Six short weeks ago we were right here, gushing about hot goss on the Gold Coast hospitality scene.
We warned there was plenty more where that came from so, with word on the street dished up just for you, here’s four more epic new venues currently in the works across the north and south.
Bestow | Palm Beach
Owner of much-loved Palm Beach café, Feather and Docks, Vaughan is a Kiwi ex-pat who landed the Gold Coast eight years ago and got stuck. Which was a huge win for us, ‘cause with the help of partner Rihannan the duo has held a solid role in the Coast’s café revolution. Starting out with a mobile coffee cart in 2012, and next a café that was so popular it was forced to double in size after its first year, Vaughan and his cool tatted crew are a couple of months away from unleashing their next venture on us all. Solely a late-arvo-and-into-the-evening kinda venue, it’s intended the restaurant bar hybrid will offer relaxed fine-dining with a massive focus on locally-sourced produce, including cheeses and beers. The chef plans to work closely with farmers in the region to take advantage of the freshest seasonal ingredients available. Currently under construction across the road from Feather and Docks, rumour has it the crafty designer behind one of GC’s funkiest Mexican restaurants now has his hands on Bestow, so we can’t wait to see how the space evolves. Seriously peeps, there’s so much in the works and on the drawing board for sunny Palm Beach, we can hardly believe it. Watch this space!
Backbone Bar | Tugun
Given Palm Beach is literally warming up to become the next Nobby Beach, it’s no surprise the good stuff is trickling on down the road, with Tugun preparing to soon welcome its very own craft beer bar. Its name taking inspo from beer industry lingo, Backbone Bar will be brought to you by local lads, Chris and Ben who dreamt up the idea on a research trip to Sydney where they fell in love with a bar serving craft beer and dumplings. They instantly knew it was a concept the Gold Coast needed, snapping up a spot in Tugun and visualising a menu with baos, dumplings, craft beer, local craft spirits, and vinos. It doesn’t hurt they’re best mates with the crew from Black Hops Brewery either, and are based a short distance from Balter. With plans on track to open late August, we love the boy’s resourcefulness in engaging as many beer-loving tradie mates as possible, many of which have happily accepted beer currency for their services. #gold
Swannie’s | Southport
Not Tonight Bar has long been the late-night beacon for bevvies and good times at the northern end of the Gold Coast. Soon, the waking-from-its-slumber scene in Southport will be joined by a cool new café cum tapas bar, Swannie’s. Work is currently underway to completely overhaul the space in Swan House, a 1970s building on Nerang Street, while still retaining the beautiful heritage feel. Details are being held somewhat tightly, but we reckon northern corporates and residents should be keeping their eyes peeled for this new destination for coffee, brunch, and post-work drinkies seven days and nights a week.
The “NEW” Avenue | Surfers Paradise
If you’ve surpassed your 23rd birthday and are no longer a regular to the Surfers Paradise glitter strip, maybe the d-floor of a thumping new $3 million nightclub might coax you further north than Broadbeach on your next birthday/buck’s/hen’s night? With developers consuming more space to squeeze in even MORE high rises, progress in the heart of Surfers Paradise’s entertainment centre has forced the recent closure of 30-year-old nightspot, The Avenue. Yet par-tay goers are set to be the beneficiaries of said changes, with the forced closure resulting in an exciting new era for the city’s longest running nightclub. The Avenue, which first opened in 1984 (hello, big hair!), has just this week launched a brand spanking new two-story bar and nightclub across the way on Orchid Avenue. Boozy Girl’s Night this weekend, perhaps?
Pssst! Yeah you! Know of more new openings in the works on the Gold Coast? Spill the beans by emailing us at: editorgc@metropolist.com.au
Photo Credit: Hayley Williamson for Metropolist