43 Best Nightlife in New Zealand

This hidden speakeasy offers special punches, crafted cocktails, and impeccable service. Look for the lion-head door knocker.

This locale is one of nine Sprig & Fern outlets throughout the Nelson region and Wellington, pouring 100% natural beers and ciders from the Nelson-based brewery. At the flagship bar, there is indoor and courtyard seating, a good bistro menu, and often live music on Saturday night. If you're looking for an even more casual tipple, the Sprig & Fern at nearby Milton Street is a true neighborhood bar set in an old villa.

With its bean bag lawn, wood-fired pizzas, and craft beers on tap, Rogue is the focal point for the city's summertime hum. When the sun goes down, it's the brilliant live funk, jazz, and pop shows that keep the patrons around. Find their packed schedule on their website or on the chalkboards outside.

Overlooking The Octagon, this high-ceilinged, upstairs wine bar and restaurant in 1880s surroundings is as elegant as the wines on offer. An accompanying fine dining menu showcases New Zealand beef and lamb.

In winter, Bardeaux has that upscale mountain-après-ski atmosphere; even in summer there's a fair chance the fire will be roaring. There's a wide selection of whiskey and wine, and they know how to fix you up a cocktail. It's a pleasing bar that's good for a quiet, intimate evening.

Step into another world at this most Italian of nightspots, but it's good Kiwi live music you'll hear in the evening or on a Sunday afternoon. With its fabulous turquoise walls and ornate, carved wooden bar, first impressions are of Milan. Second impressions are that these people know their Italian food. A great place to go for lunch and dinner or tasty pizza and then stay on as it starts to rock as a bar. There's a big piazza-style courtyard and another bar out the back, complete with heaters to warm the evening chill. Later on the live entertainment changes from acoustic duos to DJs and a separate dance floor.

This sophisticated meeting place in Oxford offers a vast selection of wines and craft beers served alongside excellent gourmet pizzas and live music.

Hip music and top-notch craft beers go nicely together in this cozy southern USA–themed bar. Add great food and a heady cocktail list for a memorable night out. There's a good sharing plate selection, a huge range of bourbons, and excellent craft beers and wines. Don't expect to talk too much when the live music starts, as it can get pretty loud here. Open-mike comedy nights are fun, too.

Trading in uniquely infused rums and gins, this modern and cozy pirate den serves delicious, and sometimes unexpected, tipple treasures.

Auckland's main venue for live comedy has established itself on the international circuit with many well-known acts coming here to perform along with the best of New Zealand's rising talent. In April the venue hosts the International Laugh Festival.

This restaurant and bar has a pleasant nautical theme with antique boats hanging from the ceiling. It's a popular watering hole with the locals. In good weather, everyone spills outside for the best close-up harbor views in Wellington.

Beckoning passers-by to the celebrated Hannah's Laneway, Fortune "favours" their patrons with a welcoming atmosphere, great food, and a huge range of craft beer, some of which is specially brewed on site.

With a comfortable but buzzing atmosphere and excellent beer selection, Golding's is a great place to spend an hour or two. There is geeky and Kiwi memorabilia on every wall. It's especially nice for solo travelers, whether you want to mingle or sit quietly and read. There's no food menu, but you can get some of the best pizza in town delivered from the pizza parlor next door.

Find Havana's two iconic colorful cottages just off Cuba Street, walk down between them, and you'll find two doors. The quieter cottage on the left is their brilliant tapas restaurant. On the right, there's a well-stocked bar extending the length of the wooden dance floor. This spot is regularly packed when the jazz, rhythm, and funk musicians come to visit. For quieter drinks, you can cozy into a nook of the sheltered street-styled courtyard.

A decor of steel and concrete with lots of natural light gives this modern space a semi-industrial look, and every table comes with a view of the iconic Dunedin Railway Station building just across the road. You can enjoy market-fresh light fare by day and a lively cocktail scene come sunset. Its brunch is also very popular.

This eatery doubles as Whangarei's nightlife hub and is part of the town's scenery. The food is good (but not terribly chic). That said, they do know how to cook prawns. It's a great place if you want a noisy, buzzy evening.

This bar's in an iconic spot at the top of Ardmore Street. Sit inside or out and soak up the amazing views of the lake and mountains; if you get hungry they turn out pub-style tapas and lunch, as well as dinner with a separate kids' menu. If you just want a pint in the sun, or after dark, the Lake Bar is a great place for visitors and locals alike.

You might as well leave your inhibitions at the door when you enter, because everybody else does. People pack this friendly and often noisy, narrow bar on the weekend.

Modern with polished wood and plate glass aplenty, Malthouse's long bar with illuminated lettering is an attractive place to drink a pint. With 29 taps, the only problem is deciding where to start.

Ice bars have become popular over the past few years, and it's great fun if you've never tried one---even just for the beautiful ice sculptures. They deck you out in jackets and gloves prior to entering. In summer, it's a good reminder of how close to Antarctica you are, and, in winter, it just adds to the alpine resort experience. It costs NZ$30 to get in, $35 with a cocktail and $40 for two cocktails.

Located in a charming neo-Renaissance building that overlooks Cathedral Square, this popular speakeasy-style bar relives a timeless yet bygone era of the inner city. Guests can dine al fresco while watching the trams and passersby, or, they can head for the opulent and dimly lit cocktail lounge, The Parlour.

Possibly the snuggest bar in Dunedin came to notoriety as the hangout of choice for Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, of the band Coldplay, during the Dunedin shoot of the film Sylvia. Leather chairs, an open fire, and a good selection of whisky and cigars add to the lounge atmosphere. The wine list is good as well, if pricey, and there's live music some nights.

Located down a short, plant-lined lane off the arts precinct of Drew Street, a red door marks the entrance of this relatively new Whanganui bar. Open the door, and you'll be met by a large lounge setting that features pinball machines, long tables, lounge areas, leaners, a library, and a couple of stages. Decorations include chandeliers and disco balls, but somehow it seems to work. There is an extensive snack menu, but the main attractions are the wines and craft beers (mulled wine is a popular addition in the winter). Depending on which night you come, you could find anything from a poetry session to a live band or DJ playing.

The eclectic Saints Pizzeria and Bar is probably the closest thing to a nightclub in Hanmer Springs. It's open until 1 am Friday and Saturday, but it closes around 11 other nights. It has a dance floor and pool table and features a DJ some Saturday nights. It serves brunch and lunch, too, but not always during the week when it's quiet. Service can be a bit slow if it's really busy, but the wait is usually worth it.

Upstairs from a small poster-plastered doorway is the capital's iconic chameleon cavern of a venue. This Cuba Street spot stages everything, including international metal bands, local comedians, sonic "experiences," and psychedelic blues groups. San Fran has perfected the essentials: a big bar, a vast dance floor, and great sound.

With its roaring fire, good food, and quirky decor, Searle Lane is a popular Queenstown spot. There's plenty of beer on tap and a good selection of wine by the glass. They do a mean cocktail, too. The food is made for sharing with hearty choices; their specialty is rotisserie chicken, which is seriously good.

This bar offers the best range of New Zealand and international beer in town, including the stand-out local beer, Queenstown's own Altitude Brewing. There's a great pub food menu of burgers and sandwiches and a nice balcony from which to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Queenstown.