The ultimate triple threat has arrived In Surfers Paradise and it’s all kinds of fab, frantic and follow-worthy. Funlab, Australasia’s largest fun company provider, is giving us yet another reason to stay in our ‘hood these holidays for a dose (or three) of homegrown entertainment.

Get ready for three equally vivacious venues all under the one roof; Hijinx Hotel, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, and Holey Moley. And BTW, the latter isn’t an expression of speech to convey our excitement, but the actual name of one of these awesome new local attractions. All we can say is heavens to betsy, we are pumped (and yes, this time we are describing our enthusiasm).

Located under the supremely popular Cali Beach, Surfers Paradise, this epic entertainment precinct is a game-changer for fun-seekers. Occupying a whopping 3,279 sqm and holding 410 people collectively across the three venues, it’s set to become quite the power player on our glitter strip #biggerisbetter.

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty and unpack the hot new venue; Queensland’s first (and Australia’s second) Hijinx Hotel. But don’t be fooled because although you check in and are welcome to enjoy a beverage in the lobby or sip cocktails at the bar, you can’t actually sleep here. Instead, you’ll be entering a series of fantastical quick play immersive game rooms, perfect for a brain teaser, lotsa laughs and most importantly, instagrammable backdrops galore.

Each room gives a nod to nostalgia and is uniquely designed for between two and six players to work together and complete challenges in a four-minute window. Combining theatre and the wonder of a quirky New York hotel, its originality is only matched by its off-the-Richter fun factor.

Also well worth a look is the old-skool-cool Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq. A playground for the young and old, lose yourself (hey Eminem!) in rad traditional arcade games. If this isn’t your bag of popcorn, there are dodgem cars (eeee!), virtual reality, ten-pin bowling, and prizes-a-plenty. For the full sensory experience, head for the bar (duh) and order one of Archie’s crazy cocktails or shakes #cocktailsforthewin.

And last but by no means least, find us a human who doesn’t love a spot of putt putt. Boasting 18 holes of the craziest minigolf, Holey Moley has taken the experience to a new dimension with the addition of a bar! And not just any bar, the Caddyshack bar, an 80s and 90s themed watering hole and Chevy Chase, you defined our childhood. Tell your opponents to eat your shorts on the Simpsons Evergreen Terrace and take on the four new holes exclusive to the Surfers Paradise Holey Moley; Skate Park, I Scream, Birdie Hunter and Street Fight #KissMyPutt.

All three venues are perfect for any sort of celebration or soiree, catering to both big kids and actual kids. Hijinx Hotel is $25 per adult, Archie Brothers is $30 per adult and Holey Moley prices start at $14 per adult.

Where: 3197 Surfer Paradise Blvd, Elkhorn & Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
When: Open 7 days til late.

 Words by Bianca Trathen.

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.

Ocean gazing whilst eating your body weight in delicious Italian fare – that’s the dream. Unless you’re in togs with that annoying friend who documents everything on her grid, but there are apps for that so yeah, still the dream #filtersonfilters. Well, this is precisely what Surfers Paradise’s La Calabrese at Ocean is proposing and WE.DO! To place us in even higher ‘spirits’ just add a refreshing cocktail and forgive us, but sun’s out pun’s out we say.

Situated right next to the pristine beach, La Calabrese at Ocean is all about traditional Italian ingredients with a modern twist. Keen foodies and/or folk who frequent Melbourne will recognise the name (sans the ocean part) and we’re pleased to confirm that the cuisine is equally on point. After two years of success – pandemic and all – a sea-change expansion was planned and boom, we’re blessed with our very own authentic yet contemporary Italian slinging La Calabrese…with ocean views to boot #CopThatMelbourne!

Owner Ruixin Wang (Rae) worked with Savitri Gandakusumah from Dreampods Group to bring the restaurant’s aesthetic to life, offering both indoor and outdoor dining and a swoon-worthy 90 square metre ocean-view terrace. With capacity for 200 guests, can someone we know pls book a huge ‘shell-abration’ and invite us already?! There are also special VIP seatings for a more exclusive experience and this has us written all over it.

Boasting a blend of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ generations of Italian professionals, the entire kitchen and floor team hail from Calabria, Tuscany, Sicily, Milan and Brescia. Their passion for cooking and food is infectious and they’re Italians right, so #obvs. They love nothing more than talking about food culture and food education, which is fine by us coz we love nothing more than listening!

Speaking of food, Head Chef Rocco Premoli can do no wrong in our eyes, rolling out a menu brimming with ‘things that make you hmm mmm’. For antipasti, you can’t go past the Crudo Di Pesce, with marinated kingfish, citrus dressing, watermelon, chives and green oil. The pizzas in particular are food-gasmic, and if you don’t concur then soz but #weir-dough. Anything but your average pizza, a process called ‘biga’ is used to make the dough and honestly, the ‘yeast’ we can do is divulge why this technique is so special. Combining the sugar of the Italian flour with yeast to go through a pre-fermentation process, this is just the first step of dough-making and srsly, #skillz.

How about a Mortadella with fiordilatte, mortadella, Stracciatella cheese, fried squid and pistachio and if you’ve never tried pistachio on a pizza, you’re welcome. Or if you’re channelling a pasta (ALWAYS), you can’t go past the Agnolotti with homemade ravioli, beef cheek, sage butter, and parmesan fondue. Make sure you pair it with the signature Focaccia Black Garlic, a wood-fired focaccia house made black garlic butter because carbs on carbs is life.

It’s dessert o-clock and besides being one of our favourite times (besides cocktail o-clock…which is 24/7), we suggest a Panna Cotta with lavender, honey, chocolate crumble and beetroot gel. Now we’re thinking about cocktails coz we’re us, and the Tipsy Illy with Disaronoo, illy cream and fresh strawberries totally caught out eye. As did the Paradise Margarita with cazadores tequila, Chambord, blackberries, jalapeno and lime juice coz this combo srsly floats our yacht.

So for those partial to a traditional Italian chow-down with a modern glow-up, you’ll get precisely that – with a hearty side of ocean views – at La Calabrese.

Where: Level 1, 84 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
When: 5.30pm – 9.30pm Monday – Wednesday & 12pm – 10pm Thursday – Sunday

Words by Bianca Trathen.
Images by Brittany Kreskas.