In what may just be the happiest news of 2018, a gin and whiskey distillery will roll open its doors in a few short weeks and we could not be more into it.

Granddad Jacks Distillery has been in the works for what feels like four years to those of us who love both gin and whiskey a little too much. In reality it’s only been four months but the wait is almost over.

On August 24^th, the industrial-style Miami distillery will open for the good folks of the Gold Coast and, it’s certainly a cause to celebrate. Found on Lemana Lane, the distillery has taken up in what used to be a mechanics workshop and the transformation is pure magic.

Father/son team and owners Dave and Luke Ridden (along with the lovely Jess) scoured the Gold Coast in search of iron beams and the like to build a space that fits perfectly in Miami’s backstreets. Steel-inspired high tables with copper stools stretch down the centre of the room and two of the coolest leather couches we’ve ever seen make for a little chill spot at one end (if they go missing forget you read this). A day bed along one wall is lined with colourful cushions and underneath a mural proclaiming ‘too busy for bullshit, too tipsy to care’ and that, friends, is our new life motto.

Above the bar, an exposed brick wall boasts a painted portrait of the man himself, Granddad Jack, whose face peers out over the whole space, keeping an eye on you and your whiskey-fuelled shenanigans. There are wine barrels placed artfully about and the cruisiest of cruisers, decked out in Granddad Jack’s signage, is parked up the back. Oh and the main affair, a huge copper still sits at the back pumping out all the tasty booze. Love you.

So who is this Granddad Jack your new favourite watering hole is named after? Well, he’s a New Zealand born lad whose hard work and sharp mind allowed him to pay a huge family debt singlehandedly at the ripe old age of 14, that’s who. Luke, his great grandson, adopted the same hard working, ‘too busy for bullshit’ attitude and here we are, just a humble beachside city with our very own distillery. What a time.

Granddad Jack’s will sell only their own styles of both gin and whiskey and they’ll have a few varieties of each including what they call a ‘navy strength’ gin that’s 58%. Gimme.

There’ll be no food available on site but, hooray, you can BYO whatever you like so it’ll be a cheese platter and gin party for us thank you very much.

The epic space is also available for events including birthdays, engagement parties and wedding receptions and there was even a secret Sofar Sounds gig there recently. So much room for activities.

Okay we’re done and so very excited. Keep August 24^th free, you won’t want to miss this one.

LOCATION: 43 Lemana Lane, Miami
HOURS: 10am until midnight Wednesday to Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

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.

Hands down, our favourite meal is brunch. It brings together the best of breakfast and lunch and srsly who doesn’t love a two-for-one. In particular, a brunch affair with the word ‘bottomless’ at the start gets us all kinds of woo-girly, and that’s before we’ve even had a drop of booze.

We’re so passionate about this mid-morning (usually) weekend ritual that we felt compelled to pen a list of GC places serving up bottomless brunch bonanzas.

From north to south, gather your mates, don your stretchy pants and jump on the brunch bandwagon!

The Langham Gold Coast
If it’s a super bougie bottomless brunch you crave, the Taittinger Champagne Brunch at The Langham Gold Coast’s Akoya restaurant is calling your name. Overlooking glittering aquamarine waters and miles of beautiful coastline, Akoya presents some of Australia’s finest meat, fish, and poultry, as well as handcrafted cocktails. Getting down to brunch business, choose from the buffet style food-only option for $165 per person, or do the brunch name proud and upgrade to the $258 per person option, which includes a bottle of Taittinger (per two people). #HowNowBrownCow! Available 11am to 3pm Sundays.
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise

Surfers Pavilion
The Surfers Pav always delivers the goods and this is especially so when we’re talking about their Brunch Club experience. The perfect waterfront setting, DJs will be on the decks from midday to set the mood. Choose from the $59 per head package including a selection of oysters, or the $99 per head package with a choice of cauliflower popcorn, calamari or chicken riblets, followed by either nachos, lamb ragu, fish and chips, or mushroom lasagne. Both packages entitle you to Prosecco, bellinis, mimosas, pineapple mimosas, mango mimosas, Pav lager, soft drink and juices, kicking off any time from 12.30pm.
Where: 30 – 34 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Hyde Paradiso
It’s the ultimate beachside brunch overlooking the ocean and yeah, we had you at beachside. For $99, tuck into the Standard Brunch with a four-course mixed Mediterranean inspired tapas feast and two hours of Chandon Brut, Chandon Rosé, premium tap beers, Aperol Spritz, Bellini Spritz and Limoncello Spritz (#Limoncello4Life). Or for an extra $40 per person, they’ll fancy-up your champers to Veuve Yellow Label, Veuve Rich and Veuve Rosé. OR, if you’re a sucker for a mojito (duh), sign up for the mojito upgrade. An additional $40 per person gives you access to classic, strawberry, watermelon, and lychee mojitos. Minimum of 2 people and available Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 2pm.
Where: Peppers Soul, Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

The Island Gold Coast
The Island knows the way to our hearts, bringing us not one but two brunch offerings.

Grazy Days Lunch
Firstly, check out Grazy Days Lunch and yes, it’s technically a lunch but details #samesamebutdifferent. Enjoy a menu featuring charcuterie to start, followed by Asian shredded coleslaw with karaage chicken, edamame with a ginger peanut dressing, and wood-fired pizzas. Wash it all down with mimosas, blueberry and peach fizz, passion fruit and vanilla spritz and watermelon margarita spritz. Available Saturdays and Sundays (two sittings) for $79 per person.

Brunch with Bite
For something a little (or a lot) sparklier, Duke’s Parlour is once again hosting the popular Brunch with Bite series. Enjoy the divalicious and hilarious antics of our finest drag queens while you kick back with a welcome drink, and a two-hour grazing brunch and drinks package, including jugs of spritz (jugs…hehe), mimosas, bloody marys, premium beers, sangria, soft drinks, juice and mocktails. Always on a Saturday, check the website for available dates. $79.90 per person.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

Elk Espresso
Grab the gang and rock up to Elk (no bookings required) for their famous bottomless brunch. Select any dish from the sumptuous menu and receive bottomless mimosas for an hour. That’s sixty minutes of mimosa action and nope, we sure as heck ain’t driving. Pouring three refreshing types of mimosas to sample coz variety is the spice of life, try the classic, strawberry lime and tropical varieties. You certainly don’t have to tell us twice! Available daily from 10am. $49 per head.
Where: Oasis Shopping Centre (opposite the beach), Broadbeach

Ally Chow
Ally Chow dishes up Asian fusion done right, and their two brunch options do not disappoint. For $99 per person, the Chow Out features the Chef’s choice banquet with two-hours of bottomless thai basil caprisokas, Asahi beer and prosecco. Or, have a go of the Margarita Lunch Banquet and yes, this has us written all over it. For $120, enjoy the same offerings mentioned above, only substitute bottomless caprioskas for bottomless margis! Once again recognised with the Australian Good Food Guides Chef Hat Award, this one is a no-brainer.
Where: Lavarack Road, Nobby Beach

Mr Hizola’s
Your numero uno contemporary Cantonese restaurant invites one and all to partake in a bottomless brunch, with a bowl and booze picked by you! Choose your bowl with either the duck spring roll, veg spring roll and kung pao chicken, wok vegetables with sesame dressing, or the yang-yang crispy beef with yang zhou fried rice. Pair it two hours of bottomless tap beers or endless Shaojiu spirtz in peach strawberry, mango, watermelon, passionfruit or our pick, lychee. Available from 12pm – 4pm Saturday and Sunday. Minimum of two people for $65 per person.
Where: 1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

The Tropic
The GC’s favourite ocean-view venue, The Tropic, offers a solid ten bottomless brunch and absolutely nobody is surprised to hear this. Taking place exclusively on the terrace, not only will you be privy to multi-million-dollar views and DJ beats, but deliciously fresh seafood and innovative fare. Think oysters, spiced bread, burrata, tuna tartare, chocolate fondant and more. Pair everything with bottomless Chandon for $145 per person, or up the ante for an additional $32 per head and sip bottomless Veuve Clicquot. Don’t mind if we do! Available on the last Saturday of every month – see you there!
Where: 43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

Words by Bianca Trathen.