With a host of stylish pubs, clubs, lounge bars and nightclubs, there’s no doubting the Gold Coast has excellent nightlife. But where do you start and where should you finish? And where to go in between?
Follow our guide for a memorable night out…
Where to start your night out on the Gold Coast?
The Coolangatta Hotel
Coolangatta
The Coolangatta Hotel is the ideal starting point for a night on the Gold Coast. The famous surf breaks in the background make the afternoon/early evening the perfect time to visit, setting the scene for a relaxed and carefree night.
The Cooly is a vision of contemporary finishes coupled with rustic furnishings that make you feel at home. The Beach Bar is the ultimate beachfront beer garden, complete with large screens, pool competitions, live bands, DJs and more. The Band Room houses some of the finest Australian and International touring artists, and is unquestionably one of Queensland’s most consistent live venues.
If you fancy grabbing a bite to eat, The Eatery is open 7 days a week and offers an extensive menu and a great wine list. Make a booking and enjoy Barramundi Spring Rolls, Bacon and Halloumi Stuffed Mushrooms, pasta, pizza, salads or Shank Pie. If you’d prefer to grab just bar snacks, you can choose items like onion rings, salt and pepper squid, and cheesy fries.
Where to go for cocktail hour on the Gold Coast?
Harvest Moon
Burleigh
Hidden away in a covert laneway of James Street in Burleigh is Harvest Moon, a unique bar with boutique wines, craft beers on tap and the best espresso martinis on the Gold Coast. Harvest Moon offers not one but 14 different types of espresso martinis and use premium real French style roasted coffee to bring the taste of perfection to your glass. The house speciality is their Salted Caramel Espresso Martini, but the Cherry Ripe Espresso Martini is also pretty damn good. Every weekend there’s live music too.
The Cambus Wallace
Nobby Beach
The Cambus Wallace is a favourite with the lads, with its frequent rotation of taps and huge collection of bottled beers and ciders. For the girls, fresh pressed apple juice with tabu caramel vodka or tanqueray gin are popular drinks, as is the Maiden Voyage, a muddle of fresh pineapple, Sailor Jerry spiced rum, Brinley coconut rum, Angostura white rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and tiki bitters. All cocktails have a nautical theme to pay homage to its namesake.
Koi Dining and Lounge Bar
Broadbeach
Koi Dining and Lounge Bar not only offers a great selection of beers, wines and cocktails, it’s home to some spectacular desserts. From chocolate jaffa brownie to snickers slice with mocha gelato, it pays to go here for something sweet. If you prefer cheese, Koi’s cheese plates are good too, especially when washed down with a good dessert wine.
Where to party until the early hours on the Gold Coast?
Surfers Beer Garden
Surfers Paradise
In 1925, the renowned hotel entrepreneur James (Jim) Cavill arrived on the scene and created the Surfers Paradise Hotel. 84 years on, Surfers Beer Garden is still one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic venues and one not to be missed on a night out. The last remaining rock venue in Surfers Paradise, it’s tradition to go there and is where the locals lie. Featuring a 14-metre balcony in which to escape the pumping music sounds, it’s also a great place to watch over Cavill Ave as the night owls come out to play.
Underground
Surfers Paradise
Despite not having been opened all that long, Underground Nightclub has become a firm favourite of Gold Coast locals. Created and run by the former owners of the Bourbon Bar and Crazy Horse Showgirls, it trades below Cocktails and Dreams’, it’s sister nightclub. The focus is R’n’B and hip hop, so if that’s your jam it’s the place to be.
The Star
Broadbeach
As you make your way back towards Coolangatta, make a stop at The Star, previously known as Jupiters Casino. Here you’ll find a world-class 24 hour casino and a lively bar in which to party to the early hours. Be swept away by the energy of the craps table, thrill of the dice roll, and lively banter over cards. With over 70 gaming tables and 1,600 machines, The Star is your place to play before calling it a night.
Where to recover from a night out on the Gold Coast?
Coolangatta Hotel
Coolangatta
The next day, make sure you arrange to meet your friends back at The Cooly for a debrief. You never know what’s going to happen on a night out on the Gold Coast, but you do know that it will be fun recapping it all the next day. Grab a table for a late lunch at The Eatery and nurse your hangover with a Snity Burger and a hair of the dog beer.
