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.

@wellyonaplate I would definitely recommend this restaurant for the great fare, ambience and…read morefriendly service of Drew and Eddie, fantastic!

I have eaten here twice just to make sure that the first time wasn't a fluke. Unbelievable quality.read more

This bar is incredible. My husband and I came here in February 2019, and actually passed the bar…read morethe first time around because the sign is inconspicuous and hard to see at night. It has a true speak-easy feel, and the decor inside is perfect for a 1920s bar. I ordered the Birth of Venus, and it was one of the best drinks I've ever had. This bar reminds me so much of Hemingway's in Prague. I highly recommend it!

Never Going Back We ordered drinks through one of the bar…read morestaff. I was approached by another bar staff member who asked me a couple of questions about my evening. She then stated that my partner was intoxicated and that unless she could answer questions about her evening we would have to leave. At no point did the staff member speak to my partner and instead addressed the questions to me, ignoring the person who the allegations were against. We were quite stunned and duly left left the bar immediately. Really disappointed in the appalling service we received. Having spent a reasonable amount of time and subsequent money at this bar over the years we are both stunned and appalled at the service and discrimination for not dealing withe the person the allegations were against (for the record she was not intoxicated. )

I was traveling thru welly, and someone recommended this little place for lunch. It's so laid back…read moreand perfect for a brunch, cofffee, and they have a bar too, for later in the eve. I had some avocado mash on 3 grain bread. The owners and I had nice little chat- a perfect experience!

Good service and friendly. I just had beers but their specialty is cocktails and they did a lot of…read morethings with espresso

This was a pretty cool lounge on Cuba street. The bartender was really nice and the drinks he made…read morewere good. I ended up getting a Peach Iced Tea, which tasted a bit like the Lipton Peach Iced Tea, but with a small kick of alcohol in it. I liked it overall.

The first time I was in Wellington, this was a brewery I only got to experience in the airport…read more(that location has since closed). I made it my mission to come here first on this trip and was thankful I did. Fortune Favours has gone through some ownership changes, but is once again independent and making great beer. This is a working brewery, taproom, and lounge. They have cozy booths, bar stools, plus an upstairs bar including outdoor seating. It's right off of Hannahs Laneway, which is a must-visit area of the city with other amazing art galleries, restaurants, cafes, and bars. The staff was super welcoming that day, thank you Phill and Grant for the fun conversation, a couple free beers, and gift of neckerchief for my pup! I ordered a flight and stuck with some of the rarer styles: thankfully I was there during their anniversary so they had a number of throwback kegs on tap. All the beer was delicious; I also ordered a Gorilla Burger from next door and really enjoyed it. One of the only souvenirs I bought for myself this trip was a pint glass with their signature font, it's a new favorite. If you're a beer fan in Wellington, this is a must-visit and part of the ale trail.

Ok. Stay with me, my review requires a bit of side-back-story. You see, my husband and I were on…read moreholiday in NZ; having only one free night in Wellington, after 20hours of flying, decided this was to be the night of the Wellington Beer Trail! Having started at Fork & Brewer, which was an old favorite spot from our previous visit in 2018- their fantastic brewer helped us circle must-try spots on the Beer Trail map, based on our preferences. Fortune Favours was not circled. Along our journey, in-between bars, we decided we wanted to stop and grab some grub and began our search for a recommended dumpling spot. Along our route, we smelled something absolutely delicious & also saw an amazing dinosaur graffiti down a long back alley..and bam! we found ourselves at Fortune Favours. Entering the bar, we asked, 'what smells so good?!' while perusing the menu-only to be told they were baking dog biscuits with the spent grains..whomp whomp. So we awkwardly decided to just leave & carry on our dumpling search, asking the friendly bartender if he could give us some better directions-to which he provided ample recommendations for eating. Arriving to our dumpling spot- we discovered a 'short staff closed sign' and decided to return to the friendly bartender at Fortune Favours. Glad for the misadventure, and friendliness, because the beers were quite delicious! I can understand why they weren't recommended to us, because the beers we ended up with weren't hazy citra ipas, so it was a veer from our normal enjoyments- but we were glad for the variety. I got the Rye Pale Ale- a piney, roasty, smooth malty hops- while my husband got a cold brut ipa-crisp and dank. We got to spend time with the bartender talking impact of shortages on the breweries, and learning more about the local area Beer Trail. Really glad we ended up here, if anyone asks us moving forward to circle spots on a Beer Trail map we will most certainly circle this location!!