There are a great many things to get amongst on the GC, and these days, a thriving local music scene is undeniably one of them. And we can all agree, if there’s one thing that takes kicking back with a frosty refreshment to a whole new level, it’s getting your ears around some sweet tunes while you do it.

From dank, hidden indie dive bars to classic pub-style serenades for the whole fam to vibe to – whatever genre you’re in the mood for, there’s bound to be a venue to match.

Hound & Stag
The new kid on Arundel’s block has been hitting all the right notes since they slid open their enormous barn door late last year. Hound and Stag is now the GC’s largest combining craft brews and live music, and honestly, how could you go wrong with a combo like that?! The regular array of gigs, open mic nights and 90’s nights are the big old auditory cherry on top of an excellent atmosphere, brew-pub bites and endless frosty beverages here, folks.
Where: 13 Wrights Place, Arundel

Southport Sharks
One of Queenland’s largest AFL clubs, Southport Sharks is a family-friendly gem that’s more than merely a haven for footy fans to wet their whistles. With multiple venues and areas built-in, this Babushka doll vibing spot always has something going on, including live acts every weekend if you’re in the mood to groove. Every Friday and Saturday night, there’s an assortment of free gigs going down, from retro RnB shows, classic pub rock to tribute acts to get those toes tapping. Might we suggest first swinging by Mozza Mozza, apparently carb-loading is important before strenuous activity.
Where: Cnr Musgrave and Olsen Avenues, Southport

Vinnies Dive
We can always count on our local dive bar to deliver us the very dankest of gigs, and Vinnie’s Dive does exactly that. Championing our local music scene, they’re no strangers to big alt/indie names such as Dear Seattle, DZ Deathrays, Wil Wagner (The Smith Street Band) The Bennies and Regurgiator gracing their small but mighty stage – in addition to karaoke and themed tribute nights. We think this review sums it up best: “It’s dark, the floors are sticky, the toilets seats are occasionally broken, the beers are icy cold and the staff are the best people you’ll ever meet.” Get down there for great times and even better gigs (just leave the flimsy pluggas at home).
Where: Shops A & B, 44A Nerang Street, Southport

The Avenue
When it comes to finding live acts and having yourself a good time on the central Gold Coast, you’ll be hard pushed to look past The Avenue in Surfers Paradise. From comedy nights, drag shows, DJ’s, karaoke and themed evenings, there’s something going down at The Avenue each and every night of the week.

Work week got you feeling flat? We recommend Tunes on Tuesday or Feel Good Friday’s to recharge with some dance therapy and pulse-pounding beats. Those vibes will be back on track in no time.
Where: 3-15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Surfers Pavilion
Should you arrive by jet ski or by Uber, it doesn’t matter. Surfers Pavilion is your one-stop venue in the heart of Surfers Paradise for drinks, eats and catching a live DJ set or two. And not just any disc jockeys either; The Stafford Brothers and Peking Duk have both played to jubilant crowds here in recent times. Currently, the wheels of steel are spinning Thursday and Friday evenings and all through the weekend: perfect long weekend territory.
Where: 30/34 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

HOTA
The Home of the Arts is certainly doing the heavy lifting to finally elevate the arts and culture scene here in our section of Queensland. From intimate, indoor performances to the homegrown darlings and headline acts routinely taking one of Australia’s best outdoor stages – the variety of shows are as varied and vibrant as its technicolour exterior. For an impeccable way to kick off the weekend, it’s hard to go past Fridays on the Lawn. Grab a blanket, acquire a drink from their lawn bar, and relax in their sophisticated sun-kissed setting whilst being serenaded by some stellar local talent to celebrate the end of the working week.
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise

Den Devine
Open Tuesday to Sunday for your listening pleasure, Den Devine feature jazz and blues artists from a talent pool right here in our city. This intimate, hidden venue is well-known amongst live music fans, so we definitely recommend booking in advance to nab a seat. Grab a some eats and sips from their serious selection of whisky (the perfect accompaniment to some moody blues) and the equally stacked Mediterranean menu, and vibe to a selection of the best performers on the Gold Coast six nights a week.
Where: 15 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

Garden Kitchen & Bar at The Star Gold Coast
When it comes to star-studded acts and internationally recognised music performances, The Star Gold Coast is the place to grab a seat in a full-blown theatre and experience music as it was intended.

To keep you bopping in-between headline acts, there’s also live and free tunes going down on the reg, in the open air ambience of Garden Kitchen & Bar’s Live on the Lawn series. Every weekend, the beats come courtesy of DJ’s, soloists, and if you time it just right, the likes of world-class powerhouse vocalist, Lisa Hunt on select Fridays. Goosebumps incoming.
Where: 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Nightcap
Having duly stamped its authority on the Nobby Beach bar scene as the place to go for frolic fuelled nights, these guys will have you rocking out until the wee hours with a live band or DJ every night of the week. The venue also offers new bands the chance to get themselves out there, so keep an eye out for fresh talent!
Where: 2245 Gold Coast Highway, Nobbys Beach

Miami Marketta
Build it, and they will come… though it’s not clear in this analogy if the ‘they’ should be the steady stream of stellar, live music acts, the hungry hordes, or adoring music fans. Either way, this iconic laneway has established itself as a cracking spot for many things, including one of the best places to catch a gig on the GC.

