Step aside, there's a new burger bar in town.
Step aside, there's a new burger bar in town.
Located underneath Bel Air on Broadbeach, GC Republic is the Gold Coast’s first teppanyaki-style burger bar. This hip new style of serving burgers is designed to encourage socialising while watching said burgers being built right in front of you.
Owners Josh and Vilda are seasoned travellers and after visiting San Francisco recently, decided to bring the best of what they found back to the Coast. Using fresh, local produce GC Republic makes everything from sauces to patties in-house and while they do offer your favourite chicken and beef options, maybe it’s time to try a Roo Burger?
Of course you’ll need some sides of Mozzarella Sticks, Deep Fried Pickles or one of the four varieties of fried chicken!
Your main event are the burgers. The GC Jalapeno is a spicy treat with a beef patty, jalapenos, caramelized onion, jalapeno aioli and cheese. For the veggie lovers, don’t go past the Mushroom Delight – a stuffed Portobello mushroom topped with zucchini, onion, roasted capsicum, cheese and special sauce. If you’re looking for something different though, the Big Red featuring kangaroo, cheese, beetroot, avocado, lettuce, tomato and aioli is as Aussie as you can get!
If you’re in the mood for a cocktail the Blue Raspberry Mojito is made with rum, raspberry vodka, blue curacao, soda, lime juice, mint and raspberries. It’ll warm you up from the inside on these chilly winter nights.
GC Republic, with its California-esque offerings, is the speciality burger bar Broadbeach has been waiting for.
HOURS: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 12 to 3pm and 5pm until late.
LOCATION: Shop 3/22 Surf Pde, Broadbeach (opposite the Broadbeach South tram station at Pacific Fair).
Words and photos by Kirra Smith.
It’s almost a rite of passage of our youth, sloshing (stumbling) around in muddy fields for days on end, the never ending festival queues and lost mates. So what do you do when your love of live music remains but the mere thought of that sentence makes you feel like a nap, and your mud tolerance left right around the same time the bottle-o stopped asking you for ID? Well, *drumroll pls* because our beloved Blues on Broadbeach, is swooning and crooning its way back to us for its 23rd year!
One of Australia’s largest free music events, this year the beachside fest that never misses a beat will transform Broadbeach from Thursday 16th May until Sunday 19th. And after striking a chord among music lovers for some two decades now, this GC institution sure knows a thing or tune about showing us a blue-dy good time!
Set to take the stage over four funk-filled days, this year’s line up is jam-packed with International headline acts including the smouldering musical stylings of American folk-rock icon, Melissa Etheridge, Ana Popovic, and blues-rock collab Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton.
With gigs going down across 16 of Broady’s finest venues and stages, we’ve taken the liberty of compiling the ultimate guide to the best spots at which to grab bevvy and bite while you soak up the best of the ‘Fest.
Kurrawa Park Stage
The Oasis Shopping Centre bars and restaurants
If you’re revelling in or around the Kurrawa beachfront and find yourself in need of a refuel, The Oasis Shopping Centre is going to be your jam for all things delish and refreshing. Though it may be the most convenient pit stop to the Kurrawa Park Stage, you’re certainly not compromising on choice or caliber when it comes to dining options. If you need a pre, mid or post-festival feed or bevvy – the likes of Elk Espresso, Mario’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Sofia’s Restaurant & Bar and Grand Dynasty are all up to the task!
Where: 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Victoria Park Stage
Nude Amigos
Perched right by all the Victoria Park stage action, this Mexican eatery and margarita bar is the perfect venue to sit back with a cocktail, treat the tastebuds and drink in those live tunes. Fresh, local produce takes centre stage for the entire lineup of enticing eats – in the form of next-level authentic Mexican fare. The menu ranges from bites that will perfectly pair with any of the signature margi’s, to a full blown banquet option – top it off with the toe-tapping sounds of some world-class acts and you’re in for a wine-derful time.
Where: Lot 1, 70 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Federation Park Stage
Unicorn Seafood Restaurant
If all that festival-going has you craving some Greek eats and hospitality, Unicorn Seafood Restaurant can and should be your o-fish-al port of call this Blues on Broadbeach weekend. Located down the Surf Parade end nearest the Federation Park Stage, this seafoodie Mediterranean gem has got you sorted with a satisfying all-day menu – including a seafood platter to die for, and sea-riously why wouldn’t you?! Surrounded by blue and white hues and ocean murals, grab yourself a cocktail or five and settle in for the long-haul.
Where: Phoenician Resort, 24-26 Queensland Avenue, Broadbeach
Surf Parade Stage
Vida Broadbeach
If you’re frolicking in the vicinity of the Surf Parade Stage and feeling a little famished – our suggestion is to head to Vida Broadbeach without delay. Don’t let the fresh face fool you, this dapper debutant has all the makings of a star – serving elevated seafood, Mediterranean flavours and crafted sips, plus some show-stopping good looks to boot. If festivities fuelled by Crab Bruschetta and Truffle oil fries are wrong, we don’t want to be right.
Where: 95 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Oracle Boulevard Stage
kōst Bar & Grill
This contemporary bar & grill concept, boasting one of the city’s only charcoal wood-fire grills, has redefined the way we meet and eat in Broadbeach. Luring us in with the hypnotising aroma of flame-grilled food and an equally enticing facade kōst Bar & Grill has a front row seat to all the action on Oracle Boulevard.
Treat yourself to everything from boujee ‘bar snacks’ like coal roasted potato, labne, smoked roe, through to the roll of the moment, bay lobster roll, gem lettuce, kōst signature sauce, and the premium Australian wood-fired lobster where 24 hours notice is required #worththewait.
