Best night Clubs Gold Coast

The Avenue

Location: 4 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise, QLD

Recommended for: Live music, slightly older demographic, lack of cover charge, more laid back atmosphere

The Avenue, situated on the corner of Cavill and Orchid avenues, differs from many of the other nightclubs in Surfers Paradise in that it aims to cater slightly more towards the older market. A long-standing establishment that has been a part of the Surfers Paradise entertainment district since the early 80’s, The Avenue provides a focus more on a dining and bar-type atmosphere in the early afternoons before transforming into a fully-fledged nightclub in the evenings.

Live music is frequently offered which contributes to the more laid-back, “bar” theme, and the venue has multiple large screens spread throughout with sports events and other entertainment streaming.

“The Avenue differs from many of the other nightclubs in Surfers Paradise in that it aims to cater slightly more towards the older market.“

In terms of demographics, The Avenue tends to draw a fair crowd of tradesmen in the early afternoons who use it as a reliable drinking venue, while after the transition to night time the music shifts to a more typical DJ-powered dance focus. The club’s interior itself is not a huge venue, meaning conditions can often become quite cramped, especially on crowded Friday and Saturday nights; the dance floor space is fairly limited and getting access to the bar to place a drink order can sometimes be a chore.

Benefits include the fact that they seldom ask for a cover charge for entry, and that the place generally has a far “less aggressive” atmosphere than many of the other nightclubs in the surrounding area.

The Bourbon Bar

Location: 2 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise, QLD

Price of admission: R&B and soul fans, those looking for more of a “bar” than a “dance club” atmosphere.

Another long-standing Surfers Paradise nightlife venue, The Bourbon Bar has always strived to have more of a focus on the “soulful” side of nights out, with a heavy emphasis on R&B culture with decor and atmosphere that provides subtle and not-so-subtle hints of New Orleans style.

Acting as more of a bar-style environment than a full-on nightclub, The Bourbon Bar is frequented by DJs and musical guests who fit in with the culture of roots in the soul genre, and is more conducive to conversation and socialisation than many of the other Gold Coast night clubs.

“Acting as more of a bar-style environment than a full-on nightclub, The Bourbon Bar is frequented by DJs and musical guests who fit in with the culture of roots in the soul genre.“

Facilities are also provided to play a game of pool or billiards, or simply spend the night dancing depending on your temperament. The venue itself, which is located “down below” street level draws a mixed crowd, which makes summing up an average evening spent there difficult; one night may be uneventfully fun, yet another the crowd can be quite rough, especially when a large group of intoxicated “party cruises are brought along to the venue on their routine pub crawls.

Also, as with most other Surfers Paradise nightclubs, a nominal cover charge of either five or ten dollars is also usually a prerequisite.

Cocktails and Dreams

Location: 1/3 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise, QLD

Price of admission: Dance music fans, young singles, university students

A heavy focus on dance and trendiness has always been a staple of Cocktails & Dreams over the years, with continuous rotations of DJs, lighting displays, and all the other mainstays that comprise a true “dance” venue in every sense of the word.