Whenever I have a chance, I stop at my local pub to have a schooner of my favourite beer. But I never thought that spending first dates at pubs is also a great idea. There is something about the lively and charming atmosphere in pubs that I find pleasant. The best pubs in Gold Coast are a good place for first dates, and I wonder if any of you will agree with me.
The top-rated pubs on the Gold Coast are Mermaid Beach Tavern and The Glenelg Public House. If you’re looking for old-school pubs, visit Merrimac Tavern, Jacobs Well Bayside Tavern, D’arcy Arms, and Canungra Hotel. Meanwhile, the best pubs with a playground on the Gold Coast include Southport Sharks and Advancetown Tavern.
Pubs have a unique atmosphere that makes people happier, friendly, and feel good. Top it with the heart-warming food they serve. This makes pubs the perfect place for a first dinner date on the Gold Coast. Let me walk you through a list of the best pubs on the Gold Coast for a first dinner date:
Top Rated Watering Holes on Gold Coast
Mermaid Beach Tavern
Mermaid Beach Tavern is the perfect pub on the Gold Coast for first dinner dates. In fact, it is a good neighbour of Putt Putt Mermaid Beach mini golf course, which I mentioned in my previous post as an excellent first date idea. Mermaid Beach Tavern is open from 5 pm to 9 pm every day, so you won’t have difficulty scheduling your date. They serve a wide range of food opinions that even the pickiest eater will be satisfied.
Here’s a tip, though, if both of you love steak, schedule your first dinner date on a Thursday night. Mermaid Beach Tavern offers a $20 Steak & Topper that allows you to choose the sides you prefer.
Moreover, it is also a good idea to have your date on Monday night as Mermaid Beach Tavern offers a 2-4-1 meal if you order any of their drinks. This deal lets you have two meals for the price of one when you purchase any drink. I don’t wish it to happen, but if your date doesn’t show up, at least you have two delicious meals to comfort you, right?
The Glenelg Public House
The Glenelg Public House is another top-rated public house you might want to visit on Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast, for a first date. The place is open from Wednesday to Thursday at 5 pm and Friday to Sunday from noon until late. This pub is well known for its range of mouth-watering steaks and beef menu options, which you can check out on its website. The starters and sides they serve change in season, making their food always timely and unique.
Local liquor is also available at the bar, along with beers, wines and spirits from other countries. Since you’re going on a first date, make sure to order a classic crème brûlée or truffle pecorino to impress your date, too.
Old School Gold Coast Pubs and Taverns
Merrimac Tavern
There are few things like wine or an ice-cold schooner at a tavern that still look like it was decades ago. If you and your date enjoy old-school places, check out Merrimac Tavern during your visit to the Gold Coast on your first dinner together. This old-school pub is excellent for enjoying a refreshing beverage after a romantic dinner. If both of you enjoy watching sports, Merrimac Bottleshop is open until midnight to make your date more memorable.
You can also place a lucky bet at TAB or KENO facilities or watch live sports while hitting the bottle. The Merrimac Tavern has a variety of clubs for its patrons, too. It includes Punters Club, Footy Tipping Club, Social Golf Club, and Members Draw. Find more information on their events at https://www.merrimactavern.com.au/.
Friday and Saturday evenings are also great for dinner dates at Merrimac Tavern. The pub has live entertainment, membership draws, and a meat tray on Thursday. New members are welcome to join any of these clubs. The Merrimac Tavern is open from Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 12 pm, and 10 am to 10 pm Sunday.
Jacobs Well Bayside Tavern
It is easy to see why this old school pub is called the best little pub in the canefields. They have a fantastic range of food, like smoked Brisket burgers, Fat Ass Chicken Parmi, pizzas, and desserts perfect for the first dinner date on the Gold Coast.
Aside from that, they also offer diet options such as vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free. You can choose from various beers, delicious cocktails, and all the drinks you could ever want to accompany your food.
Jacobs Well Bayside Tavern is located at 1170 Pimpama-Jacobs Well Road, Jacobs Well, Gold Coast, Queensland. It opens from Monday to Wednesday from 12 noon to late night and Thursday to Friday from 11 am to Midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to Midnight.
They also provide a courtesy bus that operates from Thursday 6om until late, Friday 4 pm until late, Saturday from 1 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm. For reservations, you can contact them at (07) 5546 2155.
D’arcy Arms
You and your date won’t feel out of place in this old-school pub at Surfers Paradise. D’arcy Arms is a cheerful and welcoming place, with locals and tourists alike stopping in for a hearty fare of drinks and delicious foods.
There is always live musical entertainment and lots of Irish eats to please the taste buds. They also have newly renovated motel rooms, which are perfect accommodation if you’re planning to stay the night.
The first Guinness keg was tapped at the D’arcy Arms opening in August 1988 and is part of the bar’s Irish Pub ambience. D’arcy Arms is for you if you don’t want your first date to be so awkward and you prefer a distinctive and friendly Irish Pub feel on the Gold Coast instead.
Canungra Hotel
The Canungra Hotel is worth a look if you pass through. But, if you want to impress your date with a nice-looking pace on your first dinner date, this is the perfect place to go. This striking Tudor-style hotel is set on the scenic rim and has fine charm and character. It is located at 18 Kidston Street, Canungra.
Get a cocktail for two, listen to live music, and relax while sitting on the deck. The ambience will surely get you and your date into a romantic conversation. Look forward to it! Canungra Hotel serves dinner daily from 5:30 pm and ends at 8 pm. This place also offers other services like weddings, birthdays, and many more.
Enjoy Your First Dinner Date in These Best Pubs on The Gold Coast!
So, there you have the best pubs on the Gold Coast for a first dinner date. Unlike traditional restaurants, the ambience in pubs is unique and kind of homey. Restaurants, particularly high-end ones, give off a sense of luxury and elegance but can be too formal for others. If you prefer to be more comfortable and love places like pubs, share it with the person you wish to pursue by spending your first dinner date in any of these pubs.
Also read: