Christchurch & Canterbury
Have a drink at the bar, crafted from a huge slab of native timber, or tuck into robust meals in the quieter cafe (mains $28 to $36). Afterwards,…
Must-see nightlife in South Island
Queenstown
Beyond the eclectic decor (stuffed bear, stock-exchange boards on the wall), Ballarat is quite a traditional spot, with gleaming beer taps, nightly bands,…
Greymouth
Valiantly trying to capture the sophistication and glamour of golden-era Hollywood in good old Greymouth, this bar inside the Regent Cinema is an…
Dunedin
Nelson's Mac's brewery is making a strike deep into Speight's territory in the form of this popular, convivial pub right on The Octagon. It's the sunniest…
Christchurch
This convivial spot on Sumner's main shopping strip has a sunny courtyard, good meals (mains $20 to $30) including pork souvlaki and rib eye steak, and…
Christchurch & Canterbury
While full immersion on the menu front is not necessarily advisable, this tidy gastro-pub-style establishment is a safe bet for a few cold ones and some…
Dunedin
Craft beers, single-malt whiskies and good cocktails appeal to a different crowd than those found in Dunedin’s numerous student pubs. Antipasto plates,…
Christchurch & Canterbury
Wunderbar is a top spot to get down, with regular live music covering all spectra, and clientele to match. The kooky decor and decapitated dolls' heads…
Te Anau
This corner bar with pavement seating is a sound choice for sipping a pint or two of Mac's beer. The kitchen dishes up upmarket gastropub and cafe fare …
Queenstown
With the vibe of a pub, but the wine list of a sopshisticated lounge bar, Barmuda is a drinking hole for all-comers. A huge open fire makes its walled-in…
Queenstown
Pool tables and shared rotisserie chickens make this a top spot for easy carousing. Free-flowing beer and well-mixed cocktails will help things along. If…
Queenstown
If you're wanting a shot of caffeine courage as you head up the hill to the Shotover River or Coronet Peak, this tiny black cabin brews a fine coffee…and,…
Christchurch & Canterbury
This large bar offers basic pub meals, a pool table, a big-screen TV and the occasional live gig, but the views are its best feature. Come at sunset and…
Whanake Gallery & Espresso Bar
Buller Region
This neat little grab-and-go cafe is decked out with the owners' inspiring nature photography, to admire while you wait for a shot of Westport's best…
Christchurch & Canterbury
This large, slightly worn pub is the town's busiest watering hole. The kitchen serves decent pub-style meals all day (mains $22 to $35). Live musicians…
Dunedin
The godfather of Dunedin’s coffee scene, this compact wood-and-brick coffee house is the source of the magic bean for many of the city’s restaurants and…
Dunedin
Wage slaves queue at the pavement window every morning at this petite coffee bar, while students and others with time on their hands relax in the…
Dunedin
A late-night Dunedin staple, Pop serves great martinis and prides itself on seriously good DJs playing funk and house. It's downstairs.
Dunedin
A good spot to try the full range of Speight’s beers (six/eight beer tastings $18/22); there are also decent pub meals on offer.
Dunedin
Indie music venue offering anything from punk to funk with posters from Dunedin's dirty '90s on the walls.
Christchurch
Mixing up the old with the new, the Carlton's decor references Christchurch's farmers and stock workers of old, while hi-tech lighting drags it into the…
Takaka
Beyond the gates you'll find good food such as sandwiches, chowder and meaty mains served in a relaxed atmosphere. A garden bar and great baking feature,…
The Great Coast Road
The Rapahoe Hotel, 12km north of of Greymouth, is a simple beachfront pub offering hot food and cold beer at the northern trail head for the Point…
Fiordland & Southland
With indoor and outdoor drinking zones and a colourful cast of locals, the Howl is a pleasant enough venue to sink some pinot noir.
Te Anau
Low on charm but big on views, this rough-edged waterfront pub is best for late-afternoon beers on the outdoor patio.
