Cold beers, tropical cocktails and rooftop sunsets await.

Few places do an afternoon drink quite like Cairns. Think rooftop cocktails overlooking the Coral Sea, craft breweries by the marina, neighbourhood pubs loved by locals and hidden laneway bars pouring exceptional cocktails. Whatever your idea of a great night out, there’s a venue to match.

In short

If you only visit one pub or bar in Cairns, make it Salt House. With its marina location, fire pits, tropical cocktails and unbeatable sunset views, it perfectly captures Cairns’ laid-back waterfront lifestyle.

Best rooftop bar: Rocco by Crystalbrook
Best craft brewery: Hemingway’s Brewery
Best cocktails: Three Wolves
Best Irish pub: P. J. O’Brien’s
Best live music: Elixir Music House
Hidden gem: The Fox Small Bar

Best waterfront pubs and bars

Sunset drinks, marina views and tropical cocktails come together at these waterfront favourites.

Salt House

Drinks: Cocktails, wine and local beer

Few venues capture the Cairns lifestyle quite like Salt House. Overlooking Marlin Marina, this sprawling waterfront bar pairs tropical cocktails, premium wines and local beers with fire pits, palm trees and front-row sunset views. Sink into one of the outdoor lounges and settle in for sunset with a cocktail in hand.

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

The Pier Bar Cairns

Drinks: Cocktails, beer and live music

A Cairns favourite for Sunday sessions, The Pier Bar combines waterfront views, live music and DJs with cocktails, cold beers and a lively crowd. It’s the sort of place where one afternoon drink often stretches well into the evening.

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

Rocco by Crystalbrook

Drinks: Cocktails and champagne

Perched 12 storeys above the Esplanade, Rocco within Crystalbrook Riley is Cairns’ highest rooftop bar. Mediterranean-inspired cocktails, sweeping Coral Sea views and a sophisticated atmosphere make it one of the city’s best spots for sunset drinks. Signature cocktails are the drawcard, with favourites including the Ladi Charli, made with Absolut Vodka, lychee liqueur, coconut cream and citrus.

Address: Level 12, Tower, 131/141 The Esplanade, Cairns City

Classic pubs and breweries

Cold beers, hearty meals and a welcoming atmosphere make these Cairns institutions ideal for an easy afternoon or evening.

Cock & Bull

Drinks: Beer on tap and hearty pub meals

A Cairns institution for decades, Cock & Bull is the kind of neighbourhood pub locals return to time and again. Expect generous pub classics, cold beers on tap, big screens showing live sport and a welcoming atmosphere that suits families, groups and travellers alike.

Good to know: The famously generous meal portions mean you’ll never leave hungry.

Address: 6 Grove Street, Cairns North

P. J. O’Brien’s

Drinks: Guinness and Irish whisky

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 Street, Cairns City

Rattle n Hum Cairns

Drinks: Beer on tap and pub classics

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.

Address: 65-67 The Esplanade, Cairns

Cairns RSL Club

Drinks: Beer, wine and classic pub pours

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 on-site bistro.

Address: 119 The Esplanade, Cairns City

Hemingway’s Brewery

Drinks: Craft beer

Set inside a heritage-listed wharf building overlooking Trinity Inlet, Hemingway’s Brewery is Cairns’ go-to for craft beer. Brewed on site, the rotating range of beers and ciders pairs perfectly with burgers, pizzas and share plates, while the waterfront setting makes lingering over a tasting paddle easy.

Address: Wharf Street, Cairns City

Cocktail bars and small bars

Looking for something beyond the usual pub? These intimate bars specialise in creative cocktails, boutique spirits and memorable settings.

Three Wolves

Drinks: Whisky and cocktails

Hidden down a red-brick laneway, Three Wolves has earned cult status among cocktail lovers thanks to its intimate atmosphere, impressive whisky collection and expertly mixed drinks. Pull up a stool at the bar and let the team recommend your next favourite pour.

Address: 32 Abbott Street, Cairns City

Wolf Lane Distillery

Drinks: Tropical gin and spirits

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 unique. You can also find gin-tasting sessions here, as well as a cocktail-making masterclass.

Address: 28-30 Abbott Street, Cairns City

Flamingos Tiki Bar

Drinks: Tropical cocktails

Step downstairs into a colourful world of neon lights, tiki decor and tropical cocktails at Flamingos Tiki Bar, where it’s all about neon, palm trees, tropical prints, hula girls, and creative drinks, flavoured 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.

Address: 43 The Esplanade, Cairns City

Pachamama

Drinks: Tequila, mezcal and cocktails

Bold colours, lively music and Latin American flavours set the tone at Pachamama. The cocktail list heroes tequila and mezcal alongside tropical twists on the classics, while tacos, ceviche and share plates make it just as suited to dinner as drinks. If you’re after somewhere with plenty of energy before a night out, this is it.

Good to know: Happy hour is one of the best-value times to visit.

Address: 163 Abbott Street, Cairns City

Whiskey & Wine

Drinks: Whisky, wine and cocktails

For something a little more refined, Whiskey & Wine by Crystalbrook specialises in premium whiskies, carefully curated wines and expertly crafted cocktails. The intimate bar offers a quieter alternative to the Esplanade’s larger venues, making it ideal for date nights or lingering over a nightcap after dinner. The carefully curated back bar includes rare whiskies alongside Australian and international wines, making it a favourite with serious spirit lovers.

Address: 85 The Esplanade, Cairns City

The Conservatory Bar

Drinks: Wine and cocktails

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.

Address: 12/14 Lake Street, Cairns City

The Fox Small Bar

Drinks: Wine, gin and cocktails

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.

Address: Shop 4/9 Kamerunga Road, Stratford

Live music and nightlife

When the sun goes down, these lively venues keep the good times rolling with live bands, DJs and dance floors that stay busy well into the night.

Gilligan’s

Drinks: Beer, cocktails and DJs

One of Cairns’ biggest nightlife venues, 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 (spicy shots) to Wet Pool Party Sundays.

Address: 57/89 Grafton Street, Cairns City

The Cotton Club

Drinks: Cocktails, champagne and DJs

The Cotton Club brings a touch of vintage glamour to Cairns after dark. Expect velvet booths, Art Deco-inspired interiors, creative cocktails and DJs keeping the energy high into the evening. Whether you’re kicking off a night out with espresso martinis or settling in for a few rounds with friends, it strikes the perfect balance between sophisticated cocktail bar and lively late-night venue.

Address: 24 Shields Street, Cairns City

The Woolshed

Drinks: Beer, cocktails and late nights

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 dance floor, 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 Street, Cairns City

Elixir Music House

Drinks: Craft beer and local 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 Street, Cairns City

Bar 94 Club & Beer Garden

Drinks: Beer and cocktails

Known for heavily supporting the local music scene, stop in at Bar 94 for cosy lounges, well-priced drinks, and delicious hot dogs, wings and pizza. Events are 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 Street, Cairns City

Calypso Club

Drinks: Tropical cocktails

Bringing a touch of Palm Springs glamour to Cairns, Calypso Club is the city’s newest poolside cocktail destination. Fringed by swaying palms and private cabanas, one cocktail here easily turns into an afternoon. Tropical-inspired drinks, share plates and laid-back resort vibes make it a great choice for everything from pre-dinner drinks to leisurely weekend sessions.

Good to know: Reserve a cabana if you’re celebrating a special occasion or visiting with a group.

Address: 131-141 The Esplanade, Cairns City

Planning the morning after? Refuel at one of Cairns’ best cafes.