Best Bars in Cairns (2026)
Looking for the best bars in Cairns? We've rounded up 42 of the city's standout spots — from neighbourhood favourites to buzzy new openings. Every venue is ranked by our Spot Score, which weighs reputation, popularity and freshness, so you can book with confidence. Filter by suburb, price or what's open now to find your next go-to.
From rooftop and laneway bars to intimate cocktail dens, Cairns rewards a bit of wandering after dark. The picks below cover the spectrum — wine bars, craft cocktails and buzzy late-night spots alike.
42 spots
Daintree Bar and Lounge
Daintree Bar and Lounge is a bar in Port Douglas, Cairns. It holds a 4.2-star Google rating from 34 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 50/100.
Bourbon Street Sports Bar
Bourbon Street Sports Bar is a bar in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 71 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 50/100.
Wild Pony Saloon
Wild Pony Saloon is a bar in Cairns City, Cairns. It holds a 5.0-star Google rating from 9 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 49/100.
Mesa Familia
Mesa Familia is a bar in Kuranda, Cairns. It holds a 4.4-star Google rating from 9 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 47/100.
The Party Pit Cairns
The Party Pit Cairns is a bar in Cairns North, Cairns. It holds a 3.6-star Google rating from 37 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 40/100.
Pokies
Pokies is a bar in Smithfield, Cairns. It holds a 4.0-star Google rating from 8 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 40/100.
Bars by suburb
Zoom in on the best bars in Cairns's most popular neighbourhoods.
Bars guides for Cairns
roundupCairns Nightlife: The Best Bars & Live Music
Cairns may be best known as the gateway to the reef and rainforest, but once the sun drops the city centre comes alive with a compact, walkable cluster of bars, breweries and live
Read guide →roundupFree Things to Do in Cairns
From the Esplanade Lagoon and Botanic Gardens to Palm Cove and rainforest escapes, these are Cairns’ best free outings — plus what costs extra.
Read guide →roundupCairns With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do
From the free Esplanade Lagoon to the Daintree, here are Cairns family activities worth planning around, with practical ideas for wet and sunny days.
Read guide →Bars in Cairns — FAQs
What are the best bars in Cairns?+
Our top-rated bars in Cairns are ranked by our Spot Score, which combines Google ratings, review volume, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear at the top of this page.
How is the Cairns bars ranking decided?+
We blend independent signals — Google star ratings and review counts, popularity, the quality of available information and freshness — into a single Spot Score out of 100. It's an editorial score, not a paid placement.
Can I filter bars by suburb or price?+
Yes. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, minimum rating, price level, whether a place is open now, and features like dog-friendly or outdoor seating.
How many bars are listed in Cairns?+
We currently feature 42 bars across Cairns and surrounding suburbs, and we add and re-check venues regularly.