Rooftop view, cocktails and tapas make Aviary a must-try venue

WORDS: Aviary Rooftop Bar manager Cameron Coull PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

This room with a view and a food and drinks menu to match is one of the Gold Coast’s best-kept secrets – but don’t expect it to stay that way.

NESTLED on top of the Mantra at Sharks hotel in the Southport Sharks Precinct, Aviary Rooftop Bar offers guests a spectacular, bird’s eye view of the Gold Coast.

Featuring a contemporary, coastal design, Aviary’s food and drink menus make it a fun, vibrant experience for over 18s – the perfect place to catch up with family and friends.

From the moment the lift doors open, guests are greeted by a contemporary, coastal design with a playful edge – so dress to impress!

The roof-top restaurant and bar affords visitors great views from sunset to the Gold Coast lights at night, with the iconic Surfers Paradise skyline in one direction and the Gold Coast Hinterland in the other, while amazing tunes from local DJs and acoustic artists help create a great, uniquely Gold Coast vibe.

Large windows enhance the experience, while those seeking a truly open-air experience can soak up the sun and the stars in the green outdoor space known as The Nest.

The superb view is backed by Aviary Rooftop Bar’s mouth-watering menu, which boasts authentic Italian pizzas including the Click Bait (fire-roasted prawns, basil pesto, chorizo, ricotta, zucchini, rocket, lemon olive oil), the Budgie Smuggler (seared steak, bbq prawns, truffle and garlic cream base, bacon, mushrooms, zucchini, mozzarella) and the Leo De-Capricciosa (San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, smoked ham, wild mushrooms, olives, artichoke, oregano).

House specialties on the menu include Cardi Brie (baked brie, truffle honey, walnuts, cranberry, thyme and toasted fig bread), Bruschetta ‘Bout It (a garlic pizza bread with roma tomatoes, vincotto onions, fresh basil and balsamic reduction), House Made Italian Sausage Meatballs in San Marzano tomato sauce, with grana padano and the popular Aviary Antipasto selection, with three cheeses, three meats, crisps, dried fruit, nuts, quince paste and house-cured olives.

Aviary Rooftop Bar manager Cameron Coull says the venue’s cocktail culture is also second to none, with a menu of amazing instagrammable cocktails.

“We pride ourselves on consistency and delivering a memorable overall experience,” he says.

Cameron, who has a deep passion for creating new and crafting cocktails, launched his career at RACV Royal Pines Resort before heading overseas to the brisk Canadian mountains in Whistler.

Working within the prestigious Four Seasons resort, Cameron really started to tap into his love for cocktail making and the art of customer service, gaining knowledge on whiskeys and cognacs.

After jumping over to the salty shores of the Caribbean Island of Anguilla with Four Seasons, Cameron launched a new Japanese/ Mediterranean inspired bar perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Ocean. It was the perfect place for Cameron to learn about the rums of the Caribbean and crafting cocktails with Japanese spirits.

After returning to  Australia, Cameron fell in love with the Aviary Rooftop Bar at first sight. Three years on, he’s leading the Aviary flock to help deliver some amazing events and has developed a cocktail scene and vibe at Aviary that keeps locals coming back.

When it comes to cocktails, Cameron is happy to share his expertise.

“The best tip I can give is that most flavours can go together when mixing drinks,” he says.

“Whether you’re at home mixing a classic or coming up with new recipes, it’s all about finding balance. You need to find that perfect balance between sweet, sour, bitter and salty.

“I enjoy pushing the boundaries and try to come up with pairings that seem obscure, always seeking that new flavour profile that hasn’t been tasted before within all my cocktails.”

The Aviary Rooftop Bar is open Wednesdays to Fridays from 4 pm, Saturdays from 4 pm and Sundays from 2 pm. Its beautiful menus are available for QR code table ordering, pickup delivery and payments.

The venue boasts plenty of onsite parking and is a short walk from the Gold Coast University Hospital light rail stop.

Visit https://southportsharks.com.au/eat-and-drink/aviary-rooftop-bar/ for details.