Blog

Airlie Beach is basically a one-street town that has a bar every 10 to 20 meters.  Here is a list of the best ones.

Boaty’s Airlie Beach

Boaty’s is located right at the top of the main street next to the roundabout.  Boaty’s has been an institution for locals since the eighty’s and while it may have changed the name a few times since then, one thing remains the same.  It’s good fun and it’s quick to get a drink.

Boaty’s is rarely jam-packed which makes it a great place to start a night out.  You will never wait very long for a drink here and the prices are pretty good.

The food here is very well priced and surprisingly good.  There is a limited menu which means that you will not wait long for your meal to be ready.

The best bit

The huge open-air deck.

Paddy’s Shenanigans Irish Bar

Paddy’s is a small bar compared to most along the main street here, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in entertainment.  Paddy’s is the only late-night venue that has live music.  Most places wrap up their live music around 10:30 pm but Paddy’s can go on till the early hours of the morning.

Drinks are a little more expensive than the pubs but they are still cheaper than most major cities.

The best bit

Live music.

Boom Nightclub

If you are into dark places and loud thumping music, then Boom could be right for you.  Boom doesn’t open till later at night and offers a place for party goers to head into after the major pubs close.

Locals will recall this place changing hands quite a few times in the past with name changes like Evolution, Juice Bar and Tricks.  Besides the name, nothing else has changed, it’s always been a fun little dance club.

The best bit

Open till early in the morning.

Beaches Bar & Grill

Beaches is a huge pub that is definitely a local favourite.  Beaches was a pumping hostel/bar combination until Cyclone Debbie did significant damage that the hostel is yet to recover from.

The bar is still going strong though and will generally be busy.  The food here is similar to Boaty’s in that it’s a limited backpacker style menu that surprises you with how good it is for the price.

Drinks are very reasonably priced and they will normally have live music too.  Beaches have four pool tables which are all in good condition and not normally hard to get on.

The best bit

The bar staff are super happy and fun.

Magnums Airlie Beach

Magnums is the second busiest bar in town that is more like a classic outer-suburbs pub than the rest of our bars.  Magnums is located right in the middle of the main street which no doubt helps it stay so busy.

Weekends at magnums are normally really busy as people come in from towns near Airlie Beach.  Sports are best watched here because of the atmosphere and the large screens everywhere.

There is a room full of pokies and an area out the back with pool tables.

Inside the main building is a nightclub area that opens up on really busy nights and for special events.  They will often get famous DJ’s playing in there in special ticketed events.  Upstairs is a really cool balcony that can be hired out for private functions for an extremely reasonable price.

The best bit

Big screen sports.

KC’s Bar & Grill

KC’s is a very good restaurant that doubles as a nightlife destination with frequent live music and amazing staff.  Kc’s is known as the best steak in town and for good reason.  Meals here will put a smile on your face unless you are vegetarian or vegan.

KC’s is always a great atmosphere and when the live music is playing you can expect a slightly older crowd than the big bars, which means it’s much friendlier and there are no 18-year-olds spilling drinks on you.

The best bit

Everything that comes off the grill.

Anchor Bar

Located off the main street at Terraces, Anchor Bar offers amazing views and outstanding food.

Drinks are reasonably priced and the food menu has really been turned up to compete with the fancier restaurants in town.  

There is also a swimming pool and a hot tub that you can use between drinks.

The best bit

The view.

Hush Bar

This little place located right near Dominos is a very famous ‘hole in the wall’ for Airlie Beach locals.  Most locals will remember wild nights at Phoenix Bar and the rebrand looks to take up where Phoenix left off.  Some locals may even remember when it was named Dragon’s Den or Chatz.

Hush bar is a burlesque bar that is definitely adults only.  It’s a unique bar in Airlie Beach unlike any of the others.  The staff provide entertainment and performers also come in to provide more adult entertainment.

The best bit

It’s a bit raunchy.

The Pub / Airlie Beach Hotel

This is our biggest and busiest bar by a long way.  It’s rare to walk by here and not notice how many people are eating and drinking.  It’s a ‘super pub’ by Airlie Beach standards with many bars, pokie room, pool room, dedicated smoking bar and well-priced meals.

This is definitely a family orientated establishment that doesn’t stay open late.  They have live music more often than not and even have a buffet for cheap food.

The smoking bar is something rather unique that I personally have not seen before outside of Bali.  It’s an entire bar with huge, silent extraction fans and no windows.  It seems to be working as it’s always busy.

The best bit

The family atmosphere.

Breeze Bar

This is a little local favourite that specialises in yummy cocktails.  There is also a tapas menu for light bites.  The cocktail menu is big and you will not be disappointed.

The best bit

Tropical cocktails.

Paradiso

Paradiso is the new kid on the block in Airlie Beach and offers some incredible food, live music and views.  Located down the alley behind Boost Juice, Paradiso opens up onto the foreshore park on Airlie Beach itself.

The food is absolutely on point here, it’s as though they have picked up a Sydney restaurant and placed it here in Airlie.  

The best bit

The food and the view.

The Rocks

Located at the Coral Sea Resort, The Rocks bar has become really popular lately.  Specialising in afternoon DJ sets with daiquiris in the pool, it’s pretty easy to see why.

The setting is beautiful and the recently renovated facilities are of the highest quality.

Sunday afternoon sessions here are all the rage at the moment and they often get very busy.

The best bit

It feels like a beach club.

Bonus Bars and Pubs

Sorrento

Sorrento is located right on Coral Sea Marina and offers the most spectacular views over the water.  The sunsets here are mind-blowing, just like the food which is Italian.

There are two main sections to Sorrentos, upstairs full-service dining and the downstairs deck which is more casual and relaxed.

Live music happens here frequently and it is honestly leagues above anywhere else for a sunset drink.

This is also the marina that our tour boats operate from which makes it a perfect stop for a beer after a day out on Thundercat or Tongarra.

The best bit

The views.

Northerlies

Northerlies is not actually in Airlie Beach, but they do run a free shuttle bus service and the drive is only 10 minutes.  Once you get out there, you will be glad you made the trip.

Northerlies is located right on the water and the infrastructure and gardens are just beautiful.   The food is next level and the cocktail menu matches perfectly.  

This is a really large venue with multiple sections and different atmospheres which means, there is something for everyone.

The best bit

The seafood platter.

Banjos

Banjos is located in Cannonvale on the main road.  You literally cannot drive into Airlie Beach without seeing it.  Banjos offer a huge food menu that always delivers.  

They have regular specials like 2-4-1 main meals every week, which helps to keep the spending down.  Drinks are also really well priced and it’s a very safe family atmosphere.

The best bit

The 007 ( Ribs on top of Chicken).