Queenstown Nightlife

Perhaps the only drawback to visiting beautiful Queenstown during the off-season is that much of the nightlife dries up once the Winter tourist season ends. However, during the middle of winter, bars, clubs and lounges flourish. If you can’t find a nightspot to suit your tastes, check with the hotel or lodge you are staying at as they often have their own fantastic night club scene.

1. Apartment One Lounge Bar - 99 Ardmore St., Wanaka - website

If you want to find a place that serves excellent cocktails and is almost unknown by the tourist crowd (at least it was until now) Apartment One is the place for you.

2. Bardeux - The Mall, Queenstown  - website

A quiet and intimate wine bar with a great location. Get there early, it is very popular with the ski crowd.

3. The Boiler Room - Steamer Wharf, Queenstown - website

A warm and friendly cocktail bar that plays a danceable retro playlist of past favorites. They also serve a mean martini.

4. Chico’s Bar - The Mall, Queenstown - website

This bar and restaurant is very popular in the evenings thanks to its great location. Get a wonderful steak dinner and then head over to the bar and get to know a local or two.

5. Cinema Paradiso - 1 Ardmore St., Wanaka - website

The Cinema Paradiso provides a unique and pleasant alternative to clubbing and bar hopping by being the only dinner theater in the area that predominantly shows older, classic or camp films. A must visit for first time tourists to the area.

6. Dorothy Brown's Boutique Cinema and Bar - Off Buckingham St., upstairs, Arrowtown - website

If you want to see the latest cinema hits, Dorothy Brown’s is for you. The food here is quite good, too, as are the drink prices.

7. Minus 5 - Steamer Wharf, Queenstown - website

The Minus 5 is without a doubt the coolest experience in the city. With the temp inside set at -5, enjoy ice drinks, ice chairs and a whole new clubbing experience.

8. Pa Runga Wine Bar - Ardmore St. at Helwick St., Wanaka - website

With a delicious restaurant below, the Pa Runga wine bar is a hot destination for people who want to be seen. Get there early if you want a seat.

9. Shooters Bar - 145 Ardmore St., Wanaka - website

The busiest and hardest to get into nightspot in town, if you still have energy left to burn after a day of Queenstown adventures, than this is the place to tucker yourself out.

10. Surreal - Rees St., Queenstown - website

An excellent restaurant serving the freshest food in town doubles as a hot nightclub that is tough to get into. Dress nicely or you won’t see the dance floor.