Published:
July 20, 2024
About Varsity Lakes Tavern
Burgers & hearty bistro meals served in a sprawling, modern space with a kids' playroom & TV sports.
Dine in
Delivery
Service Options
Highlights
Bar games
Fast service
Great bar food
Great cocktails
Live music
Live performances
Sports
Trivia night
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Dancing
Food
Food at bar
Hard liquor
Wine
Amenities
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Crowd
Groups
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Dining_options
Seating
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Planning
Accepts reservations
Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Plenty of parking
Map
Varsity Lakes Tavern Reviews
We visited Varsity Tavern for a friends 19th birthday celebration and the service, food and atmosphere were great. Staff were attentive and very friendly and attentive to our needs. Great place for wonderful food
- Karin Deakin
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
We visited Varsity Tavern for a friends 19th birthday celebration and the service, food and atmosphere were great. Staff were attentive and very friendly and attentive to our needs. Great place for wonderful food
- Jonathon Pain
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Was expecting great things based on other reviews but that was not our experience. We tried 3 mains: rump steak, 1/2 rack of ribs and brisket sandwich.
The rump was quite tough and definitely not medium rare as ordered, had quite a bit of gristle too. The brisket sandwich had plenty of brisket but wasn't very flavourful and the sandwich was overall very dry. The ribs were pretty good but the accompanying slaw and sauce was not.
None of us finished our meals.
Not likely to return for food.
Nice venue with pleasant staff and service though and free pool tables on Sundays.
Bit suss on the number of first time reviews left too... probably should have noticed that sooner
- Reviewer
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
The food is overpriced and rubbish. Ordered a calamari. Tiny portion for a "entree/share plate" supposedly worth $17 , yet couldn't finish it because it smells and takes like some cheap crab meat "pretend calamari", the cheap crud you get frozen from chii ina. Disgusting. We live on a coast, and ALH hotel chain use cheap rubbery fake ingredients and charge a fortune. Shame. Really. Service is friendly enough, bistro area ok but everything is overshadowed by the gaudy pokies area. Yuck. Never again.
- Magenta Mcneill
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
The food is consistently incredible, and the staff are always top-notch! Rob, the bar manager, is especially fantastic - always welcoming and up for a great conversation, love meeting the new team member and Jason was really nice and friendly. I've never had a bad experience here, only delicious meals and wonderful times!
- Jason S
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Thank you Chef at Varsity. The best lamb Ragu Fettuccine 👌
- Robbie Young
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Steak was over cooking chicken over cooked and dry food was disappointing all though having a good menu I will try it again but no chicken or steak. Nice venue though okay service.
- Lisa Harris
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Service with a smile & invited to their weekender events by friendly team members promoting the weekends fundraising event.
Cosmos we’re extraordinary and brought to us as it was off peak and a colleague and I were celebrating a wonderful working week.
Thank you team, such a lovely local hang out spot.
- Ethan Watman
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Really great place and lovely staff, $5 pints in the sports bar with a few games of pool is the best way to end the day especially with the music box and lovely staff. Bartender Josh always super nice and friendly. Would highly recommend.
- Jammm
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Pork belly has absolutely beautiful. I am allergic to soy sauce and the chefs were very accommodating.
Thanknyou i will be back
- nicky price
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Nice place very popular. The Senior menu is good and not stingy. Beer / drink prices are reasonable.
- Yasemin Trollope
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Love the Varisty Tavern! It’s our go-to with friends for a family friendly dinner. Great food and service, highly recommended.
- Michelle Harvey
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Love the parmy and the price is fantastic come very Tuesday after the gym. Jason is lovely keep up the great work.
- Jason and Joanne Brown
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Just get basic pub foods anything else is Terrible. Not worth it with out WW card $6 Pints in Sports bar is great. Rob is Awesome. Food section needs an over haul. Managers have No clue.
- Lobke Verburg
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Jason was absolutely amazing - he went above and beyond to make sure our food arrived promptly, he was super professional and polite. Excellent value for money too - all round an absolute pleasure.
- Natalie G
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Have only ever had good experiences at Varsity Lakes Tavern. It has all the facilities a good pub should have.
Food has always come out fresh and hot.
Sports bar has many TVs, pool tables and even a ping pong table!
There’s also a playground for the kids in the bistro.
Staff are friendly!
Overall great local pub!
- Wayne R Waite
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Had of 6 for lunch 03/13/24. Food was good. BUT, the attitude of the service staff that delivered the meals was far from impressive. Plates just basically thrown down in front of the customer.
The female staff that serve need an attitude adjustment. They look like that they don’t want to be there. My Granddaughter ( Who is 12 ) even commented on their attitude.
The only redeeming feature, was the Male bar attendant. Probably the only happiest face in the whole place. Traveled up from Tweed Heads because we had high expectations. But unfortunately won’t return until Staff attitude changes
- Reannen Coffin
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Had an amazing experience. Staff were amazing and helpful.food was delicious and hot. Would recommend to friends and family. Lisa at the distro was very friendly, helpful and kind to her customers and the chefs made amazing food for my table. Please let them know of there good hard work
- airlie MacDonald
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
GREAT SERVICE!! THANKYOU SHELLY!
First time coming here and I had the best night with my girls tonight at the varsity tavern the cheap beers and great service especially from Shelly really made my night! will definitely be coming back !
- Anna Mae Manca
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Great food, very helpful staff with Jason adding the personal touch. Family friendly but lots of adult atmosphere too. Something for everyone
- Flora Musolino
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Food was tasty and plenty grand children also enjoyed loud maybe if noise panels were in place better .
- James Henderson
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Excellent customer service. Very accommodating staff. Food was great and to top it off the beer is reasonably priced. Will come here again :)
- Gabriel heim
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Best parmy and pot in the GC. Awesome bar staff who are very friendly and have great chat!
10/10 coming again!
- Layton Rodwell
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Been here two weeks in a row for the chefs special and a classic chicken parmi, both occasions being impeccable. From the food, to the ambience it’s a great spot to dine. Shoutout to Jason for his positive energy and great service.
- Fiona Hollenberg
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Beef Cheek special was absolutely delicious! Everyone ate ALL of their meals.
Service was great and an indoor playground for the kids. We’ll be back!
- Sarah
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Beautiful food. Lovely staff nice atmosphere. Perfect for us here as a family with kids with the play area highly recommend
- Alex Kutaladze
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Always a great place to hang out and the kids have fun at the playground. Service great and people are nice. Good sports area too
- Louisa Hollenberg
20 Sat 2024 at 01.46 am
Always a great destination to catch up with our friends with kids. Great food, great service.
- Karin Deakin