The Best Bars in Aitutaki 🍹 - Cook Islands Pocket Guide

Last Updated: 8 June, 2025

The Best Places to Get a Drink on Aitutaki

Get your cocktail fix on Aitutaki with ease thanks to this list of the best bars on Aitutaki! Admittedly, it’s not the longest list, but if you’re in the market for a tropical cocktail, refreshing beer or something stronger, then these are the best places to go for a casual drink. Remember, the legal drinking age is 18 years old.

Looking for more stuff to do on a night? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Aitutaki Nightlife.

The Boat Shed Bar & Grill

At the end of the Ootu Peninsula, The Boat Shed Bar & Grill is not only a popular local hangout but perfect for visitors too. There’s a choice of indoor and outdoor seating, with the interiors adorning sporting and maritime memorabilia from all over the world.

As for drinks, choose from a wide selection of cocktails, as well as beers, wines and spirits. Pop in on a Saturday for karaoke night after the sun goes down. They are also open on a Sunday.

Location: Ootu Peninsula, go straight once you reach the southern end of the Ootu Peninsula Road toward Popoara Ocean Breeze Villas.

The Cove Bar

The Cove Bar is a lively hangout at the Paradise Cove Lodge offering a vibrant range of tropical and classic cocktails. Popular choices include the Blue Akari, Pina Colada, Classic Mojito, Cosmopolitan, and Blue Lagoon. Don’t miss their signature drinks like the Malibu Sunrise, Long Island Iced Tea, and the potent Adios Amigo. For something indulgent, try the Love in the Afternoon or the rich Toblerone cocktail.

Happy Hour runs daily from 5 to 7 pm with discounted cocktails, making it one of the most competitive spots on the island. Beer lovers will appreciate the selection of local and imported brews, also discounted during Happy Hour. Non-drinkers aren’t left out, with a variety of soft drinks and juices available.

While not beachfront, the bar offers a relaxed undercover setting perfect for unwinding after a day of island adventures.

Location: Paradise Cove Lodge, main road on the west side of Aitutaki, opposite the Maunga Pu hike.

Black Rock Bar

For a sophisticated escape, head to the Black Rock Bar at the Pacific Resort Aitutaki. This idyllic spot, nestled between the pool and a sunset beach, is perfect for unwinding with a drink while watching the sun dip below the horizon.

Open daily from 11:30 am to sunset, Black Rock Bar boasts an extensive drinks menu featuring cocktails, cognac, and even sake. Don’t miss their happy hour from 3 pm to 5 pm – it’s the perfect time to sample their signature creations.

With its mature ambience (no under-12s allowed), this five-star resort bar truly sets the tone for a relaxing evening. Whether you’re craving a classic cocktail or something more exotic, you’ll find it at Black Rock Bar. Plan more of an adults-only getaway using The Adults-Only Travel Guide to Aitutaki.

Location: Pacific Resort Aitutaki, main road on the west coast, just north of Amuri.

Blue Lagoon Bar & Restaurant

Sitting on the edge of the Aitutaki Lagoon, right on the shores of Ootu Beach, Blue Lagoon Bar & Restaurant is another worthy destination for your cocktail fix.

The casual restaurant also serves up a range of beer and wine. Return visitors to Aitutaki might know this bar as Samade’s.

Location: Ootu Beach, opposite Aitutaki Village.

More About Bars on Aitutaki

Need more of a bar fix on Aitutaki? There are bars in many of the island’s restaurants and cafes, which we cover in the following articles:

Finally, don’t forget to check out what drinks to try in the 10 Drinks in the Cook Islands You Have to Try.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as the Cook Islands. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Raro’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

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