Watch me whip. Watch me neigh neigh.
Watch me whip. Watch me neigh neigh.
Looking for somewhere to celebrate this year’s Melbourne Cup? We field you! Prepare to channel your inner clothes horse, frock up, and sink a glass (or ten) of chardon-hay for the race that stops a nation. Whether you’re after something opulent, glamorous, or more relaxed, here is a list of Gold Coast venues inviting you to stirrup some Cup fun this Tuesday 1st November. Giddy up!
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
Make a Cup date with the JW Grand Ballroom and indulge in a decadent 3-course luncheon, luxury beverage package, and a glass of sparkling vino on arrival. Enjoy live entertainment by Midnight Finesse and a fashion showcase by Lisa Brown Designs, plus best dressed prizes sponsored by JW Marriott Gold Coast. There will also be sweepstakes and raffles supporting the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation. 12pm – 3pm. Tickets are $199 per person, or $1,990 for a table of ten. Get yours here.
Where: 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Bazaar Marketplace at QT Gold Coast
Settle in at QT Gold Coast’s Bazaar with a glass of Mumm sparkling on arrival, 3-hour beverage package, and sumptuous Bazaar Marketplace lunch including slow-cooked meats, fresh seafood, and dishes made to order. There’ll be sweepstakes, prizes for best dressed, live beats, and of course the big race on the big screens! Continue the festivities at Stingray Lounge for a post-race party. 12pm – 3pm. Tickets are $159 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Club at Parkwood Village
With two sparkling yet different events, you’re bound to have a day you won’t forget in a hurry. Choose from a cocktail party with a difference with a 2-hour drinks package, canapes and platters galore, and prizes for the best dressed for a very modest $79pp. Or if you prefer something a little grander, their sit-down experience in the Pavilion room with a 4-hour drinks package and three-course menu should do the trick for $139pp (SOLD OUT). Live music is being played through both parties, and there’s a good time guaranteed for everyone! Book your tickets here.
Where: 76 – 122 Napper Road, Parkwood
The Langham Gold Coast
Enjoy a fanciful affair at The Langham Garden Party hosted in the chic Diamond Ballroom. Delight in 4 hours of free-flowing premium alcoholic beverages and a splendid 3-course lunch whilst enjoying live entertainment at the GC’s newest address in luxury. Your event ticket will be your golden ticket for a chance to take home an exquisite BVLGARI Serpenti Reverse Bag, valued at over $4,000! 11.30am – 3.30pm. Tickets are $299 per person, or $2,700 for a table of 10. Get yours here.
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise
Hyde Paradiso
Celebrate Melbourne Cup Day seaside at Hyde with a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival, 3-hour premium drinking package, charcuterie grazing station, and substantial canapes to line those tummies! Hosted by Alli Simpson, you’ll get a side of celeb with the big race, live entertainment, and best dressed prizes. 12.30pm – 3.30pm. Tickets are $170 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: Peppers Soul, Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast – SOLD OUT
Make this year’s race one to remember with a decadent seafood buffet and a 3-hour beverage package. Start with a glass of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut NV on The Deck whilst perusing designer bling by Calleija, before making your way to Terraces. Enjoy best dressed prizes, live entertainment, charity sweeps supporting Variety Queensland, and all the live Melbourne Cup action. 12pm – 3pm. Tickets are $189 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: 71 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Palazzo Versace – SALES CLOSED
Head for the beautiful IL Barocco Restaurant for The Cup in sensational Palazzo Versace style! Indulge in a bountiful array of the freshest seafood, vibrant salads, and succulent roast meats with all the tasty trimmings and decadent sweet treats. Pair this with a 3-hour beverage package, live entertainment, sweeps and raffles hosted by Gold Coast Hospital Foundation, plus all the live action from Flemington. 12pm – 3pm. Tickets are $195 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: 94 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Southport Sharks
Sharks Events Centre – SALES CLOSED
Get fun and flirty with not one but five huge screens broadcasting the race live and loud! Feast on a tasty 3-course menu washed down with a 3.5-hour beverage package and, well, if you insist. There are best-dressed awards up for grabs, live betting facilities to up the thrill factor, live entertainment with Michael Hickey, and sweeps and raffles supporting the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation. 11am – 3pm. Tickets are $115 per person, or $1,100 for a table of ten. Get yours here.
