Cheese, cocktails and city views.
Cheese, cocktails and city views.
Apparently there’s something to be said about sipping cocktails in a semi-outdoor space with views for days and an ever-present, balmy breeze.
So much so that rooftop bars are the Gold Coast’s new drinking destination of choice and, as of tonight (November 17th), Southport’s jumped on the bandwagon.
Mr PP’s Deli & Rooftop Bar is the long-awaited venue that’s guaranteed to give the suburb a whole new lease on life thanks to the combination of everyone’s favourite things – cheese and cocktails.
Let’s start from the top. But actually the bottom. On the ground floor of the building you’ll find the deli section of the establishment, with an array of delicious meats and cheeses that will be brought together in platter form for your feasting pleasure. There’s also an old-school bar with a focus on whiskeys and quality wines. Probs gonna move in to be honest.
Up the stairs is where you’ll find the rooftop bar (shocker) complete with summery, feel good vibes and a brightly coloured “in good company” mural by local legend Claudio Kirac. The rooftop is all about cocktail jugs and tasty eats in the way of pizzas, share plates and a few fancy mains that’ll knock your socks off – we’ve got it on good authority the duck meatball hero is a party in your mouth.
All the foods can be eaten in both the bars so all you’ll need to do is decide whether you’d like to dine with a low-lit vintage vibe or in an open, airy space with bulk sunset-watching opportunities. Tough gig.
What else. The name of the place comes from Southport’s first main Postmaster who lived in the building from 1909. Philip Palmer Agnew was a poet, artist, scriptwriter and illustrator. We’re told he was a crazy character all the locals loved, who was renowned for putting on plays and drawing the world around him. And so, the bar was named after Mr PP and we reckon he would have loved it.
As will you friends. Race ya to the roof.
LOCATION: 43 Nerang Street, Southport
HOURS: Tuesday to Thursday 4pm until late and Friday and Saturday 12pm until 12am
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
The co-creator of Mr PP's Deli & Rooftop Bar.
Slowly but surely Ben Howe is transforming Southport into a suburb set to rival the Burleigh Heads of the world.
In the last five years he and his family have opened two sweet co-working spaces in two of the Coast’s most historical buildings and now he’s about to make the daring move into the hospitality world.
We sat down with Ben to chat about Mr PP’s, Southport’s first rooftop bar, and the local 18th century poet and illustrator it’s named after.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I was born in Southport and lived away for a few years then came back in 2010 and I’ve been working in Southport ever since.
Where on the Coast do you live and what do you love about it?
I live in Mermaid Beach now, it’s really grown in the last few years. We moved there in 2014 and every few months there seem to be awesome new restaurants opening which adds a lot to the visibility of a city. The standard has been raised so high and now I’m doing my own venue, I know how hard it is.
How did Co-spaces and The Exchange come about?
Co-spaces is a family-owned business and building. My parents bought the old ambulance station in 2002 and it was awesome to be a part of that and see the impact it had on the community. In 2012 we had the light rail being built and that took two years which kind of wrecked the front of the building for that time. Our tenant moved out so I said I’d turn it into a co-share office and that’s where it all started. In 2015 we occupied a building two doors down which was the old Telstra exchange and I put another co-working space in there (The Exchange) and the building between those is the one Mr PP’s is going into, so now we’ve got the three historical buildings in a row.
We knew two businesses that wanted to move into Co-Spaces and I thought it was a great business opportunity. I knew people who wanted that flexibility and the Gold Coast was the perfect opportunity for that type of work environment. I was designing websites at the time with a friend, that was my primary business and I was looking for a similar kind of thing and couldn’t find it. No one was coming to rent it while the light rail was happening, so we tried it and it was really successful.
You’re building Southport’s first rooftop bar, how did that come about?
The old ambulance station was built in 1922 and my brother, his wife and another partner put Percy’s Corner (the cafe) in and it was named after the first Superintendent who ran the station for 40 years.
When we started this process we were looking for another historical character relevant to the building. We found out that in 1909 it was the Postmaster’s residence and where we are in the exchange was the second post office in Southport. We started looking up Postmasters and found this guy whose name was Philip Palmer Agnew who was a poet, artist, a scriptwriter and a brilliant illustrator and he was the first main Postmaster and telegraph operator. He came here in 1883 when the first telegraphs came to Southport and set that up. He was this crazy character and so talented, everyone loved him. He put on plays for the locals and was very loved. We found all these songs he wrote and illustrations he did so we decided to name the bar after him – it’s Mr PP’s Deli and Rooftop Bar.
There’ll be a deli too right?
The deli will be downstairs and it will really focus on high quality meats and cheeses. You’ll be able to come in and get a wine and a meat board and on the rooftop we’ll be doing pizzas. So there’s a theme of quality meats and cheeses and breads and that’ll transfer through both spaces.
Who else has made this possible?
When I first started this process I really wanted to include other businesses and young people because I feel like when you bring the community along with you, it’s really beneficial. Plus I don’t have any hospitality experience. One of my co-working members Arran Woollams has a design studio and he’s a bit of a hospitality veteran so he’s on board. Another one of my members, Kyle Sinclair is an Accountant, he does lots of books for hospitality businesses on the Coast and he’s also an ex-chef. Sam, a solicitor at IP Partnership, and Matt, a Lawyer at HW Litigation, are on board too.
What are your thoughts on the Coast’s growing start up culture?
It’s fantastic. It feels like it’s really exploded in the last few years and I think it’s because people see other great things happening and they kind of rise to that and things keep flowing and getting better. It’s cool, every suburb is starting to get its own vibe and I think for me with Southport, I see that potential. It’s got the history but it really lags behind other suburbs. You see places like Palm Beach which have come out of nowhere and exploded, I think that’s what we need to do in Southport and that’s why we’re doing what we are – to really help the suburb and encourage other people.
How did you come to be where you are today?
I went to Uni and did Information Technology then switched into 3D animation. I started working in animation and realised it wasn’t for me. I moved to Melbourne and worked in advertising and then moved back to the Coast and started a little digital design company building websites and then transitioned into Co-Spaces as a kind of accidental thing. And now I’m getting into hospitality.
What’s the best piece of life advice you’ve ever received?
Manners maketh the man (from my Grandma)
Being a Gold Coast local, we have to ask your favourites:
Beach: Tallebudgera Creek
Café: I like Alfred’s Apartment
Bar: The Cambus Wallace
How does your weekend usually look? At the moment it’s working bees on Saturday to finish this bar and then Sunday is family time. Head down to the beach or go for bike rides or to the hinterland. Catching up with friends.
Southport has long been regarded as our little ugly duckling, but with the recent opening of Swannie's, this elegant new establishment will give you a reason to return with your flock.
This stylish new restaurant reminds us of a bar somewhere in a metropolitan city, well it’s in our little CBD, Southport. Cafe/ breakfast joint in the morning, restaurant during the day and tapas lounge bar at night. And the crazy thing? They’re effortlessly good at it all!
Located on busy Nerang Street, Swannie’s is the perfect spot for business meet-ups, casual lunch or Friday arvo knock-off drinks. Upon entrance, you’re faced with a huge bar (filled with all kinds of alcoholic goodness for later) and a tempting cake display filled with doughnuts (the injectable kind), pastries, caramel slices, muffins, sandwiches and ciabatas! The zebra striped floor, large pendant lights and curved wooden wall hint of your night to come. But you know what’s better than a coffee in the morning? Old-school R&B music! It;s a soulful and smooth start to your day, way to go Swannie’s!
So what’s on offer for brekky? A refreshing iced-coffee, smashed avo and marinated fetta served on crispy toast topped with fresh coriander and just a sprinkle of basil and feta oil (optionally you can add eggs). Sounds pretty basic, but they do it well.
Swannie’s ‘Our Eggs Benny’ consists of two perfectly poached free range eggs with smoked salmon on an English muffin, smothered in mouth-watering house-made hollandaise. Now if you can handle a bit of booze in the morning, we’re not promoting, but informing that their signature dessert/cocktail Don Pedro involves vanilla ice-cream, Bailey’s and chocolate cream (don’t mind if we do).
If you’re enticed to stay beyond breakfast, Swannie’s have live music every night of the week* plus some great specials like $10 Beer and Burger Tuesdays or Cheese and Wine Tasting on Wednesday nights!
Best day to go: They’re literally busy everyday, but we like the buzz of a crowd on a Friday or Saturday night from 4pm til late!
Signature dish: Angus Eye Fillet Steak Sandwich (do it for lunch).
Favourite drink: All the cocktails are tasty, but the Don Pedro s a dessert and cocktail in one for the sweet tooths.
Mon – Live Music from 6pm
Tues – Live Music from 6pm
Weds – Jazz & Blues Night, live music from 6pm
Thurs – Classic Rock Night, live music from 6pm
Fri – Live Music from 6pm
Sat – Live acoustic soloist over breakfast from 8am
Sun – Live acoustic from 12pm
See ya at Swannie’s!
34 Nerang Street, Southport
By Louisa von Ingelheim
