The Ultimate Guide to Rarotonga Nightlife + Happy Hour List 🍸 [2025]

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Drinking and Nightlife on Rarotonga

Rarotonga is where it is at when it comes to nightlife in the South Pacific. The island is buzzing with beach bars, relaxed resort bars and nightclubs in its capital. We’ll guide you through the different areas of the island and their bar scene. Or, you know, visit them all on a cocktail happy hour tour or party bus (more on that in the next section).

Nightlife in Avarua (and Nikao and Tupapa)

The island’s capital, Avarua offers the largest abundance of bars and nightclubs on Rarotonga. At the western end of town past the airport, the town merges with Nikao, while the eastern end of town merges with Tupapa – both providing a couple of more drinking options.

OTR (On the Rocks)

Start, continue and/or end your night out at OTR, otherwise known as On The Rocks. The waterfront Avarua bar, near Rehab (see below), is the place to go for cheap drinks, DJs, and live music. Opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday til late. Find them on the waterfront past Trader Jacks and Rehab.

Trio’s Garden Bar

Most people flock to Trio’s Garden Bar for karaoke on Thursday and Saturday nights, as well as live bands on Monday and Friday. They have pool tables and all of the expected drinks. They are open from Monday to Saturday, 11 am until late. Find them in town at the Banana Court (on the roadside).

Luna

The party is at the bus station from 9 am until late! Luna is the home of affordable drinks, local DJs and live bands on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s another must-hit party place in Avarua.

Rehab

Rehab is the place to end a night out on Rarotonga. Dance the rest of the night away with DJ Hab and enjoy drinks that can be a bit pricey, so make sure to indulge in all the drinking you want before you arrive. The club is also the last stop on the “Rehab Party Bus” (see the section below). Rehab is open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday night.

Vaiana’s Bar & Bistro

Vaiana’s is a lively beachfront bar and eatery on Nikao beach, known for its casual vibe and energetic evenings. Open Monday from late afternoon and Wednesday to Saturday from midday until 10 pm, it’s busiest from Thursday to Saturday.

DJs spin tunes Wednesday to Friday nights, while the “Passion Bomb” cocktail is a standout favourite. Don’t miss the Friday beer nights and occasional Thursday fire shows (booking recommended).

Rumba (Club Raro Resort)

Out of town along the shores of Tupapa, Rumba is the Club Raro Resort‘s poolside hangout with a very decent happy hour: NZ$5 beer and wine, NZ$4 spirits and NZ$10 cocktails.

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Nightlife in Arorangi and Aroa Beach

Bars take advantage of Rarotonga’s sunset coast with venues on the beach! Enjoy a laid-back atmosphere at these bars in Arorangi, all the way down to Aroa Beach.

Shipwreck Hut (Aro’a Beachside Resort)

Shipwreck Hut, the beach bar and restaurant at Aro’a Beachside Resort, is a Rarotonga hotspot for casual beachside dining and legendary sunset views. Open daily, it serves breakfast from 8 am to 10 am and offers bar and restaurant service from 12 pm until late.

Don’t miss the live music and entertainment from 6 pm, especially the affordable Cultural Night and Fire Show on Mondays (the cheapest “island night” we’ve seen)!

Castaway Beach Bar (Castaway Resort)

Castaway Beach Bar is the ultimate beachfront hangout in the Cook Islands. With its bar literally on the sand, it’s the perfect spot for vibrant nightlife and stunning sunsets. Daily happy hour from 2 pm to 6 pm offers cocktail specials and beer buckets – ideal for enjoying at the outdoor tables right on the beach!

The broad island-style menu includes burgers, salads, seafood, and their famous Castaway Skewers. With free Wi-Fi and takeaway available, it’s a casual beachside paradise you won’t want to miss.

Sunset Bar (OTB)

Watch the sunset and feel your toes in the sand at this elegant beach bar on Arorangi Beach. With one of the largest wine lists on the island, as well as creative cocktails, local beer and international favourites, there’s not much the Sunset Bar doesn’t do. Find the bar at the On The Beach Restaurant at Manuia Beach Resort.

Oceans Bar (Crown Resort)

For a more relaxed vacation atmosphere, unwind with a cocktail or two at the Oceans Bar of the Crown Beach Resort. The adults-only resort sets the tone right for a relaxed yet refined afternoon and evening. Their daily happy hour treats you to NZ$2 off all drinks.

The Waterline Beach Bar

Enjoy live music on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at this laid-back bar elevated over the beach of Arorangi. Otherwise, The Waterline Beach Bar pours a wide range of wines, beers and cocktails – simple!

Nightlife in Muri

The tourist hotspot of Muri comes with no lack of bars to keep your whistle wet. Most bars are located within resort settings.

