Meet the General Manager of Irish Pub, D'Arcy Arms.
Meet the General Manager of Irish Pub, D'Arcy Arms.
As we fast approach the notorious St Patrick’s Day, we used up the luck of the Irish to interview the General Manager of the oldest Irish Pub on the Coast, D’Arcy Arms. Janene Porter (nicknamed: Flossy) who has been busy gearing up for the St Patty’s celebrations gives us an insight into the history of the traditional pub and also a feel-good miracle story that comes from the establishment.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I started commuting between the Gold Coast and Port Douglas in 1987 when I was apart of the crew on Mirage III, based at Marina Mirage. I then relocated to live permanently on the GC in January 1990.
What do you love the most about living here?
It’s the perfect balance between coastal surroundings and city living. Ultimately it’s the climate, beaches, hinterland, the overall easy-going lifestyle and of course, the locals.
Tell us about the history of D’Arcy Arms.
The pub was established on 8th August 1988 by founder Roy D’Arcy. D’Arcy Arms is an icon and is the longest-standing Irish venue (with a motel) on the Gold Coast. A great little story I love to tell is one of our former staff members, Robyn, was able to meet her biological father thanks to working at D’Arcy Arms. It all happened when a patron was chatting to Robyn and it was mentioned she had never met her father. The patron managed to find Robyn’s father, who was living in Guernsey at the time, which resulted in them connecting and meeting – they have been in contact ever since. It’s incredible because she would have never met her father if that patron hadn’t stopped in for a Guinness at the D’Arcy Arms.
What’s the craziest story to come out of D’Arcy Arms?
What goes on at the D’Arcy Arms stays at the D’Arcy Arms! Many of our patrons have been loyal since the pub opened in 1988. The D’Arcy has always been fortunate enough to have amazing support from both the local Irish & Aussie communities.
What can people expect at D’Arcy Arms for St Patty’s Day?
We have a full St Patrick’s Festival starting on Saturday 13th March. On Saturday and Sunday we are open from 12pm with incredible live Irish music, Irish dancing displays, delicious Irish Fare and plenty of craic! On the actual international St Patrick’s Day (Wednesday 17 March) we have a full day of entertainment starting at 10am with a line-up of Irish Musicians including: The Gathering, Munster Bucks, Mark Butler, The Carolan Academy of Irish Dance & Pipe Band. We will accompany this with delicious Irish fare, gift giveaways and of course the best Guinness, Kilkenny & Magners on tap, just to name a few things!
Tell us a fun fact, how many pints of Guinness are consumed at D’Arcy Arms on St Patty’s Day?
Honestly, you lose count!
Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Café for breakfast: Hot Shott
Coffee spot: I am a Main Beach local, so anywhere on Tedder Avenue for a good coffee.
Restaurant for dinner: I’m more of a lunch girl and have many favourites from Burleigh, Broadbeach and Main Beach.
Bar or pub for a drink: The D’Arcy Arms of course!
How does your weekend usually look? I am usually at D’Arcy Arms as our weekends a very busy, but l do always start the day with a long beach walk. When l occasionally have a weekend off, a long lunch with friends is always on the cards.
Rock out with your shamrock out!
Shamrocks at the ready, Gold Coasters – St Patrick’s Day is rolling around again. If you needed an excuse to throw on something green and gather your crew for a cheeky pint of Guinness, here it is! From Irish tunes and traditional dancers to plenty of enthusiastic (and occasionally questionable) Irish accents, the Gold Coast is once again embracing the spirit of the Emerald Isle.
March 17th is the day famously dedicated to celebrating Irish culture around the world. This year it falls on a Tuesday, so many venues are starting the celebrations early, turning the weekend into a pre-St. Paddy’s party.
Expect live music, flowing pints, Irish-inspired eats and more than a few attempts at a spontaneous Riverdance.
So, whether you’re chasing a lively pub atmosphere, traditional music or simply somewhere to raise a glass with friends, here’s where to get your green on across the Gold Coast, listed north to south.
Feeling lucky? Head to Paradise Point Bowls Club on Sunday, 15 March, for a day of Irish fun. Expect live music from Irish You Were Beer from 1pm, a performance from the Carolan Irish Dancers at 2pm and Irish-inspired food and drink specials running all day. Dress up in your best green attire and settle in for an afternoon of good vibes, a pint or two and maybe even a jig. Bookings essential.
