Bars in Queenstown

There are so many awesome bars in Queenstown and the nightlife is buzzing in town. With so many of the bars being close together, it is easy to have a fun bar crawl and check out loads of places in one night. We didn’t come across any cover charges so you can save your money for cocktails! Conversion rate is $1 = 50p. Here is a list of the bars in Queenstown I visited on a Saturday and Sunday evening.

Little Blackwood

Known for serving great cocktails, we had to give Little Blackwood a go. The bar is situated by the harbour with a few tables outside for al fresco drinks. For the colder months, they have an open fire and cosy seating as well as live music offerings.

We loved the look of most cocktails on the menu! After some deliberation, we went for:

• A Lovely Pear: Beefeater 24 gin, house made pear and rosemary syrup, egg white, rosemary syrup + lemon juice ($20)
• Raise Your Altitiude: Beefeater 24 gin, grapefruit, pinot noir syrup, lemon juice, egg white + syrah float ($20).

If you love red wine, then Raise Your Altitude is for you whilst a Lovely Pear was smooth and light. Little Blackwood also serve some amazing looking cheese and meat combo platters.

The Lodge

Rivalling Little Blackwood for the best cocktails in Queenstown is The Lodge Bar. Clothing brand Rodd and Gunn is behind this boutique bar which has beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu.

Inside has a cosy atmosphere, similar to a ski chalet with corner sofas and soft blankets. The presentation of the cocktails was excellent with innovative combinations and flavours. We had:

• Slice of Otago: Frangelico, house infused vanilla 42 Below Vodka, Creme de Cassis, blackberry puree, egg white, lemon
• Kiwi Sunset: Reid & Reid Gin, strawberry shrub, lemon juice, balsamic glaze, East imperial ginger ale

1876

1876 is one of the best beer bars in Queenstown for outdoor space with its large beer garden. It is also great for its happy hours all night everyday! You can get $6 BRB beer, house wine, spirits, shots,and bombs and apple cider. Cocktails are only $10. A real bargain!

A brilliant venue for the sunny days but plenty of space inside if the weather turns. The live guitarist was awesome and it swiftly became one of my favourite bars in Queenstown.

Pig and Whistle

The Pig and Whistle is a gastro pub in Queenstown situated next door to 1876. Similarly to 1876, it has an outside area and is spacious inside. It also offers $15 all you can eat breakfast continental and hot buffet breakfast on Saturday and Sundays! What a way to get rid of a hangover. Oh, and 50c wings on a Wednesday. Why oh why were we there on a Monday…

Attiqa Sundeck

Attiqa Mediterranean kitchen was featured in my Eating Out in Queenstown blog but we also visited for a sundowner on the rooftop Sundeck. It is quite a small space so arrive early if you can and chill out listening to the DJs. Cocktails are around $20 with G&T’s only $15.

The World Bar

The World Bar was recommend by the girls working at The Canyon Swing and we weren’t disappointed. Regularly cited as one of the best bars in Queenstown, we could see why. It has a chilled atmosphere during the day and then turns into quite a party at night! We couldn’t resist their teapot cocktails, especially during happy hour. The Bitter Sweet Symphony with Vodka, passion fruit puree, lime juice, Prosecco vanilla syrup hit the spot.

Yonder

Yonder is an all day all night cafe and bar in the centre of Queenstown. Open from 8am – 2.30am Wednesday to Saturday and until midnight Sunday to Tuesday, you can come for coffee, lunch and drinks!

Yonder offers live music, special events throughout the week and reasonably priced drinks. Cocktails are $14-15 and Gin Balloons are only $10 ($8 in happy hour between 3-7).

Ballarat Trading Company

If you are looking for a late night bar in Queenstown, this is the one! It’s open from 12pm-4am EVERY NIGHT! I had a great night on my birthday listening to all of the cheesy and fun music. House spirits were only $10 too.

Winnie’s

Winnie’s is a pizza bar during the day and a nightclub in the evening open until 2.30am every night. See, I told you Queenstown was lively! We visited on a Saturday evening and it was pretty packed out, especially in the stage area. It does attract a slightly younger crowd (well, younger than me…) but played good music and was great for a dance.