Fat Freddy’s Beach Bar And Diner

The Verdict

Located under the five-star Avani Apartments in Broadbeach, Fat Freddy’s is nailing the true American sports bar style, with a coastal twist. Picture: dark leather banquette booths and stools, dark wood rafters overhead and floorboards underfoot, while bi-fold doors allow those signature GC rays to flood inside—or, as owner Ben Walsh dubs it, “a clean cut dive bar”.

Sports lovers will gravitate to the seats around the bar, where seven TV screens simultaneously stream live sports from around the world. Head in early for the outrageously good value happy hour (think: $2.50 half pints or $10 jugs of Fat Freddy’s lager and $4 bubbles from 3:30pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday). Next prepare to feast on refined bar snacks like crumbed jalapeno poppers filled with ricotta and topped with a chipotle chilli, BBQ spiced popcorn (move over French fries) and four cheese mac and cheese croquettes drizzled with truffle mayo. You’ll also want to wrap your mouth around the low-and-slow brisket burger or, lock your radar on the Po Boy loaded with Moreton Bay bug or the pimped up New York hotdog with mustard, smoked ketchup and crispy onions.

In true American style, there’s a solid range of bourbons, ryes and whiskies on full display along the mirror-lined back bar. But it’s the guilty pleasures beckoning from the front page of the drinks list that’ll have you doing a double take. Spiked sodas and boozy shakes like the Pablo Escobar (espresso martini thickshake with ice cream foam and shaved chocolate) or the Miami Vice Splice-Cream (Midori, lime, pineapple, ice cream and a coconut foam topper) are dangerously good.

Image credit: Kaitlin Maree for Urban List