MADE in Kirra brings fresh fades + barista brews.
MADE in Kirra brings fresh fades + barista brews.
Kirra is undeniably having *a moment* – no doubt something the swanky Kirra Point Project can take a hefty chunk of credit for. With every new stage, the multi-million dollar, KTQ Group development delivers a whole new layer for us to gleefully devour – with about as much gusto as a pass-the-parcel being shredded at a kid’s party.
First, it gifted us a fresh-faced Kirra Beach Hotel, then the slick Kirra Beach House hot on its heels, and now – a brand new location from local caffeine + crew cut outfit, Made Barber & Barista.
Time has flown since owners Josh Blair & Britt Westcott first brought the genius concept, a specialty espresso bar and barber combo, to the seaside village of Tugun some 3.5 years ago.
The ‘hair-brained’ endeavour, which has been keeping southern folk kempt and caffeinated since, has now expanded to Kirra’s shores – in excellent news for… well, anyone with a head on their shoulders.
For the Made founders – ex chippie turned barista Josh and barber Britt, getting in on the action of Kirra’s transformative new precinct was an opportunity too good to refuse.
Noting it was a great fit down to the shape of the space itself which ‘suited our concept perfectly’. For their second destination, the duo stuck with the tried and true, compact footprint of their first venture, which has since become a familiar fixture amongst Tugun’s Golden Four Drive… and hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it right?
Locals can now swing by either caffeination destinations to get their fresh fade or daily pick-me-up, courtesy of Byron’s Moonshine Roasters – a tasty blend the duo reckons their stans can’t get enough of. Though if you’re not in the mood for coffee (gasp) it’s definitely worth checking out the the Iced Matcha Lattes, a drink they share has also been on heavy rotation this summer.
Fronting the corner of Musgrave & Miles St, the cosy new 25-pax venue offers a mix of indoor and kerbside seating for Kirra’s peckish perambulators. Frequents whom the cafe gods are looking favourably down upon can either nab a table, or perch up at the bar and watch the world go by in front of the breezy bifold windows which span one wall.
Capitalising on the lofty ceilings of the corner tenancy Made in Kirra now calls home, the team has leaned in to a more industrial feel this time around, opting for steel and chrome accents throughout. With Josh donning the tool belt as the project’s builder, their vision was a ‘sleek, minimalist, and androgynous’ space, weaving in some timber finishes to soften the look, and yep, they’ve pulled that off and then some.
Though they’re flexing a sleek new look, there are still some familiar faces behind the bar – with Daisy, the Made team’s ‘beautiful OG barista’ keeping the espresso machine humming at Kirra, with cameos from Josh as he floats between the two locations.
Aside from tight trims, the new site will also be churning out the familiar coffee and cafe-style snack fix, with a selection of savoury and sweet options for Kirra’s sandy-footed folk to get around.
To compliment the (obligatory) batch or barista made brew, choose from freshly baked pastries beckoning from within the cabinet, or gourmet Toast and Toasties options – prepared on Burleigh Baker Sourdough, thankyouverymuch!
We don’t know about you guys – but chasing your salty sessions with an Iced latte and a piping hot Salami, pesto mayo, sun-dried tomato, rocket and cheese stuffed Sand St Toastie sounds like our idea of bliss. Which reminds us… hey babe, don’t you reckon your hair could really use a trim…
Yep, MADE brings to Kirra the slick kind of space that would make us extremely envious of all you short haired folk – if it weren’t for that espresso bar providing all the reason we need to darken their doorstep daily.
Where: Corner of Musgrave & Miles St, Kirra
When: Daily, 5.30am–1pm
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Belinda Symons.
It’s a whole new era for Kirra – as the hotly anticipated Kirra Beach House, slinks into town bringing chic sips, cabana chills and rooftop revelling to the formerly not-much-happenining Marine Parade precinct, and totally transforming the southern social scene as we know it.
And let’s all just try to maintain an orderly fashion here.. thankfully, there’s plenty here to go round.
Like, 1200 whole sqm of it – the mammoth, terrace-studded stunner is fully prepared for the inevitable inundation as we all clamour to get a glimpse of the dreamy new venue, equipped with multiple indoor and alfresco areas, wine and cocktail bars (three, to be exact!) and high-end event spaces.
The kitchen, meanwhile, brings the likes of raw and cooked seafood platters, succulent steaks and signature burgers to Kirra’s picturesque beachfront – slinging perfectly crisped pizzas out of the Marina Forni pizza oven daily.
And did we mention the uninterrupted ocean views from every angle?
The new standard for a spectacular summer has well and truly been set here, guys.
Our jaws may be on the floor, but we’re not at all surprised – after all, the new concept was pioneered by local hospo trailblazer, Dave Galvin, an undertaking a mere four years in the making.
The SITE Hospitality owner/operator has been working tirelessly to deliver us not one, but two bar-raising venues this year alone – already blessing us with Broadbeach show-stopper, kost a few months back (and before that Mozza Mozza, Bird Royale and Crafty’s Sports Bar).
Somebody stop him (but don’t, actually, keep ’em coming Dave).
And frankly, we just have one question.. when doth the man sleep?
When it comes to new venues, often the phrase ‘game changing’ often gets bandied about rather liberally (guilty) – but Kirra Beach House is truly unlike anything we’ve seen this far south, the breathtaking venue putting the seaside village on the map as a destination for elevated dining and drinking.
And we do mean elevated in all senses of the word – the new venue sits atop it’s more casual counterpart, the newly unveiled and fresh-faced Kirra Beach Hotel one level below.
The new additions signify a whole new chapter for the suburb’s seaside promenade that comes courtesy of the KTQ Group’s multi-stage Kirra Point Project.
