Sip back and relax at The Island Gold Coast’s Friday arvo wine tasting.
Sip back and relax at The Island Gold Coast’s Friday arvo wine tasting.
Let’s talk wining on a rooftop and no, we’re not referring to that gossip sesh between you and your girlfriends over that guy that ghosted you, because hell hath no fury…. In stark contrast, we mean drinking fine wine, socialising with your nearest and dearest, and taking in a cracking good view of our beautiful city. Now that we have your attention, is this not the perfect wind-down sesh after the week that was, and of course it is. On that note, may we introduce you to Vintopia at the glitter strip’s good times capital, The Island Gold Coast Rooftop.
After taking our BrisVegas neighbours by storm, it’s finally our turn to experience the Friday PM Vintopia feels. The format of Vintopia is simple, because LBH, after a few vinos anything else will just confuse us.
Step 1: Round up your wine appreciating friends (which is everyone you’ve ever met).
Step 2: Jump online and book your tickets.
Step 3) Kick back and let the Vintopia tasting guru come to you to work their magic. Think Cosentino and vino… because trust us, the wines will disappear before your very eyes (down your gullet, because it’s Friday and no judgement whatsoever).
For JUST $20 per person (+ booking fee), you’ll sample NINE delicious vinos plus a full glass of whichever tickled your fancy most. But what if you want more than just that one glass? Because seriously, who can choose just one, no problemo, you can purchase any additional glasses or bottles (go on, get the bottle!) at the bar. Happy days!
But… we all know grape juice can go to our heads but never fear, Vintopia offers a Trio of Dips with wood fired bread to soak things up which is fab coz, carbs. Plus, Charcuterie Boards are also available to purchase at the checkout when you buy your tickets. Simply guaranteeing a well-balanced wine tasting experience – sans the next day less-than-great feels.
And take it from us, as The Island has just launched these series of events, we suggest you book in STAT to avoid disappointment. Their next event (held on Friday 1st April – and no, this is no April Fools) is dubbed ‘Southbound & Down’. And prepare your tastebuds to be treated to a trip south of the border into some of Australia’s finest wine regions… AKA New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. *adds event to social calendar*
So next time you’re thinking it’s Friday againnnn (“…then Saturday, Sunday, what….”) and want to level up your week-end celebration, Vintopia is where it’s at. Cheers to that!
Where: The Island Gold Coast, 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
When: 5pm – 7pm Friday 1st April, Friday 22nd April and Friday 6th May
Words by Bianca Trathen
STORY SPONSORED BY THE ISLAND GOLD COAST
Okay picture this. You’re feasting on delish brunch bites with your besties and no, we’re not about to describe your average weekend rendezvous because friends, this is anything but beige or basic. We’re talking bold, brash, loud and proud LOLs, jam-packed with risqué entertainment and debauchery.
It’s time to dial up the spice factor and start chanting YASSSS QUEEEN coz those uber-glam, sassy broads BeBe Gunn and Lulu LeMans are back for another Brunch with Bite series at The Island Gold Coast’s Duke’s Parlour. And ooooooh honey are we readyyyyy!
These unapologetically flamboyant divas are somewhat of an institution around the GC and Brisvegas, with their well-oiled line-up of games, fabulous prizes and even bring some very special VIP guest appearances.
One VERY special VIP adding more sparkle than a glitter bomb is Kita Mean, winner of RuPaul’s 2021 Drag Race Down Under! Performing exclusively at the season launch on Saturday 26th March, this will be a show to tell the kidlets about.
Trust us when we say that the 2022 instalment of this glittery, glamour-packed queen-fest gives us life, delivering even more naughty but nice (but more so naughty…) action than ever before.
Arrive primed and ready to be entertained by drag royalty who sure know how to werk what their mamas gave them (and even what they didn’t…), doing Priscilla darn proud with every hair flick and twerk. Guaranteed to whip you out of your Groundhog Day weekend rotation, expect the unexpected with mischievous queenery of the highest order and sparkle-o-plenty.
For $79.90 per person, indulge in a decadent two-hour grazing menu and drinks package including a welcome beverage (cheers guuuurl) to get you into the groove. Then settle in for jugs of spritz, mimosa, bloody mary, premium beer and sangria, and is this not the who’s who of our go-to brunch beverages?! For the DD’s who drew the short straw, we’re sorry because that sucks but don’t despair, you’ll be well taken care of with delicious mocktails, juice and soft drinks.
