The 7 best rooftop bars on the Gold Coast for a scenic night out
The Gold Coast’s structure and location make it a uniquely appealing spot for rooftop bars: year-round mild weather, iconic views of both the cityscape and the ocean, a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, and an openness to diversity in food and drink.
What’s more, the city hosts a lot of these rooftop bars, so you won’t go lacking for options. If anything, you might start to get overwhelmed by all the choices! While any one of these places would give you a great night out, it’s a good idea to think about which one will appeal best to your current mood.
1. Nineteen at The Star
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Website: https://www.star.com.au/goldcoast/eat-and-drink/restaurants/nineteen-at-the-star
Address: Level 19, The Darling at The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Contact details: 1800 074 344
Operating hours:
- Friday (lunch): 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Tuesday – Saturday (dinner): 5:30 pm onwards
- Wednesday – Saturday (bar): 4:00 pm onwards
Nineteen at The Star is a large, integrated resort in Broadbeach that offers a casino, multiple restaurants, wellness facilities, a ballroom and theatre, and of course several bars — one of which is Nineteen at The Star.
Nineteen at The Star is a combination restaurant and bar with an upscale, luxury vibe. You’ll get to enjoy fantastic ocean views to the east, as you’re served haute cuisine dishes paired with carefully-chosen wines. Expect a high-end menu with selections like rock oysters, caviar, lobster, and wagyu beef.
On Saturdays, the drinks menu specialises in spritzes: aperol, elderflower and mint, and strawberry. Enjoy these with oysters, olives, and a charcuterie plate.
You can also book the place for events — anything from an intimate birthday gathering between friends, to a cocktail party for your entire business department.
If you’re aiming to take your friends out for a great time, grow your business network in style, or plan a special night for a special someone, you could hardly pick a better rooftop bar.
2. The Island Rooftop
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Website: https://www.theislandgoldcoast.com.au/the-island-rooftop/
Address: 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
Contact details: +61 7 5538 8000
Operating hours:
- Thursday: 4:00 pm onwards
- Friday – Sunday: 11:00 am onwards
The Island Rooftop in Surfers Paradise boasts a large, open-air space with a tropical vibe: sunlight, trees and plants, and lots of fresh air.
Live music will keep you entertained as you relax with friends, enjoying the breeze and the panoramic views of the Gold Coast CBD. On Fridays, DJs will play their tunes for you from 5:00 pm until far into the night.
As for food and drink, choose between steak, prosciutto, salami cotto, calamari, and other meals and snacks. (An impossible choice, but in a good way.) Drinks include mimosas, mojitos, spritzes, and a multitude of wines.
All these attractions and culinary delights make The Island Rooftop a great choice for social gatherings and large groups looking for a relaxed atmosphere.
3. The Collective Palm Beach
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Website: https://thecollectivepalmbeach.com.au/
Address: 1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Contact details: (07) 5618 8229
Operating hours: 12:00 pm onwards (Every day)
The Collective at Palm Beach is a good choice if you aren’t yet sure what you want to eat: you’ll have your pick of 4 restaurants in a single venue, with cuisines from Latin America, Asia, Italy, and the US at your fingertips.
The Collective’s rooftop area is great for corporate get-togethers and social cocktail parties. Even huge gatherings of up to 120 people (standing room) are possible here. Seats, tables, and lounges will keep you in comfort as you catch up with work colleagues or old friends, taking in the sunset and hinterland views.
The venue is equally good for families looking for a casual dining spot with lots of food options and a great natural backdrop.
At the tables, you’ll have your choice of steaks, burgers, pizza, pasta, and more. Special dietary menus and kids’ menus are on offer as well. For dessert, don’t forget to grab some ice cream at the bar (it’s free for children).
4. The Exhibitionist Bar at HOTA
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Website: https://theexhibitionistbar.com.au/
Address: 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Contact details: 0755887001
Operating hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Exhibitionist Bar, located within the grounds of the Home of The Arts in Surfers Paradise, presents a creative atmosphere inspired by art exhibits. Expect stunning views overlooking the Surfers Paradise skyline and the rest of the city. The atmosphere is artistic and a little whimsical, but relaxed.
The food menu presents choices such as various appetizers, pizzas with unusual toppings (think prawn and pumpkins), and heavy fare like Angus beef ribs. As for drinks, look for smoked Pina Coladas, Beefeater Gins, martinis, bourbons, and gin tonics.
We were fascinated to see that the cocktail menu actually changes regularly to complement whatever art exhibits are currently on display — making the Exhibitionist Bar a fitting choice for creatives who love exploring things from every angle.
It’s also a good place to take someone on a date: the rotating menu and nearby art exhibits will give you two endless topics for conversation.
