Cairns Nightlife – Clubs, Bars & Nightlife Tips

Cairns Nightlife

Rather than having big dance clubs, the nightlife in Cairns is focused on having smaller bar or pub experiences. The style in Cairns is to go to a pub, have some drinks with friends, and spend the night chatting about things and having some fun.

Local Bars

The Lounge Bar is a great bar. It is on the waterfront at the Pier Complex. All ages are welcome to enjoy a drink in great surrounds. It has lounge chairs with coffee tables, high tables with stools, and an outdoor deck, all with a friendly decor. A lot of locals meet there for an after work drink.

Gilligan’s is a nice place to unwind with a drink and have a nice conversation. It is located in downtown Cairns. It is one of the more interesting places where there is the music of the inside dance club that comes through when the door opens with but just a bit of rowdy style talking going on.

The Wool Shed has a reputation for being a rowdy backpacker nightclub. It is usually crowded. The music is loud and you get to meet some really interesting people there. This is not to say that you are in any danger by going there, just that it’s not your run-of-the-mill nightclub. There are people who love it and people who swear never to go there again.

P.J. O’Brien’s is an Irish pub, laden with all sorts of Irish paraphernalia and drinks. It’s more of a sit-and-drink type of place than a nightclub, though there is often live music and it can get pretty crowded. The food is good, and they get some interesting characters. There is also an outdoor seating area on the sidewalk for those who would rather enjoy the night air.

Live Music

The Cape York Hotel is a venue for live bands and is popular with the regulars and visitors alike. It gets a bit rowdy and loud but all good fun. The Pandemonium room is medium sized and has a real, nice pub atmosphere. If you like really loud music then this is the place for you. Pandemonium is a nice club with live bands.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about nightlife in Cairns.