Casino Rooftop Bar Gold Coast

Dusk, dawn, AM, PM – it really is hard to beat the Gold Coast any time of day. And with the city transforming from a tourist mecca into a major player in the hospitality space over the past few years, there are now some seriously stylish open-air options for a drink or two when the sun goes down.

GCB Gotham Bar and Grill, opening soon on the northern Gold Coast Artist impression. Gotham’s rooftop is a firm favourite with the northern crowd who can barely remember where they used to go.

Taking advantage of the locals’ love of the outdoors, a good time and the glorious sub-tropical weather, savvy Gold Coast restaurateurs have jumped on the global rooftop bar trend and taken drinking on the GC to new heights.

• 'Great location awesome bar staff heaps of drinks to choose from especially the coronas. Cool games to pick from wicked food.' 'Great freindly staff in the gaming room danni and mark are amazing always smiling and happy to help.'
• The Island Rooftop Surfers Paradise. If you’re partial to a good Sunday sesh, then The Island Rooftop Bar is calling for you. As one of the largest rooftop bars on the Gold Coast, its prime location in Surfers Paradise means it offers a stunning view of Main Beach and all the action of Surfers.
• Moxy’s Rooftop Bar is the latest addition to the Gold Coast’s rooftop bar scene. Creating a space that fits nicely between a thumping nightclub and a formal restaurant, it’s a place to come together, enjoy some drinks, have a nibble, and take in live music and DJ sets.

Here’s our pick of rooftop bars you need to be at for a tipple:

THE COLLECTIVE

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There’s no denying Palm Beach is having a moment.

Once the poor cousin to Burleigh in the north and the idyllic seaside enclave of Currumbin to the south, ‘Palmy’ is now the suburb du jour with a plethora of bars, restaurants and cafes opening up in the southern suburb what seems like every week.

Located on the old Palm Beach post office site, The Collective – which features five separate restaurants and two bars – is one such venue and is so popular, there’s often a queue for a table.

Their buzzing industrial-inspired rooftop bar is certainly a must-do and is a scenic space to enjoy a drink – rosé sangria, anyone? – at sundown.

The beauty of the Collective is you can order from any five of the restaurants – Italian, Mexican, Asian, American or modern Australian – and the staff will bring it all to your table – along with bevvies from the bar. We’ll drink to that!

Order: Balter XPA or a Tiki Me Elmo with spiced rum, watermelon shrub, falernum, pineapple and lime.

Where: 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach.

BAR HELLENIKA

It’s not hard to see why Hellenika is one of the most loved restaurants on the GC.

Raising the bar (pardon the pun) with a swish $2.4million refurb back in 2017, the all-white rooftop space delivers a touch of Europe to Nobby Beach, along with a 10m-long wine cellar and sumptuous Greek mezze menu featuring family recipes passed down through the generations.

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Better yet, Bar Hellenika is open for lunch and late night dining until midnight. Yamas!

Order: Greek rosé.

Where: 2235 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach.

JUSTIN’S ROOFTOP AT JUSTIN LANE

This pizzeria and bar was one of the first venues on the Gold Coast to open a rooftop bar – and its popularity certainly hasn’t wavered since.

Located a stone’s throw from the pumping point wave at Burleigh headland, Justin’s Rooftop is an ideal spot to enjoy a cocktail, good food and tunes on a balmy night.

Order: Passionfruit & Chilli Tommy’s with chilli-infused blanco tequila, passionfruit, agave and lime.

Where: 1708 – 1710 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads.

THE ISLAND ROOFTOP

Surfers Paradise hotel The Island is also home to the Island Rooftop, the Coast’s biggest rooftop bar and alfresco open-air patio.

Oozing vintage Californian style with comfy couches, communal tables, lush plants and festoon lights, this hidden gem boasts views over Main Beach and is one inviting space for a tipple or two.

The Island Rooftop is known for its killer Sunday sessions with DJs and live music and those laidback, coastal vibes the Gold Coast is famous for.

Order: Signor Andy’s Negroni.

Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise.

GOTHAM GRILL AND ROOFTOP BAR

You won’t find Batman at Gotham Grill and Rooftop Bar, but what you will stumble upon is just as impressive.

The Manhattan-inspired decor is reason alone to check out this two-storey gem in the Northern Gold Coast’s Runaway Bay, with rich art deco styling, leather doors, red velvet carpet and a spiral staircase taking you to the top floor.

With two separate restaurants and a rooftop bar, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dining: opulent New York-styled meaty goods at Gotham Grill, or casual dining with share plates and hearty burgers at Gotham Rooftop.

Order: Strawberry & lemon balm gin spritz.

Where: 6 Bayview Street, Runaway Bay.

NINETEEN AT THE STAR

Dress to the nines for this one, ladies and gents; Sunday sesh meets high-end dining at Nineteen at The Star, one of the Gold Coast’s most luxe rooftop destinations.

