Is it just us (it’s not) or is there A.LOT going on in our beloved Surfers Paradise right now? It goes without saying that it’s always been a non-negotiable for visitors, because a trip to the GC just isn’t a trip to the GC without a stint in our tourism capital. And let’s be real, it’s certainly housed a fair share of good times for us ‘natives’. From beach days to big nights (the latter of which live on in our somewhat blurred memories – and faded prints from our disposable cameras), it’s always held a special place in our hearts. Well, our iconic glitter strip’s shimmer will shine brighter than ever come Friday 9^th September, when Paradise Centre unveils its hotly anticipated $40 million redevelopment.  *cue jaw drop.

Set to redefine the Gold Coast’s beachfront dining and shopping scene, Paradise Centre will reveal a stunning new exterior with eight brand new dining experiences, complete with unparalleled ocean views. We can also expect the addition of some very welcome retail hard hitters, and oh how we love this for us. Let’s talk food first because the only thing we live for more than shopping is eating, and we are already stressed about where to go first.

Providing locals and tourists alike with an eclectic mix of culinary offerings, there’s revamped classics and some BIG new players. We don’t like to name drop (we do), but the Wahlberg family’s first Queensland instalment of their infamous Wahlburgers is opening, and we are fangirling out of control. Serving up gourmet burger goodness, suddenly all we can think about is a young Mark Wahlberg in his Calvin Kleins circa 1992 and honestly, that changed us.

Back to the task at hand, the stunning revitalisation also includes legendary tex-mex restaurant El Camino Cantina. It’s launching its very first ever breaky in Oz and the only thing better than going out for Mexican or for breakfast, is going out for a Mexican breakfast! Also on the star-studded roll-call is American institution TGI Fridays, and our day has legit just been made.

It’s not all about American and Mexi themed nosh though, with other popular additions in the melting pot of new multicultural nomming options. We’re talking flavoursome Italiano cooking as good as Nonna’s at Enzo’s Cucina, and Thai food so authentic that even ‘Thai-hard’ food critics will agree that all you need is ‘larb’ – and Nahm Talay Thai!

Everyone’s quick, fresh and healthy food-on-the-go hero, Hero Sushi, made the cut, as did Gelato Messina and its 40 redonkulously good varieties of gelato #IDie. Another note-worthy addition is the premium barista-made coffee and modern Aussie cuisine at La Playa, coz one can never have too much quality caffeine in their life.

Also injecting new blood into the Surfers region is the refurbished Eastern Mall. Who can resist Ava Beauty, Stateside Sports, Rip Curl and Baku Swimwear, and may we suggest you try on the latest bikinis before you hit the restaurants…for obvious reasons #BurgerBloat #TheStruggleIsReal. Joining the recently launched Surf Dive N’ Ski and Vans, the Paradise Centre’s line-up of shopping haunts will delight any shopper.

This exciting redevelopment adds to Paradise Centre’s 90+ specialty shops, alfresco dining and humdinger entertainment precinct with the world’s largest Timezone, Zone Bowling, MANIAX Axe Throwing, and more to come. In our humble opinion, this couldn’t have come at a better time with new hotels opening and action a-plenty unfolding around the heart of the GC.

Now more than ever, our beloved Surfers Paradise is doing justice to the second part of its idyllic name, thanks to the likes of our favourite seaside shopping and dining hub, the levelled-up Paradise Centre. For more information, visit here.

Where: 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: New dining precinct opening Friday 9 September. Wahlburgers and TGI Fridays exact opening date TBA.

STORY SPONSORED BY PARADISE CENTRE

Words by Bianca Trathen.

TGI Fridays Is now open in Surfers and holy burger Batman, we’re tickled red, white and blue ya’ll!

And let it be known that we’re not just talking about any TGI Fridays here, this is the Australasian flagship restaurant, so get ready for more fanfare than you can poke a full rack of ribs at.

Right at home in the revamped Paradise Centre beachfront dining precinct, this American hospitality icon is throwing everything its got at the epic launch celebrations starting today.

Call your burger buddy and wing man for not one but four days of bun, we mean, fun…but actually bun too….guaranteed to delight the whole fam from your macaroni mad mini-me to your nacho nomming Nanna.

Current mood: chip-per!

Station yourself on the Esplanade, surrounding streets or inside the Paradise Centre today between midday and 3pm to see the TGI Fridays cheerleaders in action and srsly, is this not the ultimate in American frivolity. Better yet, they’ll be armed with FREE fairy floss* and TGI Fridays treats* to give away and are we too old to score free floss, asking for a friend?

Who isn’t keen as mustard for happy hour on a Friday arv, and never a stupider question has been asked. Enjoy a beverage from the Classics, Fridays Favourites, Born in NYC, and Ultimate Cocktails ranges, or the super spesh limited-edition cocktail launching exclusively at TGI Fridays Surfers Paradise #RubberArmTwisted. The aptly named Surf’s Up is a refreshing spritz made with Malibu, pineapple juice, Prosecco and a pineapple garnish and if we were an ocean side cocktail, this would be it.

Get comfy because at 8pm, local musos Vanessa Krumma Duo will be there pumping out some bangers to help you savour every single moment.

Then, be one of the first hunji people waiting outside the restaurant on Saturday morning at 11am for a FREE* Signature Whiskey Glaze Single Stack Burger. This grass-fed beef patty basted with signature Jack Daniel’s glaze, topped with melted American-style cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles and roasted garlic aioli is a taste sensation, and the one bun for us. Pair it with some drinks overlooking the big blue and LBH, they had us at whisky glaze.

