Summer in Australia means three things; scorching heat, frosty beverages and sports. All of which compliment one another perfectly (unless you’re a player of said sports obviously), good one Oz.

Just in time for what might in fact be the hottest summer of all (don’t quote us on that) comes a brand new venue serving up all of the sports you could possibly hope to consume in one season, frosty cold beverages AND some perfectly good eats to accompany all of the above.

The Sporting Globe is the name of the exciting newbie and it can be found on The Promenade at Robina Town Centre overlooking the lake. Open as of the last few days the venue is very spacious, catering for 330 people with a pool table, centre island bar, extensive indoor and outdoor seating and a beer garden slash deck situation.

There are 50 high definition screens including two, 5m2 screens and a nine-screen video wall, so there’s absolutely no way you’ll miss a second of any of the summer sporting action.

Local Gold Coast brothers Mark and Brad Vigus have come on as franchisees to launch the Robina venue and with a strong sporting background, they’re definitely the best blokes for the job.

The premise behind The Sporting Globe is obviously a commitment to broadcasting live sport from across the globe but the venue is also very family-friendly and everyone and anyone who wants a laidback outing with good food and an even better atmosphere.

Speaking of food, the menu is a winner too. As you’d expect, a venue based on all things sport needs a menu to accompany it and The Sporting Globe has delivered.

From signature wings to loaded chicken parmis, stacked burgers and of course, healthy bowls in case you’re feeling that way inclined, everything you could possibly want is covered.

There’s also a VERY refreshing cocktail menu on offer with a few fruity faves to help beat the heat and of course, a range of tap and bottle beers (by the bucket if you please) because, sport and a nicely curated wine list if you feel a little bit fancy.

So, since summer is here and it’s practically an Aussie rite of passage to be watching all the sport and drinking all the things, The Sporting Globe is a godsend.

Go forth and get it.

LOCATION: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Remember as a child when climbing to the top of things was the absolute greatest achievement possible? Well turns out, even as an adult, reaching (literal) new heights makes you feel like a million dollars.

So much so that Robina has recently acquired a brand new, state-of-the-art space so we Gold Coasters can climb things to our hearts’ content (but in air-con).

It’s called Alpine Indoor Climbing and it’s an extremely interesting (and aesthetically pleasing) venue designed for everyone from beginners to the advanced among us, to experience the challenging satisfaction of bouldering (with pretty coloured, faux boulders because, indoors).

Created by husband and wife team Jamie and Kirsty Booth along with Jamie’s brother Joe Booth, Alpine Indoor Climbing opened as the only climbing space on the Coast of its’ kind and let us tell you, it’s impressive.

The actual space itself was designed by an innovative German company by the name of Blocz and the process of creation is fascinating. Jamie and Kirsty created a model which was built and scanned in and over numerous months in design phase the project came to life.

And said project is a room with geometric shapes built onto the walls and brightly coloured boulder-like blocks (technical) placed on said shapes to resemble climbing an actual cliff face.

You can go straight up, up at an angle, upside down, any which way you please really, following tracks built at different grades. Which means you can practice on climbing walls the pros train on and yes, there are soft mats beneath to cushion you, should you fall (climbing back down is recommended of course).

Basically it’s the good time your younger self would have absolutely loved, but built for your adult self (strictly 10 years old plus) wanting both a challenge and a fun time.

Not to mention you can get coffee and have a chat with other climbers, many of whom can give you tips on becoming your very best climbing self.

If you haven’t climbed a boulder in quite some time (same), you can get a casual visit pass and then once you’re hooked, go for a 10-visit pass or a membership for six or 12 months or a no contract membership. And you will get hooked!

Alpine Indoor Climbing was built by climbers for both those who are already passionate about the sport and those who don’t yet know they are.

We highly recommend getting down to Robina to give it a go for yourself, you’re guaranteed to work up a sweat and probably have a laugh while you’re at it.

Plus, your inner child gets to feel like a million dollars and there’s nothing better than that.

LOCATION: 86 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina
HOURS: 6am until 8.30pm Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm Saturday and 10am until 6pm Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

STORY SPONSORED BY ALPINE INDOOR CLIMBING

We the good time-loving people of the Gold Coast are all about a tummy-filling feast complete with friends, frosty cold beverages and a relaxed vibe where stretchy pants are a perfectly fine sartorial choice. We like other things too but for the purposes of this tale, that scenario is the go.

Enter TGI FRIDAYS, a bar and grill-style venue that originated in Manhattan, NYC in the 1960s, spearheading a cultural revolution with the introduction of the city’s first female-friendly singles bar (wow).

The space brought in huge crowds due to their quality cocktails, eclectic décor and (most importantly) the opportunity to mingle with like-minded locals un-chaperoned. Can you even imagine what would have gone on? How good.

TGI FRIDAYS was also said to have initiated ‘happy hour’ for which we can all be thankful and, over the next few years expanded across the States at a rapid rate.

Lucky for us, the brand has now become a worldwide phenomenon and the very first Queensland version opened just this week right here on the Gold Coast.

Now known as a family-friendly venue, the newbie can be found on The Promenade at Robina Town Centre and the fitout is all industrial-style with timber accents and sweet light installations – which we’re obviously all about.

There’s be both indoor and outdoor seating options, a central bar where sports lovers can catch pretty much any game going on and an open kitchen if you’re into watching tasty eats being prepped for your consuming pleasure.

The menu has been refined over the years to focus on high quality produce and with sharing in mind.

For starters there are delightful things like Mozarella Sticks and Mac ‘N’ Cheese bites and for mains, dishes along the lines of sliders, loaded fries, stacked, handcrafted burgers, salads and of course steaks and ribs will grace the menu, so that’s where your stretchy pants come in friends.

TGI Friday’s signature ribs are glazed with a Jack Daniels situation that is extremely delicious and there are flame-grilled steaks on offer too.

For dessert a giant Sundae should finish you right off in the best possible way.

Signature cocktails are the best of the drinks menu with sips like Pink Punk Martinis, Blackberry Iced Tea and Lychee Mojitos on offer.

There’ll be a DJ every Friday and Saturday night and on the other nights, a crowd DJ app so you can log in and choose your own musical adventure.

Oh and if it’s your birthday, you have to stand up on a chair and have the entire restaurant song to you.

It’s an exciting little community hub where good vibes and exceptional eats are the name of the game.

Summer here we come.

P.s TGI stands for Thank God It’s in case you’re somehow unaware.

LOCATION: The Promenade, Robina Town Centre, Robina