Panezski Artisan Distillery makes gin too.
Panezski Artisan Distillery makes gin too.
If there is one thing the Gold Coast did not have that it absolutely needed, it was a vodka distillery creating a tipple that is unlike any other you’ve had the pleasure of sipping before. But guess what friends? That situation exists no longer thanks to a new Southport venue that is indeed creating a tipple that is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before.
It’s called Panezski Artisan Distillery, it can be found on Bailey Ave and you’re absolutely going to want to stop in there ASAP to sample not one but three types of locally made vodka, two types of gin and even a couple of beers.
The newbie is the work of husband and wife team, Paul and Vanessa who started the business because they wanted to buy their son a gin distilling kit for his birthday, he wasn’t keen (why), so they decided they were.
Love that Aussie/Polish spirit. Get it, spirit. Anyway. Vanessa’s family hails from Poland (we think royalty) and Polish people love vodka. Same. So here we are.
They’ve created a rye version, which was our fave, a wheat version and an aged version, all of which are absolutely delicious, easy to drink and quite likely, your new favourite thing.
There’s also a dry gin, a citrus gin and even a triple sec and you can buy all of those inside the sweet little speakeasy-style space.
You can also sip cocktails including a Polish Moscow Mule which is very unlike (and much better than) a usual Moscow Mule plus other delights like a Raspberry Martini, an Elderflower Fix and a Blackberry Breeze.
You can also get cheese and dip platters to eat while you’re there and you can sip a Polish beer that hasn’t been in existence for quite some time.
Not only can you pop in for a quiet sip or two on any given day, you can also hire out the cosy, low-lit space for hens parties, engagements and pretty much any gathering of the like. And it’s perfect because, the entire space will be yours PLUS there’s never ending alcohol. Great.
Panezski are creating a higher end product in both your usual 700ml bottles and a soon-to-be-released four pack of 200ml bottles so you can try a few types and choose a fave.
We’re absolutely loving seeing Gold Coast locals creating brands from scratch, particularly when those brands are alcohol related.
Which is why you need to pop on into Panezski Artisan Distillery as soon as possible, learn a thing or two about distilling spirits from people who have had a crash course and sample a few exceptional sips.
Happy days.
LOCATION: Unit 7/55 Bailey Crescent, Southport
HOURS: Friday 4pm to 9pm, Saturday 2pm to 7pm and Sunday 12pm to 5pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Pop in for a bottle or make your own.
We the people of the Gold Coast are very much community-loving people. We’re all about supporting each other and having a very good time while we do it. Which is why it’s the very best news when a sweet, new space opens up and particularly one that creates their very own brand of gin.
Yes, Gold Coasters we have a new gin distillery on our hands and they are bottling up a very smooth, flavoursome drop indeed. It’s called Wildflower Gin, it can be found on Scottsdale Drive in Varsity Lakes and you’re likely to be visiting there quite a lot from now on.
Wildflower Gin is the work of James Greig and a team of passionate distillers who have over the past few years managed to create what they’ve deemed ‘Burleigh in a bottle’, a gin filled with locally grown botanicals including cardamom, lemon myrtle and coriander plus a little drop of honey from James’ own Burleigh backyard.
It’s a very easy drinking drop, a little bit floral and paired perfectly with either tonic (ask the team which is best) or solo over ice (tried and tested).
The brand came about as a hobby for James, who is quite the multi-passionate local business owner. He began with a very small Still to see if he could make it work and of course, he could.
Now the space boasts Walter, a beautiful copper Still that initially had the job of pumping out an unimaginable amount of hand sanitizer because Wildflower launched right at the beginning of lockdown time. Which may have seemed unlucky but actually allowed James and the team to both help the local community with something we desperately needed (REMEMBER) and make a few new friends along the way.
All of whom are now die-hard fans of Wildflower Signature Gin and for good reason.
At the moment, the space is mostly a cellar door affair so you can pop in, pick up a bottle and head on home again. If you’d prefer to stay a little longer and you probably will, you can book in for a make-your-own-gin class where the team will take you through the exact steps of making your own personal bottle of gin in a tiny little still and with an array of botanicals to choose from. You can book in for a class on the website right now.
What a time to be alive.
Either way, you’re going to want to sample Wildflowers’ initial offering ASAP and keep an eye out for upcoming limited edition releases in the future.