Sitting oh so swish on the top floor of boutique luxury hotel, The Darling, you’ll have a front-row seat to Pacific Ocean views from your poolside cabana (which you will never have to tear your eyes from thanks to VIP bottle service).

Too much? Stick around the lounge bar, nabbing a spot on of their sexy (yes, there is no other way to describe this level of upholstery) velvet couches, and sample your way through their two-storey wine cellar or signature cocktails.

Order: Kalimna Rose or L’Orange Sour.

Where: Level 19, The Darling at The Star Gold Coast, Casino Dr, Broadbeach.

FRIDA SOL

Named in honour of the legend herself, Frida Kahlo, this shiny new Mexican Bar & Taqueria in Palm Beach is a total sensory experience in looks and edible offerings: think Tiki chic meets Modern Mex.

Try their cauliflower tacos with pickled onion and cilantro crema, with a side of chorizo croquettes with smoked sour cream and habanero jam. Of course you’d be silly not to wash it all down with one of their seven signature margaritas.

Order: Bonita Margarita with tequila, agave, candied jalapeños, fresh cucumber juice and a chipotle salt rim.

Where: Level 1, 1176 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach.

MR. P.P.’S DELI & ROOFTOP

Enjoy your bevvie with a side of local history at Mr P.P.’s Deli and Rooftop, a multilevel bar and restaurant in the middle of Southport’s CBD.

Located on the same site which housed the Postmaster general and family over 100 year ago, the northern locale was named after the first ever Post and Telegraph Manager, a Mr P.P. Agnew, who as well as being a Postmaster was also an actor, playwright, poet, photographer and illustrator in the local community.

Keep an eye out for drawings, songs and poems written by P.P.A throughout the venue as you chow down on parmesan truffle fries, deli platters and classic pizzas.

Order: Postman’s Passion cocktail with Brookies Sloe Gin, Campari, housemade tangelo syrup and passionfruit.

Where: 43 Nerang Street, Southport.

WILDERNIS CAFE AND BAR

Palm Beach strikes again, this time at the beautiful and breezy Wildernis Cafe and Bar.

The precinct’s popular eatery on the ground level is a go-to haunt for brekky and lunches, but if you want to ease your way into the weekend in style, make your way ‘round to the secret laneway and enter into rooftop heaven.

Picture this: bifold doors opening up to beach views, a retractable roof and vaulted skylights taking full advantage of the GC’s balmy weather. Couple that with delicious cured meat and cheese boards, European wines, craft beers, and not one, not two, but five unique takes on the ol’ Espresso Martini, and you’ve got a winner in our books.

Order: Salty Sea Dog espresso martini with salted caramel infused vodka, fresh pressed house espresso, coffee liqueur and caramel syrup.

Where: 1166 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Source: blog.queensland.com

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Whether you want to enjoy a social cocktail with friends, or you want to fist-pump to David Guetta until 5am, the iconic Surfers Paradise glitter strip has just what you need.

It’s a place you can let loose, have fun and wake up the next morning with possible regrets, but a guaranteed story. So, let’s be bold, shall we?

Here’s our pick of the best bars in Surfers Paradise.

The Island Rooftop

The Island Rooftop, adjoining boutique hotel The Island, is the Gold Coast’s biggest rooftop bar. This sprawling alfresco patio is bringing the cool back to Surfers Paradise's social scene with DJs, a retro-styled cocktail bar, ample seating, nooks and, in the winter months, heaters. Their Sunday sessions will heat up your afternoons with cocktails, bites, DJs and live vocalists from noon.

Hyde Paradiso

Hyde Paradiso is the perfect spot for Sunday sessions and long lunches that lead into dinner with live DJs setting the mood. If you’re after a European summer escape minus the travel, then this is the place for you. Famous in the US, this was Hyde’s first foray in Australia so you can expect to be spoilt. Located on the second level of Peppers Soul and overlooking the ocean, this restaurant and bar hybrid is channelling the colours of the Mediterranean, specialises in share cocktails and is a stand-out among Surfers Paradise’s best drinking spots.

Duke’s Parlour

The father of modern surfing, ‘The Duke’ Kahanamoku, was one of the first to promote wave riding in Australia so, where better to honour his legacy than in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Located underneath The Island boutique hotel, this moody bar oozes cool. Sink into a leather chesterfield and shoot pool, then order signature cocktails or select from an extensive list of gin, whisky and tequila, paired with wood-fired pizzas and live music on weekends. Duke's Parlour is one of the best new bars in Surfers Paradise, hands down.

