Queenstown Nightlife
As the Kiwi town which welcomes more than 3 million visitors per year (many of them under 30), Queenstown’s nightlife is a cosmopolitan dream. Drink and jive with people of all backgrounds at one of the town’s live music venues or cocktail bars - we’ve put together a list of the best clubs and bars in Queenstown to help you map out your nights.
When it comes to Queenstown bars, The Bunker is a bona fide Queenstown icon. Along with offering fine-dining fare, the Bunker’s cocktails are the stuff of local legend, and the open fire only adds to the ambience of the place in winter. Bar Up is another great establishment to frequent in the colder months, its hipster-like vibe and extensive spirits selection making for an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
Photo by: Pxhere
Little Blackwood, a lakefront bar, offers primo Artisan cheese and meat platters along with, of course, its superior selection of wines, craft beers and cocktails. Try Pub on Wharf after that – as Queenstown’s live music hub, you can enjoy cheap meals and craft beer to the sound of great homegrown beats. Also overlooking the lake, Atlas Beer Café has a strong selection of craft beers, so might be the place to bring all of your malty enthusiasts. And finally, hit up Bardeaux for a taste of continental Europe. Bardeaux’s catch line is “whine, whisky, and cocktails” – need we say more?
When night hits proper, head to Winnies, a double-duty bar and club which attracts all the young’uns as soon as the sun goes down. Not too far away is Rhino’s Ski Shack, an alpine-themed bar that’s commonly lauded for serving up the best nightlife in Queenstown. From there, make your way over to Skybar, which has all of the live DJs, tabletop dancing, and great beverages that you could wish for. Dial up the volume at Zephyr, Queenstown’s premier rock music club on Searle Lane. Serving up big tunes and the drinks to match, Zephyr’s guarantees great fun for all revellers – if your ears can handle it!
Photo by: amanderson2 on Flickr
For a one-of-a-kind drinking experience, make sure to pencil in a visit to Below Zero during your time in Queenstown. A literal ice bar, Below Zero’s temperature is set at -5, and its interior sculptures are really something to be beheld. Don’t worry about dressing up warm, either, as you’ll be given all the appropriate garb upon entry. A great one for the photobook!
If you’re planning on laying off the drinks, hiring a rental car is a convenient and affordable way to get between Queenstown’s top venues and bars. Rental cars are available from Omega’s Queenstown Airport Depot or Central Town Depot.