Where: 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
Den Devine Stage
It’s Broadbeach’s 365 home of jazz and blues – so it’s only fair that Den Devine should get its own dedicated Blues on Broady stage! Serving up an eclectic variety of homely, Mediterranean foods along with your favourite beers, wines and spirits, its old school, moody but pumping jazz bar vibes are a winner with blues and jazz enthusiasts. Even if you don’t drink whisky, trust us – you’ll start!
Where: 12/15 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach
The Broadbeach Mall Piano Bar
Harajuku Gyoza
Gyoza load of all the festival action, then hop on over to Broady’s very own beer stadium and dumpling bar, Harajuku Gyoza to top up the tank. It’s dinner and a show x2, since you also get to watch the chefs prep goodies through the kitchen’s open glass windows. There’s also an array of Japanese-inspired cocktails and craft beer on tap – aaah, that should put the pep back in our step after all those questionable dance moves (… just us?).
Where: 2/26 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach
The Loose Moose Stage
We’re a sucker for a North American-style bar and restaurant and it’s safe to say we’re not the only ones! The Loose Moose is THE spot for a couple of drinks and a bite to eat, and the perf spot to listen to tunes bellowing from their very own stage – some might say it’s a real Blues on Broady ‘moose-t do’! A tap house with a prohibition themed twist, the vibes here are always immaculate – one of the best if you’re looking to grab a well-deserved drink after bopping away all day/night long.
Where: 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
The Broadbeach Tavern Stage
A stalwart watering hole for locals to meet up for a chinwag, a bite and some brewskis – The Broadbeach also gets the honours of being one of the official music hubs for the festival, as is good and proper! Pull up a pew either in the Family Bistro, Sports Bar or our vote, the large outdoor deck to soak up both the music and the Autumn GC rays. It’s also just over the road from Kurrawa Park Stage so you get the best of both worlds.
Where: Oasis Shopping Centre, Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach
The Lucky Squire Stage
Beer and jazz are a match made in heaven, so this joint was born to stage (literally) some Blues on Broady bangers. In case you haven’t put two and two together, The Lucky Squire brings to life the story of Australia’s first brewer, the rogue swindler James Squire. Celebrating quality craft beers and modern pub grub across two epic levels, it’s a must-visit on your festival rounds.
Where: 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
Fat Freddy’s – Beach Bar & Diner Stage
Who doesn’t crave burgers, fries and all things American diner-style after drinking, scat singing and dancing up a storm? Another venue boasting bragging rights to its own stage, you’ll not only get front-row seats to a bunch of cool acts, but also a feast of drool-worthy classics. It’s one big par-tay here so you can imagine the levelled-up vibes when you add Blues on Broadbeach into the mix.
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Words by Bianca Trathen & Kellie Leader
Nestled amongst the Broadbeach strip on Albert Ave you can find yourself a little bit of Italy, a little piece of France and a side of the Tuscan Hills. Twist On Broady is offering up quality Gold Coast produce with European finesse.
A quirky bar and smart restaurant surrounded by warm hues and soft lighting make for the perfect dinner setting. The impressive menu will be a favourite for seafood lovers with dishes like Victorian Black Mussels in light tomato white wine broth with hint of chilli and fresh herbs, served with crusty ciabatta bread, Harvey Bay Scallops, gratinated with Tarragon & Tomato Butter or Grilled fillet of Barramundi topped with crushed macadamia nuts and shredded coconut, served on a prawn & coriander risotto, with a coconut curry broth moat.
For the meat lovers a selection of Eye Fillet Steaks, Lamb Rack, Pork Belly and Chicken Breast. Pasta enthusiasts a mouth watering selection of Ravioli’s, Linguini’s and Risottos. All of which can be accompanied by a sultry red, a fruity white or perfectly paired bubbles. The staff are enthusiastic and educated, matching the perfect wines with your meal.
Twist on Broady, the perfect place to indulge in finer foods and fantastic service.
Tuesday – Thursday 5pm – late
Friday 12pm – late
Saturday – Sunday 7am – late
Shop 11, 23 Albert Ave, Broadbeach
By Amy Merridan
Smack bang in the middle of the recently redecorated Broadbeach restaurant strip is BiN 89.
The latest venue in the empire, BiN 89 makes it’s presence known with a striking timber and stone fit out and a brightly lit, impressively stocked bar that draws you in from down the street.
Here are three reasons you need to sample it for yourself.
1. First and foremost, BiN 89 just released their impressive new cocktail menu featuring ten brand new, totally unique beverages. Here’s a small snippet of what you can look forward too – Jalapeno Business is made with Tequila Blanco and Cointreau and has the perfect balance of sweetness and tang. Berried Alive is a lot less menacing than it sounds made with Gin, Chambord and sparkling wine and last but not least The Fresh Prince lives up to its name with Cucumber Gin, lime juice and basil leaves.
2. The menu is to die for. If you’ve visited a BiN restaurant previously you’ll understand the caliber of food that’s dished up across the board and of course, BiN 89’s dishes are nothing short of spectacular. You must try the Homemade Gnocchi with sautéed spinach, beef cheek and white wine cream sauce.
3. Dessert of course. The dish of the day (every day) is Chocolate and Hazelnut Mousse with berry puree and hokey pokey; it’s pure creamy deliciousness. It’s far and away the best mousse you’ve ever wrapped your mouth around.
Arrive hungry, you’ll need all the space you can get.
LOCATION: 89-91 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
HOURS: 11.30am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday and 11.30am to 12am Friday and Saturday.
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
