Meet the General Manager of Irish Pub, D'Arcy Arms.
Meet the General Manager of Irish Pub, D'Arcy Arms.
As we fast approach the notorious St Patrick’s Day, we used up the luck of the Irish to interview the General Manager of the oldest Irish Pub on the Coast, D’Arcy Arms. Janene Porter (nicknamed: Flossy) who has been busy gearing up for the St Patty’s celebrations gives us an insight into the history of the traditional pub and also a feel-good miracle story that comes from the establishment.
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I started commuting between the Gold Coast and Port Douglas in 1987 when I was apart of the crew on Mirage III, based at Marina Mirage. I then relocated to live permanently on the GC in January 1990.
What do you love the most about living here?
It’s the perfect balance between coastal surroundings and city living. Ultimately it’s the climate, beaches, hinterland, the overall easy-going lifestyle and of course, the locals.
Tell us about the history of D’Arcy Arms.
The pub was established on 8th August 1988 by founder Roy D’Arcy. D’Arcy Arms is an icon and is the longest-standing Irish venue (with a motel) on the Gold Coast. A great little story I love to tell is one of our former staff members, Robyn, was able to meet her biological father thanks to working at D’Arcy Arms. It all happened when a patron was chatting to Robyn and it was mentioned she had never met her father. The patron managed to find Robyn’s father, who was living in Guernsey at the time, which resulted in them connecting and meeting – they have been in contact ever since. It’s incredible because she would have never met her father if that patron hadn’t stopped in for a Guinness at the D’Arcy Arms.
What’s the craziest story to come out of D’Arcy Arms?
What goes on at the D’Arcy Arms stays at the D’Arcy Arms! Many of our patrons have been loyal since the pub opened in 1988. The D’Arcy has always been fortunate enough to have amazing support from both the local Irish & Aussie communities.
What can people expect at D’Arcy Arms for St Patty’s Day?
We have a full St Patrick’s Festival starting on Saturday 13th March. On Saturday and Sunday we are open from 12pm with incredible live Irish music, Irish dancing displays, delicious Irish Fare and plenty of craic! On the actual international St Patrick’s Day (Wednesday 17 March) we have a full day of entertainment starting at 10am with a line-up of Irish Musicians including: The Gathering, Munster Bucks, Mark Butler, The Carolan Academy of Irish Dance & Pipe Band. We will accompany this with delicious Irish fare, gift giveaways and of course the best Guinness, Kilkenny & Magners on tap, just to name a few things!
Tell us a fun fact, how many pints of Guinness are consumed at D’Arcy Arms on St Patty’s Day?
Honestly, you lose count!
Tell us your favourites on the Coast…
Café for breakfast: Hot Shott
Coffee spot: I am a Main Beach local, so anywhere on Tedder Avenue for a good coffee.
Restaurant for dinner: I’m more of a lunch girl and have many favourites from Burleigh, Broadbeach and Main Beach.
Bar or pub for a drink: The D’Arcy Arms of course!
How does your weekend usually look? I am usually at D’Arcy Arms as our weekends a very busy, but l do always start the day with a long beach walk. When l occasionally have a weekend off, a long lunch with friends is always on the cards.
Shenanigans are afoot, Gold Coasters. Yep, in case you’ve been off with the fairies – March means St Patrick’s Day is indeed upon us for another year. Who can resist the time honoured tradition of donning the green garb, and gathering over a cheeky pint of Guinness to celebrate Irish culture in all its glory… and who could forget waaay too many (questionable) impressions, to be sure, to be sure.
March 17th is the date famously reserved for good, old fashioned Irish-inspired revelling in cities across the globe. This year St Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday so many of the GC’s venues are celebrating an entire weekend of fun! If you’re wondering what’s on we’ve got you covered better than a kilt on a breezy day with all the best spots to bust out those second-hand Riverdance renditions.
Here’s a list of top Gold Coast spots to get your green on from north to south.
