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Orange point represents Queensland. |
Friday, 25 November 2011
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia: bars, clubs and nightlife
The Gold Coast has long been hailed as one of Australia's top party playgrounds and for good reason. Surfers Paradise, the city's main nightlife hub, has no less than 20 clubs, pubs and bars within a stone's throw of one another. This makes it the focal point for a big night out on the Coast but it's certainly not the only place to let your hair down.
Broadbeach, with its growing concentration of upmarket bars, clubs and restaurants, has more recently become the location of choice for a more laid-back nightlife experience. Much like Surfers, all of the venues are within walking distance of one another and there's the added bonus of Conrad Jupiters Casino just over the highway.
Stylish lounge bars, surf clubs and alfresco restaurants dominate the social scene on the Coast, where a warm climate and outdoor lifestyle override the pub culture found in other Australian cities. Surf clubs perched on prime beachfront positions are the locals choice while the alfresco dining strips found in many seaside suburbs are ideal for people-watching over wine and tappas.
There are three main precincts in Surfers Paradise, all within walking distance, which is great if you want to split your night over a few different venues.
Orchid Avenue is the main strip for nightclubs and adult entertainment, with Avenue, The Drink, Ruby Tramp, MyBar, Crazy Horse Cabaret & Bar, Shooters, Cocktails and Dreams, Hollywood Showgirls, Players Showgirls, Sin City, twenty1 bar, The Bedroom (and a police station) with most open until the wee hours.
On Cavill Avenue you'll find the local favourite Melbas where the city comes into its own with sexy waitstaff, cheesy dance tunes and platform dancing a must. If that's not enough, you can dance the night away at Elsewhere Bar or Escape Bar & Club which has a great view of Surfers Paradise beach. Also on Cavill is the Bavarian Haus beer hall, Fiddlers Green Irish Bar and, continuing the Irish theme, O'Malleys Irish Pub and Kitty o'Shea's at the beach end of Cavill Mall.
If all this sounds too much to negotiate unassisted, you can sign up for a pub crawl tour and attack the city's best drinking haunts in the company of like-minded souls.
For a more relaxed pace, head for Circle on Cavill or Chevron Renaissance. Both offer a mix of stylish alfresco restaurants and retail shopping in nice surrounds. Landsdowne Road Irish Tavern in Chevron Renaissance has a fun atmosphere with some outdoor seating and sport on the screen inside. Across the road from the Chevron precinct, the Clock Hotel on Surfers Paradise Boulevard has an outdoor beer garden that's ideal for watching everyone else go about their business while you drink beer.
In the Circle on Cavill precinct, Foxy Brown is a hip cocktail bar ideal for those who like a little conversation with their drinking while those who like their drinks extra cold will enjoy Minus 5 ice lounge & Vodka bar where patrons don furry-hooded coats and gloves to drink icy cold vodka from a glass made of ice served from a bar of ice .. we think you get the idea.
Titanium Bar, the official off-field venue of the Gold Coast Titans NRL team, is a sports bar and restaurant overlooking the Nerang River in Surfers Paradise. Catch the big game on the plasmas or nab a couch on the river deck. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of the mighty Titans is after home games.
Away from the main precinct but well worth the short cab ride is Swingin' Safari (Thursdays to Sundays), a house-come-club that's a marked departure from all other venues on the Coast. More like a big house party, the venue takes the form of a 70s beach shack complete with all the kitsch furnishings. Sit on a sofa lounge, raid the dress-up box, or play ping-pong in the back yard. There's a bar and DJ spinning the likes of Billy Jean or wherever the mood takes things.
Starting at the beach end of town you've got Kurrawa Surf Club, a largely family-friendly haunt around dinner time but also a great place to meet mates for a few well-priced beers and a meal. Across the road, Liars Bar has a pub feel to it with pool tables and live music on weekends. Alto, at the top of Broadbeach Mall, is a sleek lounge bar and restaurant that attracts stylish cocktail-supping sorts, with live DJ and other entertainment.
