Very busy after work on a weekday but this place is great to explore some local brews from…read moredifferent breweries. Friends brought us here and recommended some drinks to us. This is the place where I found my favorite ginger beer - Hawkes Bay Ginger Fusion. Highly recommend if you enjoy a good spicy ginger beer. Didn't have any food because all the tables were taken and decided to go elsewhere but they have standard bar food like burgers, etc. They also had a huge collection of hot sauces that I wish I got to try. You just order at the bar which was quick and easy.

Amazing place! Large outdoor grassy area with huge bean bags to lounge and hang out. As you walk…read morein it's dimly lit with strings of lights giving it that speakeasy feel. Extensive menu of drinks from beer, wine, and spirits. The service was super friendly and quick! They have live music and comfy seating in the back. Love this gem in the heart of Wellington.

Took a bit of finding as it's upstairs in a nondescript office building via a staircase that feels…read morelike the emergency exit and a blank door leading to an amazing, down at heel speakeasy joint. Booths and tables scattered around the room so we planted ourselves strategically to watch the world and listen to the fabulous jazzy music which, apparently was a playlist compiled by one of the team but not to be shared with mere plebes like us. It was only 6 in the evening and still bright and this is most definitely a place that needs to be experienced after dark. A pity our time in Welly didn't allow a repeat visit. Oh yes, the cocktails were amazing so just as well we had a dinner date elsewhere or I would have been poured into the street at an ungodly hour. Would love to be back. After dark. Recommended

This is one of the neatest themed bars I've been to, and from how packed it was, it's apparent that…read moreeveryone else is in agreement. We were here on a weekend night and waiting to get into the adjacent restaurant. Hooowww convenient that right next to the tiny cramped waiting room there happens to be this awesome lounge. Well played. We were joined by mobs of other hungry waitlisters as well as many others just there and craving a little study juice. The bar is adorably designed to look like a library with the cutest nerds demonstrating their well studied mixology and putting together some elegantly designed cocktails. The theme is brought to life with walls of books cutting into the space and creating perfect little study nooks. Tables and chairs line the sides and are tucked away here and there in the rooms. The long bar was pretty packed but also had seating. Drink menus were worth a study session for sure and prices comparable to the Wellington area. With clever beverage names like Whiskey Business, The Sipster, and Netflix & Chill you're bound to find something as tantalizing as the geek with glasses mixing your drink. Whether your jam is alcohol pyrotechnics, drinking your beverage from a chemistry flask, or enjoying a saucy little shake and toss, these bartenders both brew up fantastic concoctions while putting on a show. As much of the rest of NZ is, I found their knowledge, attention to, and tolerance of gluten allergy to be far beyond anywhere in The States. I prompted the very busy geek with taped glasses about a few of the unfamiliar syrups and like any good student, what he didn't know he looked up for me before recommending a drink. If saffron and vanilla meringue, popcorn infused rum, and marshmallow and malt biscuit crumble don't sound like deliciously epicurious combinations to you, then good, stay home, and let me have the lounge to myself for a much needed libation study session.

A very fun venue to try different cuisine while in New Zealand . My new friends and I loved almost…read moreeverything we tried. Our favorite choices were the fresh ceviche, and the beetroot salad. It was fun to share the patatas which had a generous splash of paprika. We also enjoyed the chicken wings covered in a cola glaze. Our only criticism was the dessert where the pavlova was a hard meringue. I wouldn't order the coffee either.Finn was a friendly waiter.

The vibes here are sooo good! What a cool spot to come for a drink and feel transported to Havana…read more There are so many unique seating options here - I love the side-by-side cottages, with lots of outdoor and semi-outdoor seating. The decor is so impressive and adds to the experience. We didn't order food here so can't speak to the menu, but we each got a cocktail here and and enjoyed their traditional and specialty options. This is a cute spot to come enjoy a cocktail and unique decor!