Come dressed in your best shade of green for an afternoon of music, dance, and merrymaking for St Patrick’s Day celebrations at the club! On 16 March, Irish You Were Beer will be playing from 1pm, with traditional Irish dancers backing it up at 2:30pm. The club will be offering special deals on traditional Irish food and drinks, including their Irish Stew with mash, veggies, Irish soda bread, and their Steak & Guinness Pie!
Where: 22 Thrush Avenue, Paradise Point
When: 11am-6pm, 16 March 2025
Harbour Town Premium Outlet’s favourite neighbour Dublin Docks is never light on Irish cheer, particularly not on St Paddy’s Day! There’ll be live entertainment, Irish food, and of course, the refreshing ales will be flowing with Guinness and Kilkenny on tap to really get in the spirit. But we should issue a very valid warning here; too many of the latter may induce the Irish flu come Tuesday morning (aka a humdinger hangover)! Irish soloist Tom Kimmet kicks off the festivities from 12pm on Sunday 16th March, while Irish dancing and tunes courtesy of Mama Ju Ju & the Jam Tarts set to soundtrack the merrymaking well into the evening on Sunday and Monday.
Where: Harbour Town Drive, Biggera Waters
When: Sunday 16th and Monday 17th March
Ya local, The Local Tavern, is also getting in on the Irish cheer! On Monday, 17 March, it will be business as usual with a Celtic flair. Expect plenty of Guinness (obvs), Irish chef specials and Richard Neill live from 3pm. Grab the gang for a perfect afternoon of St Patrick’s Day celebrations on the Gold Coast.
Where: Chevron Renaissance, 3240 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
When: Monday 17th March
Why limit the fun to one day only? Surfers’ Irish icon, Waxy’s is going the whole hog with a full-blown St Patrick’s fest spanning the entire weekend… and frankly, we would expect no less! They’ve got Irish charm just burstin from the seams, which makes them a hard pub to rival when it comes to a St Patty’s Day hurrah. You can bet the entire place will be chockers this with live performances from modern Celtic band Limerick MCB, the Counterfeit Heros, Gold Coast Pipe Band, The Paddy Project, Tartan Shamrock Project, Pipe Band, Gallie and Bett Hammond. There will also be special performances from the Irish dance group Shamrock Dancers.
Where: 3206 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
When: Saturday 15th – Monday 17th March
Who’s ready for St Patrick’s Day Karaoke at The Avenue? Seriously, who can resist belting out Zombie by The Cranberries (honourable mention: Nothing Compares 2U, because Sinead always slaps) whenever it comes on? Certainly not us! Get ready to grease your throats with Guinness and let it rip from 6pm. There will also be prizes for best dressed, so be sure to wear your best green fit. Entry is free, with plenty of prizes up for grabs! Grand!
Where: 3-15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: Monday 17th March
Witness a sea of green take over Cavill Avenue at Finn McCool’s! Immerse yourself in Irish spirit with their decked-out St Patrick’s Day long weekend lineup of Irish mayhem. Live music will be pumping the whole weekend with five bands set to go, DJs till late and a traditional pipe band at the ready. Irish dancers will deliver top-notch entertainment, with hearty fare to keep you fueled and Guinness flowing (and flowing, and flowing) all night long. Don’t miss out on the craic – RSVP now.
Where: 39 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: Saturday 15th – Monday 17th March
If you’ve been anywhere near a pub (or the internet) lately, you’ll know Guinness is having a moment. Aussies everywhere are obsessed with attempting the impossible: Splitting the G. So, Gelato Messina are jumping on the bandwagon with Scoop The G – a silky Fior di Latte gelato loaded with Guinness brownies and swirled with Guinness caramel. It’s got all the iconic rich, malty flavour of the world’s most famous stout, but with a sweet twist that’ll have you raising a cone instead of a pint.
