The Malibu Racquet Club

The Malibu Racquet Club is a cool Californian-inspired cocktail bar in the heart of Burleigh Heads, sharing the foodie strip on the Gold Coast Highway with the likes of Jimmy Wah's, Mr Hizola's, Justins's Lane and Tarte Bakery and Cafe.

This classy cocktail bar draws inspiration from the original Cali clubhouse, situated in the Malibu hills overlooking the other side of the Pacific Ocean. While only hop and step from Burleigh's beautiful beach, there are no courts, saunas, or fitness facilities in sight, yet this place is like a cool breeze, with its cream rendered archways, accented with green architraves and cluster of cacti, welcoming you in.

Step inside this sleek bar for a sunset sip, passed the succulents and host-stand and enjoy the streamlined shapes and Southern Californian vibe. With intimate seating for 50, you can choose from bar and bench style seating or a private booth up the back by the funky-fluoro emerald-framed mirror. The Italian pink crystal-quartz bar is gorgeous and even the custom bathroom basins are a uniquely lit experience.

Okay, enough about the inspired aesthetics, let's talk about the incredible cocktails. Whether you pick a chilli Margarita, a Malibu Negroni, a Martini with Coconut syrup, or a Mac-Enroe with macadamia-infused reposado, you'll be onto a winner. Set sail with a Passenger Princess with aquafaba, a Pina Colada with pineapple foam, or a perky Poolside with pink gin with Cointreau, lime juice and soda with fresh mint and watermelon garnish, and it'll be game, set and match. 

Along with the classy Cali cocktails, the drinks menu offers a curated list of sparkling, rosé, red and white wines, along with top-shelf spirits and almost a dozen boutique brews. All of which perfectly complement the cleverly compact menu of brilliant bites care of the venue’s executive chef, Paul Macnish, who not only cheffed for La Bella Cellar but also for a certain royal family.

Put The Malibu Racquet Club on your must-visit cocktail bar list and you’re on your way to winning the Burleigh bar grand slam. Better still, become a club member and you’ll unlock a menu of exclusive next-level VIP offerings. Intriguing? Very!

Food image courtesy of The Malibu Racquet Club.

By Michaela Lyons