Queensland / Cairns

Cairns · late-night guide

Cairns after dark.

Sunset drinks on the Esplanade and the marina, then backpacker clubs and live music in the CBD until 3am.

Queensland guide. Venue picks are curated; Gold Coast and Cairns events are refreshed daily from official calendars, and three Brisbane venues’ programs are read from their own sites each morning. Nights and hours change, so check with the venue before you go.

Cairns CBD

The late core of town around Shields, Spence, Lake, Grafton and Abbott Streets. Backpacker clubs, pubs and live music within a few blocks, and the only part of Cairns where venues can trade until 3am.

• GiBackpacker bar & clubs · Cairns CBDGilligan’sDJs in the club, live bands on the back deck, guest DJs at Sunday pool parties · Best: Saturday (The Attic from 9pm); Sunday pool party from midday
• WoBackpacker bar & club · Cairns CBDThe WoolshedParty DJs and themed nights · Best: Check the program
• JaPub & live music venue · Cairns CBDThe JackTouring bands, themed DJ parties, sport on the screens · Best: Check the program
• P.Irish pub & live music · Cairns CBDP.J. O’Brien’sLive bands and covers; karaoke on Wednesdays · Best: Thursday to Sunday live music
• ElLive music venue · Cairns CBDElixir Music HouseLocal and touring original bands, folk to metalcore · Best: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 7pm

Cairns Esplanade, Marina & Wharf

Bars along the Esplanade, Marlin Marina, the Pier and Wharf Street. Start here with sunset drinks, live music and weekend DJs, then walk a few minutes into the CBD for a later finish.

• SaWaterfront bar & DJs · Cairns Esplanade, Marina & WharfSalt HouseLive sets and DJs from 5pm · Best: Friday to Sunday
• RaPub & live music · Cairns Esplanade, Marina & WharfRattle n HumLive music · Best: Friday and Saturday
• PiLate bar & DJs · Cairns Esplanade, Marina & WharfThe Pier BarHouse, reggaeton, live music and open mic · Best: Friday (House Fridays) and Saturday DJs; Sunday sessions
• BACasino lounge & live music · Cairns Esplanade, Marina & WharfBAR36Weekly live music from national and local acts · Best: Friday and Saturday, 4pm till late
• FlCocktail bar (LGBTQIA+ inclusive) · Cairns Esplanade, Marina & WharfFlamingos Tiki BarTiki cocktails; check the program for music · Best: Every night, 4pm to midnight; Tiki Tuesday

Checked 13 October 2026 against venue sites, Visit Brisbane, Destination Gold Coast, Townsville, Whitsunday and Tropical North Queensland tourism, 2026 gig listings, TransLink and Business Queensland. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.