Where: 22 Thrush Avenue, Paradise Point
When: From 1pm, 15th March 2026
Dublin Docks Tavern is going all in with a full St Patrick’s Weekend celebration from 14–17 March. Expect Irish dancers from the McNeill Academy, live bands and soloists, themed raffles and prizes, plus a DJ spinning the biggest Irish hits. There’s even a costume competition, so start planning that outfit now.
Where: Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Harbour Town Drive, Biggera Waters
When: 14th-17th March 2026
The Local Tavern is celebrating its Irish roots with a five-day St Paddy’s celebration from 13–17 March. There’ll be live music, chef specials and plenty of Guinness flowing all weekend long. The festivities continue into Monday and Tuesday with food and Guinness specials, so you’ve got plenty of time to join the craic. Book a table to secure your spot.
Where: Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, G29/3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
When: 13th–17th March 2026
If there’s one place known for throwing a massive St Patrick’s Day party on the Gold Coast, it’s Waxy’s. The festivities kick off at 10am on Thursday, 13 March and run right through until 3am on Tuesday, 18 March.
Expect a huge live music lineup, traditional shamrock dancers, a pipe band marching through the venue and epic gaming giveaways throughout the celebration. Fuel up with a proper Irish breakfast before settling in for a marathon session. Green outfits encouraged. Big energy required.
Where: 3206 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
When: 13th–18th March 2026
Finn McCool’s is once again turning Surfers Paradise into a sea of green for St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, 17 March. Doors open at 10am with live music kicking off from 11:30am and running throughout the day.
The lineup includes Richard Neill, Tales of Strangers, The Gathering and DJ Ando, plus guest appearances from the Carolan Irish Dancing Academy and the Gold Coast Pipe Band. Expect shamrocks, shenanigans and plenty of craic. No bookings required, just walk in.
Where: 39 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: From 10am, 17th March 2026
The iconic D’Arcy Arms, the Gold Coast’s oldest Irish pub, is bringing the craic with a three-day St. Patrick’s Festival on 14th, 15th, and 17th March 2026. Expect live music from Mark Butler & Salliana 7, Ryan Mullin, The Gathering, and Sarah Calderwood & Paul Brandon, plus high-energy performances from the Carolan Academy of Irish Dance and the Gold Coast Pipe Band. A huge outdoor marquee, the Shamrock Bar, and the pub’s outdoor deck will all be buzzing with music, dance, and festival fun.
Feast on classic Irish dishes like Beef & Guinness pie washed down with plenty of Guinness and your favourite Irish drinks. Sláinte!
Where: 2923 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
When: 14th, 15th and 17th of March 2026
Broadbeach’s Den Devine is bringing the party on 17 March from 11:30am. Grab a $10 pint of Guinness during happy hour from 3–6pm and keep an eye out for the roaming leprechaun- if you buy a Jameson and catch him, you could win a prize.
There’s also the Split the G challenge, plus the chance to win Guinness for a month when you buy a pint and a main meal.
Where: Shop 12/15 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach
When: 17th March 2026
Miami Tavern is keeping things festive on 17 March from 5–9pm with live music, Guinness on tap and a menu packed with Irish favourites. Think Jameson BBQ sliders, spice bags, baby Guinness shots and a classic 4-in-1. Dress in your best green outfit for the chance to win the best-dressed prize.
Where: 2043 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
When: 17th March 2026
Currumbin RSL is hosting Irish Fest from the 12th, 14th, 15th, and 17th of March! Here to celebrate all things Irish with live music across the club, traditional Irish dancing and themed food specials.
Highlights include traditional Irish music sessions, performances from Journey of a Fiddler, Eimhin Healy, Munster Bucks, Paul & Sarah, Stowaways and Flynn & O’Leary, plus Irish dancing throughout the weekend. Entry is free, so gather the lads and lasses, grab a Guinness and settle in for a week of proper Irish shenanigans.
Where: 165 Duringan Street, Currumbin
When: 12th, 14th, 15th, and 17th of March 2026
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
The best local bars to sip bevies in the sunshine.
