If there’s one thing we never grow tired of, it’s a cracking cocktail and lucky for us, the GC is a melting pot of masterful cocktails guaranteed to leave you shooketh.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, these spots are a must-visit for anyone who loves a tipple (or five), tried and tested by the team because, you know, we had to complete our due diligence. From beachy vibes to moody speakeasies, here’s the scoop on where to sip the best cocktails in town listed north to south.

Destino

It’s where Mediterranean-inspired decor, an atmosphere as light as the sea breeze itself, and world-class service collide to create an unmissable destination for cocktail hour. Need we say more? This little gem at Sanctuary Cove is the gift that keeps on giving. Earning a reputation as a cocktail connoisseur’s haven within its first week, the initial hype has not only endured – it continues to soar. If you’re up the north end (or even if you’re not) – just go.
Where: Shop 38c, 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island

The Exhibitionist Bar

Flirt with breathtaking views of the Gold Coast to the Hinterland, with a cracking array of cocktails to choose from at The Exhibitionist Bar. Sitting high on the HOTA Gallery rooftop, their specialty cocktails are inspired and expertly curated, with each drink drawing on major art exhibitions. Naturally, the cocktails change with each new major exhibition, meaning you’ll never run out of reasons to pop in for a sip.
Where: 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise

Steampunk

It’s bold, it’s quirky, and it’s guaranteed to get your cogs turning. Standing as Australia’s only steampunk-themed bar, Steampunk in Surfers Paradise is a one-of-a-kind spot that blends innovation, nostalgia, and a whole lot of fun. Step inside and you’re instantly transported, with gears, gadgets, and glowing lights, to set the scene. The adventurous cocktail menu is packed with playful creations (yes, even fishbowl cocktails), served with a dash of theatre and a splash of mischief.
Where: 3113 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

Veladora

Asking us to “find the red palm tree”– challenge accepted! We all know any restaurant or watering hole at The Star Gold Coast never misses a beat, and Veladora is no exception. This place is actual cocktail nirvana, so take it from us: leave the car at home- you won’t be able to stop at one. Watching the mixologists in action is half the fun, and don’t even get us started on the vibe, thanks to the Mezcal-inspired speakeasy design.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Six-Tricks Distilling Co.

Hold onto your highball glasses, Gold Coast, because Six-Tricks is redefining the local distillery scene one cocktail, rum, or whisky at a time (okay, maybe more than one). This two-million-dollar masterpiece is state-of-the-art with a spacious indoor bar and sunset deck perf for sipping the night away – and even a private cask hall! You’ll be left shaken, not stirred, in the best possible way.
Where: 3 Brightlands Ct, Mermaid Waters

Cantina

Mermaid Beach locals will tell you that if you’re frothing for a quality cocktail (us – always), it’s Cantina for the win. This pint-sized neighbourhood tapas bar proves that good things come in small packages, and by good things, we mean cocktails. Forming the perfect pair with sibling Piatto Italian restaurant right next door, line your tum with Spanish-style bar bites so that your sneaky cocktail can turn into two…or five….
Where: 2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

The Cambus Wallace

If you haven’t stepped aboard The Cambus Wallace, are you even a Gold Coaster? Serving up the finest classic cocktails, international rums and whiskeys, and heartwarming food, the only thing moodier than the dark hues of the boat-themed bar is you if you don’t sample at least one of their tipples. There’s a reason (AKA epic cocktails) that it always gets a nod on our lists!
Where: 4/2237 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Sueño Rooftop

Perched above its sister venue, Norté, Sueño Rooftop offers a dreamy, Latin American-inspired rooftop escape in Nobby Beach. You can say hola to crisp, Latin-inspired cocktails, delicioso snacks, and sea breeze flowing in from just a few streets away. Spanish escape? Yes! Long-haul flight? No!
Where: 2217 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Sandfire

Looking for an absolute beachfront cocktail tapas bar? Look no further – this.is.it. Serving up an exciting fusion of coastal charm, inventive cocktails, and sumptuous tapas, it’s a winner, winner, cocktail dinner. Crafted by expert mixologists, the cocktail list boasts an array of innovative libations, from classic martinis to exotic tropical creations, so you’re assured a perfect pairing for every palate and mood.
Where: Level 1/293 The Esplanade, Miami 

