If your reading this that probably means you are planning a visit to the Gold Coast, or you’re curious about its growing club scene, so let me be the first to welcome you to our beautiful plastic city, full of Barbie blondes, beach babes and plastic surgery. And that’s just the guys…

Where to start on your clubbing experience on the Gold Coast? Well, a few years ago I would have told you to get a cab or bus straight to the train station and hightail it up to Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, the epicenter of Queensland clubbing. But times have changed, and the Gold Coast has come of age as a clubbing destination for Queensland clubbers. Headed by one of the Gold Coast’s premier nightclub, Platinum, Gold Coast punters have been fortunate enough to have numerous destinations for a great night out. This feature will hopefully provide you some insight as to the Gold Coast’s nightlife and from it hopefully you can make some wise decisions and have some great nights out while enjoying our little piece of paradise.

The best nightclubs on the Gold Coast I will talk about a little bit, as really apart from these there’s nowhere else your probably wanting to go. But first…

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The infamous lockout!

You may not be aware but in Queensland, thanks to our ridiculous state government, on the Gold Coast and Brisbane we are under the ‘lockout law’. This basically means that at 3am you cannot enter (or re-enter) a nightclub venue. So say it’s 3:15am and you go outside for a smoke or to make a phone call, you cannot re-enter the club. Please be aware of this when heading out because there is nothing you can do to get back into the nightclub. Don’t worry we all hate it just as much as you! Now back onto helping you choose your selected destination for a good night out…

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Nights of the week, and what they mean to your night out:

Every city has a different ‘big’ night out. For example Sunday nights in Brisbane are basically dead, whilst on the Gold Coast Sunday nights are one of the biggest of the week. Hopefully this helps you with your planning a good night out.

Monday – It’s a Monday night… what are you going out for?! Try Melba’s perhaps.

Tuesday – Prince Albert Bar at Casino has a massive student night so get in early, and I mean early! If you get there at 8pm you’ll line up for 2 hours so arrive 7-7:30pm and you should be right. It’s a big meat-market if you’re trying to get some local talent with a pretty young university crowd though. It’s also ladies night in Surfers Paradise with the Bronze Boys (strippers) at Shooters. Ladies get free champagne on arrival so usually there’s a few in there. Also check out Capitol Lounge Bar in Main Beach for $5 Pizza and $4 Coronas.

Wednesday – Notorious (RnB) night at the Drink is the biggest and best RnB night on the Gold Coast. If you like 50 Cent, Eminem and the like, and wanna head to a nightclub with beefy gangster types groping at you, then the Drink’s your spot.

Thursday – This is also a massive student night on the Gold Coast, and so there’s cheap drink specials in town early in the night. Most specials run from 8pm till 10-11pm. Best bets are Sugar Shack for $1 beers and champagne or Rose & Crown for $2 basic spirits, beers and champagne. Mybar later on usually gets a few people in there although it can be a little hit and miss.

Friday – Generally a quiet night on the Gold Coast. We aren’t renowned for having big Friday nights on the town, usually it’s more a pub night. For pubs check out the Mermaid Tavern or Varsity Lakes Tavern, or you could try your luck at Elsewhere, Platinum or Ruby Tramp.

Saturday – The biggest night of the week for the Gold Coast. Everywhere will be pumping and full, unless there’s a public holiday on the Sunday or a big event like Big Day Out the next day. Platinum and Elsewhere will be rammed so get in early to avoid disappointment – check both websites for club listings. Elsewhere will also have a line so get there by 10pm to be safe. If in Surfers, it would also be worthwhile  checking out Mybar and Bedroom, and if you’re in Broadbeach check out Quest. Platinum is the best bet ordinarily and they usually have a interstate or international guest playing.

Sunday – Probably the second biggest night of the weekend. Head to “Fisho’s” (Fisherman’s Wharf, Marina Mirage) for the best way to start your Sunday evening. Packed virtually every single weekend, your best bet would be to get there before 6pm (some get there from 2pm) otherwise you could be stuck in a line for hours, and I do mean hours! It’s also a bit of a meat-market, but it overlooks the beautiful Marina Mirage and is a wonderful place to see the sunset on a nice day. It closes at 11pm but you want to be gone by around 9-10pm at the absolute latest.

