Port Douglas spoils you for choice during the day, with lots of rainforest adventures and reef cruises to choose from. But this happening coastal town doesn’t go to sleep when the sun goes down. Check out our favourite night-time places to eat, drink and play so you too can feel like a local.
IronBar Hotel
Why not start your night with a trip to the local pub? You certainly can’t miss the IronBar Hotel, with its unmistakable rust-iron front. When lit up at night, it gives the IronBar a distinctive outback vibe.
Set over two levels, the Iron Baroffers a full night’s entertainment, with a bar, restaurant, and late-night venue all under one roof. Grill is at the heart of the dinner menu, so think sizzling eye and scotch fillets with sides of onion rings, or potato skins with sour cream.
IronBar have their own brew on tap, so make sure you try their Draught, Pilsner, or Pale Ale. Then slide into the rest of your night with a classic cocktail, like an espresso martini.
The bar comes to a stop at 8pm every night for Cane Toad Racing, which is one of those very Queensland experiences you have to see for yourself. It’s all a bit of mischief as they say, so here’s your chance to kiss a cane toad for luck and laugh yourself silly.
Wicked Ice Cream Co
How could you not be tempted by a catch cry of “Come in, spoil yourself and get wicked” and 43 different types of gelato and sorbet? Port Douglas’s warm, balmy nights are perfect for late-night treats, especially when Wicked is open ‘til 9pm all year round.
Everything at Wicked is made daily, by hand, on the premises, and their sensational flavours offer a true taste of the tropical north – from Salted Lime with a Twist of Hibiscus, to Blood Orange Ginger, to Pineapple Mint Coconut. Traditionalists are well-covered too, with Pistachio, Dutch Chocolate, and Hazelnut to name just a few.
What better use of your hotel mini bar than to grab a take-home pack of an obscenely indulgent flavour that’s best eaten behind closed doors? Did someone say Mascarpone Caramelised Figs?
Courthouse Hotel
When you’re the oldest pub in Port Douglas (established in 1878, no less) and feature a heritage Queenslander facade with classic wide verandas, then you’re certainly going to be at the top of the to-do list for many visitors. And you’re going to have your own nickname – in this case, “the Courty”.
While the Courty has all the charm of an old-school pub, it’s certainly not old-fashioned in any sense, witha fresh, contemporary feel, and a breezy, tropical edge. It has plenty of great spaces centered around three all-weather bars, so there’s lots to explore.
The Courty is also the place to go if you want to hear great live music, with free acts playing in the beer garden most nights. Make sure you check out the gig guide on their website and support the local talent.
The Courty is also a great pick for families. Kids can eat for free 5-6pm every day of the week. Very kind to your holiday dollar!
Moonlight Cinema
Moonlight Cinema is well-known for their casual outdoor movie nights, but did you know they have a season in Port Douglas? It’s slightly different timing to what you might be used to, with Port D’s season running mid-June to early October to make the most of the comfortable temperatures before the wet season arrives.
Moonlight Cinema set up the big screen at the front of the trendsetting QT Port Douglas resort, between the lap pool and tennis courts. Most sessions start at 7.15 pm, but kid-friendly movies start a little earlier at 6.30pm.
After the movie, treat yourself to a tropical cocktail at Estilo, QT Port Douglas’s chilled-out lounge bar. Make sure you check out the very cool outdoor deck.
Flames of the Forest
Every getaway deserves a special moment that connects you to the destination. In Port Douglas, that moment is Flames of the Forest.
The award-winning Daintree Rainforest venue creates an atmospheric welcome, complete with fairy lights cascading from tree sand a flame-lit path luring you to pre-dinner drinks and canapes.
Flames of the Forest combines a rich Aboriginal cultural experience (which includes traditional songs and stories) with delicious contemporary Australian cuisine, capturing the Daintree’s unique spirituality. It’s a sharing experience, creating opportunities to bond with fellow travellers over amazing fresh produce. Two of our favourite dishes are the lemon-myrtle-infused kangaroo loin and the slow-roasted Black Angus sirloin.
Throughout the evening, Flames of the Forests’ talented performers – two local Indigenous brothers who have called the Daintree home since birth – will introduce you to their sacred culture. “Paying respect to the footprints left before” sets the tone for their stories, and you will be taken on a fascinating journey to “learn the before, before the after”. It’s a truly special evening.
Salsa Bar & Grill
If you want to eat at one of the local favourites, then Salsa Bar & Grill is the place to go. Perfectly positioned, with water views and overlooking the park, this restaurant has that cool beach-hut feel, with a large outdoor deck that makes the most of the Far North Queensland weather.
Salsa Bar & Grill has been around for 22 years, so it’s one of the better-known places in town, and many customers have left their mark. Literally – this restaurant has a whole ceiling of autographs. Keep an eye out for a plate signed plate by Bill Clinton, which proves Salsa is presidential standard.
While the atmosphere is casual, the food tips into up-market, with international interpretations of high-quality local produce. The za’atar-dusted barramundi sits alongside duck-and-scallop dumplings, paperbark-smoked kangaroo loin with goat’s cheese marshmallow, and creole jambalaya with crocodile sausage.
Complete your meal with Salsa’s famous Daintree Estates’ chocolate & Cointreau soufflé – a house specialty. Then head to the water’s edge for a moonlight stroll and a memorable end to your evening. Ahh!
