Since opening last year, House of Brews has made it mark on the Gold Coast by being one of the most memorable places to grab a drink.
It’s got 32 beers on tap, an impressive open-view tap room, perhaps the most creative cocktail list around, and mondo sized food dishes.
After traveling extensively and investigating out what made Americas best bars the best, the Kanaghines brothers put their new found knowledge to the test and opened up House of Brews in Surfers Paradise.
The new restaurant has been fitted in classic American roadhouse fashion, it’s got the dark wood and large bar one would expect from any reputable bbq joint, and enough beers to keep the pickiest of connoisseurs busy for hours. It’s safe to say, they passed the test with flying colours!
We spoke with co-owner Damien, who said the key to their success is keeping everything fun.
From the fun and envelope-pushing cocktails(I’m sure you have all seen the Purple Haze bong drink in the papers), to the quirky menu choices like Russian Roulette Mac and Cheese bites (loser gets the spicy one, depending how you look at it though, I say winner gets the spicy one!), it seems the brothers have found a way to make the most ordinary of dining situations extraordinary.
Inside Gold Coast took a visit to House of Brews last week to get an insiders look at all the exciting things on offer. We tried dish after dish, sampling things like Mexican Margarita wings, Burgers, Mussels, Salmon and Pork Belly and what we found with each dish was the same; the presentation is not what you’ll find anywhere else.
Yes the food tastes good too, but that’s not what keeps this Surfers hotspot filled to the brim. It’s the showmanship. Where else can you get a burger with a foot of onion rings stacked on top, or a slab of ribs bigger than your face? Every plate offered has a WOW factor that keeps people coming back for more. Want to eat your giant plate of ribs with a viking helmet on? You can do that, all you have to do is ask.
What got the most ooo’s and aaaah’s? The cocktails. (even a few photo snaps from neighbouring tables)
Each hand crafted drink looked like something straight out of Willy Wonka’s factory.
Smoking drinks, fairy floss, candy bark, plastic pumpkins, wooden boxes. They are outta this world! (but actually they are all on the cocktail menu so you’ll have to go try them for yourself) I suggest trying the controversial Purple Haze cocktail made with Ink Gin, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Cloudy Apple Juice, Grape Juice, Lime Juice, Orgeat Syrup and Rhubarb Bitters and served with frozen grapes and in a bong…It’s addicting!
Nothing says fun like smashing down a big ole plate of ribs then filling your gob with fairy floss and catching a buzz.
The bar is broken up into a few key sections. The downstairs outside patio: good for sipping a beer and people watching. The bar: also good for sipping a beer. The general seating area: in the middle of the action.The upstairs patio: amazing views of the Surfers skyline (word has it upstairs is due for a little makeover soon). So there are plenty of seats and spaces so you can settle in, get cosy and start working through the 32 beers on offer.
Grab the girls, grab the guys and head to Surfers’ most memorable bar, for a night filled with vikings, bongs, onion ring towers and thirty freakin two beers on tap!
Cheers to that!
17 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
By Marleigh Kelly
Uninterrupted beach views, a revitalised restaurant and a brand new menu available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sandbar Surfers Paradise has received it’s first facelift in over 20 years and is set to put Surfers back on the map. Offering a fresh, classy venue where patrons can wine, dine and enjoy a never ending summer.
A family owned business, Jake Short has taken the plunge in revitalising the old surf club. Inspired by the surroundings from his part-time home, Indonesia and travels around the world, the new Sandbar radiates the vibe of a Bali beach bar with the perfect touch of the French Riviera. Furniture has been custom designed and shipped across from Indonesia in beachy woods, blues and whites. From the ceiling hangs an array of nautical pieces, white painted steel drums, glass buoys even golden sunflowers, all helping to create that relaxed beach life vibe. The atmosphere is serenaded by the sweet tunes, similar to that of Potato Head Beach Club in Bali, playlists have been customised to change every 2 – 3 hours ensuring that the perfect sounds are played at exactly the right time.
Jake, alongside food genius and head chef Maxie Hill, has spent countless hours perfecting the impressive menu, ensuring that Gold Coast’s fresh seafood and local produce is put to good use. Maxie was head chef of Rick Stein’s South Coast restaurant and also owns three successful cafes in Bali. The expertise of Chef Maxie can’t go unnoticed in the three menus, food so good that you’ll want to order one of everything.. “sharing is caring” after all! Choose from divine smoothie bowls, shakes and pulled pork bennies at breakfast. Poke bowls and burgers for lunch, this menu has been kept short and sweet with an excess of quality.
Poke bowls? Well move over Acai bowls. Poke bowls are Hawaiian goodness, fresh, tasty and healthy. Choose from marinated snapper, tuna or kingfish sashimi served on a bed of quinoa with an edamame and avocado salad! The burgers are of the different kind, the Shi-Boo-Ya burger, tempura battered soft shell crab served with fresh mango and wasabi mayo on a custom made Pastry Emporium bun, made exclusively for Sandbar!
Dinner offers a share style menu and an array of fresh seafood; think scallops, Moreton Bay bugs, octopus and mussels.
