Juju, Nobby Beach
After teasing us for what felt like forever, we finally got a taste of JuJu in October and oh boy, was it worth the wait. Redefining Gold Coast nightlife with its blend of upscale dining and after-party vibes, JuJu has transformed the former Hellenika space into a spectacular Euro-inspired, 400-seater that spans two levels. The venue is the brainchild of Gold Coasters Cody Beck and Trent Redman, who is no stranger to creating exceptional dining experiences (Kenjin, Su Casa Nightclub and Rooftop and Kommunity). With an impressive modern Australian menu curated by chef YK, who has spent the past decade working in kitchens around the world including a Michelin-starred restaurant in Korea as well as the now-closed Aubergine restaurant in Canberra and The Ritz-Carlton in Naples, diners can expect everything from kingfish sashimi to mouth-watering wagyu steaks, all designed for grazing or indulgence. But the fun doesn’t end when the bill arrives, in fact, your night is just getting started. Head upstairs to the rooftop bar, where cocktails, a tequila cart and a DJ-sax duo await. Intentionally and delightfully blurring the line between restaurant and nightlife, JuJu was a very welcome addition to the Gold Coast’s sipping scene.

Cadillac Supper Club, Palm Beach
Cadillac Supper Club is the eagerly anticipated follow-up from the team behind Coolangatta’s much-loved Bar Evelyn, so it was always destined to be a roaring success. Delivering a dash of retro charm and a touch of art-deco flair to Palm Beach, this stylish hole-in-the-wall venue walks the line between restaurant and lively late-night bar with ease, bringing vinyl DJs, classic cocktails and an atmosphere that is perfect for lingering a little longer. The menu boasts Italian-American-inspired dishes with a European twist, including the iconic bug roll, charcoal-grilled mains and a standout Cadillac burger. Sip on perfectly crafted ‘petinis’ or a whiskey-based boulevardier and enjoy the elegant yet laid-back vibe as the night unfolds. Whether you’re here for dinner or just drinks, Cadillac Supper Club blends old-school cool with modern style in all the right ways.

Moustache, Nobby Beach
Creating a venue that is equally as enjoyable during the day as it is at night is not an easy feat, but it’s one Brodie Green (Buoy, formerly Seadog) has conquered with his latest project, Moustache. At only 26-sqm, the sip spot has certainly packed a lot into its small space, including a coffee machine that fires up from early morning pumping out strong Italian coffee, a hidden laneway lined with tables, a punchy selection of wines and cocktails and a hibachi grill that infuses the fare with that unmistakable flame-kissed flavour. Delivering a taste of coastal Europe, Moustache features simple yet utterly delicious dishes like Eggs in Purgatory for breakfast and, as the day drifts into evening, sharable plates like beef tartare and charcoal-grilled snapper take the lead. When it comes to drinks, expect a concise but sharp list that gently leads you outside of your comfort zone. A definite must-try!

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Cowboys, Surfers Paradise
Yeehaw! Saddle up, Gold Coast – Cowboys has arrived. Bringing a taste of America’s south west, this wild new cowboy-themed bar has gone all out with western-inspired decor, taxidermied Longhorns, custom-made shuffleboard tables, darts and a mechanical bull that promises the “best eight seconds of your life.” When it comes to the food, Cowboys delivers a full lineup of classic pub fare, including their signature Well Hung Cowboy kebab, ribs, pizza and burgers. Rounding out the entertainment offering is line dancing on Tuesdays and karaoke on Sundays. 

Sporting Globe x 4 Pines, Surfers Paradise
If you grew up on the Gold Coast, chances are you have at least one hazy story that involves traipsing up (and down) the stairs at the Hard Rock Cafe. The slightly sticky floor, the bands, the burgers – it was an icon, no doubt about it. When the much-loved sip spot called last drinks in 2022, it left a guitar-shaped hole in our hearts. After a brief hiatus, we got our first glimpse at its successor back in June of this year, and it was big. The venue saw two industry titans come together to create one incredible spot called The Sporting Globe x 4 Pines. The $6.5-million boozer is a sports- and beer-lover’s dream come true, with 60 screens, a massive 1000-person capacity and an onsite brewery crafting 4 Pines’ finest brews. Enjoy a menu of crowd-pleasers like signature wings, mouth-watering burgers and loaded fries, or blow the froth off while watching the game in a private booth or the open-air balcony. As the night heats up, the venue transforms into a lively late-night hangout with live music and entertainment.

