Cheeky Monkey’s Restaurant

A hot mess, in the very best sense of the word.
Had a wedding up in Byron and everyone went «Don’t bother going to Cheeky Monkey’s, you’re too old, it’s too young, you won’t enjoy it, you won’t even get in. Oh I got in all right, and had a blast. Backpackers, lasers, drinks in plastic cups and a stepped D-​floor tailor made for group dance-​offs. In your face, haters. As long as you lower your expectations and keep an open mind, you’ll have a blast, too.
You should probably familiarise yourself with Snapchat before you go in otherwise you’ll have nothing to talk about with anyone else and they’ll know you’re a fraud. Lots of dark nooks and crannies to take your Swedish /​German /​Dutch snog buddy and make out like you’re back in high school. Also a lot of bouncers that get made to wear high vis vests, not as bad an idea as it sounds as it’s kinda dark in there, that fun nightclub dark that promises a world of possibilities. Plus there’s a kebab store down the road called — wait for it — Abrakebabra. Seriously, I can’t make this shit up.

We decided to go to Cheeky Monkey at 9 pm so we could get in before the cover charge hit and we wanted to start our night there. Fyi this is a Saturday night, so the biggest party night usually. I guess that we went on an off night or something because from 9 to about 1030, it was pretty empty. There was tons of sitting room and not a lot of people. Everyone chilled in their respective groups and didn’t mingle. A friend and I created a drinking game for the two of us with one of the game boards they provided because there was nothing to do. It was quite uncomfortable. People hyped this place up so much, so I expected a crazy night that I would walk away with stories from. It was disappointing. The only pro was that they had free champagne for girls, but when they run out, that’s it. I wouldn’t go back unless my friends dragged me or it was actually crazy like people rave about.

Truth be told, I don’t get the hate on a place like Cheeky Monkey’s… it’s a backpacker’s bar!!! Calm down, folks.
People flock here for their $ 5 meals, which I believe is worth it. It’s not high quality food… but if you really knew the «backpacking game» then you would know that many are eating bread/​noodles/​pasta on the daily so it’s nice to get a burger, burrito or schnitzel. Everyone in the group I went with was content with their meal. Again, not gourmet, but on the same level as nice fast food.
Also, when I came around 7/​8pmpm on Monday & Tuesdays nights the wait was not horrendous and we still had all of the options available to us. I didn’t come at «low season» either.
Still a fun atmosphere and if I was back in Byron Bay, I’m sure I’d swing by again.

No friendly to travellers. If you are not from the town of Byron Bay DO NOT go here. Out of town travellers are meet with hostillity and poor service. The overall management and staff is terrible.
If you are visiting lovely Byron Bay there are plenty of other great places so definitly avoid Cheeky Monkey’s unless you want to a terrible experience.

The fact that this doesn’t have 5 stars makes me really upset. It’s a backpacker bar people, it’s known for crazy parties, dancing on tables and generally causing various levels of shenanigans. Don’t whine because you had to wait in line, or deal with a bunch of 20 somethings trying to get laid. That’s what this place is, and it does it really really well.
It’s dirty, the food isn’t very good and the drinks are cheap. Can anyone ask for anything more? They have ridiculous, crazy, and not at all sensible contests for prizes like Fraser Island trips and bus passes up the coast.
Once again, don’t go hear if you want quiet, a relaxing night, or wish to retain your calm and composed demeanour, cause you’re not going to have a good time. It’s like complaining that the burrito you just ordered with extra jalepenos and 12 lines of hot sauce is too spicy; you asked for it, either throw it away or suck it up and finish it.
In closing, go hear, I don’t know a place nearly as consistently nuts as here the rest of the way north up the coast, although I was there three years ago so things may have changed.

Just no.
Normally I can deal with the carnival-​like spectacles I see and have experienced while traveling. I don’t mind the occasional shitty meal if it means spending $ 5 or less (I don’t necessarily enjoy it, but I understand how the backpacking game works). I don’t exactly judge and hate all drunk idiots either; just sometimes. And usually I can wipe a grimace off my face when I find some sort of silver lining.
But here, just, no.
Cheeky Monkey’s is «famous» in the backpacking world here in Byron. I can only imagine it’s credibility comes from many pedestrian exchanges with newly free-from-their-parent’s 20-​something year olds who may have gotten lucky after a sloppy night here. My experience is a little less intimate, thank god.
I came here to test out their dinner special. You wait in a line that snakes around the joint and then order your meal from some chick in a booth. By the time you get there, there are 3 out of the 6 specials still available, and they are all shit. You take a number, self-​serve yourself water, weave around…
You know what. I rather not continue. I really, truly despise this shithole. And instead of erasing all of my thoughts, I leave you with this: a half-​assed Unilocal review for a half-​assed restaurant/​club/​bar/​playpen/​zoo.

If you’re looking for nightly activities around Byron Bay, honestly, Cheeky Monkey’s will keep you thoroughly entertained regardless of what night of the week you decide to check it out! I had some of the greatest nights out of my backpacking life at Cheekys, having been lucky enough to live right across the street.
You’ve got your VIP nights, when you and buddies from your hostel convene and participate in competitions, games, dinner, and jenga. Definitely sign up for one of the comps at some point during your Cheeky Monkey’s experience, it’s so worth it, for the fun factor plus a shot at winning a wicked prize. For instance, I won a skydive, and got to go fo’ free! My fave competition to watch is the clothespins on the face, where the winner is given a free trip to Fraser Island.
Onward into the night, people will start to shuffle over to the tables… «Tables?!» you say. That’s right, no dancefloor at Cheeky’s. Only insanely fun metal tables that face each other, best set up to get messy and have a laugh. At first, felt this place to be ridiculous, and it remains so, but in the best way possible. Ridiculously fun, is a more accurate description. The crowd is for the most part all backpackers, so not necesarily a scene you want to expose to older generations. Always an interesting mix of people from everywhere, you can make instant friends just while chatting outside, dancing on the tables, or by the bar.
For those who aren’t into the table dancing, the pool table is great fun. Ocassionally, a pair of video game racecars are set up and the winner wins a prize (trip, cash money, etc.)
You know the expression, «When in Rome…» Switch it to «When in Byron…» and the answer is that you’ve gotta hit up Cheeky’s, to see what it’s all about.

Do NOT pay cover to get in here. There are various ways to get in free, either through a hookup through a hostel or promoter, or arriving early. It’s definitely the place to meet non-​Aussies. It’s a fun enough place to get cheap drinks before going anywhere else. When I was there they had various games with prizes ranging from free drinks to a sailing trip in Cairns. I entered a hula hoop contest and won us a couple rounds of free drinks. We left shortly after that. The fish n’ chips weren’t great, the benches are full of spilt beer, and the crowd is rowdy. At the same time, you can’t go to Byron without stopping by the very infamous Cheeky Monkey.

If you’ve ever been on the backpacker circuit of Queensland/​NSW, you’ve heard of Cheeky Monkey’s. From the minute I stepped foot off the bus in Byron Bay I was bombarded by people shoving wristbands in my face for free entrance into all sorts of bars in town, most frequently Cheeky Monkey’s. This place is quite the scene, there is a theme every night — most famously the wet t-​shirt contest on Thursdays. We went on a Saturday night and it was jam-​packed with backpackers and weekend warriors from Brissy alike, dancing on tables and cutting loose. If you’re in Byron Bay it’s definitely a must-​do, just embrace the sleaziness of the place and you’ll have a great time!
Oh, and get wristbands during the day (they’ll find you, don’t worry!) and be sure to go before 11 because the $ 10 cover is ridiculous.