Surfers Paradise Beer Garden

Re-opening after a multi-million-dollar renovation, Surfers Paradise Beer Garden takes full advantage of its prime location on busy Cavill Avenue. From the retractable roof inviting the gorgeous sunshine and salty breezes to come flooding inside, to the on-trend white and wood panelling, nautical accents, festoon lights and picnic tables donning umbrellas, you’ll love this Surfers Paradise rooftop bar. Order a refreshing beverage and settle into the Birdwatchers Bar, aka the wraparound deck with sinkable couches and tables overlooking the palm trees and Cavill Avenue—the perfect position for people-watching.

House Of Brews

House of Brews is one for the lovers of hops. With 32 domestic and international craft beers lining their tap wall (offering solid support for local brewers like Black Hops, Burleigh Brewing, Balter and Lost Palms), an American BBQ-inspired menu, OTT cocktails, a rooftop patio and regular live tunes to sink your beers to, this popular venue deserves its place among the best bars in Surfers Paradise.

Elsewhere

Elsewhere isn’t your typical Surfers Paradise club. In fact, while you’re there, you’ll probably feel like you’re ‘somewhere else’...do see what they’ve done there? Loved by locals and visitors alike, this hotspot is a hub of alternative electronic tunes, a Saturday Night Fever-style dance floor and delightful hipsters. It’s not unusual to catch a live gig from a small-time DJ for $10 on the door one night, then end up seeing them ruling the EDM world a year later. Without question one of the coolest bars in Surfers Paradise, check it out if you dig that vibe.

Stingray Lounge (Temporarily Closed)

Undoubtedly one of the Gold Coast’s best hotel bars, QT Gold Coast’s Stingray Lounge is a fine example of hotels going all new-age to entice the savvy holidaymaker. Stingray’s clientele is a rare mix of tourists and locals; the bar usually hopping on weekends with its funky Pop Art theme and over 50 tequilas lining the shelves. It's temporarily closed because of You-Know-What at the moment, but we'll be making a beeline for it as soon as it reopens.

Sandbar

Humming away on Surfers Paradise’s touristy beachfront esplanade, this hip and breezy beer bar is serious about brews (and cocktails!). At the ready to share their crafty knowledge, the Sandbar team have rotating beer taps and around 100 bottled options chilling in the fridge (many of which are small-batch types). Sandbar’s popularity with Gold Coast’s beer-loving punters makes it one of the best craft beer bars in Surfers Paradise.

The Keller Bar At Bavaria Haus (Temporarily Closed)

Escape from the crowds to Surfers Paradise’s underground beer den, Keller Bar. Located beneath one of the oldest venues in town, get the full Bavarian experience when you sink litre steins paired with schnapps and German-inspired bites—think: bratwurst, sauerkraut and giant pretzel—at this authentic Bier Haus. The pandemic has also sunk its teeth in this one but we're hoping it'll reopen soon.

Steampunk

A top choice among the best bars in Surfers Paradise, these guys have gone all out with the Steampunk theming. Expect cogs, piping and machinery gauges, antique clocks and post-apocalyptic gas masks, industrial fans, grandeur period leather couches and lamps, exposed globes, all surrounded by a copper-coloured bar, walls and flooring. Just like the eccentric theming, Steampunk’s cocktail list is far from ordinary with quirky creations like The Foolish Howler served with a stick of red liquorice and the Giggle Blimp adorned with musk and pop rocks.

The Avenue

If there’s ever a venue that's iconic, it’s The Avenue, a GC institution in the heart of Surfers. From its origins in the 70s as one of Australia’s first nightclubs, The Avenue has benefited from a multi-million-dollar refurb (and a move across the road) to bring it back to the right side of modern—while all the good vibes remain. Its buzzing atmosphere guarantees you and the crew will have a fab afternoon, but not at the expense of genuinely good food: think an Italian-influenced, New York-style menu of oysters, entrees, gourmet burgers, charcuterie platters, pasta, steaks and salad, all washed down with plenty of drinks.

The White Rhino

The White Rhino, a two-storey restaurant and bar located in the Circle on Cavill precinct, has a glitzy interior with an elaborate waterfall bar, five-metre-high ceilings and lush greenery. Outdoor garden seating is perfect for summer drinks in the glorious sunshine, while upstairs a private mezzanine floor with romantic nooks and secluded seats is ideal for date nights or a special function. This place gets packed, like seriously packed, making it a popular choice among the swag of Surfers Paradise bars.

Asylum Nightclub

A nightclub with a difference, Asylum is an immersive and interactive experience that’s certain to tease with state-of-the-art lighting and sound. Located amongst the buzz of Orchid Avenue’s bar street, Asylum endorses itself as a refuge for errant psyches and wayward types who are looking to party long into the night at one of the hottest nightclubs in Surfers Paradise. Asylum is the perfect club to dance until you’ve got blisters and drink until it’s kebab time.

Want to fill that hole in your stomach before hitting up the best bars in Surfers Paradise? We've rounded up our favourite Surfers Paradise restaurants here.

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Image credit: Hayley Williamson Photography and Kaitlin Maree Photography for Urban List Duke's Parlour