Sashay your way to The Island’s Brunch with Bite.
Sashay your way to The Island’s Brunch with Bite.
Okay picture this. You’re feasting on delish brunch bites with your besties and no, we’re not about to describe your average weekend rendezvous because friends, this is anything but beige or basic. We’re talking bold, brash, loud and proud LOLs, jam-packed with risqué entertainment and debauchery.
It’s time to dial up the spice factor and start chanting YASSSS QUEEEN coz those uber-glam, sassy broads BeBe Gunn and Lulu LeMans are back for another Brunch with Bite series at The Island Gold Coast’s Duke’s Parlour. And ooooooh honey are we readyyyyy!
These unapologetically flamboyant divas are somewhat of an institution around the GC and Brisvegas, with their well-oiled line-up of games, fabulous prizes and even bring some very special VIP guest appearances.
One VERY special VIP adding more sparkle than a glitter bomb is Kita Mean, winner of RuPaul’s 2021 Drag Race Down Under! Performing exclusively at the season launch on Saturday 26th March, this will be a show to tell the kidlets about.
Trust us when we say that the 2022 instalment of this glittery, glamour-packed queen-fest gives us life, delivering even more naughty but nice (but more so naughty…) action than ever before.
Arrive primed and ready to be entertained by drag royalty who sure know how to werk what their mamas gave them (and even what they didn’t…), doing Priscilla darn proud with every hair flick and twerk. Guaranteed to whip you out of your Groundhog Day weekend rotation, expect the unexpected with mischievous queenery of the highest order and sparkle-o-plenty.
For $79.90 per person, indulge in a decadent two-hour grazing menu and drinks package including a welcome beverage (cheers guuuurl) to get you into the groove. Then settle in for jugs of spritz, mimosa, bloody mary, premium beer and sangria, and is this not the who’s who of our go-to brunch beverages?! For the DD’s who drew the short straw, we’re sorry because that sucks but don’t despair, you’ll be well taken care of with delicious mocktails, juice and soft drinks.
So, for a brunch served with a solid helping of diva dust, dial a friend (or 10), book your tickets and sink your teeth into this dragnificent mid-morning extravaganza. With just right amount of bite, you’ll be booking seats for the next one somewhere between your third mimosa and fourth sangria. But who’s counting…
Get it guurrrl – book here now!
Where: The Island Gold Coast, 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
When: Saturday 26th March – Season 2022 Launch Featuring ‘Kita Mean’ Drag Race Down Under Winner I Saturday 9th April I Sunday 24th April – Pre-Public Holiday I Sunday 15th May
STORY SPONSORED BY THE ISLAND GOLD COAST
They are all fabulous darling!
Getting out and about for a few drinks with friends can at times be a bit same-ol’ same-ol’. And we don’t mean this in a negative way. But sometimes nights out can seem like reruns of our favourite shows — sure, they’re fun, but you know the plotline. Somebody will drink too much, somebody will kiss a stranger, and naturally, there will be one too many espresso martinis.
So how does one shake up the status quo a little? Drag Queens, of course!
And if you weren’t aware, a number of Gold Coast venues regularly host the most magnificent and fun-loving drag queens to mix up and add some jazz to any outing. Not just one for the ladies either; it’s been noted guys have just as much fun when it comes to the ensuing high kicks and frivolities. Have a read and find out where on the Gold Coast you can enjoy a night out with Drag Queens.
Miami Marketta
For the last nine years, this multi-faceted venue has been entertaining, feeding and bringing together locals in a way no other business has, and for this, it deserves a round of applause. When they’re not showcasing renowned national, and international music acts, you’ll find their doors open three nights a week with a massive variety of the Coast’s best street food as well as art and fashion. You’ll also come across their habitual sold-out ticketed Drag Bingo and one-off Drag Comedy evenings, which are not to be missed!
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
The Island
This iconic hotel has one of the Gold Coast’s largest open-air rooftops and is the place to be when the sun is shining, and you feel the need to quench that hard-earned thirst with some beautifully put together cocktails. Keep up to date with what’s on as they regularly host drag events with a difference, like their laugh-a-minute Brunch with Bite and fun-loving Hey Felicia Drag and Dine Musical. Did we mention there are drinks packages? — Yassss!
