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Best Bars With Live Music on the Sunshine Coast in 2025

January 30, 202518 min read

With summer in full swing, the Sunshine Coast live music scene is stacked with Rudimental (UK), Pennywise (US) and Xavier Rudd all yet to perform this year.

But if you’re seeking a bevy and fish and chips with those summertime vibes, be sure to check out these pubs and eateries which also double as epic entertainment spots.

As new residents continue to move to the sub-tropical Queensland destination, these places are providing some stiff competition when it comes to live music.

Wanna see who is coming to the Coast this year? Check out the biggest acts here: https://yelo.live/top-10-acts-coming-to-the-sunshine-coast/.

Best Bars With Live Music on the Sunshine Coast in 2025:

Bluff Bar @ Alex Surf Club, Alexandra Headland

If you have been to Alex Surf Club’s Bluff Bar lately, you will know it’s not just the nips that are getting bigger. Saturday nights are pumping with music-thirsty punters lining up well past the front door security. While Sundays attract a more mature crowd, seeking feel-good live music from local tribute bands.

The club’s first-ever Bluff Fest sold out in four days last year when The Terrys and The Grogans headlined a new surf-rock festival. Organisers sold 1200 tickets, and there was a huge emphasis on supporting our native artists. Nana’s PieKarlouBrook St and Emily Rink, all featured on the line-up.

Website: https://www.alexsurfclub.com.au/news

Nickels and Dimes, Tewantin

This cracker of an establishment in Noosa Shire offers quality music production and kick-ass pub fare.

A newcomer to the scene, Nickels and Dimes on Poinciana Street is easily accessible, and has tasty diner-style nosh and cold froths on tap.

It’s the good vibes and original local talent, which is packing out the house, such as Pricey’s recent gig (pictured).

Word has it the owner wants to keep the old-school community pub alive, with no sign of wifi, poker machines and TVs in the venue.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/thebarnickelsanddimes/

Blackflag Brewing, Coolum

Coolum’s favourite punk-rock handout spot is a working brewery, but you can still pop in for a few fresh brews and catch some incredible live music.

The industrial park brewhouse has its own bar, which overlooks the beer production area, so you can watch your fresh beer getting made while you sip!

And these guys love their music, so there’s always so much stuff going on. Last year, they held two car park concerts – The Big Weekend and Something Cool – which both sold out.

Big supporters of local music, there’s almost always someone playing here during bar hours. But it’s also a sick place to challenge your mates to ping pong, shoot some hoops, or hit the vintage arcade games, while you sip some sweet hops and chillax with your mates.

Along with a rotating roster of premium food trucks, Blackflag Coolum has your knock-off drinks and weekend sessions covered.

Website: https://www.blackflagbrewing.com.au

The Architect, Maroochydore

Newbie on the block, The Architect has replaced former Ocean Street haunts – Piano Bar and The Nautical.

They bring an epic slew of professional session musicians and bands to the popular CBD night-life precinct.

Owners Conor and Hannah are an engineer/doctor-duo of long-time locals. They are trying their hand at running a restaurant for the first time. As savvy food and wine lovers, they simply want others to enjoy their food at affordable prices. 

But the best part? They are Sunshine Coast live music obsessed and have put on a great team of music industry experts, who run an eclectic program there.

Website: https://thearchitectbar.com.au/whats-on

Alleycat Espresso, Coolum

On Friday and Saturday nights, this alley-way espresso bar turns up the heat with pumping night-time tunes and good-time Sunny Coast vibes. As the sun sets on Coolum Beach, cuppa joes are swapped for colourful cocktails, and the breakfast bircher makes way for sumptuous, crunchy, snapper tacos.

But it’s when the Coast’s best musicians fill this place with their home-grown grooves, when things really kick off here. We’ve seen Andy V (pictured), Hayden Hack, Luke Anthony James and Jordan Mac, all play at this local meeting place. If you want live music as a side to your weekend catch-ups with mates, be sure to pop in to Alleycat Espresso.

