Gold Coast's best pub: Who is the best bartender in the city? Tamika Wood

A Gold Coast girl who left school at 16 to become a bartender says she has never looked back on her decision - and now it's paying off. ALL THE DETAILS >>>

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A GOLD Coast girl who left school at 16 to become a bartender says she has never looked back on her decision - and now it's paying off.

Parkwood Tavern bartender Tamika Wood, 22, began working when she left school at Paradise Point Bowls club.

That leap of faith was rewarded by being voted the finest bartender in the Bulletin's Best of Gold Coast series.

“School for me was more of a social thing, I really only went to see friends,” she said.

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“I have no regrets leaving early. I got a job straight away and it all fit in place."

Tamika Wood from Parkwood tavern has won the best bartender competition. She left school when we was 16 and started bartending and hasnt looked back since. Picture Glenn Hampson

She said she immediately knew she was a natural at the art of bartending.

“I love when customers let me play around with the cocktails and I get to put my own spin on them,” Ms Wood said.

She said when she first started she had to understand the industry was reliant on shift work but adapted to the lifestyle quickly.

“My hours are all over the place, I can do morning and night shifts,” Ms Wood said.

“You just have to take it in your stride.”

Ms Wood said she wouldn’t consider moving to the nightclub scene as the atmosphere of the pub was what she desired.

“I love the personal level you get whet places like Parkwood Tavern,” she said.

“You get so many stories and the locals are lovely.”