A knock your socks off cocktail menu and Queensland’s largest selection of craft beers (over 120 of them in fact), there won’t be a dry mouth in the room. For the mocktailers, there are cold pressed juices and cold drip coffee are also made in house!
Finally the Gold Coast has been treated to the beachfront dining that it deserves, where sand between your toes is welcomed, smiles are contagious and good times guaranteed to be had. Pop down and see how this Surfers Paradise local has become new again!
Open 7 days a week
Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
52 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
By Amy Merridan
On June 13th each year we raise a glass to World Gin Day and the spirit that has certainly had its come up over the last little while. The Gold Coast boasts our very own gin distillery plus a host of bars making magic with local gins. All of which you won’t be surprised to learn we’re big fans of.
In honour of that, here are the best spots to get your gin fix on the Gold Coast this World Gin Day (or anyday for that matter). Happy sipping.
Tamborine Mountain Distillery
Tucked away on Mount Tamborine is one of Australia’s smallest and most unique distilleries with over 280 International Awards. Their gold medal award winning gin is the Lilly Pilly Gin, a pot still gin using botanicals such as Australian Lilly Pilly (Riberry), Juniper, Angelica root, Orris root, Citrus peel, Caraway, Coriander, Aniseed Myrtle, Elderflower, Mistletoe, Passionflower, Shepherd’s Purse and more. The best part about it, it’s got a delightful pink hue.
Where: 87-91 Beacon Road, North Tamborine
The Island Rooftop
It’s always a good time on the rooftop in Surfers Paradise, overlooking the city and with guaranteed good vibes. While all the sips are sweet, our recommendation is the Clover Leaf made with Beefeater gin, raspberry, lemon and egg white, so good.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Aloha Bar & Dining
How does a Saturn Juniper Uranus sound? Cool right. That’s exactly what you should order at Broady’s most colourful alleyway bar, Aloha Bar & Dining. It’s got Four Pillars gin, sloe gin, orgeat, passionfruit, lime and rosemary and it’s out of this world. The bar itself is decked out in full colour, with hidden rooms and moody, good time vibes aplenty. Follow the music down the alley and you’ll find yourself in a magical world of tiki goodness.
Where: 18 Main Place, Broadbeach
Fig & Frankies
Another delightful Broadbeach bar dedicated to exceptional sips and very good times is Fig & Frankies, also newish on the scene and also very well-loved amongst Gold Coast locals. Their cocktail list is tight and filled with delights made up of local spirits and you’ll want to try them all. Drinks are numbered rather than named and each is absolute perfection to be honest. We particularly loved Number One (aptly named) because it is made up of MAC by Brookies, clarified green apple and house lemonade and we cannot overstate tasty enough. Gather the crew and sip up a storm.
Where: 4/2707 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
Roosevelt Lounge
A must-visit cocktail bar in Broadbeach, Roosevelt Lounge is one of the city’s sexiest spots for a cocktail, capturing the seductive style and glamour of decadent New York. For World Gin Day try the Down the Rabbit Hole Signature Cocktail made up of Ink gin, in-house chimmer liqueur (pink moscato, pisco, peach & orange blossom), blueberry vinegar, citric acid and life of cha crystal tea. Delightfully served in a tea pot, this cocktail is an Instagram dream.
Where: 75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Granddad Jacks
The Gold Coast’s first gin distillery Granddad Jacks are, quite obviously king when it comes to gin cocktails (and gin in general). Our number one on their list is the Seymour Street with their very own Greenhouse Gin plus Eucalyptus and fresh lime juice because it’s the ultimate in Aussie-inspired freshness and it tastes top notch too. Love your work mates.
Where: 45 Lemana Lane, Miami
Rosella’s Bar
Oh Rosella’s, little love of our lives. A refined Australiana bar in the heart of Burleigh Heads, Rosella’s is bringing all Aussie eats and tipples to the very appreciative people. On a list of cocktails that will 100% improve your life (especially the Pet Nat Slushie – love you) but for the purposes of this article let’s chat about the Kylie Minogue Martini with Vickers Gin from Beenleigh Distillery no less, vodka, elderflower, verjus and pink peppercorn. It’ll have you spinning around in no time.
Where: 6/1743 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
Lockwood Bar
Tucked away down Justin Lane behind a red velvet curtain is Lockwood Bar. They a serving up a sexy sip titled Brookie’s Aviation which fuses Brookie’s Dry Gin, lemon juice, Tempus Fugit liqueur de violette and Luxado Maraschino liqueur. Topped off with a maraschino cherry, you know it’s a goodie.
Where: Justin Lane, Burleigh Heads
Suga
An intimate little space down Palmy way is Suga, a cocktail and rum bar open until late and serving up cocktails that are quite unlike anything you’ve sipped before. On World Gin Day we recommend a Gin Lippy with Larrikin Gin, citrus syrup, housemade lemonade and a whole lots of tastiness. A very tasty tipple indeed. Pop on in for a few of those this weekend.
