Your go-to guide for all the footy final fanfare!
Your go-to guide for all the footy final fanfare!
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
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
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
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
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
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 Centre, Robina
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.