Entertainment in Far North Queensland
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Tin Shed
Port Douglas' Combined Services Club is a locals' secret. This is a rare find: bargain dining on the waterfront, and even the drinks are cheap. Sign in, line up and grab a table on the river- or shore-fronting deck.
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B
Blue Sky Brewery
Here’s a sparkling new drinking hall and brewery that caters for foodies and beer-lovers. A ‘snow rail’ keeps the average barflys’ beer cool, and you can try all seven premises-made brews on a taster-tray for $16. Foodwise, the malt from the brewery goes to the tablelands cattle, which end up in the kitchen. True-blue beery beef.
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C
Court House Hotel
In Cairns' gleaming white former courthouse building, dating from 1921, the Court House pub is replete with a polished timber island bar and Scales of Justice statue – and cane-toad races on Wednesday night.
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Cairns Yacht Club
Patrons here tend to sport a leathery tan and a nautical appearance - think boat shoes without socks. Drinks are extremely well priced, and big meals are turned out of the bistro-style kitchen.
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D
Watergate
Watergate does tapas and drinks in true bronze-and-shimmer style. Port’s trendsetters loll around on the chocolate couches and flitter to the long bar for cocktail ensembles.
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E
Nu-Trix
Drag shows are a feature at Cairns' only gay venue. The shiny metal-clad exterior acts as armour against the morning sun, keeping things dark and doofing until late.
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Woolshed
Once the $10 spag bol and free drink has gone down, the booths and balcony get very, very rowdy, especially on ‘wet jock’ comp night.
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Shenannigans
The huge beer garden with barrels for tables, big screens and a music stage is the stand-out at this marginally Irish-themed pub attached to a backpackers. Entertainment spans trivia nights, karaoke and live bands.
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PJ O'Briens
There are sticky carpets and the smell of stale Guinness, but Irish-themed PJ's packs 'em in with party nights, pole dancing and dirt-cheap meals.
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Cairns Civic Theatre
End Credits Film Club caters for art-house film buffs and shows films at the Cairns Civic Theatre.
reviewed
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Jute Theatre
Stages contemporary Australian works and indie plays in the Centre of Contemporary Arts.
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Court House Hotel
Commanding a prime corner location, the 'Courty' is a lively local, with cover bands on weekends.
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Iron Bar
A bit of whacky outback-shearing-shed decor never goes astray in Queensland. It's well done – all rustic iron and ageing timber; even the outdoor furniture is old wood and hessian. After polishing off your Don Bradman eye fillet (the steaks are named after famous Aussies), head upstairs for a flutter on the cane-toad races ($5). Usually the latest closer in town.
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M
Sapphire Cocktail Lounge
Popular and gay-friendly; serves tapas, but gets into the cocktails as the night goes on.
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Ba8 Lounge Bar
It’s all off-white couches, Indian head statues and a sparkling clean clientele here.
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Rhino Bar
A high-energy crowd downs cocktails and shots and spills out onto the enormous 1st-floor balcony. Can get messy.
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P
Velvet Rope
Velvet Rope has music as well as magician shows, so choose your night well.
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Q
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R
Cadence
Up a zillion steps the vibe is cool crossed with comfy leather lounges.
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S
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End Credits Film Club
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Woolshed Chargrill & Saloon
Another backpacker magnet. A young crowd of travellers and diving instructors gets hammered and dances on the tables.
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Vibe Bar & Lounge Bar
Walk through the unassuming street entrance to the cathedral-like back room with funky artworks adorning the walls and couches in the corners at this 'Melbourne-style' lounge bar. The dance floor cranks from 9pm nightly. Gay-friendly.
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U
Starry Night Cinema
Every third Wednesday of the month classic films screen from about 6.30pm in the tropical outdoors of the botanic gardens.
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Salt House
Next to Cairns' new yacht club, Salt House has a sleek nautical design that has seen it become the city's most sought-after bar since it opened a couple of years ago. It's actually two bars: the luxury yacht–styled Sailing Bar, with live music, and the Balinese- influenced Deck Bar, with killer cocktails and DJs hitting the decks.
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