16 Of The Best Spots To Catch Live Music On The Gold Coast

Gone are the days when the Gold Coast was just known for it's gorgeous beaches. Now, we boast that and so much more, like our a seriously talented creative scene with talented local musos and rad gig spaces. 

The Coast has got a wide range of genres and vibes to cater for every music lover, and to make catching a gig even easier, we’ve wrapped up the best live music venues on the Gold Coast for you.

Miami Marketta

Miami

A favourite among Gold Coast locals, Miami Marketta is always bringing us something new but one thing remains the same—killer live beats every Friday and Saturday ‘til late. With big name acts like Matt Corby, Dean Lewis and Meg Mac rocking out on their stage in the past, get your weekly dose of music at one of our favourite live music haunts on the Coast.

Our tip? Get there early to devour cheap and mouth-watering eats from the food stalls and throw back a cocktail at the Gin Parlour. 

Nightjar 

Burleigh Heads

Hidden down Justin Laneway, keep your eyes and ears open for the roller doors, neon sign, and the sound of live music and fun and there you have it—Burleigh's very own Rock n’ Roll dive bar—Nightjar. This back alley joint is where the party pops off and you can let your hair down in their laid-back atmosphere with good old, anti-establishment fun with live music or a DJ every night of the week.

From 7pm till midnight, there are cold beers and refreshing cocktails and spirits for you to sink all night long. There's also an added bonus of Hospo Tuesdays to get those servers on the other side of the bar and you can drink like a sailor on Sailor Jerry Thursdays. Head down for any night of the week for some live music, drinks, and a whole lot of good vibes.

Burleigh Bazaar

Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Bazaar is undoubtedly one of the OG's of live music here on the Gold Coast. Nestled in the Burleigh industrial estate, Burleigh Bazaar fuses a night market and live music venue into one epic space. 

The converted warehouse has indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of food trucks to fill your stomach after all your dancing—here you'll find BBQ smoked meats, focaccia, handmade pizzas, Brazilian croquettes and more. Burleigh Bazaar swings open its doors every Friday and Saturday night but it's also open for special events and venue hire.

Soundlounge

Currumbin 

Tucked away on the top floor of the Currumbin RSL you’ll find the epic Soundlounge—an adaptable space that focuses on transforming the music scene on the Gold Coast with its diverse selection of original local, national, and international touring artists. 

Don’t let the RSL scare you off, this fabulous venue was the 2015 winner of ‘Best Music Venue Gold Coast’ and it has yet to disappoint. Acts like Sarah Blasko, Angus & Julie Stone, and Tijuana Cartel have blown the roof off when performing here and Soundlounge is constantly releasing new events weekly for your dose of live music.

Eddie's Grub House 

Coolangatta 

There’s always something happening at Eddie's and we love it, from the mouth-watering American-style burgers to the cold beers to chase it down with but most importantly the live music that happens down here. 

Friday nights always have an act singing and performing on the stage but Saturday nights are their signature Grub Nights with different artists each week and the best thing—free entry both nights. This grubby mixing pot of whiskey, fried chicken, and heartbreakers has your evening boogie sessions all planned out and ready to go with their constant live music gigs and good vibes at Eddie’s Grub House. 

Den Devine

Broadbeach 

Inspired by New Orleans, New York and Chicago's music scene, Den Devine Restaurant and Bar has all your live music needs in an electric and unique venue. You will be transported to the heart and soul of music with their unique atmosphere where you can enjoy some of the best live music on offer only at Den Devine. 

Den Devine is one of the 2023 Gold Coast Music Awards (GCMAs) winners for the 'Best Music Venue on the Gold Coast' for a reason. Make sure to follow along with their socials and visit for a night of music, booze, fun, and laughter. 

Vinnie's Dive Bar 

Southport 

This grungy Southport dive bar is everything you imagine when you picture a dive bar. It’s dark and grimy, and yet you’ll always feel welcome and comfortable here—the true dive bar feel. 

Vinnie’s Dive Bar is jam-packed with upcoming gigs featuring heavy metal and grunge-style bands for all metal heads on the Gold Coast. They are loud and they are proud and they are waiting for you to headbang your night away here at Vinnie’s, so add it to your hit-list of best Gold Coast music venues.

Mo’s Desert Clubhouse 

Burleigh Heads

Tequila, tapas, and live music—the three specialties of Mo’s Desert Clubhouse. Decked out with cacti-filled drum kits, an extravagant psychedelic mural, homely couches and makeshift pallet tables this gritty, creative music space is something we are head over heels for. 

