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.

Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp — Unwind in the ancient outback.

About Rangelands Outback Camp

Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent — Soak in 360-degree views.

Rangelands Outback Camp tours

Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

tour being led through Rangeland rifts — Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

Sleeping in luxury

After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom — Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

Rangelands Outback Camp dining

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.

19 of the best pubs and bars in Cairns