Exciting news for all you theatre cabaret lovers, Dracula’s Cabaret Restaurant launched their brand new show just a few short weeks ago and the creepy crew are back at it again.

The newbie titled Muertos; which means dead in Spanish and the latest carnival de carnage is set to be a wild celebration that absolutely explodes on the Broadbeach stage.

It’s a tribute to Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations, moving at the bone-rattling pace you’ve come to know and love from Australia’s long running dinner slash theatre show.

There’s carnival-inspired acts, death-defying aerial acrobatics, live tunes from the clever crew and of course, the hilarious brand of comedy only Dracula’s can provide.

Muertos is all vibrant colours and hip-gyrating flamenco meshed with high energy Latin dance. Add dancing skeletons, galloping corpses, rocktacular live music, big wigs and lots of bare skin and you’ve got quite the time.

The Mexican theme has crept into every part of the iconic venue, including the menu, wine list and décor. How good.

Delivering the ultimate entertainment and live music experience, the show appears across five stages, as well as mid-air above the audience.

The talented cast lineup features crowd favourite, Coco Inia Dewar, renowned acrobatic adagio duo Lauren Skapalova and Bray Garcia, señorita deliciosas Amber Dawn-Finch and Sarah Douch, backed by the amazing live music talents of Viola Skyes and Tomi Gray.

For the uninitiated, Dracula’s is a world of nocturnal decadence, with mouth-watering dinner treats and tequila laced cocktails – presented by waiters with unrestrained lip-service.

Plus there’s a ghost train ride that’ll get you every time.

Packages start $59 per person for supper club, show only tickets with optional tapas menu, or $95 per person for a succulent three-course dinner and show experience.

Get on it.

LOCATION: 1 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach
WHEN: Five days a week, Tuesday to Saturday

Hola. We’ve got Mexi-news and it is this; a brand new Mexi-joint opened up in Surfers Paradise just a few short days ago and it’s bringing all the good time vibes you don’t want to miss.

Found in the bustling little space that is Circle on Cavill, La Diosa Mexicana is the perfect addition to the eatery-filled area and if you’re a fan of high quality, flavour-filled feasts, you’re in for a treat.

The fitout is colourful and inviting with rattan-style furniture, wrought iron tables and raw concrete accents. Everybody’s new favourite indoor greenery, (cacti and succulents) are dotted throughout and ocean coloured tiles complete the pretty picture.

Big bay windows open out into the street and we highly recommend choosing one of the corner tables because there are tan leather cushions that are as soft as can be and also, bulk people watching opportunities. Not your typical Mexican eatery guys.

Food-wise, also not so much the Mexi-goodness you’ve become accustomed to.

La Diosa Mexicana co-owner Danny Azzi is a Gold Coast restaurateur and chef with over 20 years experience. He’s a lover of clean, fresh flavours and, coupled with his Lebanese heritage, has created quite a unique take on the food of Mexico.

The main player on the menu is the tacos, which we are pretty happy about. They’re made with an Al Pastor-style meat – a traditional way of cooking developed in central Mexico and based on the shawarma spit-grilled meat. It was introduced to Mexico by the Lebanese so there’s your link. What a combination.

The entire menu is a dream come true if you ask us, filled with all your favourites including Tostadas, Enchiladas, Quesadillas, Nachos and, of course, the beloved Burrito.

We recommend starting with a share plate or two, the Grilled Mexican street corn with coriander crema, paprika, queso and lime because they are the absolute goods and the Albondigas is meat balls with house beans and queso fresco. Flavour sensations.

Taco-wise go the fried cauliflower with eggplant jam, tahini, smoky paprika and pepitas or the Al Pastor pork with crispy onions, slaw, grilled pineapple and jalapenos. Try all of them though.

The Nachos are some of the prettiest we’ve ever seen and you should also fit in a burrito or two. Good luck.

Now, let’s talk booze. The specialty bar menu features all of the margaritas (obviously) along with traditional cocktails, local and imported beers, ciders, wines, tequila (also obviously) and mezcals.

Because you’re obviously dying to know, there are 11 margaritas on the menu including flavours such as Chilli Chocolate and Cucumber Fresca (we tried that one, it was really great). Oh and the Orange Tamarind is one of the great margaritas too.

Maybe stop reading now and go try it out for yourselves. It’ll knock your little sombreros off.

LOCATION: Shop 11, Circle on Cavill, 3184 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: 11.30am until 10.30pm

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

We the good time-loving people of the Gold Coast are all about a tummy-filling feast complete with friends, frosty cold beverages and a relaxed vibe where stretchy pants are a perfectly fine sartorial choice. We like other things too but for the purposes of this tale, that scenario is the go.

Enter TGI FRIDAYS, a bar and grill-style venue that originated in Manhattan, NYC in the 1960s, spearheading a cultural revolution with the introduction of the city’s first female-friendly singles bar (wow).

The space brought in huge crowds due to their quality cocktails, eclectic décor and (most importantly) the opportunity to mingle with like-minded locals un-chaperoned. Can you even imagine what would have gone on? How good.

TGI FRIDAYS was also said to have initiated ‘happy hour’ for which we can all be thankful and, over the next few years expanded across the States at a rapid rate.

Lucky for us, the brand has now become a worldwide phenomenon and the very first Queensland version opened just this week right here on the Gold Coast.

Now known as a family-friendly venue, the newbie can be found on The Promenade at Robina Town Centre and the fitout is all industrial-style with timber accents and sweet light installations – which we’re obviously all about.

There’s be both indoor and outdoor seating options, a central bar where sports lovers can catch pretty much any game going on and an open kitchen if you’re into watching tasty eats being prepped for your consuming pleasure.

The menu has been refined over the years to focus on high quality produce and with sharing in mind.

For starters there are delightful things like Mozarella Sticks and Mac ‘N’ Cheese bites and for mains, dishes along the lines of sliders, loaded fries, stacked, handcrafted burgers, salads and of course steaks and ribs will grace the menu, so that’s where your stretchy pants come in friends.

TGI Friday’s signature ribs are glazed with a Jack Daniels situation that is extremely delicious and there are flame-grilled steaks on offer too.

For dessert a giant Sundae should finish you right off in the best possible way.

Signature cocktails are the best of the drinks menu with sips like Pink Punk Martinis, Blackberry Iced Tea and Lychee Mojitos on offer.

There’ll be a DJ every Friday and Saturday night and on the other nights, a crowd DJ app so you can log in and choose your own musical adventure.

Oh and if it’s your birthday, you have to stand up on a chair and have the entire restaurant song to you.

It’s an exciting little community hub where good vibes and exceptional eats are the name of the game.

Summer here we come.

P.s TGI stands for Thank God It’s in case you’re somehow unaware.

LOCATION: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina