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!

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!!

On past trips to Wellington, I had heard about this place but never had a chance to come. If you're…read morea beer fan, or fan of cozy pubs in general, this is worth the visit. It's located in an alley, which is part of the fun. Going inside, I felt like being an English pub somewhere far away; cozy nooks, tables, a fire, and lots of tasteful kitsch everywhere you look. I was here with a mate for lunch, we had the special burger and some beers while we enjoyed the surroundings. We could tell the bartender was a little overwhelmed so a little kindness went far and we enjoyed our chat with him and entire time there. Prices were reasonable, they have a great local beer list.

I only get to LBQ once a year when I visit for Beervana but it's the first place I head to! Not…read moreonly do they have an epic, ever-changing beer list, but LBQ has a really warm and inviting atmosphere, even if you're a single female in a room filled with groups of boisterous beer-drinking blokes. LBQ has the added bonus of competing in Burger Wellington each year - this year their breakfast burger was served with bacon, eggs, black sausage and beans on a waffle and it almost defeated me! Almost! I haven't tried the rest of their menu but if I were in Wellington for more than a weekend I could see LBQ fast becoming a regular stop. Check it out next time you're in the capital!

I've been to Wellington a few times and it had somehow never worked out to enjoy this spot, despite…read moremany recommendations from friends. I made a point to get here on this visit as my first stop for lunch on the day of arrival. I ended up coming back a few more times, this is a fantastic beer bar and restaurant in Wellington. It's upstairs in a great area of the city with lots of other restaurants, bars, and shopping. The staff on every visit was so welcoming and fun, especially Simon who went above and beyond on my first visit. I love the location, with high top tables, booths inside, booths with a city view, and lots of outdoor patio areas with heaters and tables. They also are a full functioning brewery, and their beer is fantastic. Being a freehouse in the city, they have an epic tap list of other NZ breweries as well. Prices are reasonable, they do tasting paddles with lots of options. We visited shortly after they hosted a beer competition, which meant the tap list was extra special. I highly recommend this place, especially for beer loves and people wanting a cozy place to dine.

What a fantastic gem of a brewery! Greeted with super enthusiastic bar tender who is happy and…read morehelpful. Outstanding menu of beer and great food too. Had the hazy ipa and it was juicy with tropical notes, what a palate pleaser. Lots of seating in a big open area. Wonderful visit highly recommend if visiting Wellington and also ask about the craft beer tour. You can get a sheet and stamp 8 breweries on the list and get a souvenir!

Meeting a local friend on a recent trip, his suggestion was to meet here first. I'm thankful we…read moredid! Husk is a cool little place down a hallway off Ghuznee Street; the twinkle lights and colors invite you in, but you can't see what it's really like until you're closer. They have outdoor seating with plenty of light and heaters for cold weather. Inside it's cozy with a handful of tables, bar seating, and a large area devoted to the brewery. Choice Bros. Brewing makes their beers here; this is their sole facility and taproom. The staff was friendly from the get-go. They have a lot of choices on tap, and happily do tasting flights. I just loved the purple glow lights around the brew kettles, made for a nice evening backdrop long after the brewers had finished for the day. I tried four diverse styles and loved them all. I only wish I had had food! For any beer lover in Wellington, this is a must-stop!

If not local bring your passport. I've never had this happen before in NZ but turn 30 next week and…read moremy husband and I were denied service. Was suggested we walk back to our hotel and grab our passports, even though we had brought other ID. Very strange. We did not return.

This place was good- good pizza, lots of beer on tap, cider and wine options too. The outdoor…read moreseating was nice. However, the service was not good. Don't go here if you're a group, in a rush, or looking to be waited on. Tip: you can book pizza and beer flights in advance on BookMe for a deal!

This is probably my favourite craft beer joint in town. If you're sad this place will probably…read morecheer you up. It felt like home. Bar staff were charismatic, enigmatic and enthusiastic. Their passion for craft beer was evident, and their knowledge certainly impressed. I can't think of a better place to keep warm in winter. If you don't go, you're missing out.

Good spot. Not stellar, but quite adequate. I wouldn't steer anyone away, especially a group of…read morepeople. It's a nice space in a good location in the CBD. I think groups would be great here. Seating at the bar was a bit muted, and that's what I'm more accustomed to, so as a solo tourist that might be my only real gripe.

The atmosphere and interior of this place is fun ad funky. The staff was all very friendly and…read moreattentive. Loved that the soda and beer came in good sized beer stein mugs. The food was out of this world with taste and flavor. We were sad when the plates were cleared.

Arrived in Wellington from Taupo around 3 pm. Checked into the hotel and researched dinner spots…read more Charley Noble came up so we took a short walk. Arrived right at opening. Seated quickly. We ordered a cider and beer. Dinner was delivered. Absolutely delicious. Perfect dinner. Perfect service.

This was my family and I's last meal in Wellington and this restaurant was a great way to end our…read moretrip here. It is beautiful inside and the staff are all very friendly. It is great for a nice dinner to sit down and enjoy a meal. We ordered quite a few appetizers and entrees to share as this was our last night here. We started with some raw oysters, smoke fish croquette ($9.50 each), focaccia bread ($9) with artichoke dip ($12), seafood chowder ($30), and the beef tartare ($28). Our favorites were probably the oysters and the focaccia bread with the spread. The oysters were fresh and we enjoyed trying them all. The focaccia bread went great with the spread as the bread was warm and the spinach dip was a nice cool dip to match. The bread was also perfect to dip in the chowder. For the entrees, we ordered a side of green beans ($14), fettuccine ($27|$37), Lumina Lamb Backstrap ($19 per 100g), and the Japanese wagyu ($85 per 100g). Our favorite out of everything was the wagyu. The lamb was delicious but it's not comparison after you have a bite of the wagyu. The Wagyu was cooked perfectly. The meat was not too thick of a piece to cut. The green beans were a great side to go along with the meal. The almonds added a nice crunch to the green beans. Overall, we enjoyed our meal very much. We felt that this restaurant was a perfect way to end our stay in Wellington!

Eclectic on the inside, the Honey Badger is a great place for a long lunch or after work escape…read more They've got a variety of really really good burgers on offer, with vegetarian and vegan options too. Best of all, they are the only place in Wellington that offers authentic tater tots as a side. Nothing pairs better than one of their cocktails on tap, with the El Diablo being a crowd favourite in my camp. A cold beer or cider is fine too! Great atmosphere, great food and drinks, and friendly staff keep me coming back!

Visiting from California and I gotta say this is the most aesthetically pleasing bar I've been to…read morein New Zealand. The service is great, drinks are amazing. Definitely stop in!