From 5pm every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights, Miami comes alive with foods from all around the world mixed with local blues, jazz and independent artists. A hotspot doing some solid heavy lifting to attract incredible national and international acts as they tour the country – Be sure to keep an eye on their gig calendar; tickets always sell out fast!
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami

Nightjar
Burleigh’s original back alley after-hours haunt is always an epic time. Nightjar is known for late-night revelry and an often stellar line-up of weekly live music. With drink specials aplenty, come and enjoy local acts as they take to the floor and keep the swinging yet sultry atmosphere going long into the night.
Where: Justin Lane, Burleigh Heads 

Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
Burleigh’s multi-use music, space hire and events hub, Mo’s Desert Clubhouse is a melting pot of goings-on and a principal meeting place for muso’s, movers and shakers and music lovers across the GC. The industrial-style venue is outfitted with a fully stocked bar and equally stacked gig guide, so refer back often and make sure you pencil in a date with Mo’s Desert Clubhouse ASAP.
Where: 6/36 Central Drive, Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Town Hotel
A fresh af new look is not the only thing Burleigh Town Hotel is boasting these days, also ‘drumming up’ a very solid live entertainment schedule studded with emerging bands and popular Aussie acts to get your ears around. There’s DJ’s and acoustic artists bringing tunes to the beer garden most weekends, along with with Punk, Motown and Pop themed tribute shows – where you can hit the d-floor to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and queen Kylie (gold hot pants optional).
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads

Soundlounge
This gem is a favourite among live music fans, having hosted a slew of local, national and international icons — but it also remains one of our best-kept secrets. Find your way down to Currumbin RSL, where, hidden just above, Soundlounge hosts acts from folk soloists and DJs to rock and roll bands. Listening to fantastic live music can be a hungry business, but this venue has you covered with food options, including pizza, an a la carte restaurant and bar snacks.
Where: 165 Duringan Street, Currumbin

The Coolangatta Hotel
Whether you’ve been catching world-class waves or lounging in the afternoon sun, Coolangatta — and specifically the Coolangatta Hotel — has long been known as one of the best for rounding out a perfect afternoon with live music. Being one of the Gold Coast’s largest live music venues, this OG frequently features both national and international touring bands and DJs on any given weekend. In between catching your fave big names, rock out to live, local tunes every Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun.
Where: Cnr Warner Street and Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Words by Kellie Leader.

Shenanigans are afoot, Gold Coasters. Yep, in case you’ve been off with the fairies – March means St Patrick’s Day is indeed upon us for another year. Who can resist the time honoured tradition of donning the green garb, and gathering over a cheeky pint of Guinness to celebrate Irish culture in all its glory… and who could forget waaay too many (questionable) impressions, to be sure, to be sure.

March 17th is the date famously reserved for good, old fashioned Irish-inspired revelling in cities across the globe. If you’re wondering what’s the craic on the GC this St Paddy’s day, we’ve got you covered better than a kilt on a breezy day with all the best spots to bust out those second-hand Riverdance renditions.

And better still? This year it falls on a Sunday funday – Irish luck indeed!

Here’s a list of top Gold Coast spots to get your green on from north to south.

Harrigan’s Irish Pub
If you’re looking for a spot to take your kilt for a whirl this St Patty’s day, Harrigan’s Irish Pub should be a no-brainer for our northern GC revellers. Serving up an high energy event you won’t want to miss, they’ll be bunging on back-to-back live Irish tunes and traditional fare for the duration. Catch Celtic Cowboy on the mic from 11am-2pm, Celtic crooners Asleep at the Reel from 2pm-5pm and the DJ spinning jig-worthy tunes in the beer garden from 5pm-8pm. Book a table and thank us later!
Where: Harrigan’s Lane, Jacobs Well

Paradise Point Bowls Club
Embrace your inner Irish (coz surely we all have a long-lost relo from the Emerald Isle in our family tree) on St Pat’s Day at the Paradise Point Bowls Club. Catch the McNeill Academy of Irish Dance from 2pm to 3pm, followed by the 2 Be Sure from 3pm to 7pm. To add to the festive spirit, they’ll also be rolling out some special deals on traditional Irish food and tipples, including a Guinness Filo for $10, Irish Stew with Mash, Veges & Irish Soda Bread for $25, and Guinness and Kilkenny cans. Sláinte!
Where: 22 Thrush Avenue, Paradise Point

Dublin Docks Tavern
Harbour Town Premium Outlet’s favourite neighbour Dublin Docks is never light on Irish cheer, particularly not on St Paddy’s Day! There’ll be live entertainment, Irish dancers, and of course, the refreshing ales will be flowing with Guinness and Kilkenny on tap to really get in the spirit. But we should issue a very valid warning here; too many of the latter may induce the Irish flu come Monday morning (aka a humdinger hangover)! Irish dancing and tunes courtesy of Mama Ju Ju kick off from 1–5pm, with Richard Neill & the (aptly dubbed) Drunken Midnight Choir set to soundtrack the merrymaking well into the evening.
Where: Harbour Town Drive, Biggera Waters

