Varsity Lakes Tavern

Varsity Lakes Tavern sits on Santa Maria Court at Burleigh Waters, in the leafy residential heart of the southern Gold Coast near Burleigh Heads. A popular suburban tavern, it's become a dependable local favourite — the kind of welcoming, all-rounder pub that suits a meal, a drink or a casual get-together, and has drawn a big following over the years.

The appeal is in being a reliable, community-minded tavern: relaxed, unpretentious and well-suited to families, groups and locals alike. In a part of the coast away from the busiest tourist strips, an established local with a strong following speaks to the consistency behind the bar and in the kitchen.

With a 4.6 rating from more than 2,700 reviews, it's clearly keeping its crowd happy. Menus, opening hours, entertainment and pricing change, and a popular tavern fills up over weekends and around events, so it's worth checking current details before you head down — though for a casual meal or a relaxed drink, it's often just a matter of dropping in and settling in like the locals do.