19 Best Cairns Pubs And Bars For A Night Out

Quench your thirst at these tropical watering holes.

In a city as adventurous as Cairns, the key is to slow down and enjoy a refreshing drink as often as you can. Whether you’re looking for rooftop sunset drinks, you’re out and about on the esplanade and fancy a quick pick-me-up, or even a late-night boogie with your favourite tipple, Cairns plays host to a fun range of pubs and bars. Here are 19 of the best.

1. Flamingos Tiki Bar

Best for: Tropical drinks

Hidden beneath street level, Flamingos Tiki Bar is all about neon, palm trees, tropical prints, hula girls and creative drinks flourished with fruit. Not sure what to order? Ask for a signature cocktail, such as a Flamingo Sling, a Daintree Daiquiri or a Shark Bait Hoo Ha Ha, or browse the extensive spirits list for your poison of choice.

Flamingos Tiki Bar in cairns — Flamingos Tiki Bar is a fun, hidden bar. (Image: Supplied)

Address: 43 Esplanade, Cairns City

2. Cairns RSL Club

Best for: Esplanade view

Centrally located, the Cairns RSL Club offers fantastic views of the esplanade, a laid-back energy and is family-friendly. Enjoy a cold beverage from the Sports Bar or Diggers Bar and stay for lunch at the onsite bistro.

Address: 119 Esplanade, Cairns City

3. Rocco by Crystalbrook

Best for: Rooftop view

If you want to sip on Insta-worthy cocktail creations twelve floors up, head to the city’s highest rooftop bar Rocco , offering 270-degree panoramic views of Cairns and the Coral Sea. Rocco is renowned for its signature cocktails so you can expect to find an inspired drinks menu with both sweet and savoury flavours. It’s hard to choose but the Ladi Charli with Absolut vodka and lychee liqueur softly combined with coconut cream and citrus sounds delightful.

two women enjoying drinks at Rocco by Crystalbrook — Reserve a table ahead for your girls’ nightout at Rocco by Crystalbrook. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Address: Level 12, Tower, 131/141 Esplanade, Cairns City (within Crystalbrook Riley)

4. Oak and Vine Restaurant and Bar

Best for: Sunset views

Watch the sunset over the Coral Sea on the terrace at Oak and Vine as the space transforms into a lively cocktail bar. Choose from inventive signature cocktails, fine wines, craft beers, and a selection of artisan botanical gins with spicy tonics. Or see their Sippin’ on Sunset Special which includes a mixed charcuterie board and two cocktails or a house bottle of wine for only $50.

food and drinks at Oak and Vine Restaurant and Bar — Indulge in cocktails and botanical gins at Oak and Vine Restaurant and Bar. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Address: 59/63 Esplanade, Cairns City

5. Rattle n Hum Cairns

Best for: Your friendly Aussie pub

With a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere often showing sports and playing live music, Rattle n Hum is a bustling bar and grill, with friendly staff and generous-sized meals. Out at the back is an epic outback beer garden with greenery and festoon lighting throughout and a retractable all-weather roof. You can also find a Rattle n Hum in Port Douglas and Palm Cove.

Rattle n Hum in cairns — Rattle n Hum is a bustling bar and grill. (Image: Supplied)

Address: 65-67 The Esplanade, Cairns, QLD 4870

6. The Conservatory Bar

Best for: Wine tastings

The Conservatory Bar may be small in size but its chilled-out vibes, impressive wine list and Queenslander-style design have garnered it a big following. Pop in for a beverage, enjoy the live music and order one of the impressive grazing boards to share with friends.

a dimly lit corner at Conservatory Bar, Cairns — Curl up with a drink in hand at Conservatory Bar.

Address: 12/14 Lake St, Cairns City

7. Hemingway’s Brewery

Best for: Craft beers

With 20 varieties of brews and ciders on tap, including at least 10 of its own, Hemingway’s Brewery has the beer lovers among us covered. Housed in a heritage-listed building at Cairns Wharf with historical images above the bar and incredible views across Trinity Inlet, it’s a really cool space to enjoy a frothy and excellent pub grub.

people dining at Hemingway's Brewery Cairns Wharf — Take in incredible wharf views when you dine at Hemingway’s Brewery. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Address: Wharf St, Cairns City

8. Salt House

Best for: Lively atmosphere

If a lantern-lit bar with flowing ponds and fire features lights up your senses, then you’ll love Salt House . Pick an outdoor lounge area and while away the afternoon sipping into the sunset with a cocktail in hand.

a woman enjoying cocktails at Salt House, Cairns — Swing by Salt House for indulgent cocktails. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Address: Marina Point, 6/2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City

9. Three Wolves

Best for: Cocktails

Hidden down a red brick laneway in the heart of the city is the charming Three Wolves , a boutique whiskey, wine and cocktail bar with an exciting menu.

