Cairns Nightlife
Famed for its stunning sandy beaches and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef, a bustling, vibrant nightlife may not be the first thing that most people associate with Cairns.
But after a day white water rafting, kite surfing, scuba diving or parasailing, tourists and locals alike enjoy nothing more than heading into town to enjoy an excellent selection of bars and clubs.
Cairns is an ideal city for night-time revellers because all of the nightclubs are in close proximity, creating an extremely lively atmosphere most nights of the week.
Tropos is one of Cairns' most popular nightclubs and it has attracted something of a reputation for putting on fun, if cheap and cheerful, themed nights. Backpackers in Cairns would be crazy to miss out on Backpacker Idol, for instance, while those looking to save on the pennies may find themselves drawn to Tight-Arse Tuesday.
If you do head to Tropos, look out for the Miami Ice Bar on the balcony, which serves Daiquiris in 30 rotating flavours.
The Playpen nightclub is also popular, with an ample dance floor for the more energetic visitors and a couple of pool tables if you fancy yourself as a bit of a shark.
But if you want to push the boat out, quite literally in fact, take the 45 minute catamaran journey to Fitzroy Island and let your hair down in the island's popular club. A day sailing, fishing or relaxing on the glass-bottomed boat around Fitzroy Island can be finished in style by partying into the early hours.
If you're feeling lucky, you may prefer a trip to the Sofitel Reef Casino Cairns, which is the only casino in Far North Queensland. Distinctive with its huge glass dome roof, the Sofitel Reef Casino has 128 bedrooms and is typically thought to be one of Cairns' most luxurious hotels.
The Casino also boasts a nightclub called 1936, which evokes industrial New York and is extremely popular with a younger crowd. You will need to dress fairly smartly to gain entrance, but with themed nights and some excellent bars, the atmosphere is always accommodating.
For a night out on a slightly less spectacular scale, Cairns has an excellent range of bars and backpackers in particular often make their way over to the Woolshed on Shields Street. The Sports Bar on Spence Street is also a favourite and both bars are good choices if you're looking to enjoy a cheap meal with your beer.
Spence Street is actually a great area to start with if you're looking to get a feel for the city's nightlife and meet a few friends. The Mad Cow Tavern may be worth a look if you're in the vicinity, but there are plenty of others to try before you settle on your 'local'.
With its large balcony overlooking the Esplanade, the Chapel Café is another good option and you can often sit back and enjoy accomplished performance from acoustic musicians as you enjoy your drinks here.
While it may not sound like the most exciting night out, a trip to the Cairns Convention Centre can also be worthwhile, as it often attracts top bands and also plays host to some spectacular sporting extravaganzas.
But if you're recovering from the night before, an evening at one of the city's 12 cinemas may be more to your taste, or even a cultural visit to the Civic Theatre.
Hugely popular with gap year students and indeed travellers of all ages, Cairns at night offers something for everybody. Known as the safest tropical city in the world, Cairns is famed for its friendly and effervescent nightlife and visitors tend to find they are extremely reluctant to leave.
|
Nightlife