Website: https://alleycatcoolum.com.au

Tarella Brewing, North Arm

Translating to “Little Earth”, Tarella is a rural haven nestled between the lush coastal hinterland and sprawling farmland. This much-loved hinterland brewery is also where science, sustainability, and a deep love of beer come together. But it’s more than just a place to enjoy a pint. It’s a space to connect with friends, let the kids run free, and support local business.

With a chock-full calendar offering a range of free family-friendly events, Tarella hosts monthly markets featuring more than 80 local vendors. But weekends are where the stage comes alive. This is a brewery rooted in community, quality, and a love for the land, celebrating the vibrancy of our community and the talent within it.

Website: https://terellabrewing.com.au/pages/whats-on-calendar

Maleny Lane, Maleny

Maleny Lane is a food alley filled with delicious gourmet world fare, right in the heart of the town’s main street. This is a hinterland hub for exceptional local talent. And on Friday nights, this place light ups with ticketed events from local performers. Monday nights are reserved for open mics with FrontUp Chalkboard.

This famous laneway even saw residents take to the streets to protest against Council, when they were threatened with noise complaints from some pesky neighbours. Don’t mess with the program here! This is Sunshine Coast live music at its best.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/MalenyLane

Drift Bar, Caloundra

One of the best vantage points in Caloundra, Drift Bar is a hive for local musicians, and a popular spot to meet friends (or that cheeky Tinder date) for a drink. So good in fact, they even put out a cute shiny mini gig guide each week.

If it’s native brews, sensational dining options, and live music on tap, Drift is taking your order now. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to see which awesome local act will be entertaining you during your visist: https://www.facebook.com/driftbarcaloundra/events.

Website: https://driftbar.com.au/

Solbar, Maroochydore

Ocean Street’s beating heart of live music is Solbar. Deep inside the Coast’s nightclub and entertainment strip of downtown Maroochydore, this place is a rite of passage for local and touring acts alike. If you’ve ever played in the Solbar band room you have basically made it as a musician (pinnacle!). Same goes if you have every played a free show in the lounge. (The open mic too!)

Much of the staff are accomplished musicians and the venue is a major promoter of original music. Last year, Yelo Mag saw IllyKing StingrayKingswood and The Smith Street Band all here.

This surf-side music institution even serves up head-sized burgers and some of the best pizza in town. And you can catch a few all-ages shows too; perfect when you can’t find a babysitter!

Website: https://www.solbar.com.au

Taps, Mooloolaba

Taps at Mooloolaba is a cosy little underground bar just off the busy esplanade. With icy cold brewskis, finger-licking chicken wings, and exceptional talent, this place goes off on Friday nights and weekends.

From the owners of Blackflag Brewing, these guys know how to put the culture back into the tourist strip. Last year, Blackflag Coolum held The Big Weekend Festival, with The Bennies and Dave Gleeson and Something Cool Festival, with Bodyjar and Redhook. Both shows at the industrial estate brewery sold-out, with a combined 1200+ in ticket sales.

So it’s unsurprising their Taps venue is top of the pops for live music in Mooloolaba. Open mic is for Tuesdays, karaoke is on Thursdays, while Wednesday is all about wings!

Website: https://www.tapsaustralia.com.au/events/

Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra

There’s a reason this impressive oceanside pub won Best Regional Venue at the Queensland Music Awards. And they’ve even hosted a Spice Girl?

This bustling beachside bistro and bar, also moonlights as one of the best live music venues on the Coast.

Big names such as Spice Girl’s Mel CThe RubensThundamentalsThe GrogansPacific Avenue, The Southern River Band, and Keli Holiday (pictured) have all played here. Keep your eyes peeled for some big acts on the horizon.

Website: kingsbeachtavern.com.au/entertainment

Coolum Beach Hotel, Coolum

The best of the Sunshine Coast live music industry have mingled or played at the CBH – that includes PriceyRaw Ordio and DeSaint.

An all-star local lineup recently took over the pub for the It Starts at Home Music Festival in August. It starred Jonny Sonic (Potbellez), who also headlined the pub’s 10th birthday bash.

