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Papua New Guinea

Entertainment in Papua New Guinea

  1. Royal Papua Yacht Club

    This large airy place is the last bastion of post-colonial white elitism - you won't see any grassroots here. Pity because it's a nice place with a pleasant deck for sitting, drinking cold beer and watching the harbour. The food is good and reasonably priced, and the club is decorated with lots of interesting WWII photos and maritime memorabilia.

    There's sometimes live music, but otherwise it's a steady diet of easy-listening 'yacht rock' through the speakers, such as Eagles, Toto, Christopher Cross. You're supposed to have a member sign you in, but a little charm (and white skin) should see you in.

    reviewed

  2. Gold Club

    This club has live music a couple of nights a week, but otherwise it's given over to DJs and dancing. The open-air dance floor surrounded by layers of bars gives the impression that this could, actually, be in New York City. The music is good and there's no riff-raff. A top spot.

    reviewed

  3. Ron Knight's bar

    The place to head to for a chilled beer in the evening is Ron Knight's bar, which floats on a couple of old ammunition barges that Ron hauled up manually from deep under the harbour.

    reviewed

  4. A

    Club 69

    This is currently the club of choice with locals and expats alike. Security is top notch, which means you should be able to shake your booty to an eclectic mix of local reggae, R&B, hip-hop and pop on the packed dance floor in safety. There's no street sign; watch for the queue outside the stadium.

    Lone women should find a friend before heading to a nightclub and generally travellers need to exercise judgement before embarking on a blinder in a public forum.

    reviewed

  5. B

    Aero Bar

    A quiet bar overlooking the foyer of the hotel and kitted out with WWII photography and aviation memorabilia. Collared shirts are mandatory. Downstairs the casual Sportsman Bar (open 09:00 till late) has a large-screen TV and slightly cheaper beer.

    Lone women should find a friend before heading to a nightclub and generally travellers need to exercise judgement before embarking on a blinder in a public forum.

    reviewed

  6. C

    Aviat Club

    Serves the cheapest beer and reasonable Chinese; it's a very local scene with snooker tables, pokies and a band most Wednesdays. The main bar is members-only but the nightclub is not and considerably rougher.

    Lone women should find a friend before heading to a nightclub and generally travellers need to exercise judgement before embarking on a blinder in a public forum.

    reviewed

  7. D

    Planet Rock

    A big nightclub opposite the old airfield where the music is deafening and security both inside and out is necessarily tight. There's no extra charge for fighting.

    Lone women should find a friend before heading to a nightclub and generally travellers need to exercise judgement before embarking on a blinder in a public forum.

    reviewed

  8. E

    Kadat Nite Club

    Night owls swoop on Kokopo's only real nightclub on weekends, with people dancing, or swaying, to a mix of reggae, sexy island sounds and international hits. Male travellers, take note: ladies' night is on Thursday. It's certainly not glamorous, but a good spot to rub shoulders (and everything else) with locals.

    reviewed

  9. F

    Ralum Country Club

    Come here to soak up the atmosphere with a chilled beer in hand. The golf clubhouse has a bar, darts and snooker. If you want to enjoy a slice of island life, don't miss the weekly Joker Draw on Friday evening. The veranda offers stupendous views of the golf course and the sea.

    reviewed

  10. Cameron Club

    Located near the waterfront west of the centre is the local drinking hole. It's a large, cavernous space reminiscent of a rugby clubhouse. There are some large snooker tables in the corner and you can borrow racquets for the squash or tennis courts from the bar.

    reviewed

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  12. Mustang Sally's

    Attached to the Shady Rest Hotel, this offers a more 'genuine' PNG experience - raw and spirited. If you're offended by loud music, the odd swinging pool cue or women of the night, best to steer clear.

    reviewed

  13. Ozzie's Bar

    This has live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and it's a laid-back and unprepossessing place where you can mix it with the locals who love to dance.

    reviewed

  14. Jetty

    Although it's built on a wharf, its pretty location can at times be marred by the sound of locals smashing their bottles against the side of the building.

    reviewed

  15. Star Mountains Hash House Harriers Club

    You can also drink at the Star Mountains Hash House Harriers Club.

    reviewed

  16. Pondo Tavern

    Underneath the Crowne Plaza Hotel; more milling than dancing.

    reviewed