Quench your thirst at these coastal watering holes.

Whether you’re looking for afternoon beers, a sunset spritz, pre-dinner wines, or late-night tipples, the Gold Coast plays host to an eclectic range of bars, each with its own personality to sing ‘cheers’ at.

Drinks on the Gold Coast aren’t complete without at least one rooftop bar and fortunately for you, there are plenty to choose from—perfect for city lights and hinterland views. And with casual breweries, cosy laneways, and high-end hotels on offer too, there’s a place to suit any and every occasion. Here are 26 of the best.

1. Hyde Paradiso, Surfers Paradise

Best for: Handcrafted cocktail menu

Perched above the crowds of Surfers Paradise, Hyde Paradiso is adorned with tropical foliage and neon lights.

Gaze at the ocean beyond and soak in the endless summer vibes as you taste your way through the handcrafted cocktail menu and delicious Mediterranean-inspired plates.

Address: Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

2. Aviary Rooftop Bar, Southport

Best for: Cocktails and spectacular views

Sitting on top of the Mantra at Sharks hotel, Aviary Rooftop Bar features a contemporary coastal design with a playful edge. Sip on cocktails and share tapas-style dishes while taking in the sweeping views of the iconic Surfers Paradise skyline in one direction and the Gold Coast Hinterland in the other. Bliss.

Address: 5 Melia Ct, Southport

3. Garden Kitchen & Bar, Broadbeach

Best for: Events and celebrations

Whether you’re catching up with friends on the lounges, celebrating out on the deck, or relaxing on the lawn with live entertainment, Garden Kitchen & Bar offers all kinds of indoor and outdoor spaces so you can pick your own vibe.

Address: 1, Level 19, The Darling at The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach

3. Mr. PP’s Rooftop and Laneway, Southport

Best for: Cosy laneway vibes with live music

Check out the wide array of gins and beautifully crafted cocktail jugs alongside live music in the laneway at Mr. PP’s. Order a cheese board or their famous truffle fries on the side or go all in and grab a delicious pizza.

Address: 43 Nerang St, Southport

4. The Island Rooftop, Surfers Paradise

Best for: A fun atmosphere

Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise with views overlooking the CBD and the famous Main Beach coastline, The Island Rooftop is the Gold Coast’s largest open-air rooftop bar with an electric atmosphere and plenty of entertainment. Enjoy a refreshing spritz under a sunny sky here.

Address: 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

5. The Exhibitionist Bar, Surfers Paradise

Best for: A glass of champagne

Sitting high on the HOTA Gallery rooftop is The Exhibitionist Bar for when you’re in need of a specialty cocktail, a glass of champagne, or a delicious bite to eat. Take in the views across the Coast to the hinterland.

Address: Level 5/135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise

6. Soho Place, Broadbeach

Best for: Pre-dinner happy hour

With entry via a red British telephone box door, you know you’re in for a treat when you pop in for a drink at Soho Place. Famous for being the Gold Coast’s first small bar, you won’t find food here, but you can order fine spirits and creative cocktails. Catch happy hour between 5–6pm.

Address: 4/2713 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach

7. Nineteen at the Star, Broadbeach

Best for: A taste of luxury

For a slice of sophistication and cool coastal flair, head to Nineteen at the Star, a sun-drenched lounge bar at The Star Gold Coast hotel.

Sip on a Chilli Coconut Martini and Spiced Old Fashion, or head along for Spritz Saturdays between 4pm–7pm on the terrace. Book yourself a VIP booth and dress to impress.

Address: 1, Level 19, The Darling at The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach

9. The Cambus Wallace, Mermaid Beach

Best for: Rum and whisky

Specialising in fine liquors, classic cocktails, and the finest aged spirits from around the world, The Cambus Wallace is a fun, nautical-themed bar with wall murals, drop lights, and an extensive grog menu. Grab a bite and sit back to enjoy a laugh over a tall tale or two with live music every night.