5. Justin Lane Rooftop
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Website: https://justinlane.com.au/home/
Address: 1708 – 1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Contact details: +0755768517
Operating hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 5:00 pm onwards
- Friday – Sunday: 12:00 pm onwards
Justin Lane, nestled along the Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh Heads, is a restaurant plus Italian-inspired rooftop bar. Patrons get sweeping views of Burleigh Beach, wood-fired pizzas to fill the belly, and cocktails and spirits to feed the soul.
Their menu includes lunches and dinners, plus vegan options, with an emphasis on large and delicious pizzas. Pastas, shared appetizers, and slabs of juicy meat are on offer as well.
As for drinks, get ready to try a wide array of cocktails such as margaritas, negronis, and fruity concoctions. We recommend the passionfruit and chilli margarita — two things we never expected to go together. In the mood for whisky, vodka, or gin instead? There are options for you here too.
Justin Lane Rooftop is a versatile space: besides casual dates and great beach views, it also works well for events like anniversaries, birthday parties, and even wedding receptions. The atmosphere is easy, social, and intimate, well-suited to both small and large gatherings.
6. Frida Sol
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Website: http://www.fridasol.com.au/
Address: 1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Contact details: 0755257437
Operating hours:
- Every day (dinner): 5:00 pm onwards
- Wednesday – Sunday (lunch): 12:00 pm onwards
Frida Sol is a bar and taqueria in Palm Beach, open 7 nights a week for dinner and drinks. This venue is Mexican-themed, and true to form, you’ll find colorful murals, decor, hanging plants, and even cacti dotted here and there for a festive ambience.
Frida Sol’s aesthetic interior is as good for taking photos as it is for getting a meal and some drinks. The venue is great for Mexican cuisine lovers, folks wanting a wide selection of drinks, and even families with children. It’ll work for a date night, too.
Food options include, naturally, tons of Mexican fare. Expect tapas, nachos, quesadillas, and burrito bowls. The braised beef, calamari, or pulled pork tacos are big favorites. There are vegan and gluten-free options available, as well as a kids’ menu.
Drinks include a whole spectrum of thirst-quenching choices, from sweet to spicy; and from light and refreshing to heavy. Martinis, margaritas, sours, and coladas are on offer. Try the coconut margarita for something fruity, sweet, and sour all at once. Want something a little lighter and fresher? Go for the Sandia Margarita.
7. Burleigh Pavilion
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Website: https://burleighpavilion.com/home/
Address: 3a/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Contact details: +61756619050
Operating hours: 11:00 am onwards (Every day)
For sunny beachside vibes, clean air, and fresh drinks, you can’t beat Burleigh Pavilion.
The venue’s bar and restaurant is right up against the ocean, providing an iconic oceanfront view, an endless-summer feel, and a spacious area well-suited to large groups. Do you want the sun on your face, or a roof over your head? Indoor and outdoor seating are both available.
It’s a fantastic spot to take photos, as well as grab a bite and a drink.
Food items include shared appetizers like fries and oysters, meat and seafood mains (imagine eating steak at the beach), burgers, pizzas, and kids’ meals.
As for drinks, expect crafted cocktails like spicy margaritas, espresso martinis, alcohol-free mocktails, and fruity concoctions like Pimm’s Jug. Oh, and milkshakes for the kids.
Burleigh Pavilion is also a lively spot with events going on almost constantly: Monday pasta nights, taco Tuesdays, DJ nights, and regular “kids eat free” days. So pop in anytime you’re available — you’ll likely stumble into something interesting no matter what day of the week it is.
| Nineteen at The Star | The Island Rooftop | The Collective Palm Beach | The Exhibitionist Bar at HOTA | Justin Lane Rooftop | Frida Sol | Burleigh Pavilion | |
| Location | The Darling at The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach | 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise | 1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach | 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise | 1708 – 1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads | 1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach | 3a/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads |
| Best for | Upscale evenings and events, special occasions | Social gatherings and large groups wanting a relaxed atmosphere | Professional or social get-togethers, families with kids | Artistic folks, intimate evenings, novelty experiences | Casual dates, anniversaries, birthdays, receptions | Mexican cuisine lovers, families with children, date nights | Beachside vibes, group outings, photo opportunities |
| Features | Ocean views, high-end cuisine, curated drinks | Live music, urban views, open-air seating | Varied cuisine, flexible seating, sunset views | Rotating cocktail menu, art exhibits, skyline views | Beach views, good drinks menu, versatile space | Decorated interior, sunset views | Oceanfront views, live music, near-daily events |
| Food and drinks | Oysters, lobster, spritzes, Kalimna Rose, L’Orange Sour | Steak, prosciutto, wines, mimosas, mojitos | Steak, burgers, pizza, pasta, ice cream | Beef ribs, pizzas, Pina Coladas, martinis, bourbons | Pizza, margaritas, unique fruity cocktails | Mexican food: tapas, nachos, quesadillas, tacos | Meat and seafood, burgers, pizzas, cocktails and mocktails |