TGI Fridays Is Opening Its Australasian Flagship and First-Ever Beachside Venue in Surfers Paradise

Three years after launching its first southeast Queensland on the Gold Coast, TGI Fridays is bringing another first to the coastal city, and to the region: the big American food brand's first-ever beachside venue. In the coming months, with an exact date yet to be confirmed, the US-based chain of bar and grill-style restaurants will open its latest outpost in Surfers Paradise. And yes, you can stop by on days other than Fridays. Of course you can.

Setting up shop in the new $40-million Paradise Centre dining precinct above Cavill Avenue, the venue will be the third TGI Fridays in Queensland, following Sunshine Plaza on the Sunshine Coast, too. If you're familiar with the brand, you'll know what's in store: tucking into the chain's array of steaks, ribs, wings and burgers while sipping a hefty array of cocktails, just this time with ocean views.

Those waves will be visible from the eatery's level-one location within Paradise Centre — and this isn't just the first beachside TGI Fridays in Queensland or Australia, but worldwide. The venue will also become the chain's Australasian flagship store, so it's clearly a big deal.

"The Gold Coast has really embraced TGI Fridays and we're so excited to have secured this unmatched seaside address for our largest restaurant on the Gold Coast and Australasian flagship — it's something new for us but we think this iconic location will be incredibly popular with our patrons and complement our Queensland portfolio perfectly," said Signature Hospitality Group CEO James Sinclair, announcing the news.

"We want TGI Fridays Surfers Paradise to be a place for everyone to meet, mingle and enjoy some fantastic food and drinks in a casual setting — whether they're coming off the beach after a day of relaxation or partying by the pool, meeting family for an early dinner, enjoying a sunset cocktail during happy hour, or catching up with mates for a beer whilst watching a live game on our big screens."

Expect the store's menu to fall in line with the brand's other Aussie eateries. Food-wise, the general range includes wraps, salads, starters such as mozzarella sticks and mac 'n' cheese-loaded potato twisters, and mains that span chicken tenders, cracked pepper calamari with fries, whisky-glazed salmon and bruschetta pasta. The dessert selection goes heavy on American favourites; think brownies, sundaes and strawberry cheesecakes.

As for drinks, TGI Fridays takes its beverages seriously, with its standard menu serving up over 30 types of cocktails and ten kinds of low- and no-alcohol concoctions. Wine, plus beer by the bottle and on tap, is also on offer. And, TGI Friday's famed daily happy hour will run from 4–6pm daily

Seating 180 in timber booths, at stools at the central island bar and at high tables, the Surfers Paradise store will feature neon lighting — including a sign stating 'Paradise is only one cocktail away' when you walk in — plus huge windows to make the most of that seaside vista.

And, it'll combine the signature TGI Fridays look, which includes timber accents and industrial-style lighting installations, with coastal furniture and a heap of greenery.

When it comes to the venue's vibe, TGI Fridays pitches itself as part-way between a restaurant and a hangout spot. Back when the brand launched in the 60s, it was actually a singles bar; but these days it's focused on casual, novelty-based American dining.

TGI Fridays will open on level one in the Paradise Centre, 2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise, sometime in the coming months — we'll update you with an exact launch date when it is announced.