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Pavement Whispers: apocalyptic bars, Southport’s new rooftop(s) and Broady goes Italian

Pavement Whispers: apocalyptic bars, Southport’s new rooftop(s) and Broady goes Italian

From whispers of apocalyptic bars and new rooftop hangs, The Weekend Edition Gold Coast is always on the search for the latest news on the Gold Coast, dedicated to ensuring its readers are in the know. When we put our ears to the pavement this week, this is what we found out …


Aviary Rooftop Bar
Southport, get excited – a new rooftop bar is coming your way! The finishing touches are currently being put on Aviary Rooftop Bar, which is nestled on the rooftop of the new six-storey Mantra at Sharks hotel at Southport Sharks. The space will boast sweeping skyline views toward Surfers Paradise (hellooo sunset cocktails) and will feature a separate open-air area called The Nest, which will also act as an events space. Once complete, Aviary will be one of six bars at Southport Sharks – though, this one will be a little more fancy than its older sibling Cabana Bar & Lounge, serving a refined menu of authentic woodfired pizza and modern share food, alongside a respectable cocktail offering and cellar list. The Aviary rooftop area will also incorporate an indoor cinema – yes, cocktail-fuelled movie nights are in the pipeline! Aviary is currently in the final stages of construction and is expected to open to the public in the coming months. We’ll give you a sneak peek when the doors are open – keep your eyes peeled.

Last Night On Earth
Sooo, Southport is getting not one but two new rooftop bars … two! Remember Southport’s coolest and smallest bar, Not Tonight? Well, it’s closed – and it’s replacement will be two-storey apocalyptic-style bar, aptly named Last Night On Earth. Owner Arran Woolams (who also part-owns Mr PP’s across the road) is already in the thick of construction, with the new addition to be open in time for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. The fit-out of the bottom level has been described as a post-apocalyptic-style bunker – it’ll be a little bit raw and derelict and sort of Mad Max-ish, but with splashes of colour. While the rooftop is said to be inspired by cult film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – kind of like a mini desert on the roof. Yep, we’re so goddamn intrigued. In terms of the bar itself, sustainability will be a huge driver, limiting single-use products like plastic straws and beer bottles. There will be 29 taps of wine, beer, non-alcoholic beer and cocktails, as well as a light bar-snack menu, share plates, and bunker-style foods like jerky. Yep, SoPo (slang for Southport) is on the up. We’ll have all the details on Last Night on Earth very soon.

Rivea Italian
Wondering where Italian eatery Rivea at Pacific Fair has gone? Don’t fret – it’s reopened just a stone’s throw away. Owner Daniel Ridgeway and The Ridgeway Group recently transformed and rebranded its Bin89 venue (located next door to Koi in Broadbeach) to Rivea Italian. Basically, Bin89 is no longer and Rivea is in its place. If you were a sucker for Rivea’s mouth-watering authentic pizzas, antipasto boards, fresh pasta and colourful cocktails (um, the negronis are all-time), then you’ll be glad to know that you can still find the same delicious fare and authentic vibe from its swish new digs. Don’t forget The Ridgeway Group’s latest venture, Gotham Grill & Rooftop Bar, which is due to open in Runaway Bay in the coming months – we’ll keep you in the loop on that one.

The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.



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