If there were a list of the best places in Australia to enjoy some daytime tipples, the GC would undoubtedly be top of the leaderboard! We’ve got ALL the sunshine, countless rooftops, stunning views from ocean to hinterland, and don’t even get us started on our cocktail-making prowess!
We’re sure you feel the same, but with so many places on the Gold Coast to enjoy a drink, we decided to help you out by picking 13 of the best spots to drink frosty daytime beverages for maximum sun-soaking opportunities. Let’s go!
Hope Island Tavern
This isn’t your average tavern—it’s where chic meets chill. Kick back at a picnic table under retro umbrellas with a spritz, or hit up the gelato bar for boozy scoops. PSA to parents: there’s free kids’ entertainment from noon on Sundays. Amen.
Where: 93 Broadwater Ave, Hope Island
La Luna Beach Club
Trivia time! You’re basking on a sun lounge with super yachts in your surrounds. You have a cocktail in hand; no wait, you’re double-parked! You’re on a floating beach club with jaw-dropping views of the glistening marina. Where are you? Well, you’re at La Luna Beach Club, of course. Here, you may never leave, with options to book a sun lounge, day bed, cabana or grand cabana! We haven’t even mentioned the bottle service yet!
Where: Pool Pontoon, Marina Mirage, 74 Sea World Drive, Main Beach
Hyde Paradiso
Coastal chic meets Mediterranean magic here. Grab a balcony seat with ocean views and dive into $2 oysters every Wednesday and Thursday from noon (yes, you read that right). Or splurge on their Beachside Brunch—a decadent spread with bubbles, beers, spritzes, and Mediterranean-inspired eats.
Where: Peppers Soul, Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
The Island Rooftop
It’s the Gold Coast’s largest open-air rooftop bar – of course, it’s made our list. Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, this venue goes off from Thursday to Sunday. Don’t miss Fuego Fridays – a Mexican fiesta that turns up the heat. Epic cocktails, wood-fired pizzas and DJs lead this place into the Day Drinking Honour Roll.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
The Beach Hotel
There’s no better place to snag a seat and sink a beer (or a Golden Hour Sour) on a sunny summer arvo than at The Beach Hotel in Broadbeach. The airy spaces and indoor-outdoor flow let the sea breeze carry through the beer garden into the public bar. The vibe is set to ‘summer chill’, eats are delish, sips are refreshing and every corner is designed for the perfect gathering with your pals. Sunday sessions start at 1pm (don’t be late!), and FYI their cheeky margs are customisable.
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Garden Kitchen & Bar
This Broadbeach fave is a lush oasis of good vibes. Soak up the sun with mates on the outdoor lawn or head inside to velvet lounges for a leisurely lunch. Drinks, eats, and ambiance—tick, tick, tick. Whatever you choose, know good vibes are aplenty.
Where: Casino Level, The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Sueño
If you’re craving a little Latin American sol, Sueño is your golden ticket. Think classic cocktails from the Americas served on rouge tables under the sway of palm trees. Brought to you by the Rick Shores legends and perched in The Oxley, this spot screams refined indulgence. Start your weekend (or weekday – we love a little rebellion) with an icy cold mezcal – straight, stirred, or shaken – under a sunny umbrella with your crew.
Where: The Oxley Atrium, 17 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach
The Miami
Never had a Miami Colada or a Pink Miami? Gasp. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Snag a seat on The Deck for those dreamy balcony views over North Burleigh and let the ocean breeze do its thing. Cocktails + views = happy days.
Where: 2043-2047 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
Burleigh Pavilion
The Pav (yep, we’re on nickname terms) is an icon of day drinking glory. Sitting right on the sand and water, it’s arguably the best spot to bask in GC sunshine and soak up those dreamy ocean views. Open 7 days from 11am, it’s perfect for daytime sips. Bonus points for their Summer Lover Sundays – think DJ sets, great vibes, and even better cocktails. Who needs an excuse?
Where: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Local
For those chill, “let’s meet at our local” vibes, head to The Local. With a front terrace made for people-watching and a backyard beer garden perfect for live tunes (Friday to Sunday), it’s a laidback legend. Pair supreme cocktails, fizzes, rosé, or your usual go-to with an outdoor table and your afternoon is golden. Our rec? The Afternoon Spritz.
Where: 1744 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
The Collective
Ready for a fishbowl margarita? Or an espresso martini tree? Yep, The Collective’s rooftop bar is serving big-time weekend vibes. Open from 12 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, it’s a spot where sharing (and sipping) is caring. Pro tip: Try their Shake & Stir Cocktail Masterclass for some hands-on fun.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Kirra Beach House & Kirra Beach Hotel
If you’re yet to be acquainted with Kirra Beach House and Kirra Beach Hotel, they’re both ideal for enjoying glasses (there’s only the plural) of rosé all day long. In terms of spaces to hang out, you’ve got the Public Bar, The Bistro and the Beer Garden downstairs, while upstairs is the gorg Kirra Beach House, complete with outdoor cabanas, indoor booths, and signature Kirra cocktails, including a Champagne Piña Colada!
Where: Level 1, 2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Coolangatta Hotel
Pub classics, frothies, and an unbeatable Bottomless Brunch every weekend—what more could you ask for? Think two glorious hours of tacos and frozen cocktails for $79. Or chill in the Beer Garden and Bistro all week long.
Where: Cnr Warner St & Marine Parade, Coolangatta
The Gold Coast is absolutely bursting with epic surf clubs, bars, and rooftop gems. If you’re still parched or keen to explore even more top-notch spots, check out our dedicated lists for the best surf clubs, rooftop bars, distilleries and breweries around. Trust us, your next fave hangout is just waiting to be discovered!
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
With epic eats and 16 brews on tap.
If there was one thing that Surfers Paradise was missing, it was a stylish brewery complete with it’s very own range of epic beers and a menu that is unlike anything you’ve seen in a brewery before. But that one thing is missing no longer thanks to the long-awaited opening of BOBs Beer this week.
Found on the corner of Elkhorn and Orchid Aves, in the heart of Surfers Paradise, the stunning new brewery is a must-visit not only because of an impressive range of frosty brews on tap and the aforementioned impressive menu but because the fitout is one of the very best we’ve seen in a while and you’re going to absolutely love it.
Being on a corner block means the venue offers plenty of window seating so you can sit back and watch the bustling world of Surfers Paradise roll by. There’s a little outdoor seating section if you’re keen to catch a breeze but inside is where all the Insta-worthy goodness can be found.
The first thing you’ll notice are the growlers suspended from the roof that have been transformed into light fittings and second, the bar made with beer taps that are actually huge copper pipes and behind that, the brewery itself. It all comes together absolutely perfectly and we are huge fans.
Now let’s chat beer because that’s what we all came for and BOBs is of course, a working brewery led by famed (former) Melbourne brewmaster Ryan Fullerton who knows what’s up when it comes to beer. He and his team have been busy brewing and already you can get four BOBs Beers on tap ( a lager, IPA, XPA and a Saison), with four more on the way.
The idea is to always have eight in-house brews on offer and the rest of the taps to be taken up by other Australian brewers.
If you’d prefer a cocktail there are sips like the Monkey Business with Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, Flor de Cana 5yo rum, banana and coffee and the Buffalo Berry with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Fino Sherry, Raspberry, Orange and Soda. So lovely. There’s also an extensive wine and sparkling list and A LOT of thought has been put into every single aspect of it.
To eat, as we said, there’s an incredible menu filled with bites you might not expect to find at a Surfers Paradise brewery — for example savoury profiteroles with craquelin, ricotta and King Island Mousse, oysters with mignonette, shallots, shitake and topiko and a chicken dish with carrot and pumpkin gels and purees and a chicken jus. All extremely delicious (tried and tested by us).
Of course there’s also a Waygu Beef Burger (so good), premium steaks and fries with aioli.
The entire venue boasts a few finishing touches that really make BOBs Beers something special – for example a stamp to brand the ice cubes (played with that for way too long) and plates made out of leftover grain from the beer production (how good).
Not to mention the team is planning to open a whisky bar downstairs in the coming months. It’s all happening in Surfers Paradise Gold Coasters, you’re not going to want to miss this one.
LOCATION: 10/2 Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: 12pm to 12am daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
