5 Best Bars in Nuku'alofa & 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 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.

Your city centre offering of great drinks, great music and a great atmosphere is at 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.

An open-air bar on the 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 famous oversized burgers, like the "Jucie Lucie"?

The menu is quite comprehensive, covering international and local starters, curries, pasta dishes, chargrilled steaks and sharing platters. Vegetarian options and no gluten added choices are available throughout the menu.

Later into the evening, there's often karaoke on Tuesday nights, a DJ from Wednesday through Saturday from 8 pm or live international sports screening. Don't miss the charity quiz on the last Monday of every month!

The restaurant also features in our 10 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 Sunday.

Location: Vuna Road, Ma'ufanga, Nuku'alofa.

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.

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

The new kid on the block, Ciora Karaoke Bar is not only a place to work those vocal cords but to also 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.