Waxy’s Irish Pub
Why limit the fun to one day only? Surfers’ Irish icon, Waxy’s is going the whole hog with full-blown St Patrick’s fest spanning the entire weekend… and frankly, we would expect no less! The keen little leprechauns are kicking off the festivities from Friday (or Paddy’s Day Eve Eve, more like) with Tartan Shamrock supplying the tunes, followed by the sweet sounds of Darren Gallagher on Saturday. Backing it up bright and early on Sunday, the main event will fire up from 9am with a full day of live entertainment – including appearances from Dublin Dan, Gold Coast Pipe Band and Irish dancing from McNeill Academy of Irish Dance. Top stuff!
Where: 3206 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Finn McCool’s
Witness a sea of green take over Cavill Avenue at Finn McCool’s! All the crazy craic will be kicking off at 10am on St Paddy’s Day, with free entry and Guinness galore! You’ll have a grand ‘ole time celebrating all-things-Irish as traditional Irish dancers and pipe bands hit the stage! So tell Siri to remind you to swing by the $2 shop and stock up on silly Irish stuff now because Finn punters get involved!
Where: 39 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

The Local Tavern
The Local are bringing back a part of the Lansdowne Road Tavern and guys, we salute you #RIPLandsdowne. Reviving its former Irish pub roots for one day only – its spirit lives on in the form of all day dining, Irish fare faves and chef specials available specifically for this grand occasion! We’ll forgive you for leaving a chubbier little leprechaun #MoreToLove. Available only on St Paddy’s Day, so get it while you can!
Where: Chevron Renaissance, 3240 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

The Avenue
This Monday 18th, The Avenue is celebrating with some good ‘ole fashioned karaoke-style shenanigans – along with a chance to win a share of $1000 for the best Irish-inspired song. And seriously, who can resist belting out Zombie by The Cranberries (honourable mention: Nothing Compares 2U, because Sinead always slaps) whenever it comes on? Certainly not us! Along with bangers galore, there’s loads of specials & prizes up for grabs – including the chance to Burn the Bill with the chance to score up to 100% off your total. Grand!
Where: 3-15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

D’Arcy Arms Irish Pub
It’s not just a day, or even a weekend, it’s a full-blown St Patrick’s Fest at this much loved local Irish icon. The three-day extravaganza is shaping up to be their best yet, with an outdoor marquee and multiple stages primed to host a stellar lineup of live acts. Running from Friday–Sunday, catch tunes from the likes of Gallie, Gold Coast Pipe Band, Mark Butler & Claddagh and more. Of course, irresistible Irish bites like Beef & Guinness pies with mushy peas and Kilkenny beer battered Barra will also be coming thick and fast; so head down for what’s sure to be the best time outside the motherland itself! We’ve got all the details here.
Where: 2923 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise

Dan Devine
If the sound of Irish-inspired pub grub and an all-day gig fest is up your alley, get on down to Den Devine for an absolute gas of a time this St Patty’s day. The Kilkenny and Guinness will be flowing from 11am, with every pint of Guinness purchased also earning you the chance to win a month’s supply of the Emerald Isle’s beloved elixir. But why stop at traditional bevvy’s? The ode to Ireland continues with the Bangers and mash ft Guinness gravy food special coming in hot for lunch and dinner. And with back-to-back live tunes locked and loaded from 11am–11pm, it would be prudent to keep that sustenance up for this epic sesh.
Where: Shop 12/15 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach

Bine
Experience the Luck of the Irish at Bine this St. Patrick’s Day! From noon onwards, Bine will be decked out in festive green. Indulge in authentic Irish cuisine with specials like Bangers & Mash and Corned Beef Spring Rolls. As the evening unfolds, enjoy the sounds of live music by Maddy Breen from 6pm to 9pm. Quench your thirst with a selection of Irish themed drinks, including Boiler Makers, Celtic Slushies, and ice-cold Guinness cans.
Where: 1/28 Chairlift Avenue, Nobby Beach

Robina Pavillion
Get set to paint the town green! Join the St. Patrick’s Day Sunday Session at Robina Pavilion on March 17th. Dive into live tunes, sip on Irish whiskey, and enjoy exclusive deals on Kilkenny & Guinness all day. Treat your taste buds to their irresistible Steak & Guinness Pies. Get ready for an Irish bash you won’t forget!
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina

Dust Temple
Celebrate all things Irish from 6pm on Friday 15th March with an evening filled with traditional folk music, delicious hearty food, and the cozy ambiance reminiscent of gatherings at ‘the local’. Headlining the festivities are The Munster Bucks, featuring Tommy Donovan, Jack O’Leary, and Sam De Santi. Hailing from Munster, Ireland, and Australia, this talented trio infuses traditional Irish music with their own unique flair, creating an irresistible groove that has earned them acclaim in the Australian folk scene. Joining them onstage are The Stowaways. Known for their diverse interpretations of traditional music, from delicate airs to contemporary foot-stompers, their performances captivate audiences in venues nationwide.
Where: Dust Temple, Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Waters

Words by Kellie Leader.