Last updated: May 5, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Best Happy Hours, Deals & Events in Cairns, QLD — Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Looking for the best happy hour deals in Cairns? From the lively Esplanade to relaxed neighbourhood bars, you can find great specials like $10 cocktails and $6 schooners. Explore the vibrant nightlife and ongoing offers across the city this week.
🍺 Happy Hours in Cairns, QLD Tonight & This Week
Cairns CBD
The Down Under Bar
Address: 20 Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Happy Hour: Daily 4–6 PM
Deals: $7 local beers, $8 wines, $10 basic spirits
Vibe: Casual pub atmosphere with live music on weekends.
Why go: A classic Cairns pub experience, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.
Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse
Address: 63-67 The Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870
Happy Hour: Monday–Friday 5–7 PM
Deals: $8 schooners, $9 house wines, $12 cocktails
Vibe: Upscale waterfront dining with a relaxed bar area.
Why go: Enjoy stunning ocean views with your drinks, ideal for a sophisticated evening out.
The Jack
Address: 53-55 Lake St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Happy Hour: Daily 4–6 PM
Deals: $5.50 local tap beers, $7 house wine, $9 basic spirits
Vibe: Bustling pub with a sports bar feel and frequent live entertainment.
Why go: Great value drinks and a lively atmosphere make this a popular local spot.
Dundee’s Restaurant & Bar
Address: 43 The Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870
Happy Hour: Daily 5–6:30 PM
Deals: $8 local tap beers, $9 house wines, $12 signature cocktails
Vibe: Waterfront restaurant and bar with a focus on seafood and cocktails.
Why go: Enjoy a refreshing drink with prime views of the Coral Sea.
The Glen Hotel Cairns
Address: 167-171 Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Happy Hour: Monday–Friday 4–6 PM
Deals: $6 schooners, $8 house wine, $10 spirits
Vibe: Relaxed local pub with friendly staff and a simple setting.
Why go: A no-frills, affordable option for a casual drink in the city centre.
The Pier Boardwalk
Paddy’s Irish Pub
Address: 2 Pierpoint Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870
Happy Hour: Daily 5–7 PM
Deals: $7.50 pints, $8.50 house wines, $10 Irish coffees
Vibe: Authentic Irish pub with live music and a friendly, communal feel.
Why go: Soak up the lively atmosphere and enjoy a taste of Ireland by the water.
Salt House Cairns
Address: 6/6 Pierpoint Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870
Happy Hour: Monday–Friday 5–7 PM
Deals: $9 cocktails, $7 local beers, $8 wines
Vibe: Stylish waterfront venue with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, known for its cocktails.
Why go: A chic spot to enjoy sunset drinks with excellent views and a great cocktail list.
Cairns North
Cazalys Cairns
Address: 337 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns North QLD 4870
Happy Hour: Tuesday–Sunday 4–6 PM
Deals: $5.50 schooners, $7 house wine, $8 spirits
Vibe: Relaxed club and sports bar with a family-friendly bistro.
Why go: Offers a local club feel with affordable drinks and a good spot for casual gatherings.
The Periwinkle Bar & Grill
Address: 127-129 Lake St, Cairns North QLD 4870
Happy Hour: Tuesday–Saturday 4–6 PM
Deals: $6 local tap beers, $7 house wines, $10 cocktails
Vibe: Neighbourhood bistro and bar with a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Why go: A charming local gem perfect for a relaxed evening drink and a bite to eat.
Smithfield (Outskirts)
The Smithfield Tavern
Address: 77 McGregor Rd, Smithfield QLD 4878
Happy Hour: Monday–Friday 3–5 PM
Deals: $5 schooners, $6 house wine, $9 spirits
Vibe: Classic suburban pub with a friendly, local clientele.
Why go: A genuine local experience away from the main tourist drag, offering great value.
| Venue | Days | Hours | Best Deal | Neighbourhood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Down Under Bar | Daily | 4–6 PM | $7 local beers | Cairns CBD |
| Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse | Mon–Fri | 5–7 PM | $8 schooners | Cairns CBD |
| The Jack | Daily | 4–6 PM | $5.50 local tap beers | Cairns CBD |
| Dundee’s Restaurant & Bar | Daily | 5–6:30 PM | $8 local tap beers | Cairns CBD |
| The Glen Hotel Cairns | Mon–Fri | 4–6 PM | $6 schooners | Cairns CBD |
| Paddy’s Irish Pub | Daily | 5–7 PM | $7.50 pints | The Pier Boardwalk |
| Salt House Cairns | Mon–Fri | 5–7 PM | $9 cocktails | The Pier Boardwalk |
| Cazalys Cairns | Tue–Sun | 4–6 PM | $5.50 schooners | Cairns North |
| The Periwinkle Bar & Grill | Tue–Sat | 4–6 PM | $6 local tap beers | Cairns North |
| The Smithfield Tavern | Mon–Fri | 3–5 PM | $5 schooners | Smithfield |
🎁 Best Deals & Offers in Cairns, QLD This Week
🍽️ Dining Deals
The Cotton Club (Cairns CBD)
Address: 77 Lake St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Deal: $25 Lunch Special (Main meal + soft drink)
Days: Monday–Friday, 12 PM–2 PM
Why go: A hearty and affordable lunch option in the heart of the city.
Scotty’s (Cairns CBD)
Address: 23 Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Deal: Early Bird Dinner Special (2-course meal for $35)
Days: Monday–Thursday, 5 PM–6:30 PM
Why go: Enjoy a curated dining experience at a discounted price before the evening rush.