Public Holidays – These are always the biggest nights of the year. If there is a public holiday the next day then the entire GC will be out and about. Usually all the clubs gear up for these events by bringing the big names to town. Most public holidays are the same as the rest of the country except the Queen’s Birthday public holiday is Monday 12th June so differs to some parts of Australia. Also we have the Gold Coast Show Holiday on Friday September 1st. The show holiday is probably the biggest night of the year.

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Platinum Nightclub

Located in Broadbeach mall, Platinum has been leading the way in bringing quality internationals and interstate artists to the Gold Coast and lays claim to being the Gold Coast’s “premier nightclub”. A massive club capable of holding around 1,500 patrons, the club is consistently applauded for its super friendly staff, massive toilets (never a cue, ever) and they even serve glasses of water free of charge.

Friday Nights – Vary between hard dance/trance/hard house and then house nights depending on the artists playing on the night. Some internationals that have played through the past year include James Lawson, Organ Donors, Captain Tinrib, Andy Farley, BK and Lisa Lashes to name a few.

Saturday Nights - House music all the way baby, with regular interstate artists and international guests. Some big names to roll through in the past include Sandy Rivera, Kaskade and Miguel Migs.

Sunday Nights - Platinum Nightclub only usually opens on Sunday nights for big special events. These events recently include Platinum pres. Sasha, Ministry of Sound feat. Axwell, Slinky feat. Scott Bond & Dave Lea, and the Official Big Day Out Boiler Room After Party with Infusion and Kid Kenobi.

Popular Sydney night Kink also hosts a monthly party at Platinum, as well as Melbourne’s very own One Love. The club has an international or interstate artist playing every single weekend, so when coming to the Gold Coast be sure to check it’s website for listings.

Fat Facts
Address: Niecon Plaza, Broadbeach Mall
Open: Friday & Saturday Nights 9pm – 5am
Website: http://www.platinumnightclub.com.au
Phone: (07) 55 924 433

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Elsewhere

Located in Surfers Paradise, Elsewhere is one of the Gold Coast’s premier house venues. Sexy and stylish, the small club is popular on the Gold Coast and some will say is the hardest to get into. The music policy is a unique one in Queensland with house and slamming electro. Not “Ministry of Sound electro”, but genuine electro and thumping house music. The music at Elsewhere is about as cutting edge as you will find anywhere in Queensland and the only club you’ll find electro in the Sunshine State. Elsewhere has a pretty selective door policy, dress to impress or you wont be entering their club. Tsubi jeans, cool clubbing t-shirt and good trainers should see you get in if you’re a guy. On busy nights, especially Saturday, it’d be safest to get to the club early otherwise you may line up for an hour only to be turned away on the door! Friday and Sunday nights on the Gold Coast aren’t as popular as Saturdays so you should be right to rock up a little bit later. Sunday nights I’ve been told you can get in with jeans and Haviana thongs. A lot of Fisho’s patrons head to Elsewhere on a Sunday night, so it’s usually pretty full with a nice relaxed vibe.

Fast Facts
Address: Level 3, 23 Caville Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Open: Friday, Saturday & Sunday Nights 9pm – 5am
Phone: (07) 55 926 880

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RUBY TRAMP

Located in Surfers Paradise next to The Drink, Ruby Tramp is one of the Coast’s newest and best nightspots, and so accordingly it has a very, very, very selective door policy. Some nights guys will escort girls just to get inside. It plays good funky house music, and has great décor and a nice vibe. Very similar to Elsewhere but probably with a little older crowd, it’s still definitely worth checking out. A good night, if you can get in…

Fast Facts
Address: 4 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Open: Friday, Saturday & Sunday Nights 9pm – 5am
Phone: (07) 55 390 850

