Nelson
Tastefully converted from its original, more reverent purpose, this former church is now home to an excellent, oft-changing selection of NZ craft beers…
Must-see nightlife in New Zealand
Queenstown
There are usually 23 craft beers on tap at this pint-sized lakefront bar, headlined by brews from Dunedin's Emerson's Brewery and Queenstown's Altitude;…
Queenstown
That hint of wobbliness you feel isn't the alcohol (yet), it's the fact that you're drinking on an old tour boat that's now permanently moored at the…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Originally a pop-up, now a vibrant cafe with wood bars and serious 'third wave' coffee with tasting notes and cold-brew options for summer. Super-healthy…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Candlelight and a semi-industrial fit-out set the scene for a New York–style bar devoted to the American drinking culture. The cocktails are pricey but…
Dida’s Wine Lounge & Tapas Bar
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Great food and an even better wine list attract a grown-up crowd. There's an associated wine store, providore and cafe next door.
North Auckland
This spunky little venue is a regular stop on the summer rock circuit, sometimes attracting surprisingly big names. The pizzas ($25) are thin and crunchy…
Taupo
The beer has only had to journey up the stairs at this brewery-bar with 14 beers – Hefe weizen, pale ales, a porter – and ciders on tap amid faux-Alpine…
Queenstown & Wanaka
Built as a bank in 1870, Fork and Tap's currency is now craft beer, with up to 19 suds on tap. Add in good food, including shared meat and cheese platters…
Christchurch
An essential destination for beer-loving travellers, the Cassels & Sons' brewery crafts beers using a wood-fired brew kettle, resulting in well-balanced…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Hamilton's Good George Brewing empire has now spread to this Cambridge venue in a colourful and characterful former church. Secure a spot in the…
Christchurch & Canterbury
Every heritage port town needs a decent craft brewery and Eruption Brewing doesn't disappoint. It's a firm local favourite, especially on Friday and…
Christchurch & Canterbury
A scenic 9km drive southwest from Lyttelton is one of NZ's oldest operational pubs (1870). You couldn't ask for a more inviting deck and garden in which…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
A self-described 'neighbourhood bar', Annabel's would also be right at home in the backstreets of Bordeaux or Barcelona. Cheese and charcuterie platters…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Gin and craft beers from around NZ combine with excellent street-food-inspired bar snacks at the summery and relaxed Hoppers Garden Bar. Ponsonby locals…
Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter
Formerly a harbourside warehouse, Wynyard Pavilion's high-ceilinged heritage space is now one of the area's most versatile spots to eat, drink and take in…
Hamilton
Part of Hamilton’s Sky City eating and drinking precinct, the Local Taphouse features locally sourced beers from the nearby regions of Waikato, Bay of…
Takaka
You will find one of NZ's most beloved brewery-taverns halfway between Takaka and Collingwood. The Mussel Inn is rustic NZ at its most genuine, complete…
City Centre & Britomart
Every burgeoning international city needs a good rooftop bar, and the stylish HI SO at the So/Auckland ticks all the boxes. Futuristic decor includes a…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Craft beers – many from Wellington's iconic Garage Project brewery – partner with fiery Indian street food in this rustic and laid-back space. Cocktails…
Banks Peninsula
Sporadic opening hours, sometimes dictated by the seasons, weather and demand, should not deter you from attempting a sundowner at Akaroa's favourite…
Whanganui
Article serves fair-trade organic Devil's Cup coffee, milkshakes (and sometimes doughnuts) in the old Wanganui Chronicle building. Inside is a collection…
Taupo & the Ruapehu Region
Other than the Chateau, Whakapapa’s only drinking hole (albeit owned by the Chateau) is this split-personality bar, styled like an Alpine lodge but with a…
Parnell & Newmarket
This spacious, friendly and longstanding Irish pub is a grand place to watch live sport. Keep an eye on the match schedules of the All Blacks and the…
City Centre & Britomart
New York style infuses this cocktail bar concealed behind an old door inscribed with the title 'Caretaker'. The decor is equally eclectic, and a handful…
Rotorua
What’s a lounge bar without chandeliers, a grand piano and red velvet curtains? This place, created by former TV weatherman turned Labour MP Tamati Coffey…
Wellington
The brave? You won't need much courage to enjoy the rusty-panelled rooftop bar atop this old furniture factory, sipping beers brewed in the shiny vats…
Christchurch
The Institution may well be Christchurch's smallest bar – there's only room for around 20 punters upstairs – but there's no trade-off in the range of…
Hauraki Gulf Islands
Visit Aotea Brewing to purchase craft beers brewed entirely off the grid in the compact on-site microbrewery. Beers including Solar American Pale Ale are…
North Auckland
Craft beer, cocktails and wine combine with good meals and bar snacks – try the barbecued-duck tacos – at this Orewa outpost of Auckland's Deep Creek…
Hastings & Around
Brave's glass-fronted, industrial tasting room on the edge of downtown Hastings showcases its fine brews – pray that the 6.6% Tigermilk IPA is flowing…
Christchurch & Canterbury
A decent selection of NZ craft beers and ciders partners with good pizza ($20 to $26) and bar snacks at this convivial hybrid of bar and restaurant. Score…
Auckland Region
Hallertau offers tasting paddles ($12 to $16) of its craft beers served in its spacious and sociable biergarten, and inside on cosy tables near the bar…
Rotorua
Run by the folks from Croucher Brewing, Rotorua’s best microbrewery, Brew sits in a sunny spot on Eat Streat. Thirteen taps showcase the best of Croucher…
Palmerston North
It's not really little and it's a long way from the savanna, but this classy beer barn is one of Palmerston North's best pubs – an L-shaped room lined…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
This craft brewery based at Tomo pub brews pilsner, IPA, pale ale, wheat beer and cider. Due to contractual issues with bigger breweries, not all the…
North Island
Visit the oldest and most famous of Wellington's craft breweries at its industrial-estate premises, where you can slurp a pint or two and chew some bar…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Hearty meals, including pizza, steak, burgers, pasta and curries (mains $21 to $30). Later on a pub-meets-wine-bar ambience kicks off as the local musos…
Christchurch
Old-school speakeasy charm reigns at this versatile spot that's equally fine for a cocktail, craft beer or more substantial offering of a shared platter…
New Plymouth
Inside this old wool warehouse is a counter selling raw snacks and coffee (roasted out the back in a shipping container). There's a fridge loaded with…
