Adjacent to the Brewery in Woolston, Blue Smoke is Christchurch's best small live-music venue. There's often a folk, roots music or Americana vibe to the acts, but rock, rap and spoken word also sometimes feature. Top local musicians to look out for include the Eastern, and Lyttelton's finest, Marlon Williams and Delaney Davidson.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Christchurch attractions

1. Christchurch Gondola

2.37 MILES

Take a ride to the top of Mt Cavendish (500m) on this 862m cable car for wonderful views over the city, Lyttelton, Banks Peninsula and the Canterbury…

2. Transitional Cathedral

2.53 MILES

Universally known as the Cardboard Cathedral due to the 98 cardboard tubes used in its construction, this interesting structure serves as both the city's…

3. Cathedral Square

2.84 MILES

Christchurch's city square stands at the heart of the rebuilding efforts, with the remains of ChristChurch Cathedral emblematic of what has been lost. The…

4. Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct

2.87 MILES

One of the city's key post-earthquake redevelopment projects is reinvigorating the area around the Avon (Ōtākaro) River. Running along the river as a self…

5. Bridge of Remembrance

2.88 MILES

This majestic bridge and archway spanning the Avon River is a memorial to those who lost their lives in two world wars and conflicts in Vietnam, Borneo,…

7. Pioneer Women's Memorial

3 MILES

At the top of the Bridle Path, overlooking Lyttelton, this stone shelter commemorates the courage and hard work of the region's pioneering women.

8. Quake City

3.06 MILES

A must-visit for anyone interested in understanding the impact of the Canterbury earthquakes, this compact museum tells stories through photography, video…