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
The Avenue
What is there not to like about this Surfers Paradise behemoth: they simply have it all. Regardless of what day of the week it is or what time even, The Avenue makes itself one of the best places to either come and relax or live it up — all underpinned by slurp-worthy drinks and the yummiest of food. More often than not, themed party nights are going down, with Thursday being the night for risqué jokes aplenty with Dragalicious.
Where: 3-15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Pink Flamingo
The Gold Coast’s premier cabaret performance and event venue, the list of hot-under-the-collar shows and eye-catching ladies/lads here is as long as your arm — and then some! You have some serious options when it comes to being entertained; however, if you feel the need for some flamboyant and over the top drag queen amusement, look no further than the Sunday stage show: Flamboyance. A sophisticated fusion of drag quuen cabaret and burlesque with an after-party that will keep you long into the night.
Where: Corner of 88 Surf Parade &, Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach
The Park Coomera
When it comes to finding family-friendly entertainment, great valued food and an overall great atmosphere, you’re hard pushed to look past The Park at Coomera. Yet when it comes to what’s on for big kids, there are plenty of options throughout the week to get you out the house — and away from the actual kids if need be. Take your pick between routine karaoke and unlimited bowling nights, but the star attraction has to be their monthly Drag Queen Bingo — the best way to laugh off a traumatic Monday at the office!
Where: Westfield Coomera, 103 Foxwell Road, Coomera
Aviary Rooftop Bar
If there is a competitive streak in you, then we require your full attention. Drag Queen Bingo with Natasha St. James is your opportunity not only to win big (how does a $100 bar tab sound?) but also an opportunity to have an absolutely side-splitting evening as well. Ms St. James will take you through five rounds of number calling with two outrageous performances thrown in there along the way. If this doesn’t get you out of the house on a weekday night, nothing will!
Where: Mantra Southport Sharks, 5 Melia Court, Southport
Fat Freddy’s
Break the norm and spoil yourself with the most lavish and calorific Americana feast on the Gold Coast at Fat Freddy’s in Broadbeach. Once suitably fuelled up, make sure you stick around for their Drag Queen Trivia with their over the top and hilarious host, Mya-Carphone: expect naughty behaviour and outlandish jokes in abundance!
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Sashay into Saturday.
Heading out for some breakfast on the weekend is a Gold Coast rite of passage. You’ve clocked in a massive week at work and now it’s your right to kick back, slurp coffee, pat dogs and soak up the weekend vibes to help you shirk those workplace blues.
But do your regular Saturday morning catch ups over lattes need a little glow up, perhaps? A little glam to get the weekend started? If so, we encourage you to read on.
The Island at Surfers Paradise is set to spice up your brunches, drag queen style and you’ll be hard pushed to find anything quite like it!
The Brunch with Bite series (from the same team behind the Brisbane Drag Brunches at Cloudland in Fortitude Valley) promises high jinks, mischief, and riotous laughter. Your glamourous Drag Queen hostesses BeBe Gunn and Lulu LeMans pull out all the stops to guide you through shows, games with fabulous prizes plus some very special VIP guests!
Put simply, if you’re up for a giggle whilst savouring some fine tasty food and sipping jugs of spritz, Mimosa or Bloody Mary then this is the event for you — it’s deliciously naughty and at the same time, delightfully nice.
With an occasion of this nature, it’s imperative guests arrive ready to be entertained by some uncontained and risqué behaviour, as you indulge in a grazing style brunch menu and drinks package, that is as decadent as it is heavenly.
So, why not block off the calendar slip into something flamboyant, gather up your guy and gal friends, and get on down to The Island. Sinking your teeth into something off-the-wall different — with a whole lotta bite!
Where: The Island Gold Coast, 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
When: Saturday 15th May – Kath & Kim Edition | Saturday 5th June – 80’s Party | Saturday 3rd July – Studio 54
Tickets $85pp – includes a welcome drink, all entertainment, a two hour grazing brunch and drinks package 11:15am – 1:15pm).
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
STORY SPONSORED BY THE ISLAND
Because the best weekends begin with brunch.
Ahh, the blessed ritual of brunch. Leisurely feasts of eggs every which way you can imagine, sticky, syrup-drenched French toast stacks, and smoked salmon for days – what’s not to love? Plus, it gives us the excuse to sleep in, and our taste buds are rewarded pretty handsomely for the trouble.
