Watch me whip. Watch me neigh neigh.
Watch me whip. Watch me neigh neigh.
Looking for somewhere to celebrate this year’s Melbourne Cup? We field you! Prepare to channel your inner clothes horse, frock up, and sink a glass (or ten) of chardon-hay for the race that stops a nation. Whether you’re after something opulent, glamorous, or more relaxed, here is a list of Gold Coast venues inviting you to stirrup some Cup fun this Tuesday 1st November. Giddy up!
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
Make a Cup date with the JW Grand Ballroom and indulge in a decadent 3-course luncheon, luxury beverage package, and a glass of sparkling vino on arrival. Enjoy live entertainment by Midnight Finesse and a fashion showcase by Lisa Brown Designs, plus best dressed prizes sponsored by JW Marriott Gold Coast. There will also be sweepstakes and raffles supporting the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation. 12pm – 3pm. Tickets are $199 per person, or $1,990 for a table of ten. Get yours here.
Where: 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Bazaar Marketplace at QT Gold Coast
Settle in at QT Gold Coast’s Bazaar with a glass of Mumm sparkling on arrival, 3-hour beverage package, and sumptuous Bazaar Marketplace lunch including slow-cooked meats, fresh seafood, and dishes made to order. There’ll be sweepstakes, prizes for best dressed, live beats, and of course the big race on the big screens! Continue the festivities at Stingray Lounge for a post-race party. 12pm – 3pm. Tickets are $159 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Club at Parkwood Village
With two sparkling yet different events, you’re bound to have a day you won’t forget in a hurry. Choose from a cocktail party with a difference with a 2-hour drinks package, canapes and platters galore, and prizes for the best dressed for a very modest $79pp. Or if you prefer something a little grander, their sit-down experience in the Pavilion room with a 4-hour drinks package and three-course menu should do the trick for $139pp (SOLD OUT). Live music is being played through both parties, and there’s a good time guaranteed for everyone! Book your tickets here.
Where: 76 – 122 Napper Road, Parkwood
The Langham Gold Coast
Enjoy a fanciful affair at The Langham Garden Party hosted in the chic Diamond Ballroom. Delight in 4 hours of free-flowing premium alcoholic beverages and a splendid 3-course lunch whilst enjoying live entertainment at the GC’s newest address in luxury. Your event ticket will be your golden ticket for a chance to take home an exquisite BVLGARI Serpenti Reverse Bag, valued at over $4,000! 11.30am – 3.30pm. Tickets are $299 per person, or $2,700 for a table of 10. Get yours here.
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise
Hyde Paradiso
Celebrate Melbourne Cup Day seaside at Hyde with a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival, 3-hour premium drinking package, charcuterie grazing station, and substantial canapes to line those tummies! Hosted by Alli Simpson, you’ll get a side of celeb with the big race, live entertainment, and best dressed prizes. 12.30pm – 3.30pm. Tickets are $170 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: Peppers Soul, Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast – SOLD OUT
Make this year’s race one to remember with a decadent seafood buffet and a 3-hour beverage package. Start with a glass of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut NV on The Deck whilst perusing designer bling by Calleija, before making your way to Terraces. Enjoy best dressed prizes, live entertainment, charity sweeps supporting Variety Queensland, and all the live Melbourne Cup action. 12pm – 3pm. Tickets are $189 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: 71 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Palazzo Versace – SALES CLOSED
Head for the beautiful IL Barocco Restaurant for The Cup in sensational Palazzo Versace style! Indulge in a bountiful array of the freshest seafood, vibrant salads, and succulent roast meats with all the tasty trimmings and decadent sweet treats. Pair this with a 3-hour beverage package, live entertainment, sweeps and raffles hosted by Gold Coast Hospital Foundation, plus all the live action from Flemington. 12pm – 3pm. Tickets are $195 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: 94 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Southport Sharks
Sharks Events Centre – SALES CLOSED
Get fun and flirty with not one but five huge screens broadcasting the race live and loud! Feast on a tasty 3-course menu washed down with a 3.5-hour beverage package and, well, if you insist. There are best-dressed awards up for grabs, live betting facilities to up the thrill factor, live entertainment with Michael Hickey, and sweeps and raffles supporting the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation. 11am – 3pm. Tickets are $115 per person, or $1,100 for a table of ten. Get yours here.
Sharks Main Club – SOLD OUT
Treat yourself to a mouth-watering seafood buffet lunch at Southport Sharks’ legendary good times hub, Frenzy’s. Wear your finest frock (obvs) and you’ll be in the running to win fabulous best dressed prizes! Take in all the action on screens throughout the venue, with TAB facilities at the ready for you to place your bets. 11.30am – 3pm. Tickets are $69 per person and can be purchased here.
Aviary Rooftop Bar – SOLD OUT
A Cup celebration overlooking the iconic Gold Coast skyline…so much yes! After a complimentary cocktail on arrival, help yourself to the 3-hour food and beverage package, with a champagne tower, Amalfi grazing table, and roving authentic Italian pizzas. Sounds by Eleea, a fashion parade, lucky door prize, sweeps, and a fabulous fascinator contest mean you won’t get colt feet for this one! Tickets are $149 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: Southport Sharks, corner Olsen and Musgrave Avenue, Southport
The Fireplace – InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort – SALES CLOSED
Experience a gourmet spring carnival-inspired luncheon served in The Fireplace with elegant theming to match. Relish the delectable canapés and 3-hour platinum beverage package, before your gourmet 2-course plated menu curated by resort Executive Chef, Hamish Watt. After placing your bets, take in every gallop on the fancy oversized screen. 12.30pm – 3.30pm. Tickets are $195 per person and can be purchased here.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circuit, Hope Island
RACV Royal Pines Resort – SOLD OUT
Race along to Tees’ Clubhouse and experience all the Cup excitement with a delish 3-course luncheon, including a glass of bubbles on arrival. If you really want to go all out (we do), upgrade to a dozen shucked oysters, or add a half kilo of prawns with dippers and squeezers! Bop along to live music and horse around till your heart’s content! 10am – 5pm. Tickets start from $69 per person and you can purchase them here.
Where: Ross Street, Benowa
Words by Bianca Trathen.
SPONSORED BY GOLD COAST TICKETS
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.
