Now open – Kaktus Bar brings a bold new wave of Mexican-inspired flavour to Southport
Southport has officially dialled up the colour, heat and good times with the arrival of Kaktus Bar, the northern Gold Coast’s lively new destination for margaritas, mezcal, tequila and tacos. Now open within the Southport Sharks precinct, this vibrant Mexican-inspired bar is already shaping up to be the area’s go-to for agave-led cocktails, flavour-packed street eats and nights that have a habit of slipping into fiesta mode.
Step inside Kaktus Bar and the mood shifts instantly. Designed by Space Cubed Design Studio and brought to life by Zero 9 Constructions, the venue blends earthy tones, desert warmth and sculptural textures with clusters of live cacti and music that rises with the evening. It’s the kind of bar you wander into for “just one drink” and somehow stay long enough to catch the DJ set.
“Kaktus is a unique, modern offering that this end of the Gold Coast region can celebrate at – and be celebrated for,” says Southport Sharks CEO Dean Bowtell. “We wanted to create a bar with upbeat energy and electric atmosphere; where a fiesta can be brought to all who visit.”
At its core, Kaktus is a bar – proudly, loudly, unapologetically. Led by bar manager Cameron Coull, the drinks program leans heavily into tequila, mezcal and the wider agave family, inviting guests to sip, savour and learn rather than default to the usual shot-and-run approach. Cameron’s team guides drinkers through smoky nuances, regional styles and unexpected flavour pairings. “We’re passionate about customers walking away with a new understanding of agave,” he says.
The cocktail list is broad, bright and inventive – smoky mezcal signatures, citrus-charged margarita riffs and South American-inspired concoctions built on tropical fruit, earthy botanicals and Mexican-style gin for those not quite ready to go full agave. A standout feature is the build-your-own margarita, allowing you to customise everything from the spirit to the salt rim, including adventurous regional touches like worm and grasshopper salt. It’s playful, a bit provocative and very on theme.
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In the kitchen, executive chef Andrew Fraser and chef de partie Rodrigo Baraona oversee a street-food-style menu made for sharing, grazing and pairing with cocktails. Rather than replicate classics, the team adds its own creative twist to every dish. “If we’re serving a pork taco, we don’t want it to be the same pork taco you’ll find anywhere else,” Cameron says. “We add our own flair.” Expect flavour-led plates such as charred corn ribs, tamarind-and-tequila-glazed chorizo, whipped-ricotta jalapenos, habanero-honey queso fresco, birria beef-brisket tacos, frijole-loaded pumpkin, smoky octopus skewers and tiger prawns al carbon. Bright salsas, zesty garnishes and fresh herbs tie everything together, encouraging exploration from first sip to last bite.
Although the bar sits within Southport Sharks, Kaktus stands firmly as its own distinct identity – right down to its private entrance from the carpark.
Whether you’re chasing a post-work margarita, a late-night mezcal moment or a long, graze-as-you-go afternoon with friends, Kaktus Bar is now open and ready to welcome you.
Head to The Directory for opening times.