Bar entertainment in New Zealand
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A
Matterhorn
We're still gettin' the Horn, despite a change of ownership and some stiff competition. A perennially popular joint with three distinct but equally pleasing areas (long bar, dining room and garden bar), the Matterhorn still honours its patrons with reputable food (tapas from mid-arvo, dinner daily, brunch weekends), solid service and regular live music.
reviewed
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B
Good Luck
Cuba St’s Chinese opium den, without the opium. This is a slickly run, sultry basement bar playing multiflavoured upbeat tunes. It also mixes the best mint juleps in town, and sports a middle-of-the-mall al fresco lounge – great for watching the Cubacade.
reviewed
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C
Wine Cellar & Whammy Bar
Secreted down some stairs in an arcade, this is the kind of bar that Buffy the Vampire Slayer would have hung out in on Auckland-based assignments. It’s dark, grungy and very cool, with regular live music in the neighbouring Whammy Bar.
reviewed
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D
Library
Velveteen booths, books, booze and board games. A real page-turner, with cocktails you won't want to put down.
reviewed
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E
Arc Cafe
Wonderful Arc Cafe would be an asset in any city: out front there's a laid-back, grungy bar-café with mismatched tables and a gentle, welcoming vibe from the be-dreaded staff and drinkers; in back there's a dark live-music venue where fine bands play to packed crowds, or lousy bands play for their own entertainment. Good for a midday coffee or a late night beer. The vegetarian fare here is some of the best (and certainly the healthiest) options for late-night snacking.
reviewed
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F
Empire
The stately old dame of Dunedin's pubs, this is a ‘must visit' if you're one of the army of Flying Nun pilgrims that visit Dunedin each year. It's not in the hot list of greatest live-music venues these days, but is still a damn fine venue, with bars on each of three floors, each providing a different vibe, and often hosting local bands (perhaps blues or acoustic) or jam sessions on the bottom floor.
reviewed
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G
De Bier Haus
With a pavement packed with happy punters, this hot haus features Belgian beers, big-screen TVs and manly hunting-lodge interiors with an antler or two in the midst. Kitchen-work is swift and savvy, turning out cajun chicken sandwiches, roast-duck spring rolls and seafood chowder (mains $15 to $36).
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H
Albar
This former butchers is now a bohemian little bar attracting just maybe the widest age range in Dunedin. Most punters are drawn by the 50 single-malt whiskies, interesting tap beers and cheap-as-chips bar snacks ($4 to $8).
reviewed
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I
Mou Very
Welcome to one of the world's smallest bars – it’s only 1.8m wide, but is still big enough to host regular funk and soul DJ sessions most Fridays from 5pm. There are just six bar stools, so Mou Very’s boho regulars usually spill out into an adjacent laneway. By day, it’s a handy refuelling spot for your morning or afternoon espresso.
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J
XIIB
XIIB (aka 12 Below) is an intimate underground bar with comfy seats and couches, and cosy nooks aplenty. There’s also floor space for live-music acts (look forward to lots of funk and reggae), or to wriggle along to hip-hop and drum ‘n’ bass.
reviewed
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K
Pequeno
Down the alleyway opposite the Rialto cinema, Pequeno attracts a more sophisticated crowd with leather couches, a cosy fireplace and an excellent wine and tapas menu. Music is generally laid-back and never too loud to intrude on conversation.
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L
Tonic
Limited-release Kiwi craft beers, single-malt whiskies and good cocktails appeal to an older crowd than Dunedin’s student pubs. Antipasto plates and cheese boards are good reasons to stay for another drink.
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M
Honey
This comfy-sofa'd champagne bar sells unique Kiwi drinks such as NZ-made gin (South) and vodka (42 Below), which can be infused with feijoa or manuka honey. There's also a great open-air deck on the roof if it all starts going to your head and you need a touch of the great outdoors.
reviewed
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N
Mighty Mighty
This is the hippest of the capital’s drinking and music venues. Inside-a-pinball-machine decor, pink velvet curtains, kitsch gewgaws and Wellington’s best barmaid make this an essential port of call for those wanting to tilt or bang a bumper. A colourful slice of NZ bar life.
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O
Matinee
A good option (one of the only ones, actually) for those who prefer top shelf to Tui, and electronica to ’80s rock. Inside a former theatre, the design is all mirrors, silk drapes and art-nouveau wallpaper; the tables outside afford puffing and people-watching. Jazz Fridays; DJs Saturdays.
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P
Blue Door
Hidden away behind a tricky-to-find blue door. Low ceilings, diffuse light and abundant candles create an intimate quaffing location. Blue Door has a formidable wine list and enough rustic ambience to keep you entertained for the evening.
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Q
Bluestone Room
There’s no shortage of character in this 1861 stone building, secreted down a dingy alley in the old part of town (a glassed-over well in the floor dates to 1841). The Rolling Stones played here in the ’60s and live blues and rock are still a feature on the weekends.
reviewed
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Wunderbar
Wunderbar is a top spot to see NZ’s more interesting acts, from raucous rock to late-night/early-morning dub. The funky decor alone is worth a trip to Lyttelton. Following the earthquakes, Wunderbar reopened in March 2012. Check the website or www.christchurchmusic.org.nz for what’s on.
reviewed
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R
Musket Room
Behind an unassuming door bearing a sign the size of a postage stamp, the Musket Room is easy to miss. But try not to; its owners come from a heritage of hospitality, and its solid stellar reputation is backed by tasty tapas and expertly prepared drinks.
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S
Chapel Bar & Bistro
There are two sides to every Chapel story: its corner location allows two Ponsonby people-watching aspects, it's a bar and a bistro, and it has indoor and outdoor seating. It's friendly, neat and casual, with undeniable appeal.
reviewed
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T
Strawberry Tree
A boisterous, atmospheric pub with couches, pool table, beer garden and Thursday night jam sessions. Much of the interior is built from historic materials salvaged from old mansions and dance halls. Journalistic antiwar photos adorn the walls.
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U
Latitude 37
A slick, upmarket bar with stone-faced walls, fold-back windows and flaming torches out the front. A lot of folk come here to eat (lunch $15 to $22, dinner $22 to $34...oh, the pork-belly sandwich!), but it’s also a beaut spot for a cold Heineken after a day in the surf.
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V
Agents & Merchants/Racket
Tucked into their own covered lane with an outdoor fireplace and sofas, this duo conjures an old-world yet thoroughly modern atmosphere. A&M serves excellent tapas and wine while Racket makes one well into the morning once the DJs kick in.
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W
Minx
Closed until further notice.
This sleek minimalist restaurant wins praise from industry types, while the basement Rootes bar makes the most of its underground outlook. Prop on a neonlit cube, sip a cocktail and admire the commissioned graffiti in the car park.
reviewed
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X
Barluga
In the funky Post Office Lane area, Barluga’s leather armchairs and coolly retro wallpaper at first make you think of a refined gentlemen’s club. Wicked cocktails and killer back-to-back beats soon smash that illusion.
reviewed