🍸 Drink Specials
Hanzy Japanese Restaurant (Cairns CBD)
Address: 25 Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Deal: Sake Sundays (Half-price sake carafes)
Days: Every Sunday
Why go: Perfect for exploring Japanese flavours with a significant saving.
Gilligan’s Backpackers Hotel & Resort (Cairns CBD)
Address: 57-89 Grafton St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Deal: Cocktail Happy Hour ($10 Cocktails)
Days: Tuesday & Wednesday, 7 PM–9 PM
Why go: Great value on popular cocktails in a lively backpacker-friendly environment.
The Pier Bar (The Pier Boardwalk)
Address: 13 Pierpoint Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870
Deal: Craft Beer Wednesdays ($8 local craft pints)
Days: Every Wednesday, all day
Why go: Sample local craft brews at a reduced price, a treat for beer enthusiasts.
🎭 Entertainment Offers
O’Donnells Irish Pub (Cairns CBD)
Address: 25 Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Deal: Live Music Nights (No Cover Charge)
Days: Friday & Saturday nights
Why go: Enjoy live local bands and a vibrant atmosphere without an entry fee.
The Jack (Cairns CBD)
Address: 53-55 Lake St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Deal: Trivia Tuesday (Free to play, prizes to be won)
Days: Every Tuesday, starts 7 PM
Why go: Test your knowledge and compete for prizes in a fun, energetic setting.
📱 Loyalty & App Deals
Red Beret Hotel (Cairns North)
Address: 747-771 Florence St, Cairns North QLD 4870
Deal: “Red Rewards” Loyalty Program (Earn points for every dollar spent, redeemable for discounts)
Days: Ongoing
Why go: A great way to save money if you frequent this local favourite.
Cazalys Cairns (Cairns North)
Address: 337 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns North QLD 4870
Deal: Member Specials (Exclusive discounts on drinks and meals for members)
Days: Ongoing
Why go: Become a member to access ongoing savings and special offers.
🎉 Events & Parties in Cairns, QLD — May 2026
📅 Tonight & Tomorrow
Live Acoustic Session at The Jack
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 7 PM onwards
Venue: The Jack, 53-55 Lake St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Tickets: Free
Don’t miss: Enjoy laid-back live music to kick off your week.
Open Mic Night at The Down Under Bar
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 8 PM onwards
Venue: The Down Under Bar, 20 Shields St, Cairns City QLD 4870
Tickets: Free
Don’t miss: Discover local talent or sign up to perform yourself.
📆 This Weekend
Sunset Sessions at Salt House
Date & Time: Friday, May 8, 2026, 5 PM–Late
Venue: Salt House Cairns, 6/6 Pierpoint Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870
Tickets: Free entry, drinks and food available for purchase.
Don’t miss: DJs spinning tunes by the water as you watch the sunset.
Tropical Beats Live at The Pier Bar
Date & Time: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 8 PM–Late
Venue: The Pier Bar, 13 Pierpoint Rd, Cairns City QLD 4870
Tickets: Free entry
Don’t miss: Dance the night away to live music and DJ sets by the marina.
🗓️ Coming Up This Month
Cairns Food & Wine Festival (Partially)
Date & Time: Throughout May 2026 (Various events)
Venue: Various venues across Cairns, check event listings for details.
Tickets: Varies by event, some free.
Don’t miss: A celebration of local produce and culinary talent with events like degustation dinners and wine tastings.
🆓 Free Events
Esplanade Markets
Date & Time: Select Saturdays, 9 AM–1 PM (Check local listings for specific dates)
Venue: Cairns Esplanade Parklands
Tickets: Free entry
Don’t miss: Browse local crafts, food stalls, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
| Event | Date | Venue | Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Acoustic Session at The Jack | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | The Jack, Cairns CBD | Free |
| Open Mic Night at The Down Under Bar | Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | The Down Under Bar, Cairns CBD | Free |
| Sunset Sessions at Salt House | Friday, May 8, 2026 | Salt House Cairns, The Pier Boardwalk | Free |
| Tropical Beats Live at The Pier Bar | Saturday, May 9, 2026 | The Pier Bar, The Pier Boardwalk | Free |
| Cairns Food & Wine Festival | Throughout May 2026 | Various venues | Varies |
| Esplanade Markets | Select Saturdays | Cairns Esplanade Parklands | Free |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Cairns, QLD Happy Hours & Nightlife
Q: What time does happy hour start in Cairns?
Happy hour times vary across venues in Cairns, but many start between 4 PM and 5 PM, typically running until 6 PM or 7 PM. Some venues offer extended happy hours or specific deals on different days of the week.
Q: Which Cairns bars have the cheapest drinks?
For consistently affordable drinks, look to local pubs like The Jack (Cairns CBD) offering schooners for $5.50, or The Smithfield Tavern (Smithfield) with $5 schooners during their happy hour. Many clubs and backpacker accommodations also offer budget-friendly options.
Q: What are the best neighbourhoods for nightlife in Cairns?
The Cairns CBD, particularly around Shields Street and Lake Street, is a hub for bars and pubs. The Esplanade and The Pier Boardwalk offer more upscale waterfront venues and lively spots. Cairns North also has several local clubs and bars.
Q: Are there free events in Cairns this month?
Yes, Cairns often has free events. Keep an eye out for regular occurrences like the Esplanade Markets on select Saturdays, and many bars and pubs host free live music nights or open mic events throughout the week and on weekends.
Q: What are the best waterfront bars in Cairns?
For stunning waterfront views, Waterbar & Grill Steakhouse and Dundee’s Restaurant & Bar on the Esplanade are excellent choices for enjoying drinks by the Coral Sea. The Pier Boardwalk also offers several options like Salt House and The Pier Bar with marina views.