“The venue will have a beach club atmosphere about it, with great music, mesmerising panoramic views of Kirra, Mediterranean-style food using the incredible local produce we have on our doorstep, a world-class drinks list and, of course, great service” says Dave.
And really, did anyone expect anything less?
The kitchen of Kirra’s darling new destination is led by head chef Drew Wilson, curating a Mediterranean-style grazing menu that is both flavour-packed and true to the laidback, coastal location.
It features a contemporary mix of dishes such as Kingfish crudo with citrus vinaigrette, chive oil and floral salt… or perhaps the summery ‘burrata with yellow peach, aged balsamic and smoked salt’ to woo the cheese fans.
Bars Manager, Kaden Pool invites us to ‘dive in’ to a delectable menu of resort-style cocktails, the type that scratch that nostalgia itch in all the right places.
Such as ‘Bahamas’ Champagne Piña coladas and ‘Cancun’ spicy watermelon margaritas, made for summer sunsets and crafted to make you feel like you’re on holiday…
Wait, we’re pretty sure we might be. Or dreaming. Who could say for sure. We might need to get around a few spicy melon margs to determine, first.
Where: Level 1, 2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
When: Sunday to Thursday 11am–late, Friday & Saturday: 11am–1am
Words by Kellie Leader.
Gold Coasters have long known the magical properties of perching up to sink a sneaky beachside brewski or two, mesmerised both by the surf and ice-cold beers.
For parched-as southerners, the particularly painstaking wait between drinks at Kirra Beach Hotel is finally over, with the ‘ole faithful frothy spot officially open and sporting a very dapper new look.
Kirra Beach Hotel has remained a steadfast fixture along the locale’s seafront stretch since 1956, beckoning sandy-footed beachgoers from the swell beyond.
The surf-blessed suburb said a bittersweet ‘so long’ to its former iteration of the beachside icon back in 2021 – the familiar (albeit well-worn) site demolished to make way for the hotly anticipated Kirra Point Precinct project.
A spruced-up Kirra Beach Hotel is just the beginning of the ambitious beachfront transformation – with KTQ Group graciously delivering our first frolic op with the multi-stage Kirra Point project just in time for summer.
Publican Greg ‘Hodgy’ Hodge promises that in spite of the swanky new digs, the waterfront site remains loyal to its laidback watering hole roots – adding at its heart it is still a friendly, no-fuss favourite where anyone is welcome.
The halls of the expansive, sea breeze and sunshine-filled space are decked with nostalgic memorabilia nods that encompass Kirra’s surf heritage.
“We want people to be able to pop in after a surf with sandy feet and grab a bite to eat, perch up with a beer in hand, watch the waves roll in, and soak up the sun and magic of Kirra.”
Oh alright, if we must, Hodgy.
For the final KO to our flagging willpower levels – the crowning jewel of the new venue is the expansive beer garden, strategically positioned for sun-drenched sips leveraging those knockout surf views.
Hodgy lays out one last (literal) thirst trap for the lot of us, saying the new alfresco addition is “unlike anything else that exists on the Coast.”
Just quietly, the breezy parking situation also ranks pretty highly – with the new location boasting a plentiful 130 space underground carpark – along with all the classic pub creature comforts: kids area, big-screen bedecked sports bar and a boutique bottle shop stocked with all the local faves.
Long-standing fans of the watering hole will welcome the return of old favourites such as schnitzels and fish and chips on the food menu, alongside new additions that like fresh bug rolls with tempura battered bug tails in a toasted brioche roll with crisp lettuce, lemon aioli and fresh chives, and a KBH seafood platter with 1kg of fresh prawns, half a kilo of fresh bugs, flash fried calamari, crumbed barramundi and hot chips.
Hot on the heels of the new look pub – will be another addition to the mammoth Kirra Point project set to be unveiled soon, Kirra Beach House. A brand new concept for the suburb, and one we surmise will be akin to a glam big sis upstairs.
It’s safe to say folks, Kirra has officially entered its chic era.
Where: 2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta
When: Daily, 10am till late
Words by Kellie Leader.
It’s been a minute since we delivered news out of Tugun but here we all are with exactly that. And it’s good news too Gold Coasters.
You may have seen a bit of movement along Golden Four Drive of late and it’s all come together in the form of a sweet new space known as Made. It’s a barber and a specialty espresso bar rolled into one and it’s the perfect spot to stop in for an exceptional coffee and some baked goods, plus of course, a haircut if you’re a man in the market.
Made is the work of a couple of passionate locals; Brit Westcott and Josh Blair, who brought their combined passions together to create something we haven’t before seen on the Coast. Obviously the concept is a good one and with Josh on the tools pouring coffees and building the space and Brit behind the chair snipping hair, it works like a dream.
Brit has over 15 years experience as a barber and Josh has the same as a carpenter, so it was a no brainer that they would set up shop combining all the things.
At the front of Made you’ll find the coffee bar and you have a choice of everything from Moonshine coffee (LOVE) to Grounded Pleasures Chai (also love), teas, turmeric and Matcha lattes and cold press juices.
To eat, there are baked goods from the best at Fuel Bakehouse and obviously, you should sample one of everything.
Two barber chairs can be found at the back and it’s best you make an appointment with Brit, though walk-ins are possible should you need an emergency fade before an arvo on the beers with the boys at Burleigh Pav.
There are big communal tables, bench seats out the front and the space is dotted with greenery. It’s modern and cosy and we see a lot of it in our future.
What’s not to love right?
Head on down to Tugun to give Brit and Josh some love and then go for a stroll on the beach why don’t you.
What a time to be alive.
LOCATION: 2B/417 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
HOURS: Open from 6am daily
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
