Tropic Vice, first and foremost, is unlike anything the Gold Coast has seen before. Tropic Vice has been designed to deliver a dreamy Palm Springs, California, meets Miami, Florida, kind of vibe. The incredible sun-drenched venue is the first solo venture from Jimmy Tantsis-Hall, who is certainly no stranger to creating venues that leave a lasting impression. As you make your way up the stairs (from the alleyway next to Ally Chow, for the uninitiated), you’re greeted with three very different areas – a grassy garden bar dotted with high tables, candy-pink umbrellas and a pastel-pink water fountain, a shaded deck area and a neon-lit podium to soak in the good vibes as the sun dips below the horizon. A sizeable bar commands attention, with a neon-pink light begging the question ‘What’s your vice?’. Two 1-m-high flamingos, Franky and Franceska, preside over the happenings here. As the story goes, the Argentinian (Franky) fell for the long-legged Cuban (Franceska) and together they travelled the world before landing here on the Gold Coast to deliver the gift of experience and exquisite cuisine.
As for the fare, the menu is being hailed as ‘Florribean’ cuisine – combining the flavours of the Caribbean and South America – think oysters, chilli-and-garlic prawns topped with fresh mango salsa, deliciously light and fresh white fish ceviche and flank steak loaded with housemade chimichurri. The drinks list, curated by Vincent Valliere, is equally as impressive with Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé and the venue’s signature Vice Martini (vodka, passion fruit puree, pomegranate syrup and mint leaves) among the standouts. The Tropic Island punch (Caribbean rum, Triple sec, pineapple juice, passion fruit puree, pomegranate syrup and lime juice) is also a strong contender for our drink of summer.
Tropic Vice is now open! Fly over to our Stumble Guide for opening times and booking details.
