With more bars and restaurants per capita than New York City, the nighttime scene in Wellington is diverse, prolific and always full of surprises.
So much that we feel kind of bad creating a hit list of favourites when we know there’ll be curious new joints cropping up every few months.
In which case, use this as a guide and don’t be afraid to explore some of the city’s myriad nooks and crannies, odds are that if they can fit a bar between the cracks, they will.
The best part? Practically everything is within a reasonable walking, or stumbling, distance.
82 Tory Street, Wellington, New Zealand
Infused with all the rich mahogany of those 1920s gentlemens clubs but sans any of the rampant sexism, Hawthorn welcomes Welly’s liquor-loving crowd with open arms Monday to Sunday from 5pm to 3am. While in town we asked locals for their favourite post-work hang and Hawthorn topped the list 9 times out of 10. Not to say that it doesn’t buzz on the quieter nights as well. The best part of a chilled out evening is you get to really chat to your barkeep, who’ll really take the time to design a drink tailored to suit your tastebuds.
14 Leeds Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington loves it’s laneways and you could easily make a night of it simply skulking Leeds St, talking about street art with the locals while stuffing in a few slices of renowned Pizza Pomodoro. However, Hanging Ditch is where you start the evening off in a highly civilised way. It’s a cosy wine and cocktail bar that takes its name literally, with most of the liquors hung from the ceiling like a very grown-up chandelier…
14 Leeds Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
… but after a few rounds and you’re ready to take things up (or down) a notch, Golding’s Free Dive is on hand (merely a few steps away) for tipplers looking for the most condensed range of top-tasting micro-brewers in a single venue. Don’t be fooled by Golding’s low-key look, every beer on tap, from Parrot Dog to Garage Project, is fiercely independent and down right delicious.
4. THE LIBRARY
Level 1/53 Courtnay Place, Te Aro, Wellington
Hidden above buzzing Courtenay Place, you’ll find The Library after climbing a nondescript fluorescently lit flight of stairs. But behind the entranceway is a paradise of pages and good-looking punters.
There’s not many bars one can comfortable frequent as a solo traveller so we cherish The Library for it’s ability to cater to all tastes. There’s live music if you like, a healthy crowd of cool kids for people watching and if you’re the type who appreciates the romance of getting engrossed in a gripping page-turner, all you need to do is just slide into booth and enjoy the peerless service. No waiting in line for a drink here.
5. MATTERHORN
106 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
The Grand Dame of Wellington’s Materhorn’s solid reputation has long been built on a foundation of impeccable fare, remaining one of Wellington’s top spots since it’s launch in 1963 (when it was just a humble coffee house, turned cocktail and supperclub). 2014 saw the venue go to new owners Mark Keddell (of Libertine in Auckland ) and executive chef Sean Marshall. Together they married the best of a la carte fine dining with the electric energy of a late night cocktail bar. Great for when you can’t decide on either, or if you think the night is going to ramble on into a late one but you still want to keep things sophisticated.
44 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
For a secretive sort of a spot, CGR likes to lay it all out front and centre. The name stands for Coffee, Gin and Rum, so don’t come here asking for a nice Merlot. Actually you can but you’d be doing yourself disservice not to get into the spirit of the joint (yes, pun intended). Just promise us you won’t leave here without trying their Salted Caramel Rum.
3 Swan Lane, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner but the best time to visit Duke Carvells is when the late night revelry has left you feeling mighty peckish and a slice of pizza just isn’t going to make the cut. Duke Carvells lives for those moments and serves up hearty dishes like 15 hour slow roast lamb in regal fashion (we’re talking, big generous and Medieval sized).
8. ANCESTRAL
31-33 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
Sichuan Chinese dining up-front, 30s speakeasy out back, modern sophisticated design wedged into every nook; all the elements at Ancestral have been chosen for maximum atmospheric impact and the system works. Once the restaurant winds down around 10pm, the crowd rolls into the open-air courtyard and back-bar stocking an obscenely good whisky selection.
9. HAVANA
32a-34 Wigan Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
You may never get to groove a hot night away in Cuba’s Buena Vista Social Club but if you find yourself in Welly hankering for some tapas with a side of jazzy tunes, you’ll find the closest thing to it inside Havana bar’s deceptively quaint 19th century workers cottage. It’s a bit of a hunt (the best places always are) but well worth stepping off bustling Cuba Street. Make sure you’re around for the Freedom Fighters Friday specials with $11 mojitos from 3-5pm, a guaranteed recipe for a riotous night out.
10. MOTEL
Forresters Lane, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
A bar with arguably the most competitive name when it comes to SEO (trying searching ‘Motel Wellington’ to see what we mean), you could think that Motel cares not for mainstream proclivities. But whatever it might lack in Google Search presence it more than makes up for in real-world popularity. From its 70s motel exterior (that’s with a Vacancy/No Vacancy sign out front) to it’s tropical tiki oasis drinks menu, there’s not much to Motel that doesn’t feel friendly and inviting. Had a hard day at work? Head here and order a Big Don’s Singalong (served in a festive novelty glass) and turn that stressed out frown upside down.
So you’re in Wellington, huh? Make sure you read Wellington: 5 Reasons This City Will Make You Fall In Love & Never Want To Leave. And if you’re hunting for a great place to splurge on a meal, head to Ortega Fish Shack & Bar.
CITIZENS OF THE WORLD
travelled with Discover Wellington
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