Wellington
Buried in a back lane, ochre-coloured LBQ is warm, inviting and moodily lit in all the right places. Fourteen well-curated taps (plus two hand-pulls) and…
Must-see nightlife in North Island
City Centre & Britomart
There's a slightly dishevelled colonial charm to this bar, discreetly tucked away above Auckland's oldest pub, which is completely in keeping with its…
The Wairarapa
It's hard to go anywhere in NZ these days and not find a craft brewery bubbling away in the corner. Martinborough is no exception. The brewery counters…
Napier
Take a tootle 19km north of Napier to check out this cool craft brewery in Eskdale – a big lager-coloured shed surrounded by vineyards and sheep paddocks…
Whanganui
One of the few places for a late night in Whang, Lucky also serves bar food worth eating (mains $15 to $28: pizzas, pesto spaghetti, polenta chips with…
Wellington
This bricky bunker is the HQ for a zealous beer-import business, splicing big-flavoured international brews into a smartly selected NZ range. Hopheads…
Napier
Napier's most civilised venue, Emporium is super atmospheric, with its marble-topped bar, fab art-deco details and old-fashioned relics strewn about…
Bay of Islands
This Mexican-style bar is about as energetic and raffish as buttoned-down Kerikeri gets, with a decent selection of tequila, Mexican beers and, just maybe…
Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter
Viaduct Harbour's best views – usually including a bevy of visiting superyachts – combine with Dr Rudi's very own craft beers and a menu featuring wood…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Near the town's wharf, this is the best place to combine a wine or cold beer with afternoon sunshine or a Raglan sunset. Inside, the decor mixes Raglan's…
Wellington
Who doesn't secretly love a board game? Assume an ironic stance if you must, but here's the chance to embrace your inner games nerd in public. There are…
Wellington
The actual Garage Project brewery occupies a former petrol station just down the road (68 Aro St), serving beer by the litre, petrol-pump style. If you'd…
Bay of Plenty
Whakatāne’s own craft brewer, in an industrial area at the edge of town, has a welcoming tasting room attached. The flavours are varied and often NZ…
Coromandel Peninsula
Serving thirsty gold diggers since 1869, the Junction is the archetypal slightly rough-around-the-edges, historic, small-town pub. Live music attracts a…
Tauranga
With its facade emblazoned with hops, and hops growing out front, the Hop House is single-minded in its passion for craft beer. There are 10 changing NZ…
Wellington
Named after a loud Harley-Davidson, the city outlet of this Upper Hutt brewery has a rusted motor built into the bar and beer taps made from exhaust pipes…
Bay of Islands & Northland
This cool basement restaurant-bar hosts lots of live gigs from touring Kiwi bands along with the occasional spoken word night, or gay mixer. As the hours…
Whanganui
With DJs and gigs lined up every weekend and a rock-solid (rock-liquid?) cocktail list, we'll be Frank when we tell you that this is the place for a night…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Look forward to thin-crust pizzas named after LOTR characters, a winning salmon and hash stack, occasional movie nights in the adjacent laneway, and live…
Wellington
Go out of your way to find Havana, a mighty fine needle in Welly's hospitality haystack, hidden down a side street in two weathered old cottages sharing a…
City Centre & Britomart
Lit by the golden glow of close to 600 different whisky bottles, this subterranean den is a sophisticated spot for a nightcap. There's no list – talk to…
Crossroads Brew Bar & Restaurant
Bay of Plenty
This unadorned bar looks as rough around the edges as Ōpōtiki itself, but it’s also just as welcoming. It brews its own range of beers – from Bohemian…
Tauranga
Sure, you could wander around town looking for a good wine bar, brewpub or whisky den, but you can also just head to the Barrel Room, which has already…
Wellington
This classy cocktail bar has a 1920s speakeasy feel, suited-up in waistcoats and wide-brimmed fedoras. Sip a whisky sour and play poker, or watch the…
Wellington
Tumble into this lurid-green, junk-shop juke joint any time of the day or night for a tipple and a plate of jerk chicken. Regular live music and DJs…
Coromandel Peninsula
Craft beers courtesy of Hamilton's Good George Brewing combine with a concise menu of pub snacks amid the Smokey Pallet's spacious whitewashed interior…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Hole-in-the-wall coffee roaster with the best brew in town. Stop by for a cup, a cookie and a conversation. Don’t leave town without buying a few fragrant…
Bay of Islands & Northland
A magical spot (10km out of town), especially on a summer’s day, this friendly pub overlooks the water with a sole pohutukawa blazing red against the…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Craft beer has arrived in Mangawhai at this buzzing bar-cafe, including a good selection from Northland brewers. Excellent food includes burgers, gourmet…
Hamilton
Tucked away around 20m off Victoria St, Wonderhorse regularly features craft beers from niche local brewers including Brewraucracy. Vintage vinyl is often…
Wellington
Aiming to improve on the 'kebab at 2am' experience, F&B offers excellent burgers, pizzas, pies, share plates and meaty mains to go along with its crafty…
Napier
Does a whale drink? Or just filter krill? Either way, this big dockside bar is a sporty spot to join some fellow mammals for an unashamedly mainstream…
City Centre & Britomart
With 22 taps, more than 75 bottled beers and sports on the TV, this pleasantly grungy historic pub is popular with Auckland's savviest craft-beer fans…
Hamilton
Hamilton java-hounds and CBD desk jockeys in need of the city’s best coffee make tracks to this specialist coffee bar. If you know the difference between…
Bay of Plenty
Astrolabe conjures up a funky retro bach (beach-hut) vibe, with floral carpets, forest wallpaper, and pastel-coloured picnic tables (and a caravan) in the…
Waiheke Island
Search out this bohemian spot for Waiheke's best coffee – served with delicious homestyle baking (try the cinnamon brioche) – and the chance to spin some…
Coromandel Peninsula
Good-value pub food, lots of frosty beers on tap and a relaxed garden bar equal a classic Kiwi pub experience. Challenge the locals on the pool table and…
Auckland Region
A hoppy oasis in wine country, the Beer Spot's array of 40 taps of craft beers and ciders is partnered by visiting food trucks on a weekly basis. Check…
Tauranga
The long concrete bar here has room for plenty of elbows, and for plenty of glasses of Croucher's crafty seasonal ales and pilsners. The vibe is social,…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
The welcoming Tomo is Waitomo's pub and home turf for the King Country Brewing Co. A frosty pale ale teamed with a fish burger, chowder or the massive…