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Mybar

Located underneath Shooters nightclub in Surfers Paradise, Mybar, like the other Gold Coast house clubs is small and sexy with a great vibe and bar. A few years ago Mybar used to vie with Berlin Bar for being the Gold Coast’s premier house music nightclub, but with the emergence of Elsewhere, Ruby Tramp, Bedroom and Platinum, it has competition. Still, it’s always a really good night out, and last year the club emerged as one of the leaders in bringing quality international and interstate artists to town like Hoxton Whores, Andy Caldwell, Miss Honey Dijon, Derrick Carter, Bodyrockers, Jose Padilla and Carl Kennedy to name a few. Dirty Laundry from Melbourne plays Mybar on the first Sunday of every month and it has basically sold out every single time. It is the highlight of the clubbing month for Mybar and if you’re lucky enough to be on the GC when they are here then I would definitely suggest heading town for a great night out!

Fast Facts
Address: Caville Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Open: Tuesday – Sunday Night 9pm – 5am
Website: http://www.mybar.net.au

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Bedroom

If you have been to the Gold Coast in the past you might have known Bedroom as Ambassee, or before that the legendary Fever. New owners, new interior, new DJs mean it now has a brand new look, and new vibe. It all makes for one of the Gold Coast’s better new nightspots. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in town. Being new it can be a little hit and miss at times, some nights it’s packed and some a little empty, but it’s still a nice club and if you can get it with a few people in there it’ll be a good night.

Fast Facts
Address: Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Open: Tuesday – Sunday Night 9pm – 5am

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Quest

The best venue for a nightclub on the Gold Coast, Quest is beautifully designed over two floors, with a lush and rich interior and great bar. Funky house music Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. They also hold an RnB night on Thursday nights, but if your on ITM then I’m guessing your not going to attend an RnB party. There’s usually an older drinking crowd in the club, late 20s to mid 30s, so if you’re 18 to 21 you may feel a little premature. Sunday nights are quiet. They’ve recently started booking international acts to play there again, and in the past have had Judge Jules and Dave Seaman amongst others. Recently they had Punq DJs playing and have Kosheen booked to play there in a month. Also features regular interstate guests such as Mark Dynamix and Groove Terminator.

Fast Facts
Address: 88 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
Open: Tuesday – Sunday Night 9pm – 5am
Phone: (07) 55 269 000
Website: http://www.questloungebar.com.au

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The Rest

Oriental Whiskey – Up-market lounge bar/club. Jeans aren’t allowed, it’s that sort of club. Mainly late 20s professionals in their suits.
Capitol – Lounge bar located on Tedder Avenue, Main Beach. Good food, good cocktails and bar. Funky house music and a great place to start a night out. Very, very popular so ring to book. Tuesday nights has $5 pizza & $4 Coronas is a very popular night.
Saks – Located at Marina Mirage, a similar type of venue to Capitol.
Baja – Located in Tweed Heads down near the airport. If your at this end of town then it’s the only club worth checking out (http://www.baja.net.au).
Melba’s – The only meat market worth heading to as it’s always packed! Downstairs is table and bars and they play a ton of golden oldies, like 70s and 80s rock classics. Expect to hear songs from compilations like ‘World’s Greatest Beer Songs’. Upstairs has lots of tourists and overseas travelers as well as locals, playing top 40 and a mixture of house/trance/rock/rnb.
Sugar Shack – Meat market, very surfy. Funky house, top 40 and rock hits.
Billy’s Beach House – Very surfy crowd, sort of like a pub. Loads of Japanese and Brazilian surfers. Plays top 40.
O’Malleys – Irish pub above McDonald’s in Surfers. Plays a lot of top 40 and rock songs.
Shooters – They recently spent millions on a refurb, but the clientel, however, is still the same. Meat market playing top 40.
Shooters Sports Bar – Good place to watch late night soccer or cricket games. Will be a good place to view the Soccer World Cup games from.

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Hopefully this guide will help you in choosing a great night out while visiting our beautiful city!