12 of the most refreshing Cairns bars to quench your thirst

Found yourself with a thirst to quench after a day of adventuring in Cairns? This coastal city has your back, courtesy of its variety of drinking holes suited for any and every occasion.

From suave bars for the cocktail connoisseur to more casual haunts for when you simply crave a beer on the beach, make your way through the best bars in Cairns with this guide.

Rocco at Crystalbrook Riley

If awe-inspiring views strike your fancy, then Cairns’ highest rooftop bar and restaurant is a must-visit. Rocco has become a popular mainstay on the city's nightlife scene since it opened as part of the sleek new five-star accommodation offering, Riley.

While the sky-high bar does boast 270-degree panoramic views of Cairns and the surrounding Coral Sea, Rocco is also well worth a visit thanks to its Mediterranean-inspired menu. Think aromatic meats cooked over an open grill to accompany sweet and savoury cocktails. 

Note: smart dress code is required, no rubber thongs or singlets. 

Must-drink: Smoked pineapple old fashioned.
Where: Level 12, The Tower, 131-141 Esplanade, Cairns
Open: Sunday, Monday, Thursday 4:00pm - 10:30pm / Friday, Saturday 4:00pm - 11:30pm

Sauce Brewing Co.

Get on the sauce at Sauce Brewing Co. which offers tasting paddles of beers with a local twist and generous grazing platters in the heart of the CBD.

Ceiling fans whir lazily above the crowd and the atmosphere is as chilled as the frosty brews on tap, which change on a regular basis. If you’re not a fan of beer, the orange and passionfruit hard seltzer is perfect for a steamy tropical afternoon in Cairns.

Must-drink: Bubble & Squeak – a hazy NEIPA
Where: 34-40 Lake Street, Cairns
Open: Sunday - Thursday 11:30am - 9:30pm / Friday - Saturday 11:30am - 11pm

Salt House

Salt House might be one of the best restaurants in Cairns, but it's equally great to pop in for an alfresco drink thanks to its dedicated bar area. Right on Cairns Marina, you're spoilt with views for days. Pull up a seat to enjoy the sunset alongside signature cocktails and a grazing menu of oysters, tapas and share boards. 

Must-drink: The Cheeky Dutchman, a refreshing cocktail with Mt Uncle Botanic Australis gin, Cointreau, Aperol, lime and cucumber.
Where: Marina Point, 6/2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns
Open: Monday - Sunday, 11:30am - late

Three Wolves

Down a red brick laneway in the heart of Cairns sits clandestine bar Three Wolves. Concocted by a trio of gents passionate about sophisticated drinks, the bar is proudly overflowing with options in the way of specialty whiskey, spirits, cocktails, wines and beers.

Bar bites abound to help line that stomach of yours, crowd-favourite charcuterie included. The venue is so passionate about drinks it also offers a number of masterclasses to better explore the world of cocktails and whiskey.

Must-drink: Prohibition Punch
Where: Red Brick Laneway 32 Abbott Street, Cairns
Open: Bar is 4pm till late daily. Kitchen open Wednesday - Sunday 4pm - 9pm

The Beach Shack, Kewarra Beach Resort

Fans of the simple life should head straight for Kewarra, home to a rather famous Cairns bar on the beach. Nestled on private beachfront, the aptly-named The Beach Shack isquite literally metres from the lapping waves of the Coral Sea. 

This isn't a classy joint - and it's not trying to be. But you’d be pressed to find a better place to watch the sunset with your toes in the sand and live music to boot. The food menu is ever-changing depending on the night, but tacos, paella and woodfired pizza are popular features.

Must drink: An ice-cold beer.
Where: Kewarra Beach Resort and Spa, 80 Kewarra Street, Kewarra Beach, Cairns
Open: Fridays 5pm-9pm, Sundays 4pm - 8pm. Note: this bar is seasonal and closes during February and March. 

Flamingo’s Tiki Bar

Say ‘Aloha’ to Flamingos Tiki Bar which serves elaborate rum cocktails that are worthy of your Instagram feed. Just walking into this playful and welcoming bar will make you smile. The unashamedly kitsch Polynesian décor is a delight and the vibe is friendly and laid back. Think of it as your very own tropical oasis in the heart of Cairns.

