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 11 next-level rooftop bars you should make it a priority to visit this weekend — and next weekend, and the weekend after…

The Exhibitionist Bar
When HOTA opened its brand new state of the art gallery building last year (the biggest outside a capital city, by the way), we all knew the art scene was about to go up a level or two. What we didn’t realise was that a sublimely positioned rooftop bar was a part of the deal also. The highly talented Tom Angel heads up a bar and creative 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

Tropic Vice
Glitzy, glamorous, and generally a wonderful time all around, Tropic Vice was the rooftop bar Nobby Beach was yearning for, and it came to fruition in 2021. The ideal spot 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

The Island Rooftop
Find the Gold Coast’s largest open air and much-loved rooftop bar perched on top of the The Island in Surfers Paradise. The Island Rooftop is part nightclub, part bar, part live music venue, and all the parts are a fun time no matter the day of the week. Head there for the epic weekend Grazy Days lunch or just to feel like you’re on Island time.
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 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. Oh and be sure to take a snap on the runway that stretches out in the pool!
Where: The Darling, Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach 

Frida Sol
The Palm Beach Mexi restaurant doubles as a rooftop bar with views out to the ocean and lots of salty ocean breezes. The eats are fresh and flavoursome, and there’s many a margarita on the list to soothe that sweltering summer humidity we’re currently experiencing. Get into Frida Sol.
Where: 1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Mr PP’s Deli & Rooftop Bar
A game-changer in Southport’s food and beverage scene was Mr PP’s, a deli 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 and this, folks, is the reason we love rooftop bars. Plus cocktails and local tipples, of which there are many at Mr PP’s. Live music on Sundays too.
Where: 43 Nerang St, Southport

The Collective
Everyone’s favourite multi-restaurant establishment, The Collective also boasts a sweet rooftop bar with some 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.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Justin Lane
A much-loved favourite and the Gold Coast’s first official rooftop bar, Justin Lane is still one of the most popular rooftop’s since it’s opening in 2011. The space is intimate with booth-style seating overlooking Burleigh and plenty of cocktails to tickle your fancy. Downstairs is all the delicious pizza you could possibly need, so fill up on that, then head upstairs to mingle with the gang.
Where: 1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

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 

Moxy’s Rooftop Bar
This rooftop bar located down in southerly Coolangatta has beautiful glimpses of the ocean, lots of live music and an impressive cocktail menu that’ll keep you coming back for more. Whilst they may not do eats, you can order from the Mexican joint downstairs, and we’re fairly sure there’s nothing that pairs better than bulk cocktails and tacos. Always lively and worth the trip down the Coast.
Where: 2/152 Griffith St, Coolangatta

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 pizza’s, and tapas… if you know, you know.
Where: Mantra at Sharks, Melia Ct, Southport (next to Southport Sharks)

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

No Gold Coasters, your eyes ‘dough’ not deceive you – at long last, the local legends behind famed pizza joints Franc Jrs and Francie’s are slinging their signature slice from a brand new location in Nobby Beach.

The newest eat-in iteration for the Franc fam – an old school vibing pizzeria – is packed with plenty of soul, promising that same trademark, ‘good, honest Italian food’ fans have long been smitten with.

Fromage fiends can settle in for their Franc fix – with laidback vibes alongside cult fave Classic pizzas, crisp, Detroit style deep-dish pies, and frozen Margi’s.

With a lineage that can be traced back to 1996, the Francie’s origin story is fascinating, rich – and similar to the effects of a few too many frozen Marg’s – a little fuzzy around the edges.

An operation now run by Anthony Pattinson, Claudia Pattinson, James Young and Carlos Lara – the charming, 60pax Coolangatta neighbourhood pizza joint known as Francie’s was born way back in an era when, along with pizza, Anthony counted Baywatch and RnB among his great loves.

The humble spot with a shoebox-vibing kitchen was soon overwhelmed by its own success – by year two they were averaging 150 peckish patrons a night – a number that blew out to 250-300 punters in the years that followed, a frenetic pace that they couldn’t maintain.

Ultimately opting to close the door on Francie’s (cue first crush levels of heartbreak), another opened in the form of Franc Jrs, the compact and casual takeaway style little bro.

When it came to delivering a new and improved restaurant offering, the challenge was retaining the charm, while scaling up and refining the offering to meet demand.

The new venue is a 60 seater with indoor and outdoor tables, opting for counter service to streamline the experience.

Complete with mob movie vibing mood lighting, red leather and wood finishes aplenty, the interior fit out is a throwback to the classic, 1940’s Italian American style restaurant.

The result is a nostalgic feeling Anthony likens to the 90’s rite of passage – hitting up the local salad bar, “like Pizza Hut’s all you can eat, only really, really good”, he adds.

Anthony’s life-long passion for slinging ‘pies’ – is immediately apparent in the drool-worthy menu.