Sharks Main Club – SOLD OUT
Treat yourself to a mouth-watering seafood buffet lunch at Southport Sharks’ legendary good times hub, Frenzy’s. Wear your finest frock (obvs) and you’ll be in the running to win fabulous best dressed prizes! Take in all the action on screens throughout the venue, with TAB facilities at the ready for you to place your bets. 11.30am – 3pm. Tickets are $69 per person and can be purchased here.
Aviary Rooftop Bar – SOLD OUT
A Cup celebration overlooking the iconic Gold Coast skyline…so much yes! After a complimentary cocktail on arrival, help yourself to the 3-hour food and beverage package, with a champagne tower, Amalfi grazing table, and roving authentic Italian pizzas. Sounds by Eleea, a fashion parade, lucky door prize, sweeps, and a fabulous fascinator contest mean you won’t get colt feet for this one! Tickets are $149 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: Southport Sharks, corner Olsen and Musgrave Avenue, Southport
The Fireplace – InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort – SALES CLOSED
Experience a gourmet spring carnival-inspired luncheon served in The Fireplace with elegant theming to match. Relish the delectable canapés and 3-hour platinum beverage package, before your gourmet 2-course plated menu curated by resort Executive Chef, Hamish Watt. After placing your bets, take in every gallop on the fancy oversized screen. 12.30pm – 3.30pm. Tickets are $195 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circuit, Hope Island
RACV Royal Pines Resort – SOLD OUT
Race along to Tees’ Clubhouse and experience all the Cup excitement with a delish 3-course luncheon, including a glass of bubbles on arrival. If you really want to go all out (we do), upgrade to a dozen shucked oysters, or add a half kilo of prawns with dippers and squeezers! Bop along to live music and horse around till your heart’s content! 10am – 5pm. Tickets start from $69 per person and you can purchase them here.
Where: Ross Street, Benowa
Words by Bianca Trathen.
SPONSORED BY GOLD COAST TICKETS
If Queensland weather doesn’t shout rooftop bars at you in a high-pitched squeal, we don’t know what will. Our climate, coupled with the amazing hospitality scene here in our city, means these open-air meccas of good times and delicious libations are the prime place to find yourself — any time of the year! It’s all about drinks in the sunshine and snapping selfies with picturesque backgrounds for Insta-bragging purposes.
So, in honour of bars in high places, here are 14 next-level rooftop bars (listed north to south) you should prioritise visiting this weekend, next weekend, and the weekend after…
Aviary Rooftop Bar
Perched atop Mantra on Sharks, Aviary Rooftop Bar’s views are as stunning as their extensive drinks list. With 180 degree views over the Surfers Paradise skyline and the ocean, it’s the perfect place for an after work beverage or Sunday arvo session with the crew. Ohh and don’t even get us started on their authentic Italian pizzas, and tapas… if you know, you know.
Where: Mantra at Sharks, Melia Ct, Southport (next to Southport Sharks)
Mr PP’s Deli & Rooftop Bar
A game-changer in Southport’s food and beverage scene, Mr PP’s is a multi level pizzeria and rooftop bar boasting city views and plenty of good vibes in the century-old postal building. There is a generous menu full of pizzas, tapas and charcuterie boards, the ideal scenario. Plus cocktails and local tipples, of which there are many. Live music on Sundays too.
Where: 43 Nerang St, Southport
Last Night on Earth
Pretty sure that if it were, in fact, your last night on Earth, you would want to spend it at a sweet rooftop bar with bulk cocktails at the ready. Which maybe isn’t the point of Southport’s Last Night on Earth but a good intro nonetheless. Last Night on Earth is the work of local legend Arran Wollams and his crew. It’s a somewhat underworld themed rooftop bar in the heart of Southport offering good times aplenty. It’s a dive bar, but not as you know it. Check it out.
Where: 50b Nerang St, Southport
Cali Beach Club
Cali Beach Club is not just a rooftop bar, it’s Australia’s largest Beach Club! This Gold Coast classic is the ultimate beachside party destination that’s never known a dull moment. The 2L spritzer and cocktail jugs may have something to do with this… One minute, you’re lounging on your dedicated daybed by the pool. Next, you’re sipping a Cali Colada in the pool. What’s that? The DJ set has begun?! Off to the dancefloor with you!
