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11 venues to catch the State of Origin action

Queenslander!

Footy Finals Fever at Crafty's (image supplied)
Footy Finals Fever at Crafty's (image supplied)

It’s that time of year again folks, State of Origin is here! Place your bets and watch the rivalry unfold. If you can’t make it to the stadium, support your team at any of these epic, perfect-for-shouting-at-the-tv Gold Coast venues.

Go Queensland!

Crafty’s Sports Bar
State of Origin, refreshments a-plenty, and darn good footy grub await at Harbour Town’s epic sports bar, Crafty’s. This place has become quite the icon on the northern GC, and is the perfect spot to catch the game. If you happen to have the ankle biters in tow, no worries because kids and cool folk unite at this crowd fave. On Wednesdays pizza and pasta are $15 all day, so that’s an added bonus!
Where: Harbour Town Premium Outlets, Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

Southport Sharks
Get your mates together and get to Mackenzie’s Bat at Southport Sharks for all of the State of Origin excitement. Enjoy $19 “Pizza of Origin” deals, 50 Cent Wings all night, and drinks specials from kick-off until the first try.
Where: Corner of Musgrave and Olsen Avenue, Southport

Fisherman’s Wharf Tavern
Who’s keen for a State of Origin party overlooking the marina? No problem at Fisho’s located right next to Marina Mirage in Main Beach. Always packed with bods and offering a cranking atmosphere, it’s been a long-standing sport-viewing staple for good reason. 
Where: 60-70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

The Local Tavern, Surfers Paradise (image supplied)
The Local Tavern, Surfers Paradise (image supplied)

The Local Tavern
It’s called The Local and with a cosy, low-lit vibe, giant sport-watching screens and a menu packed with all your favourite pub grub it’s the perfect spot to watch rugby’s biggest rivalry! Catch all the action and grab a burger and a beer for $25!
Where: Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, Surfers Paradise

The Star Gold Coast
Catch all the action at The Star Gold Coast. With two incredible venues to choose from, watch the game under the stars on The Lawn at Garden Kitchen & Bar, or get the stadium experience in Sports Bar live, large & loud. Plus footy feed specials, guest MC’s, prizes and giveaways, entertainment and more.
Where: 
The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

State of Origin at Sports Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)
State of Origin at Sports Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)

The Sporting Globe Bar & Grill
Boasting over 50 screens, we challenge you to miss a moment of the action #MissionImpossible. This place is super popular as secure your spot with a booking. Walk-ins welcome on the day, first in best dressed.
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town CentreRobina

Mermaid Beach Tavern
Head on down to Mermaid Beach Tavern to watch the game on the big screen. Sit back and enjoy great food and drinks all night long while you watch Queensland take on NSW. Qld jersey giveaway for each game. 
Where: 2500 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

The Yard
Catch the State of Origin on the Big Screens at Mermaid’s newest beer garden, with the good times getting underway from 5pm. Try the special State Of Origin menu, or take advantage of a 9 Inch Pizza & ice cold beer for just $20 dollars.
Where: 2389 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

The Yard, Mermaid Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)
The Yard, Mermaid Beach (Image: © 2023 Inside Gold Coast)

Burleigh Town Hotel
The newly renovated Burleigh Town Hotel is the ideal destination to catch all of the action of the Maroons taking on the Blues. Each game will be live and loud across the biggest screens in the southern hemisphere
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads

Currumbin RSL
Southern folk flock to Currumbin RSL in their droves to watch sport and State of Origin is no exception. Grab your mates and catch all the action live and loud on their colossal plasma screens.
Where: 165 Duringan Street, Currumbin

The Coolangatta Hotel
To celebrate this epic battle of the states, make your way over to the Cooly and treat yourself to a Game Day $25 Surf n Turf special. If you’re keen to catch the game, hang around for kick off at 8:05pm and soak in all the live action with a beer or two while you cheer on your state of origin.
Where: The Strand, Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Words by Belinda Symons.

Sports Bar, Burleigh Town Hotel (image provided)
Sports Bar, Burleigh Town Hotel (image provided)

Game on Queensland!

State of Origin on The Lawn at Garden Kitchen & Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)
State of Origin on The Lawn at Garden Kitchen & Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)

Winter is upon us, which can only mean one thing – it’s time to bust out your lucky socks, begin the vocal warm ups and channel your inner Gus Gould in preparation to be shouting ‘Queenslanderrrrrr’ from the rooftops when we inevitably wipe the floor with our southern foes in blue – we mean, when State of Origin returns for another year.

One thing all footy fans can agree on (unlike some of the questionable refs calls) is the electric atmosphere is as integral to the Origin experience as the ice cold beers and ribbing of our mates that insist on sporting a blue jersey #whytho.

State of Origin at The Star (image supplied)
State of Origin at The Star (image supplied)

Dishing up good times as consistently as Thurston’s kicking game, The Star have done what they do best, curated a top notch night out that’s the closest you can get to the live experience on the GC #score. And we’re tipping, even if you’re not a die-hard footy fan (not us patiently waiting for the ‘go banana’ meme to do the rounds again this year), odds are you’ll find yourself converted after being a part of the action The Star has in store. But also no judgement if you’re all like #i’mjusthereforthesnacks bc we all know the food and drinks The Star dish up are #goals.

Hosting all three cockroaches vs cane toads nail-biters from two of their incredible venues, choose to watch the game under the stars on The Lawn at Garden Kitchen & Bar, or get the stadium experience in Sports Bar live, large & loud. As if the game day anticipation isn’t already excitement enough, kick off your night with MC’s to bring the hype, giveaways and footy inspired nosh specials.

State of Origin at Sports Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)
State of Origin at Sports Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)

For the hardcore fans, sidling up to the big screen amongst the buzz of the Sports Bar is the obvious choice. Add yourself a Qld Burger – Fried chicken burger, sriracha mayo, coleslaw, pineapple with XXXX to the mix and it’s officially a game-night part-ay.

Entry is free, but as you’d imagine seats can be harder to come by than a NSW series win. Our tip? Get the crew together and book yourself a boujee booth package. For $950 for up to 10 mates, guaranteed prime watching posse and the star treatment inc. a feast fit for a footy team – two pizzas and two All Star Platters. Oh and no doubt the $450 bar tab will also go down a treat (plus no arguing about whose round it is).

State of Origin at Sports Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)
State of Origin at Sports Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)

But leg it on over to The Star website #stat to book your Game 3 VIP treatment because booths for Game 1 & 2 have already sold out #yousnoozeyoustand.

For those who prefer the ambience of the open air venue, of course the fun continues over at The Lawn at the Garden Kitchen & Bar – and in it’s defence it is a pretty unbeatable spot. The burger and beer combo on offer is also a winner – Chargrilled Angus Beef Burger with a XXXX Gold Schooner with the option to upgrade to onion rings (which in our op-onion would be a crying shame to miss #isthatevenaquestion).

State of Origin on The Lawn at Garden Kitchen & Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)
State of Origin on The Lawn at Garden Kitchen & Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)

And yep, because The Star never do anything by halves, of course there’s the option to upgrade your night out at The Lawn too. Ensure you’ve landed the best seat in the house, er, in front of the big screen rather, by booking a Picnic Table for the main event. Nab yours for a $200 pre-payment, which then goes towards a non-refundable food or beverage credit for your table #winnerwinnerbeerandburgerdinner. And because picnic tables don’t grow on trees (thx Dad), bookings for the hottest seats in the house are strictly limited so lock yours in here.

#gameon

When: Game 1: Wednesday 31 May, 2023, Game 2: Wednesday 21 June, 2023, Game 3: Wednesday 12 July, 2023
Where:
The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Words by Kellie Leader.

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be aged 18 years or over to enter the casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT.

State of Origin at Sports Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)
State of Origin at Sports Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)

12 places to catch the footy finals

The Star Sports Bar (image supplied)
The Star Sports Bar (image supplied)

No matter if you’re team AFL or NRL, for the footy fanatics among us, the pointy end of the season also means it’s time to prepare ourselves to bid a bittersweet adieu to our beloved code yet again.

Though this year we’ll be saying an extra fond farewell, with both codes’ clashes slated for the very same weekend – oh yes, sports fans, it’s a Grand finale double-header #braceyourselves. We might as well also say goodbye to our voices while we’re at it.

