The details
The Surfers Paradise Beer Garden began life as the 16-room $20-per-week Surfers Paradise Hotel back in 1925. While it has been rebuilt various times over the years (it caught fire back in 1938 and was again demolished and rebuilt in 1983 to make way for The Paradise Centre), its reputation as one of the city’s longest-running establishments continued to attract visitors and locals in droves. After temporarily closing its doors in March this year, the multi-million-dollar spend by ALH Group is finally complete, reviving the icon with an impressive new aesthetic, an overhauled food offering, and a refreshed day-and-night appeal – all while giving a nostalgic nod to its colourful 95-year history. 
The space
Walk up the stairs and you’re met with an (all-weather) open-air wrap-round bar area, with group tables and bar seats sprawling across the astro turf. Of a day, it’s sun-filled and breezy, and by night you can sip, dine and listen to live music cocooned by the bright city lights of Surfers Paradise. Nab a seat on a balcony for full views across Cavill Mall, or grab a beer and challenge your mates to ‘adult games’ like giant Jenga and Connect Four, as well as oversized pool (the kind where you use your feet as cues). There are 18 sports-streaming televisions throughout, as well as music stages set to host a rotating bill of live gigs.
The food and drink
Along with its fresh new identity comes a completely revitalised food and drink offering for the Surfers Paradise Beer Garden. There are share plates (think antipasto, to seafood and rib-and-wings platters), as well as smaller bites like jalapeno poppers jammed with cream cheese and maple bacon, coastal tiger prawns with bloody Mary mayo, pretzel rounds with cheesy Corona sauce, and pork ribs with pickled-peach sauce and crackling. Those hunting a steak have three cuts to choose from, while the pizzas are topped with a series of combinations before being fired to order. Burgers also make a menu appearance (from classic beef to grilled mushrooms with vegan cheese), while the mains cover pub classics like chicken parmigiana and finger-licking pork ribs with chargrilled corn, slaw and wedges. Dressed in Hawaiian shirts, the bar team shakes, stirs and pours an extensive series of cocktails, offered alongside a wide range of spirits, wines, local and Australian tap beers.

The Surfers Paradise Beer Garden will open to the public from 9:00 pm on Friday August 16 following a VIP opening event.