So, for a brunch served with a solid helping of diva dust, dial a friend (or 10), book your tickets and sink your teeth into this dragnificent mid-morning extravaganza. With just right amount of bite, you’ll be booking seats for the next one somewhere between your third mimosa and fourth sangria. But who’s counting…
Get it guurrrl – book here now!
Where: The Island Gold Coast, 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
When: Saturday 26th March – Season 2022 Launch Featuring ‘Kita Mean’ Drag Race Down Under Winner I Saturday 9th April I Sunday 24th April – Pre-Public Holiday I Sunday 15th May
STORY SPONSORED BY THE ISLAND GOLD COAST
Heading out for some breakfast on the weekend is a Gold Coast rite of passage. You’ve clocked in a massive week at work and now it’s your right to kick back, slurp coffee, pat dogs and soak up the weekend vibes to help you shirk those workplace blues.
But do your regular Saturday morning catch ups over lattes need a little glow up, perhaps? A little glam to get the weekend started? If so, we encourage you to read on.
The Island at Surfers Paradise is set to spice up your brunches, drag queen style and you’ll be hard pushed to find anything quite like it!
The Brunch with Bite series (from the same team behind the Brisbane Drag Brunches at Cloudland in Fortitude Valley) promises high jinks, mischief, and riotous laughter. Your glamourous Drag Queen hostesses BeBe Gunn and Lulu LeMans pull out all the stops to guide you through shows, games with fabulous prizes plus some very special VIP guests!
Put simply, if you’re up for a giggle whilst savouring some fine tasty food and sipping jugs of spritz, Mimosa or Bloody Mary then this is the event for you — it’s deliciously naughty and at the same time, delightfully nice.
With an occasion of this nature, it’s imperative guests arrive ready to be entertained by some uncontained and risqué behaviour, as you indulge in a grazing style brunch menu and drinks package, that is as decadent as it is heavenly.
So, why not block off the calendar slip into something flamboyant, gather up your guy and gal friends, and get on down to The Island. Sinking your teeth into something off-the-wall different — with a whole lotta bite!
Where: The Island Gold Coast, 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
When: Saturday 15th May – Kath & Kim Edition | Saturday 5th June – 80’s Party | Saturday 3rd July – Studio 54
Tickets $85pp – includes a welcome drink, all entertainment, a two hour grazing brunch and drinks package 11:15am – 1:15pm).
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
STORY SPONSORED BY THE ISLAND
The largest rooftop bar on the Gold Coast has opened! The Island Rooftop takes full advantage of Gold Coast’s blue skies, green palms and pastel high rises.
Fashioned on vintage California, The Island Rooftop is located in the 1960’s Surfers Paradise icon, Island Resort (previously Islander Resort) which is currently in the midst of a massive refurbishment, with room bookings anticipated to be available by March 2017.
Lush greenery, ocean glimpses, chilled tunes, couches, communal tables and a long bar made from marble, your rooftop essentials are covered. Throw in the high-rise surroundings and the Gold Coast’s forever pleasing weather and you’ve now found a new home for your summer antics (autumn, winter and spring too).
The perfect thing to do in the Gold Coast for those lunch time drinks that go long into the afternoon; you will be able enjoy Mediterranean and modern Caribbean influenced tapas accompanied by some impressive cocktails. The Island Cup (to share.. who’s to say you can’t enjoy one to yourself) concocted with Beefeater gin, elderflower cordial, red grapes, pressed green apple, lemon, mint and soda. Or perhaps the Island Colada, appropriately served in a coconut with Havana 3yo, freshly pressed pineapple, coconut water, coco lopes and coconut sugar blended together.. all the antioxidants.
Bringing back the Sunset Strip vibes to Surfers Paradise, the large and spacious rooftop bar is set to host big name live music events and DJ’s. The expertise of the Katarzyna Group (owners of the likes of Cloudland, Family and Birdees in Brisbane) is a sure sign that The Island Rooftop is going to be a destination venue high on the must do list. And for all the “insiders” out there, there’s even talks of a penthouse nightclub to go on top of the Island!
Rooftop bar, penthouse nightclub, ocean glimpses …The Island is going to leave you saying one thing… welcome to paradise.
3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard.
Open Wednesday – Sunday 3pm – late
By Amy Merridan