Website: https://www.coolumbeachhotel.com.au/

Imperial Hotel, Eumundi

From the owners of Sandstone Point Hotel and Eatons Hill, the Imperial is Eumundi’s beating heart, offering the perfect spot for live entertainment in the hinterland.

This grand old gem, which recently underwent a major facelift, has been host to some of the biggest touring acts, including The Beautiful Girls, Ben Lee and The Whitlams.

The charming (100 years+) Queenslander-style building received a significant renovation, taking on a more modern look.

But there’s still a bit of the old charm left, with a colourful old piano left out the front, enticing the community finger-tappers. Don’t miss Ash Grunwald on February 1 and Babe Rainbow on April 5.

Website: https://www.imperialhoteleumundi.com.au

Peregian Hotel, Peregian

Another beachside favourite, which is always supporting our local musicians, is the newly renovated Peregian Hotel. With Mediterranean vibes, and a touch of Palm Springs, hip guests while away the arvo here, with large glasses of Aperol spritzes, and soothing live entertainment providing for a relaxing vibe. There’s a modern bistro, sports bar, and a leafy garden, with global food dishes and craft beer.

Peregian Hotel also puts out a mini weekly gig guide on their social pages.

Website: https://peregianbeachhotel.com.au/.

Matsos’s, Eumundi

Home of Australia’s first alcoholic ginger beer, this family-favourite watering hole has seen plenty of local legends entertain here, such as Tyler Hammill (pictured).

Matso’s opened in the Coast’s hinterland in 2023, and was inspired by their original Broome pub.

Previously, “Joe’s Waterhole”, the iconic Queenslander-style pub brews all its craft beer on-site.

But don’t forget to try the mango one! You’ll thank us later. And watch out for some great local events.

Website: https://matsos.com.au/sunshinecoast/.

Coolum Beer Company, Coolum

Coolum Beer Company embodies that laid-back, fun-loving lifestyle the Coast breathes. With a passion for craft beer, you can enjoy your tasty hops, while the kids are entertained in the grassy area with regular live music.

Don’t miss the fifth installment of Dia Latino, presented by the amazing @karaka.orchestra. This is the Coast’s biggest Latino party, with an Argentinean wood-fire barbecue sourced from @cottontreemeats. Caipirinhas and cocktails will be served from @sunshineandsons_spirits, and sweets from @gaucho.noosa. Open from 4pm till late.

Website: https://coolumbeercompany.com.au/

Your Mates Brewing, Warana

Drink Your Mates‘ beers under the same roof where they are brewed, and enjoy plenty of entertainment and fine beer at this industrial brewery in Warana.

Born under the sun of our sunny-side-up region in 2013, this story was crafted by a community of mates, a dream of living passionately, and a celebration of everything great about our Australian culture. As you guessed, they are gigantic music lovers, and also hold comedy shows and other major events here.

Your Mates is a huge supporter of local charities, and will proudly host the Sunshine Coast Music Awards on June 1.

Website: https://yourmatesbrewing.com/

Bookmark our Yelo Mag Gig & Event Guide for more Sunshine Coast live music offerings: https://yelo.live/whats-on-sunshine-coast-gig-guide/.

Main photo: Bodyjar play at Something Cool Festival, Blackflag Coolum, in 2024. By Dameeka Middleton.


About Yelo

Yelo is a Sunshine Coast-based online music magazine with a mission to heal people through music and connection. 

We believe live performance serves as a natural antidote to the world’s toxic chaos. It’s always there, you just need to lean in and find it. And it’s our job to help with that. 

Yelo publishes local, national and global music news, tour announcements, reviews, social galleries, giveaways, and a gig guide. 

It’s all published at yelo.live by music journalists, and shared across major social media platforms such as Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/yelo.live/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/yelo.live/), which bring thousands of views to our website each month. 

Bookmark our Yelo Mag Gig & Event Guide for more Sunshine Coast live music offerings: https://yelo.live/whats-on-sunshine-coast-gig-guide/.

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