Drinking in Australia can be quite expensive, and Cairns is no different. But there are two massive tricks to save money on your nights out. One of the options is to find the many happy hour deals. Most bars in Cairns have a happy hour, but many of them are too early for a proper night out. The second option is Local/VIP/Discount cards. A Cairns locals card can be used at any time and save you a lot of money.

A lot of Cairns’ bars offer these local cards. All of the cards offer discounts on drinks, and some also offer discounts on food. And some provide free entry into venues that have a cover charge. Every bar has a different method to apply for the card. Some places have easy applications, while others have more challenging ones.

Check below to see what places I have found that offer discount cards. I will update this list whenever I find any new places or changes to the applications. All links provided below are for your convenience and do not help me in any way.

Gilligans

Gilligans is the biggest and most popular night club in Cairns. Because of this, almost all backpackers experience at least one night at this venue. The VIP card for Gilligans is the Shipmates program and comes with a few perks. You will have free entry until midnight every night for you and one friend. You will also get drink discounts all night long. The card is easy enough to apply for, but getting an application can be difficult. You can usually only find apps when you are working in the hospitality industry. A Gilligans’ rep will collect completed forms from the venue you work for and will provide cards within a couple of weeks.

The Woolshed/Cotton Club

The Woolshed/Cotton Club is the second more popular night club in Cairns. Many backpackers find themselves enjoying a night here as well at some point during their stay in Cairns. The VIP card will allow you to have free entry into the venue, and some nights you will also be able to skip the queue. Drink discounts also apply all night long when you present your card at purchase. The application process is identical to Gilligans.

Rattle and Hum/Pier Bar/ P.J. O’Brien’s

Rattle and Hum is one of the hardest VIP cards to get. This Cairns locals card works for Rattle and Hum, Pier Bar, and P.J. O’Brien’s. I once asked a bartender at P.J.s on how to get a locals card, and they told me that I would have to drink in the bar every night for weeks to be able to get one. I know some people with a card and will try to get some more information from them on the process and perks of a card.

The Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel is a cool venue located near the Cairns Shopping Centre. They offer food and drinks and have a cool crocodile bar. To apply for a locals card, you have to ask for an application from the bar. Fill out the form and turn it back into the bar, and they will create a card for you. This card will provide you with discounts at the bar and allow you to earn points from the pokies if you are a gambler.

Serpent Bar

You can find Serpent Bar inside the Summer House Backpackers Hostel in Cairns North. The Cairns local card is only available to locals and not tourists, and they want to see you visiting the venue a few times before providing you with an application. You can get an application by asking at the bar, and after you fill it out, they will give you a card. The card allows you to get 20% off on food and drinks.

Three Wolves/Flamingo Tiki Bar

Three Wolves is one of my favorite bars in Cairns. They make some incredible cocktails that will not disappoint. The owners of Three Wolves also own Flamingos Tiki Bar and Wolf Lane distillery. This Cairns locals card will work at all venues for a 10% discount on food and drinks. When I applied for the card with Three Wolves, I was able to fill out a straightforward form on their website. The website for a Three Wolves locals card is https://www.threewolves.com.au/locals-card. The website for a Flamingos locals card is https://www.flamingostikibar.com.au/locals-card. You will only need to apply on one of the websites since the card works for both venues. After applying, you present your confirmation email to a member of the staff, and they will provide you with a discount card.

Crystalbrook

Crystalbrook has a few hotels in the Cairns area. The locals’ cards work at any of the hotels. You will get to enjoy 15% off rooms, spa, food, and drinks at any property. Applying for the card is easy to do via their website: https://www.crystalbrookcollection.com/local. After that, you will present your confirmation email to a member of the staff, and they will provide you with a card.

The Jack

The Jack is a popular sports bar. They also have live music on most weekends. The VIP card for The Jack is different from most of the others because it is entirely virtual. You will receive 10-15% off drinks and 10% off food. They also offer some other perks throughout the year on special events. You can sign up online at https://thejack.com.au/membership/. After signing up, you will receive an email within 48 hours explaining how to get the virtual card.

The Chambers

The Chambers is a venue that most backpackers never visit. It is a great spot to relax in the evening for a couple of drinks and maybe snacks. They also have a full restaurant if you want to have a full meal instead. The card will allow you to have 25% off all coffees and teas, 10% off all drinks, and 10% off all in-house events. The Chambers is another online application that you can find here: https://www.the-chambers.com.au/locals-card/.

Hemingway’s Brewery

Hemingway’s Brewery is a brewery located near the Cairns Wharf. The beers on tap are all house brews, but they also create some seasonal brews as well. The Locals membership is called Hop Heads and will provide you with a 10% discount on house beers and wine. You can apply for membership here: https://www.hemingwaysbrewery.com/top-right-corner-links/membership/. After you apply, you will receive an email that you can use for discounts until your membership card is ready.

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