Must-drink: Pineapple and Hibiscus Margarita
Where: 43 The Esplanade, Cairns
Open: 4pm till 12am daily

The Fox Small Bar

Located in the up and coming suburb of Stratford, The Fox Small Bar is the drinking den the locals probably don’t want you to know about. This tiny high end cocktail bar, with dapper waistcoated bartenders and top-shelf spirits lining the backlit bar behind them, brings New York to the ‘burbs.

You can sit outside café style but inside where you can watch the bartenders at work is the best spot. Book online in advance or you’ll be drowning your sorrows up the road at the pub.

Must-drink: 1840 Sour - Australian Whisky, Yellow Chartreuse, grapefruit, lemon, honey, cinnamon infused syrup & aquafaba
Where: Shop 4, 9 Kamerunga Road, Stratford
Open: Tuesday - Thursday 3pm - 10 pm / Friday & Saturday 3pm - 12am / Sunday 3pm - 9pm

Wolf Lane Distillery

What makes Australian gin so good? Slip down an alleyway lined with funky street art and you’ll find out in Cairns. Wolf Lane Distillery, a boutique gin distillery which doubles as a bar, uses native ingredients from Tropical North Queensland to create gins with a strong sense of place. You’re in the heart of the action as the shiny silver gin still is located inside the bar. Ask for a Davidson Plum cocktail recommendation and let the talented bartenders work their magic.

Must-drink: Davidson Plum Negroni Spritz
Where: Red Brick Laneway, 32 Abbott Street, Cairns
Open: Distillery Bar is open Monday 4pm til late / Thursday - Saturday 4pm til late / Sunday 2pm til late

The Conservatory Bar

The eclectic Conservatory Bar is one-to-watch for the music lover. While food and drinks are in ample supply - boasting the most extensive wine list in Queensland's far north - this Cairns bar prides itself on its reguarly lively gigs. On Friday and Saturday nights, the bar plays host to a rotating selection of musical acts who serenade the crowd while they tuck into their first of many specialty cocktails and wines.

Of course what’s a night out without a bite to eat? It’s hard to go past the bar’s specialty charcuterie-laden grazing boards, which encourage plenty of personalisation; there’s chilli and lime cheddar and duck terrine, and everything in between.

Must drink: Tropic Like It’s Hot.

Where: 12-14 Lake Street, Cairns City
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 4pm til late

Hemingway's Brewery

For beer lovers, it’s hard to pass up an opportunity to taste a glass of the district’s finest pint. The perfect spot to spend a sunny afternoon, Hemingway’s Brewery sits in an expansive heritage-listed space on Cairns Wharf and offers views of picturesque Trinity Inlet. 

Take a seat at the brewery’s 19-metre-long bar and try any (and every) of the 20 taps available, which include 10 of Hemingway’s own brewed beers, specialty collaborations, and ciders.

Must drink: The Tasting Paddle for a little bit of everything. 

Where: 4 Wharf Street, Cairns
Open: 12pm - 10pm daily

House of Commons

If you're looking for the best Cairns bars, it's time you stepped into House of Commons. This London-style speakeasy opened in the city August 2021 and pays homage to the 1920s Prohibition era, down to the hidden entrance. The bar is tucked above the Bavarian Beerhouse on the Esplanade – accessed through a curtain at the back of the German pub.

A collective project between Mt Uncle Distillery and Coral Sea Brewing Co., House of Commons' expert mixologists will shake and stir a bespoke cocktail creation while you kick back in comfort in the lounge-inspired interior. 

Reservations are recommended.

Must-drink: Try the ever-changing cocktail of the month. 
Where: 1/77 The Esplanade, Cairns
Open: 5pm til late daily. 

Oak & Vine Restaurant and Bar

In the late afternoon, this bar on the top floor of the Oaks Cairns Hotel is the perfect spot to enjoy a well-priced glass of wine alongside views of the lagoon, the Esplanade, and out to sea as you watch the tour boats come in after a day out on the reef.

With the breeze in your hair and something cold in your glass, it’s hard to think of a better place to be. Share plates such as tempura prawns and crispy fried chicken served with Japanese tartare sauce are a highlight and could easily pass as dinner.

Must-drink: A crisp glass of pinot gris
Where: 59-63 The Esplanade, Cairns
Open: 12pm to 10pm daily. Kitchen closes at 8.30pm Sunday-Thursday, and 9pm Friday & Saturday. 

Hungry too? Here are best restaurants to grab dinner - then head out and discover more of what Cairns has to offer after dark.