We’ve got an inkling you’re gonna love Walk-ins Welcome.
We’ve got an inkling you’re gonna love Walk-ins Welcome.
Living on the GC can be verrry thirsty work, we’re blaming both the unrelenting humidity and the allure of the very fine array of establishments we’re spoilt with (and definitely not our distinct lack of willpower). And for Northern GC locals, they’ll be frothing having a cool new spot to catch up for a cold one, with Walk-ins Welcome bar officially opening its doors in Chirn Park.
For the last few years, whenever it was fresh new ink we were craving, Sean Henry and his tattoo studio Darkhorse Initiative has had us covered. Like many, a certain pandemic circa ’19 brought the tattoo industry to a grinding halt, with the forced hiatus ink-spiring Sean to branch out and channel his creative energy into new endeavours.
For Sean, a somewhat unexpected side quest into the hospitality scene was spurred by identifying a big ol’ bar shaped hole in an area with a lot of potential. And following the blow that was losing our beloved Tonic on Chirn in the same strip earlier this year, no doubt Southport and surrounds will welcome the arrival of a cool new watering hole with open arms.
As you’d imagine with an adjoining tattoo studio next door, the Walk-ins Welcome atmosphere is primed for plenty of bants and all round good times. Pouring his heart and soul into the fit-out, it was all hands on deck for Sean and his crew to bring the new site to life.
Unsurprisingly, the bar has been heavily inspired by Sean’s love of ink, borrowing from various tattoo styles to result in a space that’s a funky, creative melting pot with plenty of nostalgic nods. The corridor linking the two spaces is lined with retro flash art, while the inclusion of a classic Space Invaders arcade machine, pop culture collectibles and decorations ensure the vibe is fun and welcoming.
Equally as welcoming is the drinks offering, with some enticing signature cocktails looking (and tasting every) bit the part. With a focus on sourcing locally made liquor, the bar boasts a selection of tapped beer is from small craft breweries right here on the Gold Coast, complimented by a canned selection from QLD, Victoria and NSW.
The spirits are also mostly sourced from local distilleries on the Gold Coast, so y’know, we’ll just be over here doing our bit to support the local economy one drink at a time. Which won’t be difficult, since the cocktail menu is the kind that makes us want to work our way through, top to bottom.
Since we well and truly learned that lesson in our 20s, there will, unfortunately, be some difficult decisions to be made here. With our thirst for spicy cocktails showing no signs of being quenched anytime soon, starting with the Chilli Cherry Pow, made with Wildflower Gin, Luxardo Cherry Liqueur, Lemon Juice, Rose Lemonade is a non-negotiable.
And while we could happily sip the day away on any of the bevy’s gracing the Walk-ins Welcome cocktail list, the White Oat Lady, made with White Oat Mango Gin, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice, Egg white would abso-fruit-ly be the perfect finish to our day/night/anytime.
Where: 3a/37 Musgrave Avenue, Southport
When: Wednesday to Saturday 3pm-10pm, Sunday 3pm-9pm
Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.
Ahhh Chirn Park, you’re the northern GC’s answer to Burleigh…minus the traffic and with an intimate village vibe. Embracing its increasingly trendy rep, Chirn Park is welcoming more and more cool/interesting/unique businesses to this once underrated neck of the woods. In fact, there’s now even a Chirn Park Festival, attracting an army of CP enthusiasts over its two-year lifespan. Us included.
Being the fans that we are, here are nine reasons why locals…and not so local locals….are flocking to Chirn Park en masse!
Cruize Espresso
It was love at first sight when we spotted the adorable logo alone. With a beautiful soft colour palette, swoon-worthy serve-wear, phenom wall art (Jai Vasicek, we see you…everywhere) and the instagrammable “I love you a latte” neon sign, the menu is as delicious as the fit-out. Think modern brekkie and lunch dishes beautifully presented with pretty-as-a-picture floral garnish, epic coffee, and the friendliest service in the land.
Where: Shop 6/37 Musgrave Avenue
Quan 55
‘Quan’ is Vietnamese for bar, so no prizes for guessing what this Chirn Park fave serves! Host and owner Wynn serves up the same food as she does at home, even using her mother-in-law’s treasured 20-year-old crock pot! Now that’s authenticity personified! It boasts fabulous food and cocktails and ambience galore, thanks to the awesome interior and never-ending rotation of bums on seats.
Where: 4/55 Brooke Avenue
Luigi & Sons Barbershop
The longest established barbershop on the Coast, Luigi and Sons now have 3 shopfronts with contemporary, fresh fit outs, and a passionate team trained to deliver amazing haircuts with old-fashioned service. Catering for all the modern man’s barbering needs, they fuse traditional skills with very ‘now’ techniques. Beard-shaping and cut-throat shaves are also a speciality, so book that manscape yesterday.
Where: 4/58 Brooke Avenue
Little Barista Espresso Bar
Looking for a consistently high-quality caffeine hit, all day breakfast or lunch? Call off the search coz Little Barista delivers all of the above. Perched in arguably the most prominent corner position in Chirn Park, this rustic coastal gem is always buzzing. You can smell the glorious aroma of award-winning brews as you walk up the street, and don’t forget to bring Fido as pooches are welcomed with open arms.
