At D'Arcy Arms Irish Pub.
At D'Arcy Arms Irish Pub.
If this year heasn’t gone quick enough for you, here we are talking about Christmas. Oh Christmas, that joyous time before the world was brought to its knees.
Well that time couldn’t come around soon enough again, but rather than fast forward the next six months, D’Arcy Arms Irish Pub has got something for you now to put a ho in your woes.
For the whole month of July, the famed Surfers Paradise pub is serving their famed Christmas in July menu to warm your soul.
Yes the tinsel and baubles are already up, the open fireplace has been lit and you should get down there asap to reserve your spot for a merry time.
If you’re thinking, isn’t it a bit weird to be celebrating Christmas already? Bah humbug!
This is a feast of epic proportions, a warm and cosy space (the delightful green four-leaf clover carpet gets us everytime!) and the ultimate excuse to catch-up with friends you haven’t seen due to some unspoken limitations on life.
Speaking of ultimate feasting, what can you expect from the $50 three course menu?
Well…the elves have been busy this year. Your entree will start with shared table garlic bread and a hearty pumpkin soup to line your belly. But be prepared for your ultimate festive main.
A trio of meats including crowd favourites roast turkey, ham off the bone and roast pork are accompanied by seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and lashings of gravy (there’s gravy boats on the table too, because I’ll decide how much gravy my meat swims in thanks).
And if you think you are totally spent by this point, that’s about when the dessert of desserts is placed in front of you. A traditional pudding with Brandy custard and ice-cream will tempt you to finish every bite.
Now I’ve heard much chat about this Dry July business, but I really don’t think it’s the year for that, so after you’ve licked your bowl clean there’s nothing more warming than having a goblet of red and sitting in front of the open fire until you’re ready to brave the chill outside.
So do your tastebuds a favour and book a spot with your crew for a feast of the ages. Christmassy dress up strongly encouraged.
LOCATION: 2923 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: Mon – Tue 5pm to 9pm, Wed – Thu 12pm to 9pm, Fri – Sat 12pm to 10pm and Sun 12pm to 8pm
Words by Carly Snodgrass
We’re currently experiencing our very own version of winter here on the Gold Coast; slightly chilly temps, jackets for the first hour of the day and all of the snuggling under the doona for as long as possible.
It only lasts a little while but we’re all about making the most of it. While the beach time is on a hiatus we’ve compiled a list of fun things to do in winter on the Gold Coast.
We’re currently experiencing our very own version of winter here on the Gold Coast; slightly chilly temps, jackets for the first hour of the day and all of the snuggling under the doona for as long as possible.
It only lasts a little while but we’re all about making the most of it. While the beach time is on a hiatus we’ve compiled a list of fun things to do in winter on the Gold Coast.
Smack some golf balls
We love TopGolf all year round but the fact it’s indoors and comes with heaters (should you need them) plus a bar for inner warmth is a winter bonus. There are also actual golf courses if you’re brave enough to get out in the weather. We can’t go past Putt Putt Mermaid Beach’s new neon glow balls for a bright addition to our night time putting! Whacking balls makes you warm. As do bulk beers afterwards.
Create something cute
There are so many little creative nooks popping up all over the Gold Coast of late, meaning many options for making things and keeping your hands warm at the same time. Hands-on workshops are where it’s at friends. From pottery making to paint and sip classes, knit your own winter woollies and macramé, all of the things are on offer. The Craft Parlour has a vast array of workshops to satisfy all your creative desires.
Treat yourself to some pampering
Getting all cosy on a massage table sounds like the perfect way to warm up. We are spoilt for choice when it comes to day spas, the most recent of which is Chuan Spa at The Langham, Gold Coast, which delivers luxury wellness in spades. Personally, we can never resist a good Vichy Shower experience, offered at eforea spa and One Spa. Soak Bathhouse is offering a Soak and Sound night every Wednesday night through winter. Inspired by ‘Après Ski’ outdoor hot springs in the snow, Soak will feature calming live music from local musicians and serve up hot drinks from 5pm – 8pm. Treat yo’self for warmth and also pampering purposes.
Eat and drink things
It goes without saying that the Gold Coast is top-notch foodie destination with stellar new venues popping up every single week. Recently we’ve had a new Italian, coffee shop, rooftop bar, hidden laneway bar, a vegetarian sandwich shop and a tapas house. You name it, it has opened on the Gold Coast this year. when it comes to eating nothing screams winter like a Sunday Roast, and The Island has you covered on that front with their new Sunday Roast Revival launching in early July. Eating and drinking can certainly be indoor activities so you’ll be warm and full of goodness. Win, win.
See a show
Not just a foodie destination, we’re also chokkas full of culture. And yes, that is a reference to The Castle. Pops Masters may be over but the HOTA Gallery is worth a visit any day of the week and Archie 100, an exhibition celebrating 100 years of Archibald Prize is opening in mid-July. Award winning musical Once is hitting HOTA this weekend and Billy Elliot is set to hit The Star in early July. Check out our What’s On page to keep up to date with everything going on.
Release your inner child
Perhaps the very best way to warm up is to forget you’re an adult with responsibilities and a reputation to uphold (boring) and just let loose doing kid-type things. There is a whole lot going on in Surfers Paradise including locking yourself in rooms and attempting to escape, dancing amongst holograms, bowling, air hockey, jungle gyms, you name it. Check out some favourites here. If you’re raging about the colder weather (or just life in general) you can release that pent up frustration at Rage Cage Southport. Work up a sweat while armed with a sledgehammer!
Escape
Look in all honesty, leaving the Coast probably won’t make you warmer but it will give you something to do to take your mind off the chilliness. We’re so very lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and even luckier that there are more beautiful places right on our doorstep. Mt Tamborine has some beautiful wineries, breweries, a top notch bakery, rainforests, day hikes, anything and everything you could possibly want. It’s all good.
Happy wintering.
Words by Belinda Symons.