See, supporting local businesses and having a good time, we’re all about it.
LOCATION: 486 Scottsdale Rd, Varsity Lakes
HOURS: 2.30pm to 5pm weekdays and 11am to 6pm Saturday
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Good coffee, great food and city vibes.
Our sweet, sweet So-Po. There’s something we just love about Southport, maybe it’s the fact that they’ve got bulk bars and restaurants so hunger never has to enter our vocabulary again. Or maybe it’s how you can get a coffee hit and hit of golf done in half a day and then soak up those Broadwater views for the rest of it – shall we go on?
All we know is that there are so many goodies in this CBD gem we couldn’t list them all or you’d be here all day and we know you’re all about less reading and more doing! (same). Here’s our round-up of local approved must-do’s!
The retailers in Southport get that you’re busy – it is the CBD after all – so time is of the essence and efficiency is the word over here. Brickworks Ferry Rd has everything from the Standard Market Co to get those dinner essentials or to make the perfect charcuterie boards, to Cardamom Pod, bring those ‘gram-worthy acai bowls and a brunch menu that will have you coming back for more.
Upping the ante with a little bit of everything, Queen Street Village is just off the Smith St Motorway, so you can pop in for the essentials from gourmet grocer Jones & Co IGA. No time to meal prep? Grab some Asian eats at Wu Kong with peckish plates to keep you going, or a classic pub feed from The Queen’s Arms for your parmy fix. When all that eating has got you zonked, get your caffeine hit at Sens Coffee and pop into DENDY to catch the latest flicks and a moment of peace and quiet.
Now, did we hear you say retail therapy? Enter: Australia Fair. With the big names in fashion all in one spot, along with our biggest vice Kmart, on the store list, say goodbye to your savings, but hello to a fresh new look. Once you’ve shopped till you dropped, it’s time to start your Tour-de-Food at Australia Fair Metro, think pho, dumplings and desserts by the dozen.
No man is left behind at Made With Love who delivers on 100% vegan cakes, pies and pastries– because you know what they say, a doughnut a day keeps the doctor away…or something like that. And why should our vegans not be part of the action?!
Keeping the Euro-bakery vibes rolling is 5B2F Ciabatta, the Southport spin-off from the cult-fave Chirn Park bakehouse, slinging everything from flaky croissants and glossy danishes to ciabatta sandwiches stuffed with all the good things (hello truffle ham and cheese toastie). It’s a grab-and-go carb paradise where sourdough, dreamy pastries and show-stopping cakes are baked fresh daily – basically your daily bread, but make it boujee.
Coffee addicts, Southport’s got you covered with experiences like SupermarCat Cat Café, which – you guessed it – comes with a side of kitty cuddles with your caffeine fix, it’s so good we won’t judge if you start purring along with your furry friends.
For the more traditional café vibe, Humble Café might be humble by name, but they’re big on variety from classic cold drips to matcha espresso.
Joining the caffeine crew, but with a twist, is Yellow & Butter. Tucked neatly inside Cloud 9 Car Wash, they’ve officially upgraded your car washing experience with a side of brunch. Our advice is to start with the cheesecake!
Cheek Café serves up wholesome bites, knockout coffee and top-tier banter, all wrapped in a peachy-pink, personality-packed space. While Broadwater Café is a local fave for its stellar brews and arguably the most scenic sip spot in Southport. Coffee with a side of waterfront wow.
If you prefer your coffee topped with cold foam, or paired with a sweet treat on the side (hello, Dubai Mochi Cookie) Milestone should be at the top of your hit list.
You already know we’re partial to a cold beverage to round out the day, but if you’re after a side of live music with that, then Vinnies Dive is the only place to get your fix and an ice-cold brew all in one.
Just across the tram line, nothing says Southport more than a cocktail (or 5) on Mr PP’s rooftop, perched above Nerang Street so you can people watch till your heart’s content. Keeping the rooftop vibes going strong, Aviary Rooftop at Southport Sharks have an epic cocktail menu that talks a big game, and luckily for us, it doesn’t just live up to expectations – it’s even better.
Also at Southport Sharks, Kaktus Bar is your go-to for a vibrant cocktail. Yep, this place delivers a thirst-quenching margarita as you’ve never tasted. One of those (or a few), paired with live music and a lineup of tacos, and you have yourself a fiesta!
