The Coolangatta Hotel — Restaurant in Gold Coast City

Great venue with a smattering of racism

I'm not usually one to write reviews, but I felt compelled to share my experience at the Coolangatta Pub.

The venue itself is excellent. The music on both occasions we visited was amazing, and even when we walked past, it was absolutely pumping. The food was of a good standard as well—I thoroughly enjoyed the meals we had. However, what really let this place down was the exceptionally poor service.

We stayed in Coolangatta for 10 days and had an amazing time overall. Throughout our trip, I often commented on how polite and friendly the people were at various venues—special shoutout to the Coolangatta Surf Club and Xenia Greek Restaurant, where the service was nothing short of exceptional.

As someone who has lived in the UK for 20 years (I’m half English) and now in Australia for over 20 years, I was genuinely surprised by what happened at your venue. On our first night in Coolangatta (29/12) at 6:30 pm, I went to the bar to grab a drink. There were three people either side of me waiting to be served, and my brother-in-law was three people back further down the line. Every time the young woman working behind the bar walked past, she ignored me and served everyone else—all of whom happened to be a little lighter-skinned than me.

When my brother-in-law (who is white) got to the front of the line, he was served before me, even though I had been waiting longer. We were both gobsmacked. What made it even more baffling was that the young woman appeared to be British herself.

Hoping this was just a one-off incident, we returned the following evening. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. The same young woman was now working the food service counter, and the same poor service was extended to everyone who wasn’t white. My wife, who is from southern Italy and gets very brown in the summer, even laughed at the absurdity of it all. Needless to say, we didn’t visit again.

It’s a real shame that the actions of one racist individual have tarnished what could otherwise have been a fantastic experience. Your venue has so much going for it, but until this is addressed, it’s impossible to recommend...

If i could rate this place a 0 i would. Absolutely disgusting customer service. I am an adult, i went in with my friend and my little cousin (16 years old) for a nice lunch near the beach. I walk in to be told i am not allowed to eat here as my cousin is not 18. Then they changed their story to they have a house rule that no one under 18 is allowed to eat in here unless they are with their legal parent/care giver. What a load of rubbish. I seen grandparents with there grandchildren and i doubt any of them were the legal parent/care giver. I bet you now that they didn't ask any adult walking in with a minor if they were the legal guardian. I believe this is age discrimination! We weren't even going to order alcohol if that was the problem we just wanted food. How could they not let us stay there and enjoy a meal if we weren't even wanting to drink. I cannot believe this place is still standing. so willing to throw away paying customers. I doubt they asked anyone else with a minor if they were the parent but because we were young they discriminated against us. They were rude and as i walked out i asked someone outside and she was an aunty not a care giver AN AUNTY to the minor she was eating lunch with. I find it disgusting that they tried to say it was a house rule but if i was 40 years old taking my cousin out i bet you they wouldn't even bat an eyelid. Do not give these rude, snobby and indecent humans a cent of your money. Not only was the place dirty, the food looked disgusting as we walked out and i seen bugs all over the floor. CAN YOU MOP? i have never experienced anything like this and I've been to plenty of taverns, pubs and commercial hotels. ALL I WANTED WAS FOOD? How rude to throw out paying customers who didn't even want to drink. All over a 16 year old being with me. Whats the point of Australia legalising 18 year olds to be classified as adults if we have no privileges in places like this. AGE DISCRIMINATION YOU SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN AND RETHINK OF BETTER HOUSE RULES BECAUSE THAT IS A JOKE. You will not be getting a cent...

Great music tonight will come back again and will be coming on the 16 th great artist I have been told that she is great also had an issue with someone trying to get into my car out the front of the pub and in front of a security guard and he did nothing to stop him from doing this have spoken to the manager Ben and I am not happy with the outcome as all he said not our problem its a police matter as it happen right out the front and was not going to come back as I didn't feel safe at all something needs to be done about the care and responsibility that this pub has to how they deal with this venue right out the front of this pub not at all very happy with this the owner should do something about the patrons safety right out the front as I won't be the first or the last who has to get hurt for them to take notice not at all happy about what went also went again to the coolangatta pub and this time they accused my son for doing drugs which was unfounded as this is what goes on the accused him as he has tattoos they assume that he is no good he is a great person and all the manager Ben again said when we contact him Ben he said have a good night what a response not doing anything for there honest patrons but believe a couple of girls started saying he was selling drugs and the bald security should get the sack as he was the same one who didn't do anything when someone tried to get into my car a few weeks ago so wrong on so many levels this is not something I am going to tolerate won't be going back love the music just not some of the security guards and definitely not the 19 year old manager Ben something also needs to be taken over by the actual owner of the pub not a kid who is very green and has got no idea on what to do and what not to do when it comes to staff and patrons they are going to get a sue job when someone gets hurt what a joke this pub is about how they deal with customers and workers alike management should do something...