Words by a dusty insider with sand in his sheets.
So, you’ve landed on the Gold Coast just in time for the WSL circus—boards in tow, sunnies on, and zero idea where the hell to go once the comp wraps for the day. Don’t sweat it. While tourists fumble around Cavill Ave, we’ve mapped out the real spots—the joints where locals drink, the dive bars with busted stools and golden pours, and the rooftops where the sunsets slap different.
This ain’t your family-friendly Gold Coast itinerary. It’s the Frank 151 survival guide to going out when the surf’s done and the city turns electric. No gimmicks. No dress codes. Just grit, cold beer, and a few good decisions gone bad.
Let’s get weird.
Rainbow Bay Surf Club – Cheap Beer & Million-Dollar Views
Your default setting. This old-school gem offers the kind of view you’ll pay $19 a beer for in L.A., but here it
comes with a cold schooner and zero pretense. Food’s mid, but who cares-you’re here to watch the
ocean bleed orange and talk shit about who flaked in Round 2.
Bar Evelyn – Date Night With a Side of Class
Feeling civilised? Try Evelyn. It’s boujee for the south end but lands it. Go for a spritz, stay for the
tiramisu. If you’re trying to impress a Tinder match or you’re over 30 and your knees hurt, this is your
oasis.
Eddie’s Grub House – Burgers, Beers, and Bad Decisions
Karaoke Thursdays. Enough said. This place doesn’t care who you are or where you surfed. Leave
your ego at the door and sing Creed until someone pulls the mic. Staff are legends and the burgers hold up even after four rounds of Jameson.
Kirra Beach House – Views for Days, Vibes for Now
She’s shiny, new, and made for the ‘Gram-but don’t write her off. Post-heat sunsets with a pint here
just *hit*. It’s got the clean-cut crowd, sure, but every now and then, someone falls off the rails and it
turns into a party. Stick around.
Balter Tap Room – The House That Mick Built
Co-founded by WSL royalty Mick Fanning & Joel Parkinson, Balter’s your chill-day brewery hang. Killer beers, food
trucks, acoustic sets. You might accidentally network with someone who owns three startups and a
ski chalet, or just nurse a pilsner until you forget your heat score.
Rosella’s Bar – Australiana, Distilled
This place is part nostalgia, part mad scientist cocktail lab. Think lamington shots, Milo martinis, and
a bar team that could run rings around your local speakeasy. Wear something ironic.
Apres Surf – Back From the Dead
After losing its original spot to development, Apres Surf has come back swinging in Burleigh. Still
pulling a tight crew of locals, long hairs, and underground DJs. Hit it late, preferably after you’ve
already said “just one more” somewhere else.
Burleigh Brewing Tap House – Craft Core
Low key, no fluff. Tucked in the industrial backstreets, Burleigh Brewing keeps things honest. Huge
selection, locals’ price, and maybe a food truck slinging gourmet toasties. Pure.
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse – For the Freaks and Groovers
Warehouse vibes, BYO weirdness. Gigs, film screenings, and zero mainstream BS. It’s part art
space, part party cave, and if there’s a full moon while you’re in town, it’s gonna get loose.
Nightjar – Dive Bar Perfection
This Burleigh back-alley bar is a shrine to getting sideways. Cheap drinks, loud music, and staff that
won’t judge you if you order rum at 3pm. Trust us-this is where the locals *actually* go.
Pink Monkey – Rooftop Mayhem
Sitting right in the heart of Burleigh, Pink Monkey is as rowdy as the name suggests. Don’t be fooled
by the pink neon and Instagram crowd-when the DJs drop, the floor moves.
Precinct Brewing – Indie Brews, No Douches
Solid tap list, easy crowd, and enough live music to keep you buzzing without full tinnitus. If you’re
over screaming across club tables, this is your mellow mix of scene and sippin’.
FRANK’S FINAL WORD:
You’re not here for the tourist track. You’re here to watch the world’s best battle 6-foot Kirra (this year it’s at Burleigh but you get the jest), shake
the salt out of your ears, and maybe wake up on someone’s couch in Burleigh. This guide’s your
ticket to the local layer-no franchises, no foam parties, no regrets (until morning).
Welcome to the Gold Coast. Pace yourself.