Broadbeach Mall is also home to Platinum Nightclub (open 9pm till late Thursday-Saturday; cover charge applies) the self-declared 'party central in Broadbeach', a claim backed up by a decent history of big-name DJs - think Carl Cox, Fedde Le Grand, Bloc Party - as well as its lineup of resident DJs. Fronting Platinum on Broadbeach Mall is partner bar Lil Sister (open 10am till late Wednesday-Sunday) where cocktails and tapas are served up in an open lounge-setting that's perfect for groups.
Heading onto Surf Parade, the suburb's alfresco dining strip, there are several uber cool bars to pop into for a drink and inviting restaurants for a bite to eat. A good late-night option along Surf Parade is East (open Thursday-Sunday, from 6.30pm for dinner, nightclub around 10pm-5am; cover charge applies after 10pm), an Asian-inspired restaurant and nightclub. Entry to the club is via Main Place Laneway.
Still on Surf Parade, but away from the main dining and retail strip, is another small hub of bars and restaurants. Moo Moo Wine Bar and Grill never fails to attract a crowd while nearby Lauxes (that's sexual spelt backwards, to keep you in the loop) is an inviting option for a drink or dinner.
Walk across the highway or catch the monorail ($2) from Oasis Shopping Centre to Jupiters Casino to try your luck on the punt, sip a coctail at Atrium bar or take in a live band at the Prince Albert, Tuesday through to Saturday nights.
Other popular bars, pubs and clubs across the Coast
- Fisherman's Wharf Tavern, Mariners Cove, Main Beach: Set on the Gold Coast Broadwater, meals and drinks come with a water view. Pub rock cover bands perform on weekends while Sunday sessions are popular.
- Shuck Restaurant & Bar, Tedder Avenue, Main Beach: A snazzy lounge bar that attracts the city's glamour set. Tappas on the menu and a decent wine list. Live music Friday and Saturday nights.
- Tooleys Bar & Restaurant, Tedder Avenue, Main Beach: A lively spot for a drink and easy bite to eat most days of the week. Wood-fired pizzas are the specialty.
- The Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta The Coast's best live music venue, the Cooly Hotel is a revolving door of big-name acts. Even if you're not up for a gig, grab a stool in the open bar overlooking the main drag, Marine Parade. Goolangatta Hotel gig guide http://www.thecoolyhotel.com.au/Gig-Guide.html
- Swell Tavern, Burleigh Heads: A hop, skip and a stumble from Burleigh beach, this is one of only a few late-night venues in the area. Attracts a fairly young tanned and toned crowd. Live bands, Djs, ping pong and pool.
- Mermaid Beach Tavern, Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach: A popular venue with 20 and 30-somethings. Catch a game in the sportsbar or hang around for a boogey to the band upstairs on weekends. Sunday sessions are good.
- The Grand Hotel, Labrador: Possibly the biggest pub venue on the northern Gold Coast, the Grand and the surrounding restaurants are an all-in-one option for those not keen on trekking south for a night out. Have dinner at one of several restaurants then move onto the bar where there live music and a dancefloor heat up on weekends.
- Courthouse Hotel, Southport The pub and adjoining restaurant punch well above their weight with regular events and promos to lure punters into the city's legal precinct. Pizzas specials, poker and pool nights, meal deals and live comedy make for an inviting mix.
- Nobby's Beach Surf Club: This otherwise unassuming beachfront venue draws a young, sexy set on Sundays when live music kicks in from 4pm. Get there early for a spot on the deck.
Dress code
Smart casual attire should get you into most Gold Coast venues. Best leave the thongs/flip-flops/jandles, singlets/vests, shorts, bikinis/speedos (unless you're attending a foam party in which case the rules may change) for the beach, especially if you're out after 5pm. Ripped, torn or dirty clothing and footwear won't help your cause either. Group/gang patches or insignia aren't permitted in certain venues. If you know where you're headed, it may be worth calling the venue ahead to check their dress code.
Gap Year!
Monday, 21 November 2011
Friday, 14 October 2011
Monday, 3 October 2011
Sunday, 14 August 2011
London School of Modelling photoshoot xx
On Saturday 12th March i had a photoshoot done at the London School of Modelling.....I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend it to anyone who either potentially wants to be a model or would just like to create a portfolio of pictures like i did.
Here is a link to their website......http://www.londonschoolofmodelling.com/
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