RSC Beachfront Bar & Brasserie

The RSC, a.k.a. the Rarotonga Sailing Club, serves up a refreshing array of beverages on the elevated deck overlooking the lagoon or on the sands. They usually have a live string band on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights.

Barefoot Bar (Pacific Resort Rarotonga)

Whether you’re in the booths of the South Seas-themed Barefoot Bar, by the pool or dining alfresco in the courtyard, the friendly bar staff at the Pacific Resort Rarotonga are here to serve you colourful cocktails, wines, beers or whatever you choose. The sound of the conch shell signals happy hour twice a day!

Lagoon Lounge & Bar (Muri Beach Club Hotel)

Quench your thirst with a refreshing cocktail and laid-back vibes at the adults-only Lagoon Lounge & Bar or the Muri Beach Club Hotel. They have a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available.

Nautilus Restaurant

Indulge in a diverse array of beverages at the Nautilus Resort‘s lagoon-side Nautilus Restaurant. Enjoy their daily happy hour from 3 pm to 5 pm, featuring an extensive menu of wines, cocktails such as Espresso Martinis and Mojitos, and non-alcoholic options including smoothies and mocktails.

Whether you’re lounging by the pool or watching the sunset, there’s a perfect drink for every moment at this tropical oasis.

We get it, that’s quite an extensive list of bars and nightclubs in Rarotonga. Check out just our top picks in the 10 Best Bars on Rarotonga or let someone else do the choosing with one of the nightlife tours listed below…

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Nightlife Tours on Rarotonga

Don’t worry about one of your party members having to be the designated driver; Rarotonga’s nightlife tours are here to show you a good time. When the deed is done, you also have your transport back to your accommodation sorted.

Going Troppo Nightlife Tour

Jump aboard “the green bus”, adorned with LED lights, and join up to 22 soon-to-be friends on the Going Troppo Nightlife Tour. Grab your complimentary LED wine glass or stubby holder and hit the road for a four to six-hour adventure through Rarotonga’s vibrant nightlife scene.

The tour includes pick-ups from 7 or 8 pm and a snack platter to keep you fuelled throughout the night. You’ll visit various bars and clubs around the island, making new mates along the way. Tours now operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, providing you with more opportunities to experience this unforgettable night out.

Rehab Party Bus (Raro Pub Crawl)

Jump aboard the Rehab Party Bus for a night of island-style revelry! Operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, this thatched-roof party on wheels takes you on a lively tour of Raro’s best bars. Dance, play hilarious games, and mingle with fellow travellers and locals as you cruise around the island.

With door-to-door transfers included, you can let your hair down without worrying about getting home. The tour concludes at the pumping Rehab nightclub, where you can dance the night away. It’s the perfect way to experience Rarotonga’s nightlife and make new friends along the way!

See more epic tours to do on an evening in the 10 Things to Do in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands at Night.

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Rarotonga Island Nights

An unmissable form of nightlife entertainment on Rarotonga is its cultural shows, locally known as “island nights”. All island nights include a buffet with traditional Cook Islands food, as well as some crowd-pleasers. The highlight, however, is their cultural shows, featuring energetic dancing from the island’s warriors and a mix of elegant dancing and vigorous hip-shaking from the island’s princesses.

Te Vara Nui Village

One of the most spectacular settings for an island night on Rarotonga, Te Vara Nui Village features an island and Western dinner buffet, accompanied by an elaborate overwater show at their water garden venue in Muri.

Te Vara Nui accepts both cash and credit card payments at the table. Bar tabs can also be arranged with management approval by leaving a credit card at the bar. That said, we found it easiest to bring enough cash for drinks.

Highland Paradise

On the inland hills of Arorangi‘s interior, Highland Paradise offers guests a cultural tour of its archaeological site, a historic marae, complete with traditional welcoming ceremonies and storytelling, before serving a buffet feast. Their island night concludes with a powerful performance from their dance troupe and band.

Edgewater Resort & Spa

Tuesday and Saturday nights are “island nights” at the largest resort on Rarotonga, the Edgewater Resort & Spa. Try a selection of Rarotongan dishes at the buffet before the captivating show gets underway at their indoor venue, spilling out to outside seating by the pool. Dinner starts at 7 pm and the show starts at 8:30 pm.

The Islander Hotel

The Islander Hotel offers one of Rarotonga’s most affordable island nights every Tuesday. You’ll love the mix of local cuisine at their buffet and be wowed by the cultural show featuring mesmerising costumes and fire dancing. Don’t miss their Hula Bar, known for the cheapest drinks on the island. Transfers available for NZ$10.

And there are more island nights at the Crown Beach Resort, Muri Beach Club Hotel and more. Compare those in the 10 Best Island Nights in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.