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…
Must-see nightlife in North Island
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
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…
Gisborne
Bottling up a clutch of quality beers since '89, including its flagship Gisborne Gold lager, Gisborne’s pioneering craft brewery has a fab tasting room…
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…
Napier
The 4th Door offers an alternative to Ahuriri's waterfront bars – a classy, moody little place, perfect for a predinner drink or a nightcap. Occasional…
North Auckland
Tucked down a quiet laneway, Tahi features nine taps of NZ craft beer. It's a friendly spot with a rustic and sunny deck. Ask if any beers from award…
Parnell & Newmarket
Push open the door decorated with a chunky brass pineapple to discover this elegant bar with leather furniture and a gentlemen's club ambience. Savvy…
Auckland
With its spacious and sunny beer garden, Pocket might have to start considering a new name. Colourful street art and a special area for chalk drawing…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Recently relocated to the after-dark scene of Karangahape Rd, a louche old-world Shanghai vibe pervades this small bar, where the owner dispenses charm in…
Bay of Islands & Northland
One of the country's oldest pubs – established in 1865, but twice burnt down since then – the tavern's harbourside location is a top spot for an afternoon…
Parnell & Newmarket
A shrine to craft beers from around NZ, the Lumsden's outdoor terrace is a good spot to relax after exploring Newmarket's shops. Fifteen different beers…
New Plymouth
Mike's proudly asserts its status as NZ's first craft-beer brewery (founded 1989) and when the beer is this good, why argue? Swing into Mike's new…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Located across the road from the Matamata i-SITE, this spacious and modern shrine to craft beer and cider is also a good place to eat. Sit outside under…
Hamilton
In the semi-industrial northern outskirts of Hamilton, Brewraucracy's functional brewhouse space includes a compact and welcoming taproom. Around 16 beers…
Rotorua
Inside a 1940s former police station (look for the Māori motifs on the facade), this busy pub serves up frosty beer, big-screen TVs, a beer garden, live…
Bay of Plenty
Located in a light industrial area 4km from central Mt Maunganui, Rising Tide is home base for the Mount Brewing Co and Funk Estate microbreweries, who…
Taupo
Craft beers in a craftily chosen spot. Nine taps pour a rotating selection of NZ brews, and there's a fridge filled with other hoppy goodness. You can…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Quite the best place to see and be seen on the Ponsonby strip, SPQR is a magnet for local scenesters who are quick to nab the tables on the footpath. Head…
Wellington
Tucked into the back-end of the elegant art-deco Embassy Theatre, this little avian bar is a noir, filmic spot for a cocktail or two after the movie. The …
New Plymouth
On a rise of Liardet St is this late-night tapas and craft-beer bar, with long leather banquettes and a cute little courtyard. Plenty of craft beers,…
Hamilton
Channelling a cool industrial vibe, the former Church of St George is now a shrine to craft beer. Order a flight of five beers ($16), and partner the…
Wellington
Fronting onto a precious pocket park, the Rogue is a scruffy, colourful, kaleidoscopic craft-beer bar with heaps of good beers flowing through 18 taps…
Waiheke Island
Once you're supping on a Waiheke wine or beer under the pohutukawa on the beach-gazing deck, it's easy to see why Charlie's has been a beloved island…
Taupo & the Ruapehu Region
The friendly owner refers to the Kitchen as his 'bach (beach house) with a bar attached'. Serving only NZ craft beer from a range of breweries, it's…
Wellington
While it's not strictly a secret (it's packed to the gills on balmy evenings) this hip bar atop the historic Hope Gibbons Ltd building plays hard to get,…
