Picture the scene: it’s your team’s game night, and you and your crew are more than keen to catch the action in a location with full coverage, the coldest of beers, and a sprinkling of outstanding food options. Anything less would be a colossal failure, right? Seeking down such establishments that are solely devoted to delivering these things is not always the most straightforward task. But at the same time, neither is it impossible! Luckily for you, we’ve done our homework and compiled a list of the best sports bars on the Gold Coast to enjoy the action while adequately showing your support for your team. Shouting at screens may or may not be included.

The Star Sports Bar
Many would say this place is in pole position as the Gold Coast’s premier sports bar venue, and we think that’s rightly deserved. If the 23 large screens, private (pre-bookable) booths and a gigantic 10.5-metre screen aren’t impressive enough, you should be swayed by the coldest beer around and a multitude of nearby food outlets for you to fuel up pre-game or celebrate your team’s victory.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Main Gaming Floor, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Crafty’s Sports Bar
Aptly positioned at the northern Gold Coast’s prime shopping outlet Harbour Town, Crafty’s gives you the option of mixing shopping with seeing whatever sporting event you might be into. Or, if it’s better suited, the chance for you or your partner to do so whilst the other takes their time with over 200 stores. Make plans to grab some essentials and then settle in with some fantastic food and craft beers. Score!
Where: Harbour Town Eats – 147/189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters

The Sporting Globe Bar and Grill
Part of a sizeable chain of sporting bars across the country, these guys certainly know how to look after sporting fans. Apart from expansive coverage of all the action, there are food specials every day of the week, and if you’re seeing the Gold Coast Titans game at the Cbus Stadium, come in beforehand for a drink, and these guys will even take you there and back. How good is that?
Where: Robina Town Centre, 19 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina

Burleigh Town Hotel
This one is a real showstopper, boasting a zhuzhed up modern bistro and the sports bar to end all sports bars. The newly renovated Burleigh Town Hotel is the ideal destination to catch all of the sports action. Featuring a state-of-the-art 11-metre mega screen… It’s the biggest pub screen in the southern hemisphere and if you think that’s impressive, have a go of the suspended cylinder screen promising perfect viewing from every vantage point #jawdrop.
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads

The Avenue
This hotspot is more renowned as the place you head to take the night up a gear with vibrant music, entertainment, and drinks specials. And that’s a fair comment. However, should you want a great place to catch the next big fight with eating options and the ever so easy decision of sticking around and partying till the small hours, it’s a slam dunk!
Where: 3-15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Coolangatta Hotel
On the southern end of the Coast, The Coolangatta Hotel is the prime location to catch any sporting activities and be assured of a buoyant and passionate atmosphere. Pair it with a splash and lounge on one of Coolangatta’s famous golden beaches, and then be sure to stick around for the post-game live music, and you are onto a hole in one.
Where: Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Fat Freddy’s
How does an American-style sports bar with a Gold Coast twist sound? Too good to be true, right? Wrong. Because you need to look no further than Fat Freddy’s on Broadbeach’s Surf Parade. Grab a highchair at the bar and enjoy unhampered views of seven screens overhead as bartenders look after you with libations galore and a polished bar snacks menu which should make getting up to leave your seat an arduous feat if you ask us!
Where: 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Ashmore Tavern
If you’ve driven past the good ‘ole Ashmore Tavern recently, you’ll have noticed it’s looking anything but ‘ole these days. Undergoing an extreme makeover, we’re not just talking a lick of paint and a few trusty Kmart prints, but an epic $5 million reno sporting some serious a la mode flex. There are sleek new indoor and outdoor dining spaces and a large sports bar with an adjoining balcony. With big screens showing sports daily you’ll never miss a moment of the biggest sporting events at the Sports Bar.
Where: 161 Cotlew Street, Ashmore

Words by Alex Mitcheson & Belinda Symons.

The Star Gold Coast is officially in its Comedy Era and one question remains: are you ready for it (“dn dn dn”). And yes, that is a TayTay reference as we are unabashed Swifties. The star-studded line up will have you snickering, snorting, and ROFLing in the aisles, and side note, with guaranteed laugh-induced ab workouts-a-plenty, lining your stomach beforehand is strongly encouraged. Lucky for us, the pre-show munching options are as extensive as Kylie’s Birkin collection, with nom-worthy cuisine to satisfy even the most discerning diner.

Russell Howard
Kicking off the comedy calendar on Monday 4 March is LOLs lord Russell Howard, primed to take on global crises armed with nothing but his quick wit and infectious humour. With a sell-out world tour and a Netflix special that’s hotter than last Boxing Day sans air-con (thanks super storm), Howard’s comedic prowess is as sharp as his punchlines. Critics concur, with the likes of The Times and the Telegraph giving him four stars #CueApplause. Doors open at 7pm and tickets start from $91.65.

Tim Minchin
Next up, it’s Tim Minchin on Friday 15 March with his “Unfunny Evening with Tim Minchin and his Piano.” Despite the disclaimer that ‘this is not a comedy gig,’ we’re saying #FakeNews and bracing for a lol-o-coaster as Minchin serenades us with his unbridled banter and charm. The set list will be fluid, the chat unplanned, and the vibe informal, but expect tunes from his latest album and a medley of hits from his musicals, Matilda and Groundhog Day. Oh and he plans to wear shoes. Doors open at 6:30pm and tickets start at $101.85.

Dawn French
On Tuesday 14 May, powerhouse and queen of British comedy Dawn French is making her long-awaited grand return! From her days as one half of the iconic comedy duo French and Saunders to her role in beloved TV hits like The Vicar of Dibley, French’s career is as illustrious as her wit. Prep yourself for a whirlwind of hilarity as her one-woman stand-up show regales you with tales that are as cringe-worthy as a dad joke at a family reunion (translation, funny AF). Doors open at 7pm for an 8pm show and tickets start from $101.85.

Urzila Carlson
Dreading the winter? Don’t coz nothing warms you up from the inside out like comedic firecracker Urzila Carlson who is Star-bound on Sunday 23 June with ‘Just Jokes’. Set to light up the stage with her razor-sharp humour and infectious charm, it’s a show that is precisely what it says on the label – just jokes. If your face isn’t sore from laughing, seek help because this is pure giggle gold. Doors open at 6pm for a 7pm show and tickets start from $71.30.

For more information and to book your tickets, go here.

Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Various shows as per above from March – June 2024

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT. Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858.