Where: 2A Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: Available in all Messina stores from Monday, 17th March, while stocks last
It’s a full-blown St Patrick’s Fest at this much loved local Irish icon. The extravaganza is shaping up to be their best yet, with 3 days of Celtic shenanigans prepared, including live performances by Irish musicians Mark Butler and Claddagh, Gallie, Gold Coast Pipe Band, The Gathering and Salliana7. We’re also spoiled with live performances by the Carolan Academy of Irish Dance! Of course, irresistible Irish bites like Beef & Guinness pies with mushy peas and Kilkenny beer battered Barra will also be coming thick and fast, so head down for what’s sure to be the best time outside the motherland itself! Get all the details here.
Where: 2923 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
When: Saturday 15th – Monday 17th March
Get ready for a St Patrick’s long weekend full of specials (hello, $10 pints from 3-6pm) and challenges!! Among the sweet sound of Irish tunes by TJ and Cole Trio, Dunlin Drive, Big Fella Ling, Richard Neill and The Drunken Midnight Choir, there will be daily giveaways worth your weight in Arthur’s finest. One is a month-worth of FREE Guinness! Just buy a pint and a main meal to enter the draw! Not a hard ask when there’s Banger’s and Mash made with Guinness gravy on the menu and Guinness on tap (the only venue in Broadbeach that has it)! There will be Split The G challenges (win a free pint) and Jameson and Magners giveaways daily! Book your table now and celebrate in true Irish style.
Where: Shop 12/15 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach
When: Saturday 15th – Monday 17th March
A truly special St Patrick’s Day celebration awaits. Celtica – a new ear of Irish heritage – is bringing their electrifying performance of Irish dance to The Star for one night only! From the producers of Celtic Illusion comes this awe-inspiring Irish dance spectacle starring an elite troupe of performers, including alumni from Lord of the Dance and Celtic Illusion.
Expect lightning-fast footwork, magnificent contemporary Irish music, and dazzling costumes as you’re transported straight to the Emerald Isle. This evening is essential for die-hard Irish dance fans and perfect for anyone looking for an unforgettable night out with family or friends. Tickets start at $59.90. Don’t miss out—book now!
Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Saturday 15th March
Who’s ready for a full weekend of Irish shenanigans at Currumbin RSL? Irish Fest from March 15th –17th is all about live music, Irish dancing, top-tier pub grub and Guinness. The Lounge Bar will be buzzing with tunes from Eimhin Healy, Munster Bucks, Journey of a Fiddler, and more—plus some lively Irish dancing to get you in the spirit. Best part? It’s free entry! So round up your mates, throw on something green, and let’s celebrate St. Paddy’s the only way we know how—loud, proud, and with a pint in hand. Sláinte!
Where: 165 Duringan St, Currumbin
When: Saturday 15th – Monday 17th March
Get ready to don your greenest garb at Epic Skate Rink’s exhilarating St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Adult St. Patrick’s Night is an evening dedicated to fun, festivity, and of course, skating. This 16+ event promises a night of lively skating, great music, and festive spirit. Enjoy special treats like green slushies, green capsicum pizza, and non-alcoholic beer, all to enhance the St. Patrick’s Day vibe.
Where: 20/23 Enterprise Ave, Tweed Heads South NSW 2487
When: Sunday, March 16th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
If there were a list of the best places in Australia to enjoy some daytime tipples, the GC would undoubtedly be top of the leaderboard! We’ve got ALL the sunshine, countless rooftops, stunning views from ocean to hinterland, and don’t even get us started on our cocktail-making prowess!
We’re sure you feel the same, but with so many places on the Gold Coast to enjoy a drink, we decided to help you out by picking 13 of the best spots to drink frosty daytime beverages for maximum sun-soaking opportunities. Let’s go!
Hope Island Tavern
This isn’t your average tavern—it’s where chic meets chill. Kick back at a picnic table under retro umbrellas with a spritz, or hit up the gelato bar for boozy scoops. PSA to parents: there’s free kids’ entertainment from noon on Sundays. Amen.
Where: 93 Broadwater Ave, Hope Island
La Luna Beach Club
Trivia time! You’re basking on a sun lounge with super yachts in your surrounds. You have a cocktail in hand; no wait, you’re double-parked! You’re on a floating beach club with jaw-dropping views of the glistening marina. Where are you? Well, you’re at La Luna Beach Club, of course. Here, you may never leave, with options to book a sun lounge, day bed, cabana or grand cabana! We haven’t even mentioned the bottle service yet!
Where: Pool Pontoon, Marina Mirage, 74 Sea World Drive, Main Beach
Hyde Paradiso
Coastal chic meets Mediterranean magic here. Grab a balcony seat with ocean views and dive into $2 oysters every Wednesday and Thursday from noon (yes, you read that right). Or splurge on their Beachside Brunch—a decadent spread with bubbles, beers, spritzes, and Mediterranean-inspired eats.
Where: Peppers Soul, Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
The Island Rooftop
It’s the Gold Coast’s largest open-air rooftop bar – of course, it’s made our list. Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, this venue goes off from Thursday to Sunday. Don’t miss Fuego Fridays – a Mexican fiesta that turns up the heat. Epic cocktails, wood-fired pizzas and DJs lead this place into the Day Drinking Honour Roll.
Where: 3128 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
The Beach Hotel
There’s no better place to snag a seat and sink a beer (or a Golden Hour Sour) on a sunny summer arvo than at The Beach Hotel in Broadbeach. The airy spaces and indoor-outdoor flow let the sea breeze carry through the beer garden into the public bar. The vibe is set to ‘summer chill’, eats are delish, sips are refreshing and every corner is designed for the perfect gathering with your pals. Sunday sessions start at 1pm (don’t be late!), and FYI their cheeky margs are customisable.
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Garden Kitchen & Bar
This Broadbeach fave is a lush oasis of good vibes. Soak up the sun with mates on the outdoor lawn or head inside to velvet lounges for a leisurely lunch. Drinks, eats, and ambiance—tick, tick, tick. Whatever you choose, know good vibes are aplenty.
Where: Casino Level, The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Sueño
If you’re craving a little Latin American sol, Sueño is your golden ticket. Think classic cocktails from the Americas served on rouge tables under the sway of palm trees. Brought to you by the Rick Shores legends and perched in The Oxley, this spot screams refined indulgence. Start your weekend (or weekday – we love a little rebellion) with an icy cold mezcal – straight, stirred, or shaken – under a sunny umbrella with your crew.
Where: The Oxley Atrium, 17 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach
The Miami
Never had a Miami Colada or a Pink Miami? Gasp. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Snag a seat on The Deck for those dreamy balcony views over North Burleigh and let the ocean breeze do its thing. Cocktails + views = happy days.
Where: 2043-2047 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
Burleigh Pavilion
The Pav (yep, we’re on nickname terms) is an icon of day drinking glory. Sitting right on the sand and water, it’s arguably the best spot to bask in GC sunshine and soak up those dreamy ocean views. Open 7 days from 11am, it’s perfect for daytime sips. Bonus points for their Summer Lover Sundays – think DJ sets, great vibes, and even better cocktails. Who needs an excuse?
Where: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Local
For those chill, “let’s meet at our local” vibes, head to The Local. With a front terrace made for people-watching and a backyard beer garden perfect for live tunes (Friday to Sunday), it’s a laidback legend. Pair supreme cocktails, fizzes, rosé, or your usual go-to with an outdoor table and your afternoon is golden. Our rec? The Afternoon Spritz.
Where: 1744 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
The Collective
Ready for a fishbowl margarita? Or an espresso martini tree? Yep, The Collective’s rooftop bar is serving big-time weekend vibes. Open from 12 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, it’s a spot where sharing (and sipping) is caring. Pro tip: Try their Shake & Stir Cocktail Masterclass for some hands-on fun.