Where: 21a Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
The Exhibitionist Bar
News flash: HOTA isn’t just for the arts and culture, people, it’s also for cocktails. Speciality cocktails- each inspired by and changed to reflect the art centre’s current major exhibitions. We feel more cultured already. Enjoy it all while absorbing the breathtaking views of the city skyline. The highly talented Tom Angel heads up the bar and cocktail list, which is a seriously good spot for a sundowner — and the ideal place to take out of towners!
Where: Level 5/135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
Lulu Rooftop & Bar
Say hello to one of GC’s newest editions- the lovely Lulu. Think Miami’s art deco scene meets laid-back tropical Gold Coast, with lush greenery, plush booth seating and marble-topped bars, it’s a vibe! Throw in the fact it’s on a rooftop and we’re sold. Okay, that’s a lie, our booths were booked when we got word of a Frosé Wall! Choose from six boozy frosé flavours (or try them all) and garnish your icy creation with an array of lollies.
Where: Level 2/4 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Island Rooftop
It’s the largest open-air (and much adored) rooftop on the Gold Coast, perched on top of The Island in Surfers Paradise. This spot is kind of a unicorn, being part nightclub, part bar and part live music venue. And now, they have taken things up a notch, launching Above Sundays. where killer beats meet delicious eats and craft cocktails. From 11am every Sunday, find a line-up of DJs playing, a specially curated summer cocktail menu, and indulgent share-style eats. Think of it as your new Sunday ritual.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
Nineteen at The Star
The fanciest of the bunch is undoubtedly Nineteen at The Star, complete with velvet booth-style seating, an infinity pool and ocean views for days. Found atop The Star Gold Coast’s The Darling, Nineteen is the perfect place for people-watching, dressing up and sipping on fancy tipples while dancing the night away. Be sure to take a snap on the runway stretching out into the pool!
Where: The Darling, Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
JuJu
The GC’s newest rooftop bar has serious “it’s a vibe” energy. JuJu in Nobby Beach delivers upscale dining with a side of cheeky fun. Split across two levels, this new venue is perfect for sunset cocktails and late-night revelry. Expect Euro-summer vibes, lush greenery, and after-hours parties that feel straight out of Mykonos. With a sleek rooftop bar featuring a retractable roof, tequila carts, and live DJ-saxophonist duos, JuJu is where you go when you’re ready to keep the night alive.
Where: 2235 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Tropic Vice
Tropic Vice is one of (if not, the) hottest bars on the Gold Coast, and for excellent reason. Go from dinner to disco, and dance the night away under the neon lights. The Nobby Beach venue is ideal for a weekend catch-up, a mid-week cheeky cocktail, or an epic bottomless brunch every Sunday. Do yourself a favour, find yourself here sipping a cocktail whilst drinking in the gorgeous hinterland view.
Where: 2215 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
Justin Lane
A much-loved favourite among locals and visitors alike, Justin Lane is still one of the most popular rooftops on the Gold Coast and was actually the coast’s first official rooftop bar opening in 2011! Hard to imagine. The space is intimate, with booth-style seating overlooking Burleigh and plenty of cocktails to tickle your fancy. Once you’re done slinging back bevvys with the gang, head downstairs for some fair dinkum pizza (it’s so damn good).
Where: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
The Collective
Everyone’s favourite multi-restaurant establishment, The Collective in Palm Beach, boasts a sweet rooftop bar with epic cocktails for your sipping pleasure. You can also order eats from one of the five menus on offer and watch the sunset over the ocean while you’re at it. We HIGHLY recommend it.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
Burleigh Pavilion
This one is straight-up iconic and the vibe is a match. It’s as close to the ocean as you can get with a cocktail before it becomes a safety hazard. You may be closer to Earth for this one, but the view here is arguably the best on the Gold Coast. Soak in the stunning sunshine while mulling over which epic cocktail to try first.
Where: 3a/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
The Salty Fox
Made for those who are “here for a good time, not a long time”- literally. The Salty Fox can be found on the 7th floor and rooftop of Rydges Gold Coast Airport and is the perfect destination for your pre-departure or post-arrival drinks. Catch uninterrupted views of the stunning Bilinga Beach from the rooftop as you get ready for takeoff, or settle into the Gold Coast spirit with a cocktail (or a few). You may even snag some live music and DJ sets if you’re lucky.
Where: Lot 5, Terminal Drive, Bilinga
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
