There are very few things that bring more pleasure than a night out with the girls, sipping on cocktails in a stunning, new bar. Throw in some tasty eats and oh, the opportunity to have your makeup, hair and nails done while sipping on said cocktails at said bar and you’ve got yourself the perfect evening.

Enter Southport’s brand new sipping spot, Boudoir Lounge and all of the above activities, which can be enjoyed simultaneously there. How fun.

Found on Como Cres in what’s quickly becoming a thriving little section of Sopo (as the kids call it), Boudoir Lounge opened recently to rave reviews thanks to a new concept and a beautifully put together space perfect for outings with your lady loves.

The space itself is filled with colour and boasting somewhat of a sleek, industrial vibe with velvet lounges and booth, gold accents and striking gold bar that stretches from floor to ceiling.

Owner Harvey Gebara set out to create a playground for women focusing on a unique experience, personalised service and exceptional quality and that is indeed what you can expect from Boudoir Lounge.

As mentioned, a beauty bar can be found within the venue and isn’t that a good time. Choose from hair washing and styling, facials, brow waxing and shaping, manicures and pedicures and makeup touch ups or go for the full experience and book yourself a (very affordable) package to kick off the night right.

Now while all that is happening you can nibble on Mediterranean little plates of goodness like Lightly Cured Beetroot Sashimi, Middle Eastern Spiced Squid and House Made Chickpea Falafels. All very delicious.

If you’re after something a bit more filling, there are large plates like Greek Inspired Chicken Skewers, Hand Rolled Beef Rissoles and Fresh Baked Fish with Tahini Sauce. There are also desserts and cheese plates and it’s all very lovely.

To drink, a perfectly curated cocktail menu with sips like the Boudoir Betty; made up of Pillars Gin, citrus and topped with sparkling, Carrie On with Four Pillars Gin, passionfruit and homemade ginger syrup and Maple Miley, a rich, flavoursome old fashioned that will definitely hit the spot. Rihanna, Gwenyth and Audrey all make an appearance too #yeahthegirls.

So there’s all of that AND the space can be rented for events with plenty already locked down including women’s empowerment breakfasts, wedding and baby showers (because a beauty bar + cocktails = perfection) and a Galentine’s event that includes canapés, and a beauty package for just $89.

All the things you love most are happening at Boudoir Lounge ladies, lucky Southport. Gather the gals and get in there.

LOCATION: 410/1 Como Cres, Southport
PHONE: (07) 5528 1104
HOURS: Bar and Restaurant; 12pm to 12am daily. Beauty Bar; 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday (plus special event nights).
WEBSITE: https://www.boudoirlounge.com.au/

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Our sweet, sweet So-Po. There’s something we just love about Southport, maybe it’s the fact that they’ve got bulk bars and restaurants so hunger never has to enter our vocabulary again. Or maybe it’s how you can get a coffee hit and hit of golf done in half a day and then soak up those Broadwater views for the rest of it – shall we go on?

All we know is that there are so many goodies in this CBD gem we couldn’t list them all or you’d be here all day and we know you’re all about less reading and more eating (same). Here’s our round-up of local approved must-do’s!

The all-in-ones
The retailers in Southport get that you’re busy – it is the CBD after all – so time is of the essence and efficiency is the word over here. Brickworks Ferry Rd has everything from the Standard Market Co to get those dinner essentials or to make the perfect charcuterie board, ‘grammable acai bowls at Cardamom Pod and bites like Bird Royale because we’ve always got time for some cheeky chicken.

Upping the ante with a little bit of everything, Queen Street Village is just off the Smith St Motorway so you can pop in for the essentials from gourmet grocer Jones & Co IGA. No time to meal prep? Grab some Asian eats at Wu Kong with peckish plates to keep you going, or a classic pub feed from Queen’s Arms for your parmy fix. When all that eating has got you zonked, get your caffeine hit at Sens Coffee and pop into DENDY to catch the latest flicks and a moment of peace and quiet.

Now did we hear you say retail therapy? Enter: Australia Fair. With the big names in fashion all in one spot along with our biggest vice Kmart on the store list, say goodbye to your savings but hello to a fresh new look. Once you’ve shopped til you dropped it’s time to start your Tour-de-Food at Australia Fair Metro, think pho, dumplings and desserts by the dozen.

For bakery treats
With a name like Sacre Coeur Patisserie it’s no wonder these guys have mastered the art of French pastries so prepare to stock up on croissants in allll the flavours from pistachio to raspberry and everything in between.

No man is left behind at Made With Love who deliver on 100% vegan cakes, pies and pastries because you know what, a donut a day keeps the doctor away or something like that and why should our vegans not be part of the action.

Keeping with the Euro-bakery theme is FARINA & Co, pastries are made onsite daily with all the classics like lemon meringue tarts and buttery croissants but wait, it gets even better – they double as a pasta bar. Grazie!

Pumping out sensational Asian-inspired pastries, desserts and drinks, Delothor Patisserie is our kinda kryptonite!

For a coffee
Coffee addicts, Southport’s got you covered with experiences like SupermarCat Cat Café, which – you guessed it – comes with a side of kitty cuddles with your caffeine fix, it’s so good we won’t judge if you start purring along with your furry friends.

For the more traditional café vibe Humble Café might be humble by name but they’re big on variety from classic cold drips to matcha espresso.

Built on the tried-and-true premise that simple is best, everything about Herringbone Cafe is understated (in the best way) letting the true hero of the space – the food and coffee – take centre stage.

