9 Best Bars in Tonga

Last Updated: 17 December, 2025

The Top Bars, Beach Bars and Nightclubs in Tonga

Our Genuine Takes on Local Bars

Whether you’re looking for a place for a relaxing sundowner, somewhere to meet the locals, meet with other travellers or party into the early hours, there’s a place to suit your style of drinks in Tonga.

Sure, Tonga isn’t Ibiza but you’re bound to find your type of watering hole if you know where to look. We’re here to help you with just that in this list of the best bars in Tonga!

Note that the drinking age in Tonga is 18 years old. Learn more about going out in Tonga in The Ultimate Guide to Nightlife in Tonga.

Side note: Our insights are from experienced travel writers who have visited the bars listed. In other words, we are not AI-generated! Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about us.

1. Reload Bar (Tongatapu)

A night out in Nuku’alofa almost has to include the Reload Bar. Located opposite the Friends Cafe, Reload Bar is a popular place to hang out with mates after dinner and meet the locals.

Drink Tongan beers on tap, unique “sparking kava”, or opt for one of their fun piña colada premixed cocktails in a jar; happy hour is from 5 pm to 6 pm with buy-on-get-one-free beers!

Pre-drinks and pool get started in the main bar downstairs, then head next door for dancing, and then, if you make it into the wee hours, upstairs is where you can really let your hair down.

You also might be lucky enough to catch Reload’s monthly themed nights! Find them open from 3 pm to 12 am Monday to Friday and until 11 pm Saturday.

Location: Taufa’ahau Road (opposite Friends Cafe and the Lagafonua Handicraft Centre), Nuku’alofa city centre, Tongatapu.

2. Nauti Ruby’s Bar & Nightclub (Tongatapu)

Drink like a sailor and hang out with expats, locals and tourists alike at Nauti Ruby’s Bar, sometimes seen as “Nauti Rubi’s”.

The nautical-themed bar at Faua Wharf in Nuku’alofa has interesting indoor and outdoor spaces to hang/dance/relax, from the happy hour deck with karaoke from 4 pm to 8 pm, to the bar area with a DJ getting the party going from 9 pm.

Shoot a game of pool, watch the big game on the screens, and enjoy a non-fussy selection of bottles, spirits and wine.

Find them open from 11 am to 12:30 am Monday to Friday, and from 11 am to 11:30 pm Saturday. Cash and card are accepted.

Location: Faua Wharf (behind Pizzaria Royale), Vuna Road, Ma’ufanga, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.

3. Basque Tavern (Vava’u)

A bar in many senses, Basque Tavern is not only a favourite watering hole in Vava’u but a Spanish-inspired tapas bar.

While Basque has built its reputation on tapas, it has since expanded its menu to include multiple mains and what’s claimed to be probably the biggest burger menu on the island. According to the chef, fish is their true specialty, and whatever they prepare with locally sourced, fresh fish (delivered weekly) turns out excellent.

Enjoy the rustic decor and pool table before the venue transitions into a buzzing bar and nightclub atmosphere as the night goes on. Look out for the occasional karaoke night posted on their Facebook Page.

Find the bar in Neiafu open from 9 am six days a week, running as late as regulations allow.

Location: Opposite the Small Boat Marina access road, Neiafu, Vava’u.

4. Billfish Bar & Restaurant (Tongatapu)

An open-air bar on Nuku’alofa‘s waterfront, Billfish Bar & Restaurant is an awesome place to catch the game, relax with friends or listen to live music. Head over to the bar decorated in trophy billfish for their wide selection of beers, wines and spirits.

Or how about treating yourself to one of their burgers, like the local “Ifo Ifo Ika” or “Moa” options? On the food front, they’ve got you covered with everything from Thai and red curry dishes to fish and chips, pasta, steaks and even vegetarian choices throughout the menu.

Tuesday nights bring karaoke, while Wednesdays through Saturdays see a DJ spinning tunes from 8 pm, and there’s even a charity quiz on the last Monday of every month.

The restaurant also features in our 20 Best Restaurants in Nuku’alofa. Opening hours are 11 am to 12:30 am Monday to Friday and 11 am to 11:30 pm Saturday (closed Sundays).

Location: Vuna Road, Ma’ufanga, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu (opposite the eastern end of Faua Wharf).

5. Tali’eva Inn & Bar (Tongatapu)

For an alternative crowd of 30-50-somethings, head down to Tali’eva Inn & Bar in Nuku’alofa city centre. You’ll find locals playing pool in the courtyard or singing karaoke early on weekdays, while the weekend attracts a fun crowd letting loose to Tongan contemporary music.