Address: 4/2237 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

10. Tropic Vice, Mermaid Beach

Best for: Palm Spring vibes

Found in the heart of Nobby Beach is the rooftop bar Tropic Vice, full of colour, energy, and Florida-like fun. With a lychee cocktail in one hand and a slice of mushroom truffle pizza in the other, it’s the perfect spot to eat, drink, and boogie.

Address: 2215 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

11. Grandad Jack’s, Miami

Best for: Award-winning gin

Enjoy an intimate afternoon sitting and sipping with friends enjoying award-winning spirits and liqueurs or well-crafted beers at the family-owned Grandad Jack’s.

For the whole shebang, opt for the tour, which begins with a cocktail on arrival, followed by a wander behind the stills and tastings of Grandad Jack’s gins and spirits, all as you hear tales of the man himself.

Address: 45 Lemana Ln, Miami

12. Burleigh Pavilion, Burleigh Heads

Best for: Ocean-side views

For the ultimate bar by the ocean extravaganza, you can’t go past Burleigh Pavilion serving freshly finessed drinks and breezy beachside cool.

From the Oh La La cocktail shaken with strawberry liqueur and pineapple juice, to jugs of lychee rosé and homemade lemonade, it’s a real ‘pinch me, I’m on the Gold Coast’ moment here.

Address: 3a/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

13. Lockwood, Burleigh Heads

Best for: Classic tipples at a secret bar

Ever had to text a bar to be let in? That’s exactly what you’ll need to do at Lockwood, but that’s what makes a visit here all the more exciting. Once you’ve found this secret bar, you’ll be greeted by well-dressed bartenders asking for your drink of choice. Sit back, melt into the ambience, and enjoy.

Address: 7B Justin Ln, Burleigh Heads

14.  Burleigh Heads

Best for: Casual rooftop drinks

If you’re chasing a casual, chilled space with white umbrellas, festoon lighting, and misting to keep you cool in summer, you’ll find it at Justin Lane Rooftop.

With views out to the world-famous Burleigh Point, booth seating, and plenty of room to dance, check out this perfect unicorn for yourself.

Address: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

15. Destino Wine Bar, Hope Island

Best for: European wines and Spanish tapas

Located in the Marine Village of Sanctuary Cove, Destino Wine Bar will transport you to the Mediterranean with its world-class service, design, and atmosphere.

Grab a wine and sit out on the deck while listening to live music.

Address: 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island

16. Balter Brewing, Currumbin Waters

Best for: Great beer on tap

Nothing says Gold Coast more than a brewery set up by some of the world’s top surfers, which is exactly what you’ll find at Balter Brewing Company.

Combining good beer with good times, there’s a rotating roster of fresh, limited-release beers that are best paired with a bite from the food trucks sitting outside and live music. It’s the place to be on lazy, sun-drenched afternoons.

Address: 14 Traders Way, Currumbin

17. Kirra Beach House, Coolangatta

Best for: Ocean-gazing and people-watching

It’s all eyes on the shimmering aquamarine horizon at the sleek rooftop of Kirra Beach House. Choose your own adventure here by taking over a pool club-style cabana, grabbing a spot on the Sunset Terrace, sliding into a teal-hued both in the restaurant, or watching it all happen from the terrazzo-topped bar at Preston’s.

Doing an excellent job of wrestling your attention back from the ocean is a cocktail menu that roams from classics, such as a negroni, to the quirkier Iced Vovo and a range of boozy slushies. A well-rounded and refined menu of Italian-leaning plates keeps everything elevated.

If you’re after something more casual, pop downstairs to the Kirra Beach Hotel for some trad pub energy.

Address: 4 Marine Pde, Coolangatta

18. Marylin’s Bar, Broadbeach

Best for: Frock up to flock in for glam sessions
With the eponymous Hollywood starlet the muse for this bar and diner that takes a few cues from Slim Aarons’ aesthetic, you can expect a plush and luxe feel here. The drinks are fruity and fun and the food is Gold Coast meets Sunset Boulevard with everything from beef carpaccio to cheeseburgers. Perch yourself in a velvet chair by the pink bar and sway along with the DJ’s beats.