Stop by for a chat with their friendly bar staff to discover your next favourite drink.

two girls walking by the side of Three Wolves, Cairns — Head to the chic speakeasy at Three Wolves for a guaranteed good time. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/ Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Address: 32 Abbott St, Cairns City

10. Wolf Lane Distillery

Best for: Tropical gins and liqueurs

For a splash of paradise, check out Wolf Lane Distillery for award-winning tropical gins and premium coffee liqueurs, infused with luscious North Queensland tropical fruits and rainforest botanicals that make them entirely unique. You can also find gin-tasting sessions here, as well as a cocktail-making masterclass.

empty chairs at Wolf Lane Distillery, Cairns — Pull up a chair at Wolf Lane Distillery. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/ Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Address: 28-30 Abbott St, Cairns City

11. The Pier Bar Cairns

Best for: Sunday session

Had a heavy Saturday night? Spend your Sunday afternoon recovering at The Pier Bar , with live music, DJs and food and drinks specials from 4pm. Located in an awesome spot by the water, it’s the ideal spot to catch up with friends, with an extensive wine, beer and cocktail menu featuring delicious in-house creations as well as the classics.

Address: The Pier Shopping Centre, 1 Pier Point Rd, Cairns City

12. P. J. O’Brien’s

Best for: An Irish pub

If you’re craving a good old-fashioned watering hole with Guinness on tap, classic grub and Irish music gigs, you absolutely have to go to P. J. O’Brien’s . From the Monday parma and pint to Friday pie and pint, there’s a special no matter what day you go in. Full of charm, it’s the perfect setting to eat, drink and be merry.

Address: 87 Lake St, Cairns City

13. Downunder Bar

Best for: Simple fun

Open seven nights a week until midnight, Downunder Bar offers a no-fuss, easy bar experience. Take your pick from nine pool tables (it’s free), karaoke every Thursday, a jukebox and cheap drink deals.

people playing at the pool tables in Downunder Bar, Cairns — The Downunder Bar is the biggest pool table venue in Cairns.

Address: 102 Lake St, Cairns City

14. Bar 94 Club & Beer Garden

Best for: Entertainment

Known for heavily supporting the local music scene, stop in at Bar 94 for cosy lounges, well-priced drinks, and delicious hotdogs, wings and pizza. There are events happening every week (including music shows, comedy, trivia, bingo and more) so if you’ve got an evening to spare and you’re happy to experience the unexpected, this is the place to go.

Address: 94 Lake St, Cairns City

15. The Fox Small Bar

Best for: Trendy neighbourhood spot

For something a little more low-key, enjoy a drink at The Fox Small Bar , a popular local neighbourhood small bar in the heart of Stratford with an extensive wine, gin and cocktail list. Peckish? Order the charcuterie board with cured meats, cheeses, and more.

The Fox Small Bar in Cairns — The Fox Small Bar is a low-key, trendy bar. (Image: Supplied)

Address: Shop 4/9 Kamerunga Rd, Stratford

16. The Beach Shack, Kewarra Beach Resort

Best for: Beach bar

Open seasonally, the famous Kewara Beach Shack bar sits on a beachfront just metres from the shoreline. Enjoy stunning views of the Coral Sea while sipping an ice-cold beverage with your feet in the sand and live music humming in the background. Bliss. There are often food trucks onsite too and it’s a great little spot to bring the kids.

sunset at Kewarra Beach — Come to Kewarra Beach for the sunset and stay for the cocktails. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Address: 80 Kewarra St, Kewarra Beach

17. Gilligan’s

Best for: Social fun

More than just budget accommodation, the legendary Gilligan’s has three quirky bars to explore (Main Bar, Beach Bar and Attic Bar) with a character for everyone. There’s no time to feel lost here as you’ll instantly be swept away into the theme of the night, from Fireball Fridays to Wet Pool Party Sundays.

a crowd of people enjoying a night filled with performances at Gilligan's — Join in the fun at Gilligan’s and soak up that party atmosphere.

Address: 57/89 Grafton St, Cairns City

18. The Woolshed

Best for: Party atmosphere

Popular with backpackers, The Woolshed is another bar with plenty of action and different areas to suit your motive. When you’re not on the dancefloor, sit away from the music yet close to the bar on its mezzanine floor, or head out to the balcony to look out over City Place and its lit-up fig trees.

Address: 22-24 Shields St, Cairns City

19. Elixir Music House

Best for: Quality live music

With a funky underground vibe and the home of live music to a wide range of genres, Elixir Music Bar is the go-to place to tap your foot with a beer while supporting the local arts scene. We hear this bar has some of the finest fried chicken in Cairns too.

Address: 1/92 Abbott St, Cairns City

Be prepared and plan your next-day brunch at one of these top 15 cafes in Cairns.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

19 of the best pubs and bars in Cairns