Granddad Jack’s

Distil our beating hearts! With a fresh curation of concoctions that could coax Sleeping Beauty herself from her 100-year slumber, this magical albeit not-so-faraway Miami-based fave has earned quite the rap for its bewitching, fable-inspired concoctions. If you’re after something extra spesh that you can’t find at every other cocktail bar, welcome. Extra points for everything from syrups to spirits made on site.
Where: 45 Lemana Lane, Miami

Malibu Racquet Club

Welcome to Palm Springs! Well, almost- you’ll be fooled by the chic ambience and vibrant aesthetic. Nestled in the heart of Burleigh Heads, The Malibu Racquet Club is the perfect spot for sunset sips and pre-dinner drinks. Hello, double-parked margaritas. Patrons can enjoy the beautiful southern GC breezes while seated outside, or opt for a cozy booth or the bar inside. Everything from the cocktail list to the paired-back decor is curated to delight summer-lovers. Yes please!  
Where: 1740 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Rosella’s

Rosella’s has been serving up pure Australiana vibes to bustling Burleigh since January 2019— and clearly doing something right, because they once snagged the crown for Best Cocktail Bar in Queensland. And what’s more quintessentially 2025 Aussie behaviour than sipping on a host of sensational cocktails in a beautiful beachy ‘burb?! Serving up nostalgic and native fare, this little ripper hums until late seven nights a week. ‘Knoath!
Where: 1734 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh

Familiar Spirits

Looking for a chic tropical cocktail bar and cellar door experience? Look no further than Familiar Spirits, the hidden gem tucked away in the industrial zone of Burleigh Heads. The intimate atmosphere, combined with a curated selection of house-made spirits, makes it a must-visit for cocktail enthusiasts. The cocktail list is nothing short of impeccable —you must try them all! That’s an order.
Where: 1/9 Calabro Way, Burleigh Heads

Suga

With a name that (literally) sums up our guilty pleasure, Suga lives up to its namesake – and then some. When it comes to our local speakeasy, the only thing more satisfying than the cocktails is the…no, it’s definitely the cocktails. The low-lit lamps highlight the insanely good menu, which serves as the perfect belly-liner so that you can partake in another cocktail (yes, even on a school night).
Where: 1142 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Burly Bar

If you like your gin with a side of smooth operator, Burly Bar in Currumbin is your next stop. Step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a New York lounge with a Japanese twist – think dark corners, cool beats, and even cooler drinks. This distinctive and eclectic spot is where craftsmanship meets cocktail hour, treating mixology like an art form.
Where: 60 Currumbin Creek Road, Gold Coast

Bar Evelyn

You’ve never met a cooler Evelyn (and if you’re born after 1980, you’ve probably never met one). This antipasto and pizza bar has not only garnered a staunch following for its A+ seasonal antipasti, sourdough pizza, and freshly made pasta but also for the evelyn-utionary cocktails. With its moody lighting and dark wooden charm, Evelyn is the kind of spot that makes even a balmy summer night feel effortlessly cool.
Where: Shop 20/58 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Words by Bianca Trathen and Chelsea Ipsen.

At some point during the week (usually Monday for us) you get sick of preparing meals, decide to throw in the tea towel, round up the rugrats and head to one of our fine establishments so they can handle that exhausting little song-and-dance. Only to be faced with a whole new issue – the prospect of taking the munchkins out for munches #cuepanic

To save you the ‘find-something-everyone-can-eat-without-too-many-tears’ struggle entirely – we’ve collected our very favourite purveyors of good vibes, welcoming atmospheres and of course, bulk ice cream and chippies.

So without further ado, here is a list of family-friendly Gold Coast restaurants to treat you and your cherubs to some chow, so you can have a reprieve from slaving over the stove for a night.

From north to south.