With live music and events each week your calendar will always be filled. Before heading over to the warehouse for their main events make sure to get some margaritas and tacos and enjoy a pre-show at their vibrant new sister bar El Ranchero. Follow along with their ever-updating gig list at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse.

The Avenue 
Surfers Paradise 

From DJs to live vocals, The Avenue has it all. With their constant flow of talent that graces the stage and gets the crowds on their feet, this is where your time should be spent. No matter if you're finishing the day off with some live music, a cold one, and a hearty feed or you’re kickstarting your night with a DJ set and some bevs, The Avenue has you covered.

From Friday to Sunday, live music acts bring good vibes and both Friday and Saturday nights turn into a nightclub with both their resident and featured DJs. Head to their socials to keep up to date on the fantastic talent performing at The Avenue.

Soho Place 

Broadbeach 

Hidden in plain sight, this dimly-lit gem is a lucky find if you can manage to hunt it down. Through the discrete red telephone box entry you’ll step into a window-less vortex where time fades away and you’ll come out feeling like the doctor. Soho Place is a London-themed ‘small bar’ here on the Gold Coast supplying the best tunes, vibes, and service. 

From Tuesday to Sunday, Soho Place is delivering some of the best and unique talent with their constant flow of live music acts. They go a little more fancy down there at Soho Place with their medium to top self spirits (Belvedere Vodka being their first pour), local craft beer, and fun cocktails to sip on while you jam out to some tunes.

elsewhere 

Surfers Paradise 

Serving you since 2003, elsewhere on the Gold Coast really is something else. They have the lights, the drinks, the vibe, and most importantly the live music we have all come for. From Thursday to Sunday, this magical venue is here to entertain and transport you to a state of escapism from the outside world. 

Let your worries fade elsewhere while you party the nights away listening to live acts at this fun and mesmerising nightclub-meets-bar venue.

Waxy’s Irish Pub 

Surfers Paradise 

Try the luck of the Irish at Waxy’s Irish Pub in Surfers Paradise. With banging bands and live performers playing here from Wednesday to Sunday, they have your week's worth of live music sorted out. 

Right in the heart of Surfers, this traditional Irish pub is the perfect spot to spend your evenings with friends listening to local talent and having a refreshing pint of ale. Loaded with Irish charm, this little pot of gold is a Gold Coast live music spot you need to visit.

Finn McCool's 

Surfers Paradise 

It’s a battle of the Irish on this list with Finn McCool's Irish Pub bringing the competition to the Gold Coast. With live music every Thursday to Sunday, this bustling pub is renowned for featuring some of the best local talent the Gold Coast has to offer. 

Finn McCool’s is the place to be for a banging Irish party so head on down for the best live music, good conversation, a good song and dance, and of course a Guinness and whiskey. Wherever you go, whatever you do, may the luck of the Irish be there with you. 

Cafe Catalina

Southport

Every Friday to Sunday afternoon, the sun-loving chillers at Cafe Catalina are bringing you the best live, acoustic tunes.

Bring along your dog, grab a cocktail and set yourself up to listen to vinyl, saxaphone, and DJs at their laidback Sunset Sessions. Promoting local musicans is something this joint is proud of, so be sure to add them into your weekend hit list. 

The Coolangatta Hotel

Coolangatta

Gracing our southern foreshore, The Cooly Hotel is one of the top spots for live music on the Gold Coast. There’s something about walking straight from the sand dunes into the pub that really gives us holiday vibes and everybody knows that sea salt hair is best swished in front of a stage.

With big acts hailing from around Australia and further abroad singing on the regular, check out this joint if you’re serious about catching live shows worthy of an autograph.

The Local Tavern

Surfers Paradise 

Need a new local for all your musical needs? Then, head on down to The Local Tavern in Surfers Paradise for your weekend dose of like music with their acoustic Fridays and their live music Saturdays. Everything from soul to blues The Local is here to deliver. 

Located within the central buzz of Surfers Paradise, The Local Tavern is exactly what your ‘local’ pub should be. Complete with icy cold beers, hearty meals, live sport, and of course what we are all here for, the amazing and energetic live music. For a true Aussie pub experience, there’s nowhere that does it better than The Local Tavern.

Honourable mentions go to Hound & Stag, Burleigh Town Hotel, Burleigh Pavilion and The Cambus Wallace. 

Looking for more joints to sink a few cold ones on the Gold Coast? Here are the Gold Coast's best bars.

Image credit: Miami Marketta