Settle in on Saturday evening because DJ Jatrixx will be providing the tunes from 8pm until late.

This brings us to Sunday, the ultimate family fun day with a balloon twister from 12pm to 3pm, plus FREE* game for the kiddos. Just add ankle-biter friendly party platters and build your-own sundaes available for purchase, and #PerfectDayMade. One lucky diner will win a holiday and nope, this is not a drill. To celebrate the launch, you have the chance to score yourself a $500 hotel voucher, $500 spending money, $500 voucher to spend on local activities*, and a $500 VIP TGI Fridays experience! Mic drop. All you have to do is sign up to MyFridays via the TGI Fridays AU app or website by 8th December, select Surfers Paradise as your favourite restaurant.

Shut up and take our entry already.

If you can’t make it this weekend, firstly cancel your original plans coz this is more important and secondly, the Friday’s famous all-day dining menu will be available from 10.30am – late seven days a week. We’re talking finger lickin classics like signature wings, juicy burgers, shoe-string fries, wraps, nourishing bowls, salads, fresh-mex meals, mouthwatering steaks, and slow-cooked, flame-grilled ribs with your choice of glaze.

Oh and bonus, kids eat free Monday to Thursday* so mum and dad, that’s your cue to take a night off from kitchen duty and enjoy the perfect family ‘ketchup’.

For more information on TGI Fridays, or to book go here. Bookings are encouraged, especially with a weekend as packed full of fun as this one.

Where: Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: Launching Thursday 8th November from 10.30am. Then open 10.30am – late Monday – Sunday.

 Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY TGI FRIDAYS

* Conditions apply

Picture the scene: it’s your team’s game night, and you and your crew are more than keen to catch the action in a location with full coverage, the coldest of beers, and a sprinkling of outstanding food options. Anything less would be a colossal failure, right? Seeking down such establishments that are solely devoted to delivering these things is not always the most straightforward task. But at the same time, neither is it impossible! Luckily for you, we’ve done our homework and compiled a list of the best sports bars on the Gold Coast to enjoy the action while adequately showing your support for your team. Shouting at screens may or may not be included.

The Star Sports Bar
Many would say this place is in pole position as the Gold Coast’s premier sports bar venue, and we think that’s rightly deserved. If the 23 large screens, private (pre-bookable) booths and a gigantic 10.5-metre screen aren’t impressive enough, you should be swayed by the coldest beer around and a multitude of nearby food outlets for you to fuel up pre-game or celebrate your team’s victory.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Main Gaming Floor, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Crafty’s Sports Bar
Aptly positioned at the northern Gold Coast’s prime shopping outlet Harbour Town, Crafty’s gives you the option of mixing shopping with seeing whatever sporting event you might be into. Or, if it’s better suited, the chance for you or your partner to do so whilst the other takes their time with over 200 stores. Make plans to grab some essentials and then settle in with some fantastic food and craft beers. Score!
Where: Harbour Town Eats – 147/189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

The Sporting Globe Bar and Grill
Part of a sizeable chain of sporting bars across the country, these guys certainly know how to look after sporting fans. Apart from expansive coverage of all the action, there are food specials every day of the week, and if you’re seeing the Gold Coast Titans game at the Cbus Stadium, come in beforehand for a drink, and these guys will even take you there and back. How good is that?
Where: Robina Town Centre, 19 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina

Burleigh Town Hotel
This one is a real showstopper, boasting a zhuzhed up modern bistro and the sports bar to end all sports bars. The newly renovated Burleigh Town Hotel is the ideal destination to catch all of the sports action. Featuring a state-of-the-art 11-metre mega screen… It’s the biggest pub screen in the southern hemisphere and if you think that’s impressive, have a go of the suspended cylinder screen promising perfect viewing from every vantage point #jawdrop.
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads

The Avenue
This hotspot is more renowned as the place you head to take the night up a gear with vibrant music, entertainment, and drinks specials. And that’s a fair comment. However, should you want a great place to catch the next big fight with eating options and the ever so easy decision of sticking around and partying till the small hours, it’s a slam dunk!
Where: 3-15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Coolangatta Hotel
On the southern end of the Coast, The Coolangatta Hotel is the prime location to catch any sporting activities and be assured of a buoyant and passionate atmosphere. Pair it with a splash and lounge on one of Coolangatta’s famous golden beaches, and then be sure to stick around for the post-game live music, and you are onto a hole in one.
Where: Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Fat Freddy’s
How does an American-style sports bar with a Gold Coast twist sound? Too good to be true, right? Wrong. Because you need to look no further than Fat Freddy’s on Broadbeach’s Surf Parade. Grab a highchair at the bar and enjoy unhampered views of seven screens overhead as bartenders look after you with libations galore and a polished bar snacks menu which should make getting up to leave your seat an arduous feat if you ask us!
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Ashmore Tavern
If you’ve driven past the good ‘ole Ashmore Tavern recently, you’ll have noticed it’s looking anything but ‘ole these days. Undergoing an extreme makeover, we’re not just talking a lick of paint and a few trusty Kmart prints, but an epic $5 million reno sporting some serious a la mode flex. There are sleek new indoor and outdoor dining spaces and a large sports bar with an adjoining balcony. With big screens showing sports daily you’ll never miss a moment of the biggest sporting events at the Sports Bar.
Where: 161 Cotlew Street, Ashmore

Words by Alex Mitcheson & Belinda Symons.