Sun, Salt and Shared Plates at The Beach Bars
What began with a single oceanfront opportunity has evolved into a trio of venues shaping the Sunshine Coast’s beach bar culture, serving up good vibes, good views and good brews. Kathy Sundstrom reports.
Born from friendship, fuelled by passion and grounded in community, The Beach Bars group has become a defining presence on the Sunshine Coast dining scene.
With prime beachfront locations, locally sourced menus and a culture built on loyalty and joy, Jonny Giles, Gavin Smith and Matt Hope are serving more than food and drinks. They are serving an experience that feels unmistakably Coastal.
Menus evolve constantly, with fresh additions designed to bring people together.
At Coolum Beach, Cotton Tree and Kings Beach the popular ‘Locals Night’ Monday and Tuesday special offers two mains and a bottle of wine for $75. There are Wednesday poke nights, Thursday burger deals and Saturday bottomless brunches.
The group also backs the Sunshine Coast Lightning, hosting membership drives and early morning coffees for fans.
It is reflected in their values: “It’s all about spreading joy.”
Now they are preparing for the cooler months, with new menu additions launching on April 15 to complement
an already expansive offering.
Lovers of Japanese flavours will notice breakfast okonomiyaki joining the line up.
The savoury cabbage pancake is bold
yet accessible, and set to become a conversation starter. A tamarind glazed brisket has also been added, rich and warming for the change in season.
With three venues thriving, glowing reviews and consistently strong Google and TripAdvisor ratings, it is natural to ask what comes next.
The trio are open to opportunity, but their focus remains on doing what they do well, and doing it better each year.
The story began when Jonny returned home after cheffing in the United Kingdom and opened a healthy options café franchise in Cotton Tree.
While searching for a second site, he came across a space at Kings Beach. Standing there, looking out over the water, he realised it could be something more.
“It was such a prime location,” he says. “It had more potential.”
That potential became Kings Beach Bar, which opened later that year. To bring the idea to life, Jonny partnered with fellow local and former Burnside schoolmate, Gavin, and businessman Matt.
Gavin, an accountant and silent partner, brought financial expertise, while Matt contributed business experience and investment backing. Jonny became the face, working both in the business and on it, equal parts host and hands-on operator.
Jonny’s vision was clear: create something for the Sunshine Coast, by the Sunshine Coast, that reflected the region’s relaxed lifestyle and natural beauty.
Kings Beach Bar quickly built a loyal following and expansion followed.
In 2022, the group opened Cotton Tree Beach Bar. They later headed north again, planting their feet in Coolum with Coolum Beach Bar, a laid-back venue just steps from the surf.
At the heart of the group’s culinary direction is executive chef Glen Cameron, whose journey began somewhat unexpectedly.
Dining at Kings Beach Bar one day, he noticed how busy the kitchen was. He stepped out the back and offered to help.
“I’m a chef. Do you need a hand?”
Before long he was wearing an apron and washing dishes and a shift a week in the kitchen. Today, Glen Cameron oversees menus across all venues, crafting dishes that balance elevated flavours with relaxed beachside dining. The group prides itself on using Sunshine Coast suppliers and curating each plate with intention. Gluten-free options are available at no extra charge, and quality ingredients are non-negotiable.
Operations manager Ky Graham, also born and bred on the Coast, brings three decades of hospitality experience.
Having grown up surfing and immersed in beach culture, he instinctively understands what locals expect. Under his leadership, the venues run with a rhythm that feels effortless.
The Beach Bars philosophy is built around four core values: passion, joy, legacy and loyalty.
Passion is evident in the detail, from expertly crafted cocktails to energetic floor staff.
Joy shapes the guest experience, with the team constantly asking how they can enhance a visitor’s day.
Legacy extends beyond bricks and mortar to the imprint left on staff and customers alike.
Loyalty binds it all together, fostering long term relationships with team members, community groups and regular patrons.
Staff retention is a source of pride. Apprentices have progressed to head chef roles, team members travel overseas, then return to familiar kitchens and supportive colleagues. It is a culture where people feel valued.
Beyond the venues, the group supports local organisations and sporting clubs and partners with community initiatives. They have been finalists in the Sunshine Coast Business Awards and have earned recognition in national food guides. They have also hosted sold out events for The Curated Plate, celebrating the region’s produce to packed houses.
For Jonny and his partners, however, success is not defined solely by awards or expansion.
It is found in everyday moments: families lingering over long lunches, friends gathering for sunset drinks, visitors discovering
a slice of Coast life that feels authentic.
In a region celebrated for its natural beauty, The Beach Bars have created spaces where the setting and the service work in harmony. What began as a single oceanfront opportunity has become something far greater than a view.
THE BEACH BARS AT A GLANCE
• Kings Beach Bar, opened 2018
• Cotton Tree Beach Bar, opened 2022
• Coolum Beach Bar, opened March 2025
• Finalists, Sunshine Coast Business Awards
• Finalists, Restaurant & Catering Australia
• Australian Good Food Guide Recommended
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