A dual GF showdown means many things: namely an over indulgence in beer, party pies, mates and cheering till we’re hoarse… but mostly the requirement to dig deep and back up in a way we haven’t since our 20’s.

Whether you’re an AFL fan chomping at the bit for the sound of that sweet siren at 2.30pm on Saturday 30 September, or a League fanatic counting down till Sunday 1 October, the GC has you sorted. Clear the calendar and gather the buds for double the fun, nail-biting action and… hangover, lbh.

Go ale out to say farewell (or good riddance, depending on your footy fanatic status) to another glorious footy szn in style. Here are 12 local haunts getting into the game day spirit, so you don’t have to worry about your crew drinking your fridge dry.

Robina Pavilion (image supplied)
Robina Pavilion (image supplied)

Robina Pavilion
Avoid your digs undergoing a Mojo Dojo Casa House transformation this GF weekend, and divert the crew to an electric atmosphere made for tackling that fever pitch finale energy. The spruce-up Robina Pav was treated to a few years back make this destination and its myriad of pozzy’s at which to perch, a delight for begrudging tag-alongs and those set to have their eyes glued for every second of the action.
Where: 229 Ron Penhaligon Way, Robina  

Ashmore Tavern
We’re not sure how we got so lucky with the calibre of mighty fine pubs, clubs and establishments us Gold Coasters get to frequent, but here’s another Grand Final worthy watering hole that’s looking better than ever following a full-blown face lift for Ashmore’s beloved tav #heygoodlookin’

Round up your posse this Saturday, Sunday, or both – and tune in to watch the top teams tousle in the schmick as surrounds of the Ashmore Tav Sports Bar. The talented chefs will be slinging stellar food specials straight out of the venue’s gourmet new-look kitchen, and the bartenders will ensure our thirsts remain quenched at all times. Count us in!
Where: 161 Cotlew Street, Ashmore

Ashmore Tavern Sports Bar (image supplied)
Ashmore Tavern Sports Bar (image supplied)

The Cavill Hotel
What could be more fitting for a supersized GF weekend than a supersized screen? Look no further than The Cavill, sporting the biggest screen in Surfers, bc this is absolutely one of those occasions where #BiggerIsBetter! For the savviest of sports fans, book yourself a table to support your code in style. Plus, this year there’s the chance to score yourself the best seats in the house, just spend at the venue for a chance to win VIP luxury couch seating for three, complete with food and some bevvies to boot. How good.
Where: 46 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Burleigh Town Hotel
Following its recent spruce up, the Burleigh old faithful is back, with the Southern GC staple sporting a very fresh new lewk. No doubt this sprawling spot will be a popular choice come game day, boasting a massive wrap-around TV and a multitude of screens to scream at. And of course more ice-cold bevvy’s on tap than you’d need to fuel a Mad Monday sesh.

Get down and get amongst the GF action, and you’ll be rewarded with complimentary half-time snacks, with a bunch of prizes and giveaways to score!
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads

Sports Bar, Burleigh Town Hotel (image provided)
Sports Bar, Burleigh Town Hotel (image provided)

Currumbin RSL
Southern folk flock to Currumbin RSL in droves for footy final weekends, and 2023 will be no exception. Grab your mates and get creekside to catch all the action of both finals clashes, live and loud on their colossal plasma screens.

Alternatively, there’s the very primo option to upgrade to your own exclusive GF par-tay – with a #mancave or #ladylair vibing private room (all packing 85” sweet inches, thank you very much) for you and up to 8 mates to kick back and catch all the action. Throw in some tasty extras like two beer towers and four large pizzas to keep the stamina up (this spectating business is very strenuous stuff, after all) and this sweet as $300 Sporting Den package quickly becomes a real #score.
Where: 165 Duringan Street, Currumbin

The Club at Parkwood Village
Fun fact: The Sports Bar at The Club has over 40 (that’s 4-0) HD TVs, which this is bound to speak to any sports fan…and a particularly pertinent tidbit to bear in mind when a super-charged GF weekend rolls around.

