Pubs, Bars, Taverns & HotelsOn the Gold Coast
The pub scene on the Gold Coast has just taken off in recent years with a number of excellent gastro pubs opening up in the region. There are also plenty of old favourites to choose from which have a good range of cold beer on tap and great, affordable meals.
There are literally hundreds of pubs and taverns peppered throughout the Gold Coast and most of them offer a good range of drinks, hearty meals at decent prices, sports playing in the background and more pokie machines than you can throw a two dollar coin at. The vast majority of bars can be found in suburbs closer to the coastline where the nightlife is more exciting, such as Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Nobbys Beach and Burleigh Heads, however you'll still find a great range further inland. This is not to be confused with your local tav, of which you can find in practically every suburb. You'll find most taverns have an extensive menu of pub meal classics like steak and chips, chicken parmigiana, fish and chips and burgers, plus pizza, pasta, salads and dessert, not to mention friendly atmosphere and the odd trivia night. The majority of local taverns are family-friendly with a range of kids meals and even a playground.
Contrary to popular belief, most Queenslanders (at least South East Queenslanders) don't always drink XXXX, and because of the Gold Coast's proximity to the NSW border and its large population of interstate arrivals, you can get pretty much whatever beer you want. Take your pick out of the vast range of bars and pubs around the Coast, or why not head to one of the Gold Coast's breweries and sample some of the locally crafted beers.
And there are no territorial beers that you aren't allowed to order for fear of breaking the local alcohol code of ethics.
What's the best pub on the Gold Coast?
There are so many you'll have to try them for yourself, but the Gold Coast Australia.com team personally recommends:
Surfers Pavilion
Enjoy great seafood, burgers, tapas, cocktails and more with a lovely waterfront view of the river.
Where: 30/34 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
Phone: (07) 5620 1012
Web: www.surferspav.com.au
White Rhino Bar and Eats
The Gold Coast's newest 'It' bar, the White Rhino has jaw-dropping, one of a kind cocktails, extraordinary dining and live music in a unique jungle-themed space.
Where: 55 Cavill Ave, Main Beach
Phone: 07 5619 8197
Web: www.white-rhino.com.au
Surfers Paradise Beergarden
Surfers Paradise Tavern boasts the famous Beergarden, the home of the best live music on the Gold Coast. The Beergarden has undergone an extensive multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2009 to launch the venue into its next forte. Keeping in tune with its core values where music meets the sea, the Beergarden is set to reignite your sound wave.
Where: Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
Phone: (07) 5570 1322
Web: www.surfersbeergarden.com.au
The Island Rooftop Bar
Enjoy the evening air and Surfers city lights at The Island Rooftop. Sample from their extensive drinks menu and enjoy a bite to eat while listening to live music or a DJ.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
Phone: (07) 5538 8000
Web: www.theislandgoldcoast.com.au/the-island-rooftop
Garden Kitchen & Bar
The Star Gold Coast has plenty of excellent choices when it comes to bars but the Garden Kitchen & Bar is a hotspot amongst locals and visitors alike!
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach Island, Broadbeach
Phone: 07 5592 8787
Web: www.star.com.au/goldcoast/restaurants/garden-kitchen-bar
The Cambus Wallace
This popular nautical-themed rum and whisky bar offers a delicious tapas-style menu, classic cocktails and more.
Where: 4/2237 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Phone: (07) 5575 3420
Web: www.thecambuswallace.com.au
The Gold Coast Tavern
This place is a Gold Coast icon that has undergone numerous name changes but still thrives as a hotspot for a great meal and a night out. Previously known as Margaritas, Surfers Rowers and One50 Public House, the venue sits along the Nerang River and is located a stone's throw from the HOTA precinct.
Where: 150 Bundall Rd, Bundall
Phone: (07) 5500 0214
Web: goldcoasttavern.com.au
Directory of Gold Coast Pubs and Local Taverns
Anglers Arms Hotel
50 Queen St, Southport
Phone: 07 5532 1677
Web: anglersarms.com.au
Arundel Tavern
226 Napper Rd, Arundel
Phone: 07 5574 4854
Web: arundeltavern.com.au
Beechmont Hotel
402 Nerang Murwillumbah Rd, Advancetown 4211