Where: 3/39 Musgrave Avenue
Lambar Pizza
If pizza and pasta aren’t the answer, srsly what was the question? Whether you’re channelling takeaway, a meal in-house or perhaps have a private function on the horizon, Lambar is your BFF in waiting. Making all meals with love using the freshest, locally sourced produce, it’s impossible to go wrong here. And the pepperoni on the pizza is that you can BYO wine. Did someone say unicorn?
Where: 4/37 Musgrave Avenue
Daark Espresso
I mean, if they were to rename Chirn Park, it would be Daark Espresso. Well worth the queue, it’s the go-to for the professional brunching set. The coffee is as good as it gets, and the nosh is #goals (Spanner Crab Eggs Benedict, come at us!). Pull up a pew inside this rustic gem, or opt for a table outside on the wraparound balcony. Add a super buzzy vibe and friendly staff, and it’s not hard to see why it’s an institution.
Where: 2/41 Musgrave Avenue
5B2F Bakehouse
If you’re mad for a bakery and srsly who isn’t, step this way and tell us you’ve had better! With classic French pastries and artisan sourdough for days, one look in the cabinet choccablock with THE most spectacularly crafted baked goodies and you’re sold. The brainchild of renowned South Korean pastry chef extraordinaire Moonsun Yoo, we are well and truly buttered up.
Where: 55 Brooke Avenue
Ground & Sound
Cooking whole food from scratch and serving up specialty single origin PNG caffeine, this is where coffee meets music. Ground & Sound hosts live artists several times a week, music trivia night every second Wednesday night, plus there are regular open mic nights for budding artists. Inside, peruse musical memorabilia from the 60’s and beyond, or plonk yourself outside and soak up the epic tunes.
Where: 6/23 Musgrave Avenue
Moss n Stone
Moss n Stone offers the freshest and most on-trend blooms, arriving in-store daily. Delivering to all areas of the Gold and Tweed Coast, there are flowers and foliage for all occasions and persuasions. Also stocking an exquisite range of giftware, babywear and homewares, it’s your one stop shop for all things lovely, with a hint of uniqueness.
Where: 4/41 Musgrave Avenue
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Psst, there’s a new A-lister in town and she has it all. Class, it-girl feels, exclusivity, phenom eats, fancy sips, and…cacti #PricklesOurFancy. Plus, her home is in the hottest or coolest suburb in town, and isn’t it funny how these mean the complete opposite yet are both accurate #SameSameBut…Same. Roll out the red emerald green carpet friends for Burleigh’s The Malibu Racquet Club. Opening this Friday 23rd December and set to offer something extra special to the GC bar and restaurant landscape, all we can say is merry Christmas to US!
Perfect for a sunset sip, pre-dinner drink and/or sophisticated meal, guests can sit outside and enjoy the beautiful southern GC breezes, park inside at a table or private booth, or simply pull up a pew at the bar. As for looks, if you’re picturing mid-century Southern Cali inspired goodness, go straight to the top of the class coz the cacti might be prickly, but this is one smooth operator.
The Gold Coast Highway location was naturally chosen for optimal foot traffic factor, and we dare you to stroll past and not take a peek inside. The external façade of this former tattoo parlour is now a striking combo of off-white and emerald green, with gotta-have arch windows and arch doorway. The ceiling and all internal and external walls are Venetian Plaster, creating a depth of texture that screams luxe. The bar tops are pink crystal quartz – imported from Italy – and we suddenly feel mildly guilty using them as a resting place for our (empty) cocktail glasses.
The soft hue of said bar is stylishly offset by the glorious dark green mosaic floor, complimented by linen booth seating. We srly didn’t think our longing for linen could endure so long, but here we are staring down the barrel of another year and still crushing hard on this timeless textile. The theme and commitment to quality accents keeps on keeping on, right through to the red tyrolean bathrooms with custom-made hand basins.
The Modern Australian menu is an extension of the refined fit out, blending contemporary highlights with a serious nod to tradition. Each carefully curated dish emphasises quality and simplicity, none more so than the venue’s signature dish. The Whiskey Cured Salmon and Club Pickles served on crisp sourdough finished with dill crème fraiche & Siberian caviar is the stuff dreams are made of, best enjoyed with a Clase Azul Margarita. At $65 a pop, they certainly aren’t for the purse proud, but if you’re a margi fan (US!), you’ll happily part with next Saturday night’s dinner budget.
A unique selling point at The Malibu Racquet Club is the option to level up and become a member. This unlocks a whole new world of possibilities, including an exclusive membership menu with bottles ranging from $1,000 to an eye-watering $10,000. If you’ve been looking for somewhere to offload your ‘loose change’, this is it, and they’ll even look after your bottle (/small car/overseas holiday/private school fees/kid’s braces/…) for three months. You’ll be privy to special members’ events, plus score a VIP key ring and OHMYGOD, suddenly we’re 19 again with our Shooters, The Drink, Melba’s etc keyrings feeling important AF!
You’ve worked hard so these holidays, treat yourself at The Malibu Racquet Club and soak up the ultimate cocktail bar experience.
Where: 1740 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
When: 3pm – late Monday to Thursday & 1pm – late Friday to Sunday
Words by Bianca Trathen.
