Surfers Paradise Bars

Whether you want to enjoy a social cocktail with friends or you’re ready to cut shapes until the early hours of the morning, Surfers Paradise has long been a destination for those looking to inject a splash of fun into their nights. 

It’s a place you can let your hair down, have a world of fun and wake up the next morning with a guaranteed story. For many Aussies, it was the place to go when you finish school for Schoolies. Young, naive and feeling on top of the world, it probably felt like an adult version of Disney Land. 

Turns out not much changes as you get older. Surfers Paradise is one of the few places that manages to offer something for absolutely everyone. There are so many places on offer that it can be tricky knowing where to start. But that’s where the Wicked Nightlife crew comes in. 

We’ve spent our fair share of time out on the town in this neck of the woods. Over the years, we’ve picked up plenty of tips and tricks. We’ve learnt that while you’re spoiled for choice, there are a select few places that go above and beyond to offer you a night out worthy of the history books. 

To help make your job as head planner a whole lot easier, we’ve rounded up our favourites in a neat little top five. Read on to discover the places that you need to visit in the iconic Surfers Paradise glitter strip.

Top Bars in Surfers Paradise 

The Island Rooftop 

Sitting above the boutique hotel The Island, The Island Rooftop is the Gold Coast’s biggest rooftop bar. The sprawling alfresco brings an air of effortless cool, attracting everyone from recently graduated party goers to parents on the loose and everyone in between. The retro-style cocktail bar serves up all the crowd-favourites and has ample seating, tables, nooks and benchtops for you to crowd around with your mates. 

While things don’t cool down too much on the Gold Coast during winter, these guys have outdoor heaters installed to take the edge off any evening temperatures. But it’s the Sunday sessions that will really heat up your experience. Cocktails, cheap bites and DJ beats anyone? 

Where: 3218 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

BOBs Beer

Any Gold Coast visitor or traveller worth their salt will know about BOBs Beer. And even if you haven’t heard it, you’re sure to notice the striking, three-storey white-washed brewpub that commands the bustling corner of Elkhorn and Orchid Avenue. The brains behind this joint it ex-Red Duck, Clifton Hill and Bad Shepard brewer Ryan Fullerton, so you know you’re onto a good thing here! 

If you love a craft beer – this is the place for you. All of BOBs in-house craft beers are lovingly brewed by the team. With a focus on quality, they’re committed to using only the very best locally sourced ingredients. It’s not just the drinks of this calibre either! Their food is absolutely top notch, so you’ll want to order a few rounds of lotus root chippies to go with all that beer. 

Where: 10/2 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise 

Hyde Paradiso 

For anyone seeking a chilled venue for your Sunday session, you’ll want to head on down to Hyde Paradiso. Here, long lunches lead into dinner with live DJs to set the tone. It’s like a European summer escape, right here on the shore of Surfers Paradise. In fact, the venue is actually part of a famous hospitality group in the US, so you know you’re in good hands. 

Hyde Paradiso is nestled away on the second level of Peppers Soul and overlooking the ocean. As you enjoy the incredible view of golden sands and glistening blue waters, you can sip your way through the jam-packed cocktail menu and nibble on the array of bar food up for grabs. 

Where: Peppers Soul, 8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise 

Duke’s Parlour

The Duke is the father of modern surfing. As one of the first people to promote wave riding in Australia, there’s no better place to honour his legacy than right in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Sitting underneath The Island boutique hotel, this moody bar oozes effortless cool right from the very first moment. 

Walk in and take your pick from the leather chesterfield couches, shoot your best shot in pool or order one of the house cocktails made from the extensive list of gin, whiskey and tequila. Did we mention they serve woodfired pizza and host live music on weekends? Yep, it really doesn’t get much better than this. 

Where: 6 Beach Road, Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Beer Garden

What’s a night out on the Gold Coast without a stop at the iconic Surfers Paradise Beer Garden? After years in its prime location on the bustling Cavill Avenue, this joint has gone on to become quite the institution. Whether you’re a local frequently the bar every weekend or a traveller making the most of your time away, you’ll never be able to get enough. 

During the day, the retractable roof invites the gorgeous sunshine and salty breezes inside, where the trendy white and wood panelling, nautical features and picnic tables welcome crowds of all ages and demographics. Once the sun starts to set and the festoon lights begin to twinkle, you’ll see this Surfers Paradise rooftop bar truly come alive. Order yourself a refreshing beverage and settle into a sinkable couch on the wraparound deck for the best view of palm trees and Cavill Avenue. In between the people watching, the epic on-tap beers and the incredible bar food menu, you’ll quickly come to learn why people love Surfers Paradise Beer Garden so much.