Where To Go For Sunset Drinks In Airlie Beach?
As the old locally-known adage goes, Airlie Beach is ‘a drinking town with a sailing problem’. And it’s not hard to understand why when you think about all of the fantastic drinking establishments there are in the town and surrounding areas.
The Airlie Beach Main Street alone is home to many fantastic spots for drinking throughout the day (and well into the night), from traditional pubs to swanky bars and just about everything in between.
One thing Airlie Beach is particularly revered for is the fantastic selection of bars that are perfectly suited for a sunset beverage, and with the area being rather conveniently situated in The Sunshine State, there is no shortage of sunsets either, meaning these bars are bustling all year round.
If sunset drinks out on the water are more your thing, be sure to check out our large selection of Sunset Sail tours, most of which are equipped with fully licensed bars or BYO.
Below is a list of some of the best bars for sunset in the area:
Sorrentos
Spectacular panoramic views of the Marina, Pioneer Bay and the Coral Sea beyond are just one of the main reasons why Sorrentos is an absolute gem of a destination for a sunset drink. Popular every day of the week with locals and tourists alike, this beautiful restaurant and bar boasts a fantastic array of food and drinks (with 2-for-1 pizzas every single day between 3pm and 4pm and very generous happy hours) so this venue is an absurdly satisfying feast for both the eyes and the mouth.
Just a short 15 minute stroll from Airlie Beach main street along the Bicentennial Walk, Sorrentos is an absolute must-visit whilst you’re in the area. Booking for the late afternoon/early evening is highly advisable.
Northerlies
Situated a few miles outside of town in the beautifully tranquil suburb of Woodwark, this hidden gem is a firm favourite amongst locals due to its remote location. With stunning views over Pioneer Bay and the Coral Sea beyond, this bar and grill boasts its own private beach, an indoor bistro and a more casual outdoor dining area.
The extremely extensive menu of fantastic wines, cocktails and beers coupled with the tranquil yet atmospheric setting mean there are fewer more amazing places than here to go for a sunset drink. There’s a courtesy bus that can pick you up from town and drop you back afterwards, which means there’s absolutely no excuse for not wanting to venture this far out of town.
Anchor Bar
Just a short uphill stroll from Airlie Main Street, Anchor Bar is a venue that you won’t forget in a hurry! Boasting unparalleled views over the town and water beyond with a fantastic food menu (make sure to check out their constantly changing Specials Chalkboard), Anchor Bar patrons are also able to use the swimming pool and free pool table.
Anchor Bar offers a pretty comprehensive drinks menu, including many delicious cocktails as well as a wide variety of wines and beers, which make this a perfect place for a drink or two at sunset.
Paradiso
Nestled in between the Main Street and the esplanade, Paradiso is a swanky, vibrant open-air venue with excellent views over the turquoise blue waters. Boasting a fantastic selection of cocktails, wine and beers, this idyllic venue also serves a diverse and delectable menu including pizza, pasta and many classic Aussie favourites.
If Paradiso didn’t sound amazing enough already, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, they invite the finest local musicians down to compliment the ambient atmosphere, comfortably solidifying its place as one of the must-do venues for a sunset drink.
Boatys
A slightly different venue to the ones previously mentioned, Boatys is a bar aimed more towards the backpacker demographic; however you’ll soon forget this whilst there as the tasteful decking area outside would not look remotely out of place in an upmarket venue.
With potentially the largest selection of tap beers in the area, as well as cocktails, spirits and wines, and a fantastic food menu at reasonable prices, this bar has a little bit of everything.
In the drier months of the year, they have amazing musicians playing most nights out on the decking. When you combine all of these qualities with an amazing Airlie Beach sunset, Boatys really holds its own in and deservedly has a place on this list.