Address: 90/104 Surf Pde, Broadbeach

19. Hard Fizz Taproom, Burleigh Heads

Best for: Fizzy fun

Get fizzy with it from Thursday to Sunday at this effervescent locale. You’ll find the usually canned Hard Fizz alcoholic seltzers on tap here, where you can spend an enjoyable few hours catching up and snacking on the booze-appropriate menu.

Bring your kid, bring your dog and toe-tap while you sip at this all-comers welcome venue.

Address: 16 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads

20. Southport Pavilion, Southport

Best for: Absolute waterfront

You can’t get much more waterside without getting wet than at this northern GC bar. Take your place under one of the bright umbrellas at Southport Pavilion and order yourself a seafood platter to kick off a session of sundowners. The drinks are cold and the vibes are lit as the night gets underway here.

Address: 2 Barney St, Southport

21. Paloma Wine Bar, Burleigh Heads

Best for: Enjoying quieter side of Burleigh’s night life

Not far from its big sister, restaurant Labart, Paloma is one of the Gold Coast’s most elegant bars.

While many outings in Burleigh and her surrounds are neon-lit and saturated in high-vis vibrancy, Paloma is the sophisticated and subdued alt-bar.

An elegantly curated menu and drinks list lets you know you’re in for a lovely time. It’s walk-ins only, so the earlier the better.

Address: 1/12 James Street, Burleigh Heads

22. The Malibu Racquet Club, Burleigh

Best for: Dressing in your best lounge set

It’s game, set and match at this ultra-sleek venue that leans all the way into the luxe tennis club motif. Through the door you’ll find a minimal colour palette that calls to mind grass courts and starched whites, and a mod-Med aesthetic. Grab your visor and prepare for a serve of well-rounded cocktails, such as the chilli coconut margarita, Malibu negroni and a concise curation of very nice wines.

Address: 1740 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh

23. Las Palmas, Palm Beach

Best for: Bottomless brunch and happy hour

Fast becoming one of So-Go’s (that’s south Gold Coast) hippest urban locales, Palm Beach is freshening up with breezy bars such as Las Palmas. Saltwater-infused air blows into this chic open-to-the-ocean establishment and keeps everything cool.

As do the delicious margaritas. If it’s between 4–5pm between Friday and Sunday, you’ll want to head along for $2 oysters and drinks specials.

Address: 1097 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

24. Suga, Palm Beach

Best for: Late nightcaps

Being ocean-oriented, the Gold Coast deserves its own dedicated rum bar. And now it has one in the form of Suga, a speakeasy-style, plantation-esque bar that drills down into the sweet and strong flavour of the sailor’s spirit.

Of course, there’s more to offer than rum if you’re not into spirits. Yours will be lifted, though, when the disco balls get going and the beats carry on into the early hours.

Address: 1142 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

25. Apres Surf Kitchen and Bar, Burleigh

Best for: Well, after the surf

If you’ve worked up an appetite and accompanying thirst at the beach, Apres Surf is your go-to. This is a come-as-you-are establishment, where flip flops, salty hair and bikini tops are perfectly acceptable attire. From the red-and-white checked tablecloths to the fish decor adorning the walls, and the obvious homage to ’70s Australiana surf culture, this is where to come for some good old fashion neighbourhood fun. The DJ is on the job every Friday and Saturday night and doors open all week from 5pm.

Address: Shop 1, 1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh

26. Lulu, Surfers Paradise

Best for: Heeled hens and groups of friends

Ascend to the second level for a GC-meets-Miami mash-up that’s bold with Art Deco style and modern design elements.

Lulu is here for all times, be it a boozy brunch, a late-night letting of the hair down, or romantic sundowners.

Expect a menu of dialled-up flavours and a cocktail list to follow suit.

Address: Level 2, 4 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

All that bar-hopping got you hungry? Here are the best restaurants to eat at on the Gold Coast.

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