10 Best Bars in the Cook Islands

Last Updated: 8 June, 2025

The Top Bars, Nightclubs and “Tumunu” in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands isn’t just an idyllic holiday destination to sip on cocktails. Drinking is a part of the Cook Islander culture with “bush beer bars” found on the outer islands while the main island of the Cooks, Rarotonga, has a vibrant nightlife complete with “party buses”. Check out the most relaxing beach bars, iconic watering holes and places to let your hair down and boogie in the early hours with this list of the best bars in the Cook Islands!

1. Shipwreck Hut at Aro’a Beachside Resort (Rarotonga)

Shipwreck Hut, the beach bar and restaurant at Aro’a Beachside Resort, is a must-visit for its casual beachside dining and legendary sunset views. Open daily, it serves food and drink all day.

You’ll love the live music and entertainment from 6 pm, with Monday nights featuring a “Cultural Night and Fire Show” (one of the cheapest “island nights” we’ve seen!).

Meanwhile, the menu boasts hearty dishes with a pirate theme, like “Doubloon Ika Mata” and “Jolly Roger Fish Curry”, alongside classics such as fish and chips and cheeseburgers.

Check out this bar and others listed in the 10 Best Bars on Rarotonga.

Location: Aro’a Beachside Resort, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Aroa Beach, Rarotonga.

2. The Boat Shed Bar & Grill (Aitutaki)

At the end of the Ootu Peninsula in Aitutaki, 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. See other bars nearby in the 5 Best Bars in Aitutaki.

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

3. An Atiu “Tumunu” (Atiu)

A true cultural experience on Atiu, tumunu is considered essential for understanding the island’s heritage. This 200-year-old tradition originated when English whalers taught Atiuan warriors to brew ale from oranges as a substitute for kava. Despite long-standing opposition from the Church, Police, and local women, tumunu was finally legalised in 1987.

You’ll find yourself seated on a tree stump, sipping home-brewed orange “bush beer” in a rustic hut on the outskirts of Atiu’s villages. Be warned, it’s strong stuff! Session times vary, so check with your hosts, but they generally start from 6 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Visitors are expected to contribute around NZ$10 towards the next brew, which also allows them to return. Guided tours, typically costing NZ$20-$25 per person, are available through Atiu Villas, Anatakitaki Cave Tours, and Kia Orana Bungalows. These tours offer a deeper insight into this fascinating cultural tradition.

There are 3 main tumunus on the island: Vaimaata, Rising Sun, and Tukumu/Tu Kura. Some popular ones are Tepooni Tumunu, Aretou Tumunu and Vanilla Tumunu.

Location: All over Atiu! Ask your accommodation or tour guides about the nearby tumunu.

4. Castaway Beach Bar at Castaway Resort (Rarotonga)

Castaway Beach Bar is the only beach bar in the Cook Islands where you can literally have your toes in the sand while sipping on a cocktail. This Rarotonga hotspot offers a vibrant atmosphere with a daily happy hour from 2 pm to 6 pm, featuring cocktail specials and beer buckets – perfect for enjoying at the outdoor tables right on the beach!

Known for its broad island-style menu, Castaway serves up delicious crowd-pleasers, vegetarian options, and there’s even a kids’ menu for the little ones.

With free Wi-Fi and takeaway options, Castaway Beach Bar caters to all your beachside needs.

Location: Castaway Resort, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi, Rarotonga.

5. Rehab (Rarotonga)

Moving onto the nightclub scene now, Rehab is the place to end a night out on Rarotonga. Dance the rest of the night away with DJHab, drinks and good vibes.

The best way to experience Raro’s most famous nightclub is on the “Raro Pub Crawl“. Also known as the Rehab Party Bus, this is where Rehab’s club-on-wheels hits the road on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. You’ll stop by a few bars around the island before concluding at Rehab.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Avarua (across the road from the Empire Cinema and on the waterfront), Rarotonga.

6. Trader Jacks (Rarotonga)

Trader Jacks has been the island’s main watering hole and social meeting place since 1986 and is on everyone’s lips when you mention Rarotonga. Join the regulars and other travellers at the bar area on the lower level where the “Pizza Shack” is nearby to tempt you.

Sit on the barstools outside and you’ll enjoy views of the Maitai Shipwreck. Check out what it’s like to eat there in The Best Places to Eat on Rarotonga: 10 Best Restaurants.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), eastern end of Avarua, Rarotonga.

7. Vaiana’s Bar & Bistro (Rarotonga)

Vaiana’s Bar & Bistro is a lively beachfront hotspot on Nikao Beach that’s popular with locals and visitors alike. This casual eatery opens Monday from late afternoon and Wednesday to Saturday from midday until 10 pm.

You’ll love the vibrant cocktails (don’t miss the “Passion Bomb”!) and energetic evenings, especially from Thursday to Saturday when DJs spin tunes.

We recommend heading there on Fridays for beer night specials and buckets of brew. For an extra treat, catch the free fire show on Thursdays (but book a table to guarantee a spot).

With its fun atmosphere and tasty drinks, Vaiana’s is the perfect place to unwind and soak up some local vibes. Check out their food offerings in The Top Cheap Eats on Rarotonga.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Nikao, Rarotonga.

8. RSC Beachfront Bar & Brasserie (Rarotonga)

For a relaxed bar atmosphere on Muri Beach, choose RSC Beachfront Bar & Brasserie, a.k.a. the Rarotonga Sailing Club. Enjoy a refreshing array of beverages on the elevated deck overlooking the lagoon or on the sands, where it’s fun to people-watch and hang out with friends and family.

The bar usually has a live string band on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. Happy hour is from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Location: Muri Beach, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Muri, Rarotonga.

9. Trio’s Garden Bar (Rarotonga)

Most flock to Trio’s Garden Bar for karaoke on Thursday and Saturday nights, but the live bands on Monday and Friday are another good reason to kick back at this vibrant bar.

They have pool tables, all the expected drinks, and happy hour is from 5 pm to 7 pm. Opening hours are from Monday to Saturday, 11 am until late.

Location: Banana Court, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Avarua, Rarotonga.

10. Pati’s Bar (Mitiaro)

Finally, on this list of the best bars in the Cook Islands, this will quite possibly be the remotest bar you’ve ever been to! It will also be the most informal one as Pati’s Bar is, in fact, just a local’s outdoor lounge area where the family pours punters a strong brew of “banana beer” on Friday evenings.

Find the bar on the island of Mitiaro at Vivian’s Homestay. And that, surprisingly, isn’t the only bar on the island. Check out the Information, Shops & Services on Mitiaro for more details.

Location: Vivian’s Homestay, Atai village, Mitiaro.

More About Bars in the Cook Islands

That’s it for our top picks of bars in the Cook Islands. For more places to wet your whistle, check out the following:

Finally, plan more epic activities (other than drinking) in the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List.

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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