Rum and coke with real spirits and Long Island iced tea are a favourite here, especially during one of the bar’s flexible happy hours. Find Tali’eva open from 4 pm to 12:30 am Monday to Saturday.

Other bars in the capital are also listed in the 5 Best Bars in Nuku’alofa.

Location: Taufa’ahau Road (next to The Top Restaurant and opposite Cafe Escape), Nuku’alofa city centre, Tongatapu.

6. Ciora Karaoke Bar (Tongatapu)

The new kid in Nuku’alofa city centre, Ciora Karaoke Bar is not only a place to work those vocal cords but to find some of the cheapest drinks in town. As the name suggests, it’s karaoke every night at Ciora’s with the odd competition here and there.

Drinks are cheap with canned favourites including Long White rum and Woodstock, as well as fun mixers from rum and coke to fruity punch.

Ciora’s is open from 4 pm to 1 am Monday to Friday and 3 pm to 1 am Saturday with happy hour on Saturday from 3 pm to 4 pm.

Location: Taufa’ahau Road (a little further south from Tali’eva, opposite Cafe Escape), Nuku’alofa city centre, Tongatapu.

7. Mango Restaurant and Bar (Vava’u)

A popular place for drinking, at least with the yachties, is the Mango Restaurant and Bar in Vava’u. Hanging over the harbour’s edge, they offer interesting views as you sip on one of their local Tongan beers like Maka and Pure, or international favourites including Heineken, Corona and Steinlager.

The cocktail menu features tropical classics such as Pina Coladas, Chi Chi and Tropical Mojitos, plus margaritas in both classic and special variations. Wine is available by the glass or bottle, with champagne for special occasions. If you’re not in the mood for alcohol, they serve fresh local fruit juices, indulgent smoothies and milkshakes.

Open daily from 11 am to 7 pm, the restaurant serves up an international menu with everything made from scratch in-house. You’ll find dishes like Indonesian seafood Nasi Goreng, Filipino Pork Adobo and their signature traditional Ota Ika featuring fresh yellowfin tuna. Free WiFi and a book exchange make it a great spot to linger. Credit card is accepted.

Location: Fatafehi Road, Neiafu, Utu Vava’u, Vava’u. Accessible down a set of stairs from the main road.

8. Bellavista Cafe & Restaurant (Vava’u)

With a nice little bar section overlooking the Neiafu Harbour, the Bellavista Cafe & Restaurant is not only a great place to eat but an exceptional place to drink.

Sip on cocktails from their extensive menu featuring classic mixed drinks and tropical concoctions, top-shelf spirits, house wines by glass or bottle, or local and imported beers from the elevated bar overlooking the small-boat marina in Neiafu.

They’re open from 8 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday, so the bar is something you can rely on for an afternoon drink to a relaxing sundowner.

Learn more about their food offerings in the 20 Best Restaurants in Tonga.

Location: Guttenbeil Plaza, Fatafehi Road, Neiafu, Vava’u.

9. Tongan Beach Resort (Vava’u)

While many resorts in Tonga have excellent bars, we mention the Tongan Beach Resort in Vava’u, not only because their cocktail menu is among some of the best in the islands, but because they are easy to get to if you’re staying on Vava’u’s main island.

The Tongan Beach Resort has a relaxing beachside bar with an extensive cocktail menu featuring signature tropical drinks like the “Tongan Sunset” and “Vava’u Ginger Lime Daiquiri”, alongside classic cocktails and daily specials. If you’re not into cocktails, don’t worry, as they also have international and local beers, wines and mixers.

The bar complements the resort’s restaurant, which operates throughout the day with fresh local seafood and international favourites on offer.

See if this resort is worthy of a stay in The Top 25 Resorts in Tonga.

Location: ‘Utungake, ‘Utungake Island, Vava’u.

More About Bars in Tonga

That’s it for our guide to the best bars in Tonga. For more about the good times in Tonga, take a look at the following:

Finally, plan more around partying using Tonga Adults-Only Itinerary: 14 Days, Tonga Adults-Only Itinerary: 7 Days and Tonga Adults-Only Itinerary: 5 Days.

Sources:

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

Tonga Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Tonga Ministry of Tourism (FAQs about visiting Tonga - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Revenue & Customs (Customs and immigration contacts - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forests and Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Infrastructure (Land and aviation transport info - Updated [2025])
Tonga Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Tonga Statistics Department (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At Tonga Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Robin (Lopini) C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with the Ministry of Tourism of Tonga. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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