Drift Bar

Drift Bar sits on the headland above Kings Beach in Caloundra, with an undercover deck looking straight out over the ocean. It runs from breakfast through to late, seven days, and dogs are welcome on the deck and the footpath, which makes it one of the easier spots on the Sunshine Coast to settle in with a coffee or a sunset drink and the dog at your feet.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome on the covered, verandah-style deck and along the footpath out front; the indoor bar and dining room is off limits. The deck is sheltered and shaded, so it stays comfortable on a hot afternoon or when the sea breeze is up. Staff are used to dogs and will usually bring out a water bowl, but pack a collapsible one for busy days when service is stretched.

The vibe

The kitchen runs all day, from brunch through burgers and tapas to evening drinks, and live music on many weekends turns the deck loud and lively after lunch. The Kings Beach outlook is the whole draw, so outdoor tables fill fast around sunset, especially Thursday through Saturday when the bar trades late.

Pepsi: grab the deck rail seats late afternoon, the breeze comes straight off the water and you get the whole beach to watch.

Getting there and parking

You will find it on the corner of Levuka Avenue and Edmund Street, overlooking Kings Beach. Free street parking runs along the surrounding streets but turns over slowly on summer weekends. It is an easy flat walk from Kings Beach Parklands if you would rather leave the car behind.

Make a day of it

The Kings Beach boardwalk and the shaded lawns of Kings Beach Parklands sit right next door for a pre- or post-meal stroll on lead. If the session runs long, The Thirsty Beaver Bar & Kitchen in town pours for the evening crowd, and BIG4 Caloundra is the pet-friendly base for an overnight stay.

Weekday mornings and early afternoons are calm and easy with a dog; sunset belongs to the crowd and the music. More options are in the Queensland pubs guide and the Caloundra destination page.