Eight Fifty Espresso boosts productivity and happiness, doling out weekday caffeine fixes from its sidewalk dwelling, sapphire green digs.

For a drink
You already know we’re partial to a cold beverage to round out the day but if you’re after a side of live music with that then Vinnies Dive is the only place to get your fix and an ice cold brew all in one. If you’re after pub vibes you can’t go past SOPO (previously known as RSL CLUB Southport).

Just across the tram line nothing says Southport more than a cocktail (or 5) on Mr PP’s rooftop, perched above Nerang Street so you can people watch til your hearts content. Keeping the rooftop vibes going strong, Aviary Rooftop at Southport Sharks have an epic cocktail menu that talks a big game and luckily for us, it doesn’t just live up to expectations – it’s even better.

Carafe Wine is an eco-conscious space offering top-notch wine from all the most renowned vino regions and zero-waste practices plus a unique menu of sharing boards.

For good eats
Hello foodies, thoughts we forgot about you? We could never! Getting the good times rolling is none other than Good Times Deli who have quickly become known as the home of sandwiches like no other – think Philly Cheesesteak and banger Bahn Mi.

Japanese eatery, KatsuCo, churns out iterations of its namesake dish – traditionally coated in crunchy panko crumb and slathered in curry sauce.

For those on-the-go looking for the ultimate grab-and-go, Shiro Gelato & Snack knows what’s up with a selection of Japanese market eats like housemade Onigiri to get your fueled up and ready to tackle the day and gelato to finish because there’s always room for a sweetie treatie.

If you’ve been having Euro summer FOMO you can find a taste of the Mediterranean at Como Kitchen & Bar or if there’s a little Italian in your stomach screaming for some arancini balls (or is it just us?) you can get a mozza at Mozza Mozza as well pasta served tableside from a cheese wheel.

Since we’re on a food journey around the world you’ll be happy to know that Southport is pretty much THE place to get your Korean BBQ fix – yep, we found and 6 smokin’ hot Korean BBQ spots on the GC and would you believe 5 of them call our humble CBD home. Yep, Southport officially has a license to grill.

Local attractions
So you’ve got your coffee and you’re looking to get at one with nature? Obviously, your next stop has to be Broadwater Parklands. It doesn’t matter if you’re just there for a hot girl walk or trying to find a way to keep your tribe occupied, the shared pathway makes it the ultimate for everyone whether you’re in your running era or just keen to take in the Broadwater views while you bike and play.

Fancy a bit more adventure we hear you say? We got you. Tee off for a full day of fun at Southport Golf Club so you can let your inner Tiger Woods run wild on the green. If land has got you feeling like a fish out of water then pop on over to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre for a mermaid moment with things like group fitness classes – hello aqua aerobics – as well as Olympic length swimming pools for the pros and splash pads for the little tackers.

If a hands on approach to fun is more your vibe then entering a new dimension at Zero Latency is a must-do, the international juggernaut has given VR new life with games on games so you can immerse yourself in the madness. Sing your little lungs out without fear of judgment and enjoy yourself a lyric fuelled good time at Black8 Pool Hall. Test your relationships and put that brain to work with a prison break escape room at Escape Hunt or pick up a pistol at Southport’s very own – and the Coast’s safest – shooting range, The Shooting Centre.

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski

The fresh, colourful dishes that make up a Thai feast are some of the most loved in the world. The curries, the stir-fry’s, the tiny little bite sized entrées, all so packed with flavour that it’s really quite hard to stop eating it all.

The good news is, you don’t really have to stop because See Thai opened in Southport recently and many of their dishes have all of the vegetables and they’re quite light and also very tasty.

You can find the newbie in the Sundale Retail Precinct on Como Crescent, with views out over the Broadwater so lovely sunsets are guaranteed whilst feasting on Thai food.

The owners are also the folks behind Robina’s very popular Thai on the Hill and obviously, quite the experts when it comes to food of the Thai variety.

The menu is an extensive one and all your favourites are on it but let’s start at the top with a few we absolutely loved.

For entrees, don’t go past the Crab Spring Rolls which are made up of a crispy net type situation and filled with crab and prawn meat and served with a sweet plum sauce. There’s also a dish called Khanom Beuang, which is roti filled with seasoned and shredded coconut and is one of the most unique and tasty Thai dishes we’ve tried.

Of course there’s also Curry Puffs (YUM), Satay Chicken and Spring Rolls and a mixed entrée option so you can sample a few things.

There’s are soup and salad section if you want to indulge in something light but if (like us) you’re all about eating all the things, the Chef’s Special section is your new best friend.

Our favourites were the Larb Moo – a pork salad with minced pork and a sweet and tangy sauce served with a crunchy, spicy salad. The Yam-Woon-Sen is a glass noodle salad with a spicy lime dressing and served with minced pork, steamed prawns and calamari atop another delicious salad.

The pièce de résistance is a deep-fried whole Barramundi with your choice of sauce (we say garlic and chilli tamarind sauce) and it’s all crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside and an absolute must-try.

The curries and stir-fry’s are all fresh and flavour-filled too so good luck choosing what to taste.

Everything is also VERY affordable and there’s a $12 daily lunch special where you can choose any stir fry or curry with beef, chicken or veggies.

There are plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options and it’s BYO too. How good.

See Thai can be found right near the tram station so if you’re not from the Southport area, take a little day trip to try all the goodness for yourself.

It’s the perfect adventure.

LOCATION: Shop 10/2 Como Crescent, Southport
HOURS: Daily from 11am until 3pm and 5pm until 9pm

STORY SPONSORED BY SEE THAI