If you looking for a trendy bar with tall Russian hot chicks (which incidentally I love ). This is…read morenot the bar for you. If you want a good traditional pub like pubs used to be. Where you can come in on your own and have many friends (most of them tipsy) when you leave then go no further. Basic style but a heart of a Dragon. In winter you have a nice fire to keep you warm. Dart board to play with random strangers and pool table out back. There is a bet garden aka smoking area as well The food is good old fashioned pub food. The reason why I keep coming back. Is the staff are super friendly introduce you to the locals and make you feel like a local within a few minutes Enjoy Welsh hospitality if you are not a snob you will love this place.

Whenever we're in Wellington, we head straight for the Welsh Dragon. Mike and Joanne have created a…read morefantastic atmosphere. Phil W. pegged it in his review. When you go in, there's usually someone you recognize from the day or week before and the conversation picks up right where it left off. It's like all the really nice people in Wellington decided to hang out at this place, although, this is a really friendly city to begin with. The last time we were in town, the wife and I renewed our vows here, after about 40 years I guess it was time. Mike and Joanne were so sweet. They cleared out the back room, moved the pool table and filled the room with flowers and wedding decorations. It was beautiful. We still have one of the heart shaped doilies glued to our refrigerator at home. The food was great and there were tons of snacks. There was about 25 of us back there partying all night but Ross kept those drinks coming like an assembly line. That same night, Prince Harry was in town watching a rugby match at the Cake Tin. We were hoping he'd stop in after the match but no such luck. We thought we saw him a couple of times but it was just Mike with that silly Prince Harry mask, LOL, Hilarious. Mike's a funny guy and knows how to keep the party going. One day we were sitting and talking for a while when one of the customers, after hearing our accent, got up, walked over to the piano and played the Star Spangled Banner ( U.S. National Anthem ). Everyone in the bar stood up while we sang. How cool is that? This is a great place to sit and watch a game and make friends. It does help if you know the rules of rugby and cricket but if you don't, there'll be someone there that will gladly explain them. I love the entertainment they have. Usually local talent on the piano or guitar. The Quiz Nights are a blast too. This place would do great in Long Beach. Check out the pictures on their website and you'll get a good idea of the vibe. Have fun.

The bands that play here are great, but the venue can be annoying…read more The stage is not centred in the room and the stage is low which can make the atmosphere tense if the gig is packed. The sound system is not great, but may be getting upgraded. It seems like no matter which band I see here the never sound quite as good as they do elsewhere. But the drinks are priced well and there aren't many venue's in town that can cater to the size of gigs they do.

I've been here twice already, both times on Wednesday nights when they have select pizzas for $10…read more Their pizzas are fairly good; on the thinner side of crusts but not super thin, doughy with a good bite to them. They've got a good selection of craft beers as well. They only had live music one of the nights I came, but it was jazz and it was awesome. I've heard from others the weeknight live music can be hit or miss, though.

I've now experienced a "cult beer bar" because I trusted the Yelp and did find this place. Hashigo…read moreZake is an underground music venue that sells beer and has a full kitchen. It's down a flight of stairs and yes, the Sun will be very blinding when you've finished drinking and return to the surface. Comfy spot sitting in a corner with my laptop, listening to their satellite radio while sipping at a beer and resting my sore feet. [Review 483 of 2024 - 133 in New Zealand - 21515 overall]

Very hip in almost everything. After years in Asia and learning the best places are hiding in plain…read moresight Hashigo Zake is a welcome reminder. Go!

Nice to be able to make reservations for a Saturday night. Pleasant staff, attentive. iPad ordering…read moreis half useful. Good in order to time your order but if the restaurant is busy it'll work against you as you'll have no idea of timing. It also flattens the experience of sharing and negotiating. We ended up using paper menus. Image a table of ten! Drinks list are just odd. However the food is delicious. We had ghost bread, beef ribs, chicken n waffles, and curly fries. ARGH! almost exploded. Must. Order. Less. Too bad there isn't half order of curly fries. We'll be back soon because we're curious about beignets. Jazz band is good and performed at volume that still let us talk. NICE

Excellent choice if you need a taste of southern home. Drink and drink system is very gimmicky…read more Most high end cocktails I want to choose the liquor, the silly app you have to use probably had the option but I gave up. The food made up for the cocktail ordering system ridiculousness.