Despite the nightlife of the Pacific, both Tarawa and Kiribati in general buck this trend with a pretty great drinking culture. And the best of the bunch, at least in my humble opinion, is Beer and Bullshit Bar.
And it is more than just a place with a great name, for it also has entertainment, beachside décor, and a surprisingly wide selection of well priced food and drinks. For Tarawa, this is about as good as it gets.
Clicl to read about Kiribati street food.
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The Tarawa Drinking Scene
Drinking in Tarawa is a mixed bag. On one hand, people here absolutely know how to drink, and on the other, this is still a very Christian country with rules that actually get enforced. Bars have strict opening and closing hours, Sundays are quiet, and things shut earlier than you might expect if you are used to Southeast Asia or the Pacific party islands.
Gambling exists but is limited, low key, and mostly local. What Tarawa does have is a social drinking culture where people sit, talk, listen to music, and take their time. You are not coming here for a wild night out. You are coming here to drink steadily and talk nonsense.
What the Beer and Bullshit Bar?
Beer and Bullshit Bar is located in Betio, right by the water, and sits alongside two other small bars that tend to spill into one another on busy nights. You can move between them freely, depending on music, mood, or who you want to avoid. The bar itself is simple, open, and functional, with seating facing the ocean and enough space for groups without it feeling chaotic. It attracts a mix of locals, expats, aid workers, sailors, and the occasional tourist who has figured out where to drink in Tarawa.
It is owned by the same people who run Betio Lodge, by far the most well known hotel on the island and easily the best value. Betio Lodge also has a drink selection that rivals Beer and Bullshit, which we will get onto next.
The Drinks at Beer and Bullshit
The drinks here are unapologetically Australian, with classics like Castlemaine XXXX. What really piqued my interest though was the selection of ready to consume mixed drinks, or as we call them in the UK, alcopops. This is a wide genre here, with plenty of gin and tonic style drinks, plus a serious lineup of strong rum and cola variants. This is in lieu of proper mixed drinks, which are just not really a thing in Tarawa.
They also sell big litre bottles of sickly sweet ready to drink cocktails like mojitos and similar, clocking in at around 15 percent and costing about 25 AUD. These very much appear to be the takeaway option of choice.
The food here is also solid, catered by the Betio Lodge team. It mostly consists of an expanded specials list of local food alongside frozen pizzas. It is simple, filling, and exactly what you want when you are drinking in Kiribati.
The Beer and Bullshit Vibe
This is pure Kiribati. A beach bar for everyone that somehow manages to pull in locals, expats, and tourists without feeling forced. When we come here, we often arrange traditional Kiribati dancers to put on a short show, which works perfectly in this setting. Outside of that, expect loud music, plenty of shouting, and the strong possibility of karaoke drifting over from next door.
Beer and Bullshit is also safe. That might sound obvious, but it is not a given in a country where people drink hard and fights happen. If you doubt that, go check out the drunk tank.
So while Tarawa nightlife is not exactly eclectic, there are still a few places to get your drink on, with Beer and Bullshit very much leading the pack.
Where the Beer and Bullshit Bar?
Beer and Bullshit Bar
Betio, South Tarawa
Kiribati
Located next to Betio Lodge and adjacent bars
Social media presence is limited and mostly word of mouth
Click to see my Kiribati Tours with Young Pioneer Tours