Must-see nightlife in New Zealand

  • Madame George

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Two patron saints of cool – Elvis Presley and Marlon Brando – look down in this compact space. Shoot the breeze with the friendly bar staff over a craft…

  • Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn

    Christchurch

    With more than 30 taps featuring the best of NZ craft beers, Pomeroy’s is an essential Christchurch destination. Among this cosy British-style pub's other…

  • Smash Palace

    Christchurch

    Epitomising the spirit of transience, tenacity and resourcefulness that Christchurch is now known for, this deliberately downcycled and ramshackle beer…

  • Golding's Free Dive

    Wellington

    Hidden down a busy little back alley near Cuba St, gloriously garish Golding's is a bijou craft-beer bar with far too many merits to mention. We’ll single…

  • El Culo Del Mundo

    Wellington

    If Charles Bukowski was gasping for a drink in Wellington, this is where he'd come – an authentic, atmospheric US-style bar serving great cocktails, fried…

  • Monica Loves

    Napier

    Big-city laneway style comes to Napier at this bar tucked away off Tennyson St. Look for the big neon sign proclaiming 'Who shot the barman?' and you're…

  • Blue Door

    Queenstown & Wanaka

    The only indications that you've arrived are the unmarked blue doors – push them open and it's like stepping into a prohibition-era speakeasy. The low-lit…

  • Freida Margolis

    Auckland

    Formerly a butcher's – look for the Westlynn Organic Meats sign – this corner location is now a great little neighbourhood bar with a backstreets Bogotá…

  • Pour House

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Home base for the Coromandel Brewing Company, this pub and bistro regularly features about five of its own beers in a modern ambience. Hearty meat and…

  • Library

    Wellington

    Into books, much? You'll find yourself in the right kind of bind at moody Library, with its velveteen booths, board games and swish cocktails. An…

  • Vine Eatery & Bar

    Taupo

    Wineglass chandeliers hang from the sky-high industrial ceiling at this restaurant-cum-wine bar, where you can sit in comfy booths, on raised stools or in…

  • Pequeno

    Dunedin

    Head down the alley opposite the Rialto Cinema, with the black-and-white kākāpō street-art piece by Phelgm, to discover this intimate and sophisticated…

  • Dog with Two Tails

    Dunedin

    Nightly events here range from jazz jams and soulful singer-songwriters, to indie rock and literary readings with a peppering of quiz nights and open mics…

  • Currach Irish Pub

    Hauraki Gulf Islands

    This excellent pub offers island-brewed craft beer, seafood, steak and burgers, and is GB's main social centre. Wood-fired pizzas are another highlight,…

  • Lovebucket

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Lovebucket is a more sophisticated alternative to K Rd's often youthful after-dark vibe. Courtesy of shared ownership with the Hallertau Brewery in West…

  • Bar Celeste

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Inspired by the 'neo bistro' movement of Paris, Bar Celeste blurs the line between intimate bar and innovative restaurant. Natural wines are regularly…

  • Cardrona Hotel

    Queenstown & Wanaka

    The wood-panelled facade looks like a film set, but it's the real deal – NZ's most photographed pub is a gold-rush relic from 1863. The sense of history…

  • Deadshot

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Featuring some of Auckland's most experienced bartenders, Deadshot – cowboy parlance for 'strong booze' – is where you can sample the city's cocktail A…

  • Rhyme x Reason

    Wanaka

    Beer-loving locals head to this inconspicuous tin shed – situated in a light-industrial strip on the edge of town – to escape the tourists down at the…

  • Brothers Beer

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    This beer bar combines quirky decor with 18 taps crammed with Brothers' own brews and guest beers from NZ and further afield. Hundreds more bottled beers…

  • South Sea Hotel

    Fiordland & Southland

    Welcome to one of NZ's classic pubs, complete with stellar cod and chips, beer by the quart, a reliable restaurant (mains $16 to $33) and plenty of…

  • Lalaland

    Wanaka

    Before the Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone flick, there was already this Lalaland in Wānaka. Sink into a comfy chair at the little, low-lit palace/bordello,…

  • Gin & Raspberry

    Wanaka

    If you're in the swing for bling, this lush bar is like stepping into a Baz Luhrmann film set. Gilded mirrors, a grand piano (yes, you can ask to play it)…

  • Atlas Beer Cafe

    Queenstown

    There are usually 23 craft beers on tap at this pint-sized lakefront bar, headlined by brews from Dunedin's Emerson's Brewery and Queenstown's Altitude;…

  • Perky's

    Queenstown

    That hint of wobbliness you feel isn't the alcohol (yet), it's the fact that you're drinking on an old tour boat that's now permanently moored at the…

  • Brewed As Collective

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Originally a pop-up, now a vibrant cafe with wood bars and serious 'third wave' coffee with tasting notes and cold-brew options for summer. Super-healthy…

  • Bedford Soda & Liquor, Ponsonby.

    Bedford Soda & Liquor

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Candlelight and a semi-industrial fit-out set the scene for a New York–style bar devoted to the American drinking culture. The cocktails are pricey but…

  • Dida's Wine Lounge, Ponsonby.

    Dida’s Wine Lounge & Tapas Bar

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Great food and an even better wine list attract a grown-up crowd. There's an associated wine store, providore and cafe next door.

  • Crafty Trout Brewing Co

    Taupo

    The beer has only had to journey up the stairs at this brewery-bar with 14 beers – Hefe weizen, pale ales, a porter – and ciders on tap amid faux-Alpine…

  • Fork & Tap

    Queenstown & Wanaka

    Built as a bank in 1870, Fork and Tap's currency is now craft beer, with up to 19 suds on tap. Add in good food, including shared meat and cheese platters…

  • The Brewery

    Christchurch

    An essential destination for beer-loving travellers, the Cassels & Sons' brewery crafts beers using a wood-fired brew kettle, resulting in well-balanced…

  • Good Union

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Hamilton's Good George Brewing empire has now spread to this Cambridge venue in a colourful and characterful former church. Secure a spot in the…

  • Eruption Brewing

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Every heritage port town needs a decent craft brewery and Eruption Brewing doesn't disappoint. It's a firm local favourite, especially on Friday and…

  • Governors Bay Hotel

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    A scenic 9km drive southwest from Lyttelton is one of NZ's oldest operational pubs (1870). You couldn't ask for a more inviting deck and garden in which…

  • Annabel's

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    A self-described 'neighbourhood bar', Annabel's would also be right at home in the backstreets of Bordeaux or Barcelona. Cheese and charcuterie platters…

  • Hoppers Garden Bar

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Gin and craft beers from around NZ combine with excellent street-food-inspired bar snacks at the summery and relaxed Hoppers Garden Bar. Ponsonby locals…

  • Wynyard Pavilion

    Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter

    Formerly a harbourside warehouse, Wynyard Pavilion's high-ceilinged heritage space is now one of the area's most versatile spots to eat, drink and take in…

  • Satya Chai Lounge

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Craft beers – many from Wellington's iconic Garage Project brewery – partner with fiery Indian street food in this rustic and laid-back space. Cocktails…

  • Doolan Brothers

    Parnell & Newmarket

    This spacious, friendly and longstanding Irish pub is a grand place to watch live sport. Keep an eye on the match schedules of the All Blacks and the…

  • Tussock Bar & Restaurant

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Other than the Chateau, Whakapapa’s only drinking hole (albeit owned by the Chateau) is this split-personality bar, styled like an Alpine lodge but with a…

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