They’re also comin’ in hot with a sweet deal to get in the swing of the NRL festivities come GF day, with the chance to lay claim on your own Topgolf Swing Suite for 4 hours of finale fun for up to 12 peeps. Have a hit with your mates while you wait for kick off, then watch your team duke it out on one of the private projector screens with a $300 food and bev credit to spend as you please. Come as us!
Where: 76-122 Napper Road, Parkwood

Footy Finals Fever at Crafty's (image supplied)
Footy Finals Fever at Crafty's (image supplied)

Crafty’s Sports Bar
Footy finals, refreshments a-plenty, and darn good footy grub await at Harbour Town’s epic sports bar, Crafty’s. This place has become quite the icon on the northern GC, and is the perfect spot to perch up and catch all the edge of your seat AFL and NRL Grand Final action. If you happen to have the ankle biters in tow, no worries because kids and cool folk unite at this crowd fave.
Where: Harbour Town Premium Outlets, Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

Southport Sharks
No matter your preferred code (and no shade if that’s AFL, we’re all allowed to be wrong sometimes), beloved Southport Sharks is welcoming the whole fam to get in on the festivities for this epic finals double-header. Don the lucky team socks and head on down – the kiddos will be delighted to discover there’s free face painting, and the 50c wings, free half-time bites and drink specials will be met with similar levels of glee for the adults.

The big game(s) will of course be broadcast live on all 5.25m2 of the Mackenzie’s Beer Garden goliath big screen, plus the slew of tactically placed big screens throughout the club.. so you couldn’t miss a minute even if you try.
Where: Corner of Musgrave and Olsen Avenue, Southport

Burleigh Bears Leagues Club
If you can’t make it to the actual finals, don’t fret as Burleigh Bears Leagues Club is known as the ultimate destination for every sporting event #TrueStory. Whether you catch the games in the Lounge or Sports Bar, sit back, relax and pair the good times with a couple of cold ones. With friendly staff at every turn, you can see why this one is a finals venue of choice.
Where: 80 Pacific Avenue, Miami

Burleigh Bears Leagues Club | LinkedInBurleigh Bears Leagues Club (image supplied)
Burleigh Bears Leagues Club | LinkedInBurleigh Bears Leagues Club (image supplied)

The Coolangatta Hotel
Are you ready to watch the finals Cooly Hotel style (translation; with the trifecta of vibes, authentic footy eats and of course, booze)? Opting to cheer on our team at the Southern GC’s go-to entertainment HQ is akin to leaving a sideline conversion in JT’s hands aka, a sure thing.

This year they’re busting out the ultimate game-day duo: beer and chicken wings. With an incredible special going during the first half of ANY footy final matches, so y’know, a sneaky little pre-GF practice run could be on the cards. Good times incoming!
Where: The Strand, Marine Parade, Coolangatta

The Sporting Globe Bar & Grill
Boasting over 50 screens, we challenge you to miss a moment of the action #MissionImpossible. There’s free entry for general viewing, but why not totally level up your #gameday and book you and the crew a VIP booth for either (or both!) finals?

There’s also a $129pp VIP package including share wings and a selection of beer, house wine or soft drink, as well as a burger, bowl, wrap, or parma of your choosing – and obviously we’ll take the parma, pls and ty! (some conditions apply). Umm, sign us up!
Where: The Promenade, Robina Town CentreRobina

The Sporting Globe (Image: © 2019 Inside Gold Coast)
The Sporting Globe (Image: © 2019 Inside Gold Coast)

The Star Gold Coast
Just try to stop The Star from putting on a massive weekend of footy finals fun, our fave recreation destination does this stuff with their eyes closed. Catch every bounce, tackle, try and goal on the on the mega screens from the electric atmosphere of the Sports Bar, or for some unbeatable alfresco vibes, Live on The Lawn. And as if a back-to-back weekend of footy fever isn’t entertainment enough, there’s also the chance to meet legends of the game face-to-face and hearing their thoughts throughout the match, so yeah, we’re about to be very Star struck indeed.

Word has it that the hardcore footy fans should guarantee themselves a prime possy to perch up at by booking one of The Lawn at Garden Kitchen & Bar picnic tables. Oh, and it would also be a #rookieerror to not tackle one of those delish footy burg specials while you’re at it.
Where: 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Words by Kellie Leader.

Sports Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)
Sports Bar, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)
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