The Wattle Hotel
A hidden gem in Upper Coomera, The Wattle Hotel is the perfect playground for parents and kiddies. The adult menu is filled with all your fave pub-style dishes while the littlies menu has all their favourites for $12 bucks including a drink and dixie cup – a bargain and a half, especially when you consider the inbuilt perk of those blissful sounds of serenity (the kind only a Cheeseburger could buy). 10/10 kids also agree the whopper playground is the bees knees (ok, so that stat is more of an educated guess, we hope you can let it ‘slide’…) Gather the kiddies and get down and see for yourself.
Where: 1 Reserve Road, Upper Coomera

Coomera Lodge Hotel
If riverside hangs and room to roam are high on your priority list, Coomera Lodge Hotel delivers. With an expansive open-air beer garden overlooking the Coomera River and an undercover pavilion for all-weather hangs, it’s an easy yes for families. The menu covers all the pub classics, while the real win for parents is the rotating kids’ fun, including a petting zoo and school holiday activities that keep little hands busy while you settle in.
Where: 160 Maudsland Road, Oxenford

Hope Island Tavern
Sunny days, good vibes and an epic playground? Say less. Hope Island Tavern is a go-to for families thanks to its sprawling beer garden and kid-approved play area that keeps them entertained while you dig into wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood or even a cheeky gelato. The kids’ menu is stacked (think battered fish, nuggets, spaghetti bolognese, and even a health bowl), and their Sunday Funday lineup offers even more reason to linger from 12pm.
Where: 93 Broadwater Ave, Hope Island

Dublin Docks Tavern
Set right on the water at Harbour Town, Dublin Docks Tavern brings relaxed family dining with a side of Irish charm. The spacious family bistro dishes up all your pub favourites- think steaks, seafood and hearty classics- alongside a kids’ menu to keep the little ones happy. Bonus points for being pet-friendly, so even the fur babies can get in on the outing.
Where: Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Biggera Waters

Charis Seafoods
Found in Harley Park, Labrador, Charis Seafoods offers a family-friendly atmosphere with a sweet view to boot. Enjoy your fish and chips by the Broadwater while the kids play in the park or swim in the lagoon. There’s a huge variety of seafood on offer, and everything is of the freshest and highest quality. This Gold Coast icon is also renowned for its pelican feeding at 1:30pm daily, where close to a hundred pelicans gather for their special feed of fish!
Where: 371 Marine Parade, Labrador

Historic Rivermill
Less of a restaurant, more full-blown adventure day – Historic Rivermill might be an overachiever, but we promise you, a meal at this beaut spot will delight you and your little people. The outlook from the cafe is breathtaking with views to the bushland beyond and plenty of space, including a cute ‘lil playground, for the kids to explore. This pretty riverside spot boasts its own petting zoo, so the animal encounters are a must-do for the munchkins. Feed the turtles and alpacas, or even go on a horse ride! Don’t sweat it when your little people grow peckish, of course, the cafe boasts plenty of yummy goodies for the human folk too. Including coffee, which we absolutely will require after herding the critters (we’ll let you decide which we’re referring to). Do yourself a favour and take a drive out there with the whole family.
Where: 950 Beaudesert-Nerang Road, Mt Nathan

Southport Sharks
For families, Frenzy’s buffet is the go-to – especially for the mini salad dodgers. Pair it with the Wobbygones Kids Club (rock climbing wall, mini basketball and theatrette), plus the LOL Crew Kids Show on Sundays from 5–7pm, and you’ve got them sorted as the small ones frolic under supervision, and you kick back with a frosty beverage. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner with buffet and à la carte options. Even better, kids eat free at Monday dinner and Saturday breakfast buffets with a paying adult, and score a half-price buffet with every full-paying adult on Sundays!
Where: Olsen Ave and Musgrave Ave, Southport

Mermaid Waters Hotel
When it comes to keeping kids entertained, Mermaid Waters Hotel has thought of everything. With both indoor and outdoor play areas- including a playground and a playroom with PlayStations- it’s a dream scenario for parents wanting a moment of peace (#guiltfree). Pair that with a dedicated kids menu (it’s an epic adventure within itself) and a solid lineup of adult options, and you’ve got a spot that ticks all the boxes for an easy family outing.
Where: Cnr Markeri & Sunshine Blvd, Mermaid Waters

