Entertainment in Queenstown & Wanaka
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Cinema Paradiso
Playing first-run and classic movies, Cinema Paradiso has got to be the coolest movie theatre around. Forget boring, stiff cinema seats, this theatre is filled with vintage couches to snuggle up on. Extra cushions are available to stretch out on the floor and there’s even an old Morris Minor to sit in for the true drive-in movie experience. At intermission they throw open the doors and the smell of freshly baked cookies wafts through the theatre and you just can’t help yourself. There is a great cafe that can prepare a meal to be ready at the break. Then sit back and watch the second half of the film with a plate of fantastic grub. Now that’s dinner and a movie! Try the h…
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Pub on Wharf
The newest pub in town is also one if its most stylish. Ubercool interior design is shoved to the fore with handsome woodwork, lighting fit for a hipster hideaway and animal heads on the wall to remind you you’re still in NZ. Mac’s beer on tap, scrummy nibbles and a decent wine list make this a great place to settle in for the evening.
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Monty’s
On warm summer days the patio at Monty’s is prime real estate. Same goes for the fire inside when the snow flies. With Monteith’s beer on tap, this is a great place for a quiet drink with a predominantly local crowd. Most nights the band cranks up and gets the crowd tapping their feet as they down a few.
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Dorothy Browns
This is what a cinema should be. Ultra-comfortable seating with the option to cuddle with your neighbour. Fine wine and cheese boards are available to accompany the mostly art-house films on offer. Every screening has an intermission – a perfect opportunity to tuck into a tub of gourmet ice cream.
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Winnies
A deservedly popular place with a laid-back ambience, retractable roof, pool table and patio. Daily happy hour from 9pm brings the crowds and the atmosphere keeps ’em around.
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Red Rock
With terracotta-red walls, decks to admire the moon from, and weekend DJs and occasional live gigs from around 10pm, this is a friendly place in which to get cosy in cowhide-covered booths. It’s popular in winter with the snowboarder crowd, but in summer the lakefront bars get busier.
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Blue Door
Hidden away behind a tricky-to-find, yet perfectly appropriate, blue door. The low ceilings, low light and abundant candles make for 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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Bardeaux
Down a narrow alleyway, this small, low-key wine bar is all class. Under a low ceiling await plush leather armchairs and a fireplace made from Central Otago’s iconic schist rock. No beanies, rugby jerseys or work boots allowed.
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Barluga
In the up-and-coming 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 break the illusion.
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Buffalo Club
Lit by candles and an enormous campfire in the middle of the room, this is a popular after-work hang-out. Pool tables and sports on the big-screen TV make it a low-key spot to kick off the night. Happy hour from 5pm.
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Wanaka Ale House
Next door to Trout, this place owns the coveted corner office. The rustic ambience morphs into a Southern Man wet dream of exposed beams, mountain views and an ample supply of Monteith’s that flows like water.
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Surreal
With funky music, low lighting and red-velvet booths, this is a private spot for a quiet drink – until later in the evening when things kick off and the dance floor comes to life. Happy hour from 10pm.
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Trout
The best of the busier beer barns down on the lakefront, this place is more the new Trout than the old trout. It’s a slick, designer Kiwi pub with the full range of Monteith’s West Coast beers on tap.
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Kiwi Haka
To witness traditional Maori dancing and singing, come watch this group at the top of the gondola. There are multiple 30-minute shows nightly, but bookings are essential.
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Barmuda
A huge open fire makes Barmuda’s atmospheric courtyard the place to be in cooler weather. In summer live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights is sometimes on thecards.
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New Orleans Hotel
With looks transplanted more from the Wild West than the Deep South, this heritage pub is a good escape from Arrowtown’s growing array of expensive designer shops.
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Tap
The Tap dates back to the gold rush. Inside, there are wines, a pool table, pub grub and liquid gold on tap. Sit outside and slow down to Arrowtown’s languid pace.
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Barup
Take the stairs up (no surprises there…) to this intimate cocktail bar, which is removed from the ground-level hustle and bustle downstairs around Eureka Lane.
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Minibar
Beer, beer and more beer. More than 100 local and international beers are poured in this compact space. A cool name for a cool bar, oozing with style.
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Uno
This slick and contemporary wine bar is the perfect place to watch the sun go down. It’s a pretty good spot to head back to after dinner as well.
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Subculture
Skilful locals and out-of-towners toy with turntables to make drum ’n’ bass, hip-hop, dub and reggae noises that get the crowds moving.
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Tardis Bar
A good dance bar with regular DJs playing hip-hop, dancehall and dub. Like Dr Who’s phone booth, it’s surprisingly roomy inside.
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Debajo
The perennial end-of-night boogie spot – house and big-beat gets the dance floor heaving till closing time.
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Reading Cinemas
Mainly Hollywood blockbusters, but occasional art-house and Kiwi flicks too.
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Dux de Lux
Lots of live bands and DJs with everything from reggae to drum ’n’ bass.
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