Where: 1142 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
The Collective Palm Beach
The Rooftop Bar at The Collective Palm Beach is a gin-lovers paradise with beloved gin-based cocktails including the Rose Hip Martini with Poor Toms Gin, hibiscus syrup, lime and grapefruit and the Unnamed Sympathy served Tiki-style with macadamia-infused Nobel Cut Gin, Bushfire Botanic Australis Gin and pine-lime allspice. Both of which are tried and tested by us and both of which are really very delicious.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Saint Helen’s Kitchen + Bar
If sipping cocktails seaside is your thing (and we know it is), you’ll love Saint Helens Kitchen + Bar signature slurp The Gin Thruster. It’s got gin, blueberry and tonic. It’s bright, refreshing and super Insta-worthy – if it lasts that long.
Where: Shop 2/78 Musgrave Street, Kirra
Words by Kirra Smith
Ah, Surfers Paradise. The jewel in the crown that is our fair city. The place visitors first picture in their minds and have done for the last several decades. While it is the most tourist-dense part of our Coast, what is it local’s love about it? Here we fill you in on the six best reasons locals love Surfers Paradise.
Belt out karaoke at Tune Up
The definition of karaoke, Tune Up is THE place to test out your vocal cords after you’ve had a few cocktails at bar instution The Avenue or a few schooners of ale from House of Brews. It’s an intimate environment that feels much like a house party where you can choose to mingle with everyone in the main bar or take up residence in your own little private room and sing your heart out. Count us in!
Where: Level 1, 23 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise (above Gold Coast Real Estate)
Have a Guinness at the D’Arcy Arms
Wet your whistle with a pint of Guinness at D’Arcy Arms where the historic first Guinness keg was brewed in Queensland (and arguably Australia), tapped onsite in 1988. This locals’ Irish pub fave offers a welcome change of pace if you want to take things slow, keep warm by the fireplace or if last night happened to get the better of you. There’s always great home-style food to be had, live music and a few friendly faces with some good craic.
Where: 2923 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
Have a luxe afternoon at Surfers Pavilion
Aptly positioned with ceaseless waterfront views and boasting a substantial mooring site of 400sq metres, means if locals would like to arrive GC-style by boat or jet ski — so be it! Setting and glam aside though, the new arrival is perfect for enjoying our fantastic year-round weather with an outside frosé bar, and for those with a discerning palette, a dedicated oyster and Champagne station keeps the crowd more than occupied.
Where: 30-34 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Hit 9 pins at Strike Bowling
Prepare to lose a few hours when you step into this space which is a literal smorgasbord of entertaining activities and feast for the senses. The highlight is the 10-lane glow in the dark bowling alley where competitive urges can be settled with groups big and small. But, it doesn’t stop there either. If you fancy further fun, then a 15-person karaoke room, cocktail bar, two escape rooms, and pool tables should do it.
Where: Circle on Cavill, Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Sip cocktails on The Island Rooftop Bar
Rooftop bars are one of the greatest things that ever happened to the Gold Coast. Period. Now, take this sentiment and couple it with this — the Gold Coast’s largest open-air rooftop bar — and voila, you have one of the best places to drink delectable cocktails, watch live music, and live your best life at the stream of ever-changing events (drag queen brunch anyone?). You are promised great times and vibes when you head to The Island.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Grab breaky at Cuppa on 41
If you find yourself in Surfers Paradise before the afternoon, then you need to head to Cuppa on 41 to energise yourself for the day — as well as for all the other inclusions on this list! The café is an excellent concept that allows local underprivileged youth to become experienced in hospitality, and coincidentally isn’t so hard on your pocket either! Our pick is the Bauernomelett, a German-style omelette straight out of heaven. You’ll leave with a satisfied belly and knowing you have contributed to a change in a Gold Coasters future.
Where: 41 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Indulge at Alfrescos Italian Restaurant
Creating picture-perfect pasta and pizza for the last 25 years, you might say what Alfrescos doesn’t know about Italian food and ambience isn’t worth knowing — and you’d be right! This charming family-owned and run restaurant has stood the test of time with locals and continually returning for great Italian classics and drinks to match. If you haven’t been in a little while, be sure to change that, the venue underwent a slight facelift late last year and is looking as enchanting as ever.
Where: 3/3018 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
Boogie on down at Retro’s
When it comes to having a boogie along to cheeky tunes of yesteryear, you no longer have to hide in your bathroom in your towel to do so. All the locals know that Retro’s is the ultimate answer to having a fun night out and dancing the night away to the music you grew up with. With themed nights and drinks specials coming at you from all angles, you are destined to have a good time no matter what day of the week it is at this hotbed of a disco.
Where: 3 — 15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Take in the view at Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club
After a swish refurbishment, this 100-year-old surf club is the faultless place to go for an ice-cold beer for a spot of people watching, seamless views across the Pacific Ocean and to chat to a local. The family-friendly atmosphere is full of locals after their early morning beach walk tucking into a big brekky (but they’re also open for lunch and dinner too!) — a great option straight off the sand and when you feel the need to escape the crowds with some uber-friendly Queensland hospitality.
where: Corner of Hanlan Street & The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