Couple it with a little concept known as bottomless cocktails, and life doesn’t get much better. So universally beloved is the sip-happy cousin of this mid-morning rendezvous, we’ve rustled up an entire list of the best places on the GC to get your boozy brunch-fest fix (say that five times fast after two hours of free-flowing mimosas).
From north to south, gather your mates, don your stretchy pants and jump on the brunch bandwagon!
Suppose you consider yourself a brunch connoisseur. In that case, Main Beach’s resident egg-slinging specialist, Winey Cow, is a must-try for several reasons. Reason numero uno, is that they live and breathe this brekkie business. After all, the much-lauded namesake Melbourne location has the boasting rights to accolades like Café of the Year and Best Breakfast Restaurant. And when you’re in the mood to take the Chilli Scramble Croissant up a notch, they also throw a particularly spectacular bottomless brunch any ‘ole day of the week. For $55 per person, you can grab a main with endless mimosas for an hour, with Cranberry & Lime and Pineapple, Passionfruit & Lime options if you wanna switch it up from the Classic OJ. And ‘wine’ not, we say?
Where: 5/11 Woodroffe Ave, Main Beach
Breathtaking views and bottomless vino? Of course. La Calabrese’s Dine & Sip Italiano brunch serves up a three-course Italian feast alongside two hours of drinks with two dreamy packages to choose from. The $79 Wine Lover Pack offers self-serve bubbles, wine, and Peroni, while the $99 Cocktail Lover Pack brings the fun with Margs, Mimosas and Aperol Spritz. Menu-wise, it’s all about calamari, burrata, bolognese, woodfired pizza and sweet scoops of gelati. We really don’t know what to say except, bellissimo!
Where: Level 1, Meriton Surfers Paradise, 86 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
COAST’s rooftop terrace is home to one of the most stylish weekend sessions in town. Their $99pp Long Lunch runs Friday to Sunday from 12–3pm and brings together chilled cocktails (think spritz, daiquiris, Coast lager and rosé) and share plates like Pork Tostadas and Chicken Satay. Classy, yet an absolute vibe- just how we like it.
Where: Level 1, Ocean by Meriton, 86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
It’s the ultimate beachside brunch overlooking the ocean, and yeah, we had you at beachside. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12-2pm, tuck into an all-out, four-course feast of Mediterranean-inspired mixed tapas, including delightful bites like Eggs Benny Hash made with truffle honey hollandaise. But ‘bottomless’ we promised, and bottomless ye shall receive – here you can pick your poison with two-hour sip packages such as Aperol Spritz, Bellini Spritz & Limoncello Spritz, Chandon Brut & Chandon Rosé, or perhaps the Veuve Clicquot upgrade will be more your speed. A minimum of 2 people is required.
Where: Peppers Soul, Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Up for a rooftop rendezvous? Lulu Rooftop in Surfers is doing Sunday justice with their Bottomless Brunch package. For $79pp, indulge in a spread of colourful share plates (Popcorn Chicken Tacos, anyone?) and 2 hours of drinks- we’re talking spritz, wine and ever-changing froze flavours. Yes, you heard right- there’s a whole section dedicated to Bottomless Froze. We’ll be there from 1pm, and not a minute later.
Where: Level 2, 4 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Island says Saturday afternoons are for gathering, grazing, and good times. Who are we to disagree? And yes, technically speaking, this one is classified as a ‘lavishly long lunch’ – but when it comes with two hours of tantalising eats, arrival mimosa and cocktail and spritz carafes – does anyone really mind? Spend your Saturday nibbling your way through Charcuterie and share-style bites of Karaage Chicken, Lamb kofta and Woodfired pizzas, alternated with jugs of Passionfruit and Vanilla Mojito, Watermelon Margarita Spritz and Mimosa. $79 per person, two sittings (from 11:30am or 1:30pm) available.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Broady gem Elk is another superb spot popping the cork on bottomless brunch daily. And bonus, it’s walk-ins only – so grab the gang, rock up from 10am and purchase any dish to partake in sixty whole minutes of mimosa action! And nope, we sure as heck ain’t driving. Pick your fave between the Classic, Strawberry lime and Tropical mimosa varieties, then ‘sip’ back and marvel as your flute magically refills itself. You certainly don’t have to tell us twice! $49 per head.