The offering is split into three types – Traditional 13-inch ‘Francies classics’, 16-inch cheese pies and square, Sicilian ‘Detroit style’ pizzas, as well as a full vegan selection to boot.

Now pizza, along with a sneaky pun or three, is certainly something we’re no stranger to – with catchy monikers such as Francie’s Classic, ‘Sage Against the Machine’ made with fresh fior di latte, roasted mushrooms, pancetta, sage & pecorino, only further fuelling our obsession.

Fans of the Franc Jrs Signature – the loaded and crispy edged, Sicilian style slice – can get amongst Tomato, made with roasted cherry tomatoes, confit garlic, whipped lemon ricotta & chilli sauce or the cheese-packed White Stripe, topped with hot honey.

And with the calibre of slice selection the Franc Jrs crew is slinging, we certainly wouldn’t blame anyone struggling to choose.

But if the fan following for these pizza purveyors is anything to go by – satisfaction is a sure thing (and a carb coma).

Where: Shop 2/32 Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach
When: 4pm-10pm Wednesday – Saturday  

Words by Kellie Leader.

Hola, fellow Mexican food (.. and drink, lbh) enthusiasts – aka absolutely anyone with a tastebud or two rattling around in their noggin’ – ‘tis is an extremely excellente day indeed.

With an all new Mexican eatery and margarita bar, Nude Amigos, sauntering into the Broadbeach eats scene for our feasting, frolicking and, er.. fiesta(-ing) pleasure.

For a newcomer with a name like Nude Amigos, it’s certainly easy enough for the imagination to get carried away, though thanks to the inclusion of an ‘unmatched Margarita Bar’, we’re verrrry happy to confirm this is indeed the kind of establishment where all the spicy action is of the culinary variety #notthatkindofplace #sendfoods.

For owners and passionate nudies foodies Darren and Sara, of Kin acclaim, the aim was to create a vibrant culinary playground where food enthusiasts (#itus) and margarita aficionados (#alsous) gather.

Sara adds “nestled by the park, this airy Broadbeach gem offers an oasis for sipping tequila cocktails, savouring fresh, authentic Mexican delights, and simply kicking back with your buddies.”

Umm, that gets a big sí from us!

The interiors are somewhat of a Gold Coast style ode to Cancún.

At the heart stands the sprawling venue-length bar, complete with beach-hut style thatched roof – though the glittering collection of exotic tequilas and mezcals adorning the shelves beyond do their very best to steal the show.

The breezy space has opted for an otherwise light and bright colour scheme to complement the rustic, natural elements such as travertine tiling and sea grass feature lighting, making it all too easy to forget you’re not actually on a Caribbean island vaycay (esp. after a few sneaky samples of those aforementioned sips).

The arrival of Nude Amigos to the Broady strip also officially provides some much-needed closure for the wholesome eats shaped hole left in our hearts, following the departure of Cardamom Pod and its impressive 10+ year prior reign in the spot.

Though, to the delight of our plant-based brethren, its predecessor also boasts an extensive and considered vegan and vego selection #kaleyeah.

Fresh, local produce takes centre stage for the entire lineup of enticing eats – in the form of next-level authentic Mexican fare.

“We believe in celebrating the richness of Queensland’s produce,” Sara shares.

“It’s our way of infusing the essence of Mexico into every bite and sip.”

The menu ranges from bites that will perfectly pair with any of the signature margi’s, to a full blown banquet option (and look, we’re still gonna pair it with a marg, even if that means farewell to our trusty top buttons).

Brimming with fare as instagrammable as it is flavour packed, both the Elote, Char-grilled Corn with coriander mayo, tajin and queso fresco cheese (or vegan upon request) or the show stopping Seafood Pineapple – Half a Pineapple filled with King Prawns, sautéed capsicum, red onion, coconut cream, coriander, chipotle chili, topped with melted cheese and served with warm flour tortillas will wow in more ways than one.

Of course the trusty faves are all accounted for, with Queso fundido, Enchiladas, Quesadillas all on offer as well as a stacked Taco lineup we’d happily nom our way through hungry caterpillar style every day of the week (honourable mention to the Crispy fried tempura fish – White Fish, shredded cabbage, Jalapeño mayo, Pico de Gallo and queso fresco, tho).

And if you haven’t yet gauc enough, the delectable desserts are sure to do the trick, though choosing between the Mango Margarita Cheesecake, Traditional Tres Leches Cake or Peach Cream Chimichanga may prove to be quite the impossible feat.

Might we suggest a sneaky round of piedra papel o tijera, aka scissors-paper-rock (or is it rock paper scissors?! #controversial) to settle this conundrum once and for all.

And for the hottest tip of all, because what’s hotter than a spicy marg? Several!

Salud!

Where: Lot 1, 70 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
When: Lunch 12 pm – 3 pm – Wednesday to Sunday, Dinner 5 pm – 12 am – 7 Days a week

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Belinda Symons.