Carafe Wine is an eco-conscious space offering top-notch wine from all the most renowned vino regions and zero-waste practices, plus a unique menu of sharing boards.
Hello foodies, thought we forgot about you? We could never! Kicking us off is the Japanese eatery, KatsuCo which churns out iterations of its namesake dish – traditionally coated in crunchy panko crumb and slathered in curry sauce.
For those on-the-go looking for the ultimate grab-and-go, Shiro Gelato & Snack knows what’s up with a selection of Japanese market eats like housemade Onigiri to get you fueled up and ready to tackle the day and gelato to finish because there’s always room for a sweetie treatie.
River House brings waterfront dining to the table with relaxed Broadwater views and a modern menu that works just as well for long lunches as it does for sunset dinners.
A bit of a two-in-one is Fire Baby & Ember. Upstairs, Fire Baby serves up comfort by the slice; wood-fired pizzas crafted from premium ingredients. Downstairs, Ember is where you can get flame-licked steaks and charcoal-grilled seafood.
Since we’re on a food journey around the world, you’ll be happy to know that Southport is pretty much THE place to get your Korean BBQ fix – yep, we found and 6 smokin’ hot Korean BBQ spots on the GC and would you believe 5 of them call our humble CBD home. Yep, Southport officially has a license to grill.
So, you’ve got your coffee fix and tum full- now you’re looking to get at one with nature? Obviously, your next stop has to be Broadwater Parklands. It doesn’t matter if you’re just there for a hot girl walk or trying to find a way to keep your tribe occupied, the shared pathway makes it the ultimate for everyone, whether you’re in your running era or just keen to take in the Broadwater views while you bike and play.
Fancy a bit more adventure, we hear you say? We got you. Tee off for a full day of fun at Southport Golf Club so you can let your inner Tiger Woods run wild on the green. If land has got you feeling like a fish out of water, then pop on over to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre for a mermaid moment with things like group fitness classes – hello aqua aerobics – as well as Olympic-length swimming pools for the pros and splash pads for the little tackers.
If you’re keen to try something a little different, the Gold Coast Indoor Shooting Centre and The Shooting Centre both deliver a high-adrenaline experience with a strong focus on safety and guidance, making them approachable for first-timers and seasoned shooters alike.
If switching off and resetting is more your vibe, Vikasati Bathhouse is Southport’s answer to full-body bliss, offering hot and cold pools, saunas and spa-style experiences designed to melt stress away without ever leaving the city.
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
With water views and tasty food.
It’s been good news all round this week in terms of local businesses being able to swing open their doors once again.
For us, it means meals cooked by professionals (who actually know what they’re doing), cold beers in actual glasses and the fun time vibes that can only be found in a venue filled with (the appropriate amount of) other people.
Especially if said venue overlooks the water in one of the most stunning spots the Gold Coast has to offer.
We’re talking about Southport Yacht Club in Main Beach friends and the happy announcement that they will be once again swinging open their doors as of this Friday 5th of June.
Of course, as is necessary, Government restrictions allow the Yacht Club to open based on 20 people per “room/defined area”, while still applying the; one person per four square metres rule. Which is what we can expect for a little while going forward and something we’re happy to comply with if it means we get to go to our beloved venues again.
The much-loved Waterfront Restaurant can now open for up to 60 patrons with two lunch and two dinner seatings, all while overlooking the Club’s Marina and beautiful Gold Coast Broadwater.
The Club is also offering a two-hour ‘Cocktail Style’ tapas seating in their newly refurbished 4Shore Bar from 3.30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Which is the perfect opportunity for friends and family to gather for a LONG overdue catch-up, unwind and to watch the sunset over the water.
What could be better.
As you’d expect, all of the disinfecting and cleaning has been in place over the past four weeks with all staff now trained in the COVID Safe certification, and contractors on hand to ensure the Club is heavily sanitised, carpets steamed cleaned, bars scrubbed and furniture pressure cleaned and sterilised.
One of the very best things about Southport Yacht Club is its open, outdoor environment with the aforementioned exceptional water views and plenty of space to make yourself at home.
We really missed you schooners with a view.
Head into Southport Yacht Club from this Friday June 5th for a very lovely time indeed.
LOCATION: 1 MacArthur Parade, Main Beach
BOOKING: Call 5591 3500 to confirm opening times/bookings.
STORY SPONSORED BY SOUTHPORT YACHT CLUB
