When you think of a meat tray, you probably picture a raffle win at your local bar or surf club. Tommy’s Bar & Grill brings a similarly cheerful casual energy to an elevated waterfront setting – think spin-to-win wheels, meat trays, themed specials and live music every weekend. Up until now, the venue has been somewhat of a secret shared among northern locals, but in recent weeks they’ve had diners from all over the Gold Coast and as far afield as Brisbane pulling up a pew on the deck.

For those who have not yet had the pleasure, you’ll find Tommy’s Bar & Grill located on the Marine Promenade at Salacia Waters. The expansive timber deck is peppered with high-bar seating, ideal for groups, alongside smaller intimate settings. No matter where you sit, the view over the marina – with boats bobbing in a kind of moving symphony – provides a mesmerising backdrop. While there’s no bad time to dine, the sunsets are particularly magical.

When it comes to the menu, Tommy’s Bar & Grill offers a variety of share plates with a Mediterranean lean. It would be a crime not to start with a serve of oysters (paired perfectly with a glass of bubbles), before grazing your way through crispy calamari, seared scallops and Cauldron Distillery gin-infused salmon.

The prawn and chilli hot-pot served with rustic chunks of sourdough is an early crowd favourite, chef says, and who are we to argue. Rounding out the selection is a scattering of pizzas, salads and mains such as a hearty wagyu beef burger, crispy-skin salmon and linguine puttanesca, to name a few.

The sippable selection opens with Cauldron’s Cocktails, featuring spirits from Tamborine Mountain’s Cauldron Distillery, in tasty creations such as the zingy Rhubarb Sour and Pomegranate Fizz, alongside the classics (Aperol, marg and mojito).

There’s wine on tap, as well as a succinct scattering spanning white, red, rosé and sparkling. Keeping the good times rolling throughout the week, Tommy’s Bar & Grill offers a range of weekly specials including Pizza & Pinot nights on Wednesday, Mexicana night featuring beer and tacos on Thursdays, Bullet (lager) & Burger on Fridays and a Sunday seafood spread with Ocean Delight where you can slurp a dozen oysters and sip two glasses of Growers Gate Brut for $50. Oh, and they’re also pooch friendly, so bring you furry mate along for the fun.

We’re told there are some big things in the works, including a brand-new breakfast menu that is set to launch in coming weeks as well as a partial renovation that will see a currently under-utilised space transformed into a deli counter for grab-and-go bites that will transition into a wine and cocktail bar of an evening, so watch this space!

Head to our Stumble Guide for opening times.