiger prawn with mango salsa, olive, egg and creme fraiche. The menu expands into slightly larger bar snacks to share (if you must) like vermouth-soaked olives, Spanish-style fries with manchengo and paprika aioli, and mussels, served cold, with a colourful fresh salsa and tangy vinaigrette. If you’re a cheese-lover like us, you’ll be delighted to know that there is an extensive charcuterie and cheese element to the menu, with the freedom to design your own charcuterie board from delicacies like bresaola, ham hock terrine and jamon.

Let’s get to the drinkables – the cocktails form a big part of the San Sebastian vibe, and have been thoughtfully curated to compliment what is coming out the kitchen. There’s everything from Pisco Sours, with Peruvian pisco, fresh lemon, sugar and egg whites, the Spanish Daze with cava, rose vermouth, passionfruit, grapes and mint, and the Ink + Fever with Ink gin, elderflower liqueur, tonic, and crushed rosemary pepper. There’s a separate vermouth section (pals, vermouth is cool again, get on it) plus local and Spanish beers. The space has been designed to welcome the afternoon sun, with wide, open windows that give you the feel of being outdoors, without being exposed to the elements. You can soak up the sunshine and sea breeze of an afternoon (with a San Miguel in hand), and once the sun sets, the space transforms into a sultry, candle-lit hub, which is your cue to order a Lady Marmalade cocktail, munch on a few tasty pintxos, and get the party pants on.

For opening hours and location, head over to our Stumble Guide.