Mermaid Beach Surf Club
Surf clubs are family-friendly by principle, but the Mermaid Beach Surf Club in particular has got the goods in the form of a playroom (with a jungle gym and TV) that will keep the kids entertained for hours. Some of us here have been in there and can attest that it’s a good time. Of course, they have lots of child-friendly menu options on their Nippers Menu, which include a FREE Zooper Dooper or vanilla ice cream, AND on Monday nights, kids eat free with any main meal purchased. How good.
Where: 172 Hedges Avenue, Mermaid Beach

Mermaid Beach Tavern
These days, Tavs, Pavs and Clubs have well and truly ditched their old-school beer dungeon rep — and Exhibit A is Mermaid Beach Tavern. Easy on the eyes, spacious, and serving up classic pub eats the whole family will love. Speaking of, you can feed the family (of four) dinner on a Thursday for $70 from 5:30pm. Now that’s an offer that one (one tired parent at the back end of the week) simply couldnt pass up! Putt wait, there’s more… Play a round of mini golf next door at Putt Putt Mermaid Beach, then present your voucher at the bistro to score an $18 adult meal or $10 kids meal for lunch or dinner — the perfect combo for a family outing, date night or catch-up with friends.
Where: 2500 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Miami Marketta
Another, ‘less of a restaurant’ venue, Miami Marketta is more a market-style dining situation, which is ideal when ‘relaxed eats’ is kind of the whole objective when we’re talking about feeding the oft-rambunctious rugrats. Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with food stalls and (often) live music, kids absolutely adore running around, dancing, and eating all the things. Same. There’s a ridiculous array of next-level desserts and a bar, so that’s pretty much all your bases covered, we think. Always a fun time.
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami

Hotel CBD
Varsity Lakes’ Hotel CBD is basically a one-stop shop for family nights out. There’s an indoor playground and a dedicated kids’ room to keep the little ones busy, plus regular entertainment, including Saturday night activities and school holiday fun. Add in perks like 50% off kids’ meals on Mondays and Tuesdays, Thursday movie nights with free popcorn, and a $45 family pizza night, and you’ve got yourself a very solid midweek solution.
Where: 15/21 Lake St, Varsity Lakes

Burleigh Town Hotel
We Gold Coasters do love a good all-rounder, and this spot delivers with a slick and spacious layout – it’s a firm favourite with locals (the top-notch steaks don’t hurt either), especially parents. The sprawling set-up is a win for families, with a modern bistro, two fully serviced bars and an epic playground where the kids can roam while you settle in. From woodfired pizzas to easy crowd-pleasing bites, the menu keeps even the pickiest eaters happy- we’re looking at you, kids. There’s also a dedicated Kids Club to keep the little ones entertained (think face painting, balloon and slime making and petting zoos), and even better, kids eat free with any main meal every Monday. This is livin’.
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads

Currumbin RSL
Sitting pretty (and we do mean pretty- she’s not your average RSL, she’s a cool RSL) right on the banks of Currumbin’s beloved creek, families flock here in droves. Whether it’s the dreamy waterfront outlook or the lineup of modern, crowd-pleasing eats is up for debate (though the ice-cold beers certainly help). Upgrade things for the little ones with a soft drink and a single scoop of ice cream with any kids’ meal. Even better, kids eat free on Mondays with any main purchase, and the menu is fit for a small king — think la bambino pizza, tempura chicken nuggets, cheeseburgers, linguine bolognese or battered flathead. Don’t worry, grown-ups, you’re well covered too. Add in a fully fenced park right next door, and you’ve got yourself a very easy win.
Where: 165 Duringan St, Currumbin

Club Banora
Just five minutes south of Twin Towns, Club Banora is a full-blown family playground disguised as a dining spot. The outdoor Kids Zone is packed with architect-designed play equipment, mini golf, table tennis and more – aka, hours of entertainment sorted. Meanwhile, the bistro serves up all the crowd-pleasers, with kids’ meals (hello cheeseburgers, nuggets and fish bites) coming with a free ice cream. Easy win.
Where: Leisure Drive, Banora Point, New South Wales

There you have it ,folks, from playgrounds to pelicans and nuggets to next-level pub feeds, the Gold Coast is packed with family-friendly spots that make dining out with the kids way less chaotic (and way more fun). Click here for Surfers Paradise family-friendly restaurants with the ultimate seal of approval: the kids themselves.

Words by Chelsea Ipsen