Queenstown
Tucked into a corner of the Sofitel, this velvet-smooth jazz lounge is named for the French Revolution, with a bloody colour scheme to suit. There are…
Must-see nightlife in South Island
Queenstown
Enter the underworld, or at least the space under the World Bar, to find the heartbeat of Queenstown's late-night life. It's a proper, sweaty, industrial…
Fiordland & Southland
Parrot-design sofas and flying swordfish provide the distinctive animal-themed backdrop to this Invercargill institution. Stop by in the daytime for…
Christchurch
An intimate, speakeasy vibe makes Boo's an alluring late-night hang-out. Southern-style decor meshes with bourbons galore and American comfort food like…
Dunedin & Otago
Drop into this old waterfront warehouse to sample the output of Ōamaru's popular craft brewers. Slouch against the counter for a tasting or head out onto…
Dunedin & Otago
The most Victorian of the Victorian Precinct's watering holes, this corner beauty has a good beer selection and plenty of local wines. There's usually…
Queenstown
This vibey basement bar serves Rhino's house lager on tap ($5), hot rum in the ski months and empanadas. Animal pelts, snowshoes and skis line the…
Dunedin
'Dunedin's littlest bar' might only be 1.8m wide, but this bolthole on George St is still full of punters. There's sometimes even live musicians squeezed…
Dunedin
Monochrome tartan wallpaper, a roof deck and great cocktails leave the classy clientele looking pleased to be seen somewhere so deadly cool. It gets going…
Christchurch & Canterbury
More sweet than spooky, this hip coffee shop cum record store at the top end of London St does a roaring trade in silky coffee and smooth beats alike…
Dunedin
Not much but coffee to be had here, but oh yes, it's good coffee. This is where working street artists hang out while it's raining. Bring a keep cup if…
The West Coast
Upping Hoki's sophistication factor, this weeny joint packs a fridge full of fine wine and craft beer. Sip it in the hidden-away back garden, laden with…
Queenstown
Slink into the darkened interior of this slick bar for a sneaky afternoon cocktail, or perch yourself on the waterfront terrace for views over the lake.
Dunedin
The Cook hosts many local and touring acts and attracts a lively crowd from across the road at the uni.
Wanaka
The mainstays of Post Office Lane are this sports bar and neighbouring Barluga, sharing a courtyard and operating more or less in tandem, especially when…
Queenstown & Wanaka
Dating from 1866, this gold-rush pub still has the right amount of rough edge to provide a juxtaposition to Arrowtown's relentless quaintness. The gnarled…
Queenstown
Queenstown has two ice bars and they're pretty similar, but this one is apparently the biggest in Australasia. The frigid room is entirely furnished out…
Fiordland & Southland
Invercargill's liveliest gastropub is rightly popular and not bad-looking either, with trendy wallpaper and muted lighting from oversized lampshades…
Christchurch
Concealed inside a suburban shopping strip, this cosy bar combines comfy old sofas from your last student flat with quirky murals and a wide range of…
Fiordland & Southland
A one-stop shop for souvenirs, takeaway fried everything or decent full-blown meals of blue cod or lamb shank (mains $19.50 to $29), the Point is best for…
Queenstown
Like an English boozer framed with large-screen TVs, and with 17 beers on tap, this pub is a great place to watch the rugger. There's good pub grub (mains…
Fiordland & Southland
The saviour of Southland's live-music scene, Tillerman’s hosts everything from thrash to flash, with a battered old dance floor to show for it. Visit the…
Queenstown
The big attraction at this otherwise average bar, huddled among shops, is the roof terrace – a wonderfully hidden-away spot for an alfresco drink, though…
Christchurch & Canterbury
Have a drink at the bar, crafted from a huge slab of native timber, or tuck into robust meals in the quieter cafe (mains $28 to $36). Afterwards,…
Queenstown
Beyond the eclectic decor (stuffed bear, stock-exchange boards on the wall), Ballarat is quite a traditional spot, with gleaming beer taps, nightly bands,…
Dunedin
Nelson's Mac's brewery is making a strike deep into Speight's territory in the form of this popular, convivial pub right on The Octagon. It's the sunniest…
Christchurch
This convivial spot on Sumner's main shopping strip has a sunny courtyard, good meals (mains $20 to $30) including pork souvlaki and rib eye steak, and…
Christchurch & Canterbury
While full immersion on the menu front is not necessarily advisable, this tidy gastro-pub-style establishment is a safe bet for a few cold ones and some…
Dunedin
Craft beers, single-malt whiskies and good cocktails appeal to a different crowd than those found in Dunedin’s numerous student pubs. Antipasto plates,…
Christchurch & Canterbury
Wunderbar is a top spot to get down, with regular live music covering all spectra, and clientele to match. The kooky decor and decapitated dolls' heads…
Queenstown
With the vibe of a pub, but the wine list of a sopshisticated lounge bar, Barmuda is a drinking hole for all-comers. A huge open fire makes its walled-in…
Queenstown
Pool tables and shared rotisserie chickens make this a top spot for easy carousing. Free-flowing beer and well-mixed cocktails will help things along. If…
Queenstown
If you're wanting a shot of caffeine courage as you head up the hill to the Shotover River or Coronet Peak, this tiny black cabin brews a fine coffee…and,…
Christchurch & Canterbury
This large bar offers basic pub meals, a pool table, a big-screen TV and the occasional live gig, but the views are its best feature. Come at sunset and…
Christchurch & Canterbury
This large, slightly worn pub is the town's busiest watering hole. The kitchen serves decent pub-style meals all day (mains $22 to $35). Live musicians…
Dunedin
The godfather of Dunedin’s coffee scene, this compact wood-and-brick coffee house is the source of the magic bean for many of the city’s restaurants and…
Dunedin
Wage slaves queue at the pavement window every morning at this petite coffee bar, while students and others with time on their hands relax in the…
Dunedin
A late-night Dunedin staple, Pop serves great martinis and prides itself on seriously good DJs playing funk and house. It's downstairs.
Dunedin
A good spot to try the full range of Speight’s beers (six/eight beer tastings $18/22); there are also decent pub meals on offer.
Dunedin
Indie music venue offering anything from punk to funk with posters from Dunedin's dirty '90s on the walls.
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