Many of Wellington’s best cocktail bars are hiding down side streets, while the city also has its fair share of craft beer taprooms and all-round great boozers.
But look, you don’t have the time to go looking for the best bars. We do. So work your way through this list of the best bars in Wellington for a foolproof great night out in NZ.
Best bars in Wellington:
How do these rankings work?
1. Dirty Little SecretÂ
Wellington’s first rooftop container bar, Dirty Little Secret has panoramic views of Courtenay Place and cosy bean bag chairs to sink into and watch the sunset. No longer much of a secret, this is an ideal choice for evening drinks and good vibes.
2. Havana Bar
One of Wellington’s most photographed bars, Havana is located in two sweet cottages tucked between CBD high rises. This Cuban-themed bar and restaurant is known for its stellar tapas-style menu, delicious drinks and live music. Hint: if you can’t find the bathroom, it’s through the book shelf.
3. The Library Bar
Hiding away above the bustle of Courtenay Place is The Library, a cosy bar where the books line the walls and crafty cocktails reign supreme. Share a cheese platter or get stuck into some dessert – often with live jazz – at this excellent bar.
4. Nightflower
Night Flower takes old-fashioned cocktails and reworks them with a botanical flair: possets, syllabubs, Rumfustians, fizzes, fixes and flips. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, you will soon. A cocktail lover’s heaven.
5. Golding’s Free Dive
Golding’s Free Dive is a free house, meaning they can put anything they like on tap. With just six taps and one hand-pull, beers change often so breweries from all over New Zealand can get their turn. A great little craft bar.
6. Garage Project Taproom
Just up the road from GP’s funky brewer, their Taproom is a beer haven, with plenty of styles for all tastes. With 18 taps and 2 cask lines, others in cans and bottles and some special tucked away cellar brews, there’s plenty to choose from.
7. Forresters Lane
This beautiful cocktail bar takes seasonality to a new level. With a vibrant and fresh menu that changes weekly, it really makes the most of seasonal produce, plus a few more quirky beverage ingredients, too.
