We the good time-loving people of the Gold Coast are all about a tummy-filling feast complete with friends, frosty cold beverages and a relaxed vibe where stretchy pants are a perfectly fine sartorial choice. We like other things too but for the purposes of this tale, that scenario is the go.

Enter TGI FRIDAYS, a bar and grill-style venue that originated in Manhattan, NYC in the 1960s, spearheading a cultural revolution with the introduction of the city’s first female-friendly singles bar (wow).

The space brought in huge crowds due to their quality cocktails, eclectic décor and (most importantly) the opportunity to mingle with like-minded locals un-chaperoned. Can you even imagine what would have gone on? How good.

TGI FRIDAYS was also said to have initiated ‘happy hour’ for which we can all be thankful and, over the next few years expanded across the States at a rapid rate.

Lucky for us, the brand has now become a worldwide phenomenon and the very first Queensland version opened just this week right here on the Gold Coast.

Now known as a family-friendly venue, the newbie can be found on The Promenade at Robina Town Centre and the fitout is all industrial-style with timber accents and sweet light installations – which we’re obviously all about.

There’s be both indoor and outdoor seating options, a central bar where sports lovers can catch pretty much any game going on and an open kitchen if you’re into watching tasty eats being prepped for your consuming pleasure.

The menu has been refined over the years to focus on high quality produce and with sharing in mind.

For starters there are delightful things like Mozarella Sticks and Mac ‘N’ Cheese bites and for mains, dishes along the lines of sliders, loaded fries, stacked, handcrafted burgers, salads and of course steaks and ribs will grace the menu, so that’s where your stretchy pants come in friends.

TGI Friday’s signature ribs are glazed with a Jack Daniels situation that is extremely delicious and there are flame-grilled steaks on offer too.

For dessert a giant Sundae should finish you right off in the best possible way.

Signature cocktails are the best of the drinks menu with sips like Pink Punk Martinis, Blackberry Iced Tea and Lychee Mojitos on offer.

There’ll be a DJ every Friday and Saturday night and on the other nights, a crowd DJ app so you can log in and choose your own musical adventure.

Oh and if it’s your birthday, you have to stand up on a chair and have the entire restaurant song to you.

It’s an exciting little community hub where good vibes and exceptional eats are the name of the game.

Summer here we come.

P.s TGI stands for Thank God It’s in case you’re somehow unaware.

LOCATION: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina

We’ve long been fans of a good beer and schnitty situation, particularly when they’re of the authentic variety and can be enjoyed in a high vibe space with fellow lovers of the tasty combination.

Excitingly, Robina has just this week become home to such a high vibe space and it’s one you no doubt already know and love.

That’s right Gold Coasters, The Bavarian (of The Oracle Broadbeach fame) has opened a new venue so you can enjoy even more German biers, schnitzels and giant pretzels than ever before.

The newbie can be found within the impressive dining precinct that is The Kitchens but it’s an indoor / outdoor situation complete with a leafy beer garden and of course, many a giant TV screen so you can combine the stein slash schnitty situation with a bit of sport watching.

As is custom with The Bavarians decorating scheme, the interior is made up primarily of dark wood and decorative kegs with leafy greenery splashed throughout. In the outdoor area there’s a ping-pong table and a spot for a game of Boules plus lots of pretty fairy lights to kick back underneath with a frothy or two. Good times all round.

German bier-wise, all of the usual suspects are on offer including Löwenbräu and Franziskaner and Aussie faves like Pirate Life and Goose Island.

In terms of eats, there are many delicious German things to fill your belly after sipping copious Steins.

Obviously you need to eat a giant pretzel with butter, pickled cucumber and sweet mustard. Also go for the Alphenhainer Camembert crumbed with Chia and panko and probably some Mac and Cheese balls for good measure.

There are tasting platters for one, two or four people including one specifically dedicated to sausage which we highly recommend.

The schnitzels come in several varieties including of course, parmigiana, plus the veal wiener schnitzel, The Mexican, The Hawaiian and The Texan to name a few.

If those delicious dishes aren’t your thing, you may also indulge in Buffalo Mozarella Ravioli, The Bavarian’s Famous Crispy Pork Knuckle and a very yummy Spice-rubbed Wagyu tri-tip steak.

There’s also a variety of German sausages including Cheese Kransky, Pepper and Garlic smoked pork Kielbasa and the good old-fashioned Frankfurter with smoked beef and pork, Swiss cheese and spicy paprika.

From Monday to Thursday there’s a $10 lunch special and every day from 4pm to 6pm it’s Royal Snack Hour so you get free premium snacks and discounted drinks.

What’s not to love?

Head into Robina to taste test all of the things for yourself.

Prost!

LOCATION: The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre, Robina
HOURS: 11am until late Monday to Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

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.