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Roji Cat, Miami
Bringing the neon-lit energy of Osaka’s Dotonbori and Tokyo’s Shinjuku Golden Gai to the Gold Coast is Roji Cat Beer Bar in Miami. The venue’s narrow, alley-like layout feels serendipitously perfect, reminiscent of the hidden streets of Tokyo, where adventure awaits around every corner and behind every door. From the moment you step inside, neon lights and intimate nooks invite you to explore. A standout feature is the electric dart boards, and for those ready to let loose, a private karaoke room offers the chance to sing your heart out in near sound-proof privacy. At the heart of Roji Cat is brewer Satoshi’s passion for beer. The bar boasts a dozen house-made beers on tap, with crowd-pleasers including Toshi’s Japanese rice lager and Black lager. You won’t go hungry at Roji Cat, with a menu that delivers an elevated take on Japanese street food. Think yuzu-karaage chicken, kimchi burgers and perfectly grilled robata. Roji Cat is the perfect blend of beer, bites and bangers.

Lulu Rooftop & Bar, Surfers Paradise
Bringing a splash of Miami glamour to the Gold Coast, this stunning $1.59 million gem in Surfers Paradise was always guaranteed to turn heads. With its electric art-deco style, abundant greenery and a striking LuLu Frosé Wall offering six boozy frozen flavours, it’s become the go-to spot for bubble-filled brunches, long lunches and sun-soaked afternoons. The menu features beachy bites like tuna tacos, popcorn chicken and the mouth-watering Lulu Bug Club, while the cocktail list serves up everything from pornstar martinis to the signature Lulu spritz. DJs keep the vibes high spinning everything from laid-back house during the day to high-energy nu-disco as the sun descends.

Eska, Nobby Beach
This is one of those entries that could absolutely have been at home on any of our end-of-year round-ups. Eska, the new sashimi and champagne bar at Nobby Beach, is bringing fresh, high-quality seafood to the Gold Coast with an elevated yet casual takeaway experience. The 60-seater venue, founded by the team behind Okazu and Rafiki, offers a delectable selection of sashimi (with tuna, kingfish and two types of salmon), ready to be sliced and served to your liking. For a heartier bite, you’ll find char-grilled prawns, XO chilli mussels, and the standout ‘fillet o-fish’ sando. Pair your feast with light, fresh wines, including fizzy pet nats and champagne, or grab a seat at the bar for an informal yet delicious seafood feast by the beach. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a leisurely meal, Eska promises top-notch seafood and laid-back vibes.

Sunny Days Distillery, Burleigh Heads
Earlier this year, the Burleigh-born spirit sensation Sunny Days Distillery unveiled a massive new 1,100 sqm taproom, bringing a fun, vibrant atmosphere to the Gold Coast. Born out of a pandemic hobby, the distillery’s founders have crafted a premium range of vodka, including their top-shelf Ariane and the lively Pink Dot, alongside their popular Sunny Days RTDs in playful flavours like Fruit Tingle and Musk Stick. The new venue pours these creations fresh on tap, alongside beers, wines, and vodka-based cocktails like the Aperol Cosmopolitan. With live entertainment, family-friendly acoustic sessions and comfort food from the FIX on 66 food truck (think jerk chicken nachos and Sloppy Joe toasties), Sunny Days is the perfect spot for a group hang with good vibes and great drinks.Mirror Bar, Surfers Paradise
Seeing double is normally a sign you need to make a hasty exit for home, but in the case of Surfers Paradise’s new immersive bar experience, that’s all part of the fun. Mirror Bar is being hailed the ‘first of its kind’ where the entire venue – including the floor, ceiling, walls and even the bar itself – are all made of mirrors. The venue is the latest from Bobby and Charlotte Stephens, the duo that brought us Ice Bar, which opened in February 2024. The pair were on the lookout (pun intended) for a similarly fun concept to utilise the space above their winter wonderland when Bobby had the idea for a mirror bar. When we say everything is made from mirrors, we mean it. The seats, the tables, the bar, the walls, the ceiling, and yes, even the floor. As you step inside the bar, you are greeted with your own reflection from every possible angle. The Kaleidoscope room, however, will make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a scene from Alice in Wonderland. With mirrors at all different angles and LED-strip lighting creating fun effects, it’s a wild sensory experience.

If you’re up for a little road trip in search of excellent beverages, head south to Ventura Brewing and sip some boozy ‘buch or head to Mount Tamborine to sip a spritz with an Australian twist at Lorborn.