Phone: 07 5533 2222
Web: beechmonthotel.com.au
Benowa Tavern
117 Ashmore Rd, Benowa
Phone: 07 5557 9090
Web: benowatavern.com.au
Broadbeach Tavern
Oasis Shopping Centre, Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach
Phone: 07 5538 4111
Web: broadbeachtavern.com.au
Burleigh Heads Hotel
4 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads
Phone: 07 5508 0500
Web: www.burleighheadshotel.com.au
Burleigh Town Tavern
Cnr Township & Tsipura Drv West Burleigh 4219
Phone: 07 3558 3302
Web: www.burleightownhotel.com.au
Cafe d'bar
275 Boundary St Coolangatta 4225
Phone: 07 5599 2031
Website: www.cafedbar.com.au
Cafe Esplanade
84 The Esplanade Surfers Paradise 4217
Phone: 07 5539 0099
Calypso Plaza Suites Coolangatta
87- 105 Griffith St Coolangatta 4225
Phone: 07 5599 0000
Cecil B. Demille's
Cnr Scarborough & Nerang Sts Southport 4215
Phone: 07 5531 0700
Central Park Tavern
18 Central Park Ave Ashmore 4214
Phone: 07 5527 8822
The Clock Hotel
3282 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Phone: 07 5539 0344
Web: www.theclockhotel.com.au
Commercial Hotel Nerang
Cnr Price & Ferry Sts Nerang 4211
Phone: 07 5578 1200
Coolangatta Hotel
Cnr Marine & Warner Sts Coolangatta 4225
Phone: 07 5589 6888
Coolangatta Sands Hotel
Cnr Griffith & McLean Sts Coolangatta 4225
Phone: 07 5536 3066
Coomera Lodge Hotel
Maudsland Rd Upper Coomera 4210
Phone: 07 5573 3400
Currumbin Creek Tavern
Cnr Currimbin Creek Rd & Traders Way Currumbin 4223
Phone: 07 5534 2322
Del Plaza Hotel
146 Scarborough St Southport 4215
Phone: 07 5591 6399
Diamond Resort Holiday Apartments
19 Orchid Ave Surfers Paradise 4217
Phone: 07 5570 1011
Diamonds Bar & Gaming
221 Chrsitine Ave Robina 4226
Phone: 07 5535 3555
The Dog & Parrot Tavern
2 Scottsdale Drv Robina 4226
Phone: 07 5575 7955
Don's Tavern
Cloverdale Drv Robina 4226
Phone: 07 5595 5573
Dublin Docks At Harbour Town
Harbour Town Drv Biggera Waters 4216
Phone: 07 5563 9433
Eagle Heights Hotel
Tamborine-Oxenford Rd Eagle Heights 4271
Phone: 07 5545 3388
Ferry Road Tavern
Cnr Ferry Rd & Cotlew St Bundall 4217
Phone: 07 5556 5100
Gold Coast Brewpub
3120 Gold Coast Hwy (Next to Islander Resort) Surfers Paradise 4217
Phone: 07 5504 5971
Gold Coast Hotel
1650 Gold Coast Hwy Burleigh Heads 4220
Phone: 07 5576 3955
Helensvale Tavern
Sir John Overall Drv Helensvale 4212
Phone: 07 5573 3788
Highland Park Family Tavern
Alexander Drv Nerang 4211
Phone: 07 5574 9133
Hope Island Resort Yacht Club Tavern
Rialto Quay Drive Sanctuary Cove 4212
Phone: 07 5510 8022
Hope Island Tavern
87- 97 Broadwater Ave Hope Island 4212
Phone: 07 5510 9533
Hotel Pacific
Marine Pde Southport 4215
Phone: 07 5591 5611
International Beach Resort
84 The Esplanade Surfers Paradise 4217
Phone: 07 5539 0099
Jacobs Well Bayside Tavern
1170 Pimpama-Jacobs Well Rd Jacobs Well 4208
Phone: 07 5546 2155
Kallora Country Retreat
823 Tomewin Mountain Rd Currumbin Valley 4223
Phone: 07 5533 0361
Kirra Beach Bottle Shop
425 Golden Four Drv Tugun 4224
Phone: 07 5536 3311
Lawrence Drive Tavern
55 Lawrence Drv Nerang 4211
Phone: 07 5596 6610
Lonestar Tavern
Cnr Markeri St & Sunshine Blv, Mermaid Waters 4218
Phone: 07 5572 2000
Web: lonestartavern.com.au
McGinty's Irish Bar And Restaurant
Shop 57 Oasis Cntr Broadbeach 4218
Phone: 07 5504 6210
Mermaid Beach Tavern
2500 Gold Coast Hwy Mermaid Beach 4218
Phone: 07 5526 6944
Merrimac Tavern
Merrilaine Crs Merrimac 4226
Phone: 07 5525 3155
Miami Tavern
2043- 2047 Gold Coast Hwy Miami 4220
Phone: 07 5535 1644
Oxenford Tavern
179 Old Pacific Hwy Oxenford 4210
Phone: 07 5573 1224
Palm Beach Hotel
1118 Gold Coast Hwy Palm Beach 4221
Phone: 07 5534 2188
Parkwood Tavern
Cnr Olsen Ave & Wintergreen Drv Parkwood 4214
Phone: 07 5571 5104
Robina Tavern
Cnr Cheltenham Drv & Ron Penhaligon Way Robina 4226
Phone: 07 5593 2600
Runaway Bay Tavern
Cnr Lae Drv & Morala Ave Runaway Bay 4216
Phone: 07 5537 3066
Santa Anne By The Sea
15 Anne Ave Broadbeach 4218
Phone: 07 5538 5455
Shearers Arms Tavern
23 Peachey Rd Ormeau 4208
Phone: 07 5547 5822
St Bernards Hotel-Motel
101 Alpine Tce Tamborine Mountain 4272
Phone: 07 5545 1177
Trader Dukes
22 Siganto Drv Helensvale 4212
Phone: 07 5529 7566
Treetops Tavern
Cnr Classic Way & Executive Drv Burleigh Waters 4220
Phone: 07 5593 7811
Tugun Tavern
Cnr Golden Four Drv & Toolona St Tugun 4224
Phone: 07 5559 5188
Wallaby Hotel-Motel
45 Railway St Mudgeeraba 4213
Phone: 07 5530 5600
Waterfront Tavern
Sanctuary Cove Hope Island 4212
Phone: 07 5577 8634
Images courtesy Tourism & Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Destination Gold Coast & Getty Images
