One of the best-known budget hostels in Cairns, centrally located Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort has a huge open-air beer hall that can fit up to 1,000 people and a pool for those who want to take a quick dip, as well as a mezzanine bar with a 24-hour licence. You’ll be sure of a lively atmosphere every day of the week.

Set on the waterfront at Cairns Marlin Marina, this open-sided bar and restaurant offers some the best views in Cairns. There are three separate spaces, each with a different vibe, ranging from lively and funky with live music to a chilled out cocktail lounge and a glamorous dining area.

Popular with locals, this relaxed, intimate wine bar is the perfect place for a quiet drink accompanied by a selection of tapas and occasional live music performances. All the wines are available by the glass, and there’s also a cocktail menu.

A lively bar close to the beach, The Pier Bar is known for their wood-fired pizzas and live music. Weekend nights are bustling - upwards of 500 people come to grab drinks and experience the live bands and DJ. There’s also a function space connected to the main bar for birthday parties or other festivities.

One of the city’s most stylish clubs, The Attic offers exclusive VIP bottle service for those who can’t be bothered dealing with the crowd at the bar. Which leaves more time for the dance floor, with its state-of-the-art sound system and a roster of international and Australian DJs. Open Friday and Saturday nights only.

This restaurant by day, renown for its delicious food and happy hour drinks, becomes a lively cocktail bar and dance venue in the evening. Chill on the outdoor patio and enjoy the live music, or splurge on a cocktail jug or two before making your way to the dance floor.

For those looking for a vibrant night out, this hostel offers every evening option. With three bars, a beer garden, a gaming room with slot machines, and a big dance floor for live music, this restaurant and bar will please any crowd.

Known for its cheap drinks and raucous atmosphere, The Woolshed is a popular backpacker haunt. A multi-level club with laid back saloon bar downstairs and club upstairs, the music is loud and mixed across all genres, and dancing on the tables is not only allowed, it’s encouraged. The food is typical pub grub which includes burgers, steaks and pizzas.

The Cairns Convention Centre is the largest venue in town and the arena of choice for the most significant visiting bands, comedy acts and large production theatre performances.

Munro Martin Parklands is a state-of-the-art outdoor music venue offering intimate music and theatre performances. The stage itself is a lushly landscaped open-air amphitheatre draped in vines beneath star-dappled tropical skies.

The Tanks Arts Centre is a unique cultural venue in Edge Hill housed in a series of huge converted WWII oil tanks. It is home to the Cairns Concert Orchestra and hosts regular live music acts from both CCO and visiting Australian and international artists in a semi-outdoor setting.