Where: Oasis Shopping Centre (opposite the beach), Broadbeach
They call it ‘Spritz Saturdays’ at Nineteen, and it’s every bit as glam as you’d expect. From 4–7pm, sip fancy spritzes (Strawberry, Elderflower & Mint, Aperol) while slurping oysters and nibbling on cheese plates, charcuterie and garlic fries on the luxe rooftop terrace. At $89pp, this high-end soiree is a must for anyone who likes their brunch with a side of skyline views. Minimum two people, bookings essential.
Where: 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach
You haven’t really done a bougie brunch until you’ve bottomless’d at Cora. Their $89pp Saturday sessions are a three-course Mediterranean-style share lunch served with 2 hours of cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine– not to mention a live DJ spinning as you sip. The kicker? Every week brings a new signature cocktail lineup: Malfy Gin, Aperol and Chandon Garden Spritz, Absolut Vodka, Olmeca Altos Tequila… it’s a rotating roster of boozy fun. Enjoy the people’s favourite, Peach Burrata, Gold Band Snapper and Wild King Prawns! Bookings for two or more required.
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Bottomless mimosas by the beach- say less! Sunnyboy’s breezy Mermaid Beach location means you can roll straight from the sand to your seat, where $49 scores you a meal of your choice plus one gloriously boozy hour of bottomless mimosas. No bookings are needed- just arrive between 10am and 1pm, round up the gang (because we know that more is merrier), and tuck into a seasonally rotating menu of brunchy faves. Chorizo Truffle Scramble? Yes, please. Fig & Mascarpone Hotcakes? Don’t mind if we do.
Where: 168 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach
One of the GC’s very favourite ocean-view venues, The Tropic offers a solid ten bottomless brunch and absolutely nobody is surprised to hear this. Taking place exclusively on the terrace on the last Saturday of every month, not only will you be privy to multi-million-dollar views and DJ beats but also a delicious Mediterranean-inspired menu. Think Fig and Persian Feta, Steamed Barramundi, Puffed Spiced Bread, Mixed Berry Panna Cotta and more, but no need cuz we’re already #sold. Veuve, Rosé and Bellini Cocktail packages are available from $59 per person (ya kidding). Don’t mind if we do!
Where: 3b/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Latin flair meets bottomless bubbles at Las Palmas’ $79pp weekend brunch. Every Saturday and Sunday, dive into 2 hours of sangria, rosé, tap beer and more, or upgrade for $20 and make it Margarita Time with Tommy’s Margs. Food-wise, expect chips and guac, crispy squid, tacos and more, with the option to elevate with grilled corn and slow-cooked beef short rib. Pro tip: upgrade it all. Life’s short. Live large.
Where: Level 1, 1097 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Why wait for the weekend? Refinery Coffee reckons any day is a good day to bust out the boozy OJ for this beloved mid-morning ritual, and we wholeheartedly agree. Available from 10am daily, gather your celebratory crew and report to Currumbins light-filled converted warehouse for the Bottomless Brunch option. Here, you can tuck into your pick from the all-day eats menu, such as the Turkish Style Poached Eggs or Eggs Benny, while throwing back Classic & Watermelon mimosas for 1.5 blissful hours. The only caveat is that your whole crew must be partaking (is that even a question), with a non-alc option also available. For just $62 pp, we’ll say bottoms up!
Where: 37 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters
Pan Asian coastal dining, bottomless rosé and Sunday banquets? Say less. Billy Chow brings you Bottomless Blush Sundays- a curated chef’s banquet accompanied by free-flowing Maison AIX Rosé and sparkling rosé in the dreamy beachside setting of Kirra. This is the kind of Sunday sesh worth putting pants on for. $125 per person.
Where: 76 Musgrave St, Coolangatta
Boozy brunch, but make it a random Tuesday. Kefi Café is dishing up 90 minutes of bottomless mimosas – classic, pineapple or sunrise – for $60pp every day (like, Monday-Sunday) from 10am. Pair your fizz with a main like the lemon-curd loaded Hotcake or their beet-hummus-and-harissa-nut topped Avo Toast, and soak up all the feel-good Gold Coast vibes. Bottomless brunch before noon? We approve.
Where: Corner of Griffith & McDonald Street, Coolangatta
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