Where: 1128 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Kirra Beach House & Kirra Beach Hotel
If you’re yet to be acquainted with Kirra Beach House and Kirra Beach Hotel, they’re both ideal for enjoying glasses (there’s only the plural) of rosé all day long. In terms of spaces to hang out, you’ve got the Public Bar, The Bistro and the Beer Garden downstairs, while upstairs is the gorg Kirra Beach House, complete with outdoor cabanas, indoor booths, and signature Kirra cocktails, including a Champagne Piña Colada!
Where: Level 1, 2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Coolangatta Hotel
Pub classics, frothies, and an unbeatable Bottomless Brunch every weekend—what more could you ask for? Think two glorious hours of tacos and frozen cocktails for $79. Or chill in the Beer Garden and Bistro all week long.
Where: Cnr Warner St & Marine Parade, Coolangatta
The Gold Coast is absolutely bursting with epic surf clubs, bars, and rooftop gems. If you’re still parched or keen to explore even more top-notch spots, check out our dedicated lists for the best surf clubs, rooftop bars, distilleries and breweries around. Trust us, your next fave hangout is just waiting to be discovered!
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
If there was one thing that Surfers Paradise was missing, it was a stylish brewery complete with it’s very own range of epic beers and a menu that is unlike anything you’ve seen in a brewery before. But that one thing is missing no longer thanks to the long-awaited opening of BOBs Beer this week.
Found on the corner of Elkhorn and Orchid Aves, in the heart of Surfers Paradise, the stunning new brewery is a must-visit not only because of an impressive range of frosty brews on tap and the aforementioned impressive menu but because the fitout is one of the very best we’ve seen in a while and you’re going to absolutely love it.
Being on a corner block means the venue offers plenty of window seating so you can sit back and watch the bustling world of Surfers Paradise roll by. There’s a little outdoor seating section if you’re keen to catch a breeze but inside is where all the Insta-worthy goodness can be found.
The first thing you’ll notice are the growlers suspended from the roof that have been transformed into light fittings and second, the bar made with beer taps that are actually huge copper pipes and behind that, the brewery itself. It all comes together absolutely perfectly and we are huge fans.
Now let’s chat beer because that’s what we all came for and BOBs is of course, a working brewery led by famed (former) Melbourne brewmaster Ryan Fullerton who knows what’s up when it comes to beer. He and his team have been busy brewing and already you can get four BOBs Beers on tap ( a lager, IPA, XPA and a Saison), with four more on the way.
The idea is to always have eight in-house brews on offer and the rest of the taps to be taken up by other Australian brewers.
If you’d prefer a cocktail there are sips like the Monkey Business with Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, Flor de Cana 5yo rum, banana and coffee and the Buffalo Berry with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Fino Sherry, Raspberry, Orange and Soda. So lovely. There’s also an extensive wine and sparkling list and A LOT of thought has been put into every single aspect of it.
To eat, as we said, there’s an incredible menu filled with bites you might not expect to find at a Surfers Paradise brewery — for example savoury profiteroles with craquelin, ricotta and King Island Mousse, oysters with mignonette, shallots, shitake and topiko and a chicken dish with carrot and pumpkin gels and purees and a chicken jus. All extremely delicious (tried and tested by us).
Of course there’s also a Waygu Beef Burger (so good), premium steaks and fries with aioli.
The entire venue boasts a few finishing touches that really make BOBs Beers something special – for example a stamp to brand the ice cubes (played with that for way too long) and plates made out of leftover grain from the beer production (how good).
Not to mention the team is planning to open a whisky bar downstairs in the coming months. It’s all happening in Surfers Paradise Gold Coasters, you’re not going to want to miss this one.
LOCATION: 10/2 Elkhorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
HOURS: 12pm to 12am daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
