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!

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.

Just had a few beers and a cheese platter and loved everything! Cool vibe for a rooftop bar and not…read morewhat I was expecting. They have some beers and one cider on tap but lots of bottles, too. Great DJ and even had blankets and overhead heaters for this cold summer weather. Wish we could come back!

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. )

Hanging Ditch is seriously one of my favorite spots in Wellington now. The bar location is somewhat…read morehidden away from everything which makes it alluring as well. I didn't know what to expect, but it's got cool chill vibes. It's the type of bar you'd go to, to catch up with mates over drinks. I loved the decor and the furniture and OF COURSE the drinks hanging over the bar. In case the pictures already posted don't give it away - they hang their liquor from the ceiling. It's so clever and fun - we couldn't stop watching the bartender make our drinks. Which by the way were amazing! These guys know their stuff. Highly recommend if you're keen for a chill, comfortable night with some mates.

Amazing amazing amazing cocktail bar recommended by a friend (thank you!). My foamy drink was well…read morebalanced with tequila, sparkling wine and raspberry. Other smoky drinks from smoke gun, fresh herbs and juice, all are work of art and worth coming to. The vibe is cozy and laid back. Wish we have more cocktail bars like this in San Fran. Highly recommend.

Came here to watch the Mayweather vs Pacquiao yesterday. They a lot of TVs, they show all kinds of…read moresports and the food was fantastic. Great staff and service!

Quality food and drink in a nice environment. Recommend for a few drinks or meal or regular quizread more

Nice place. Vibrant. Busy. Good food. The side salad which was large enough to share and…read moredeliciously dressed. The charred vegetables were not charred but more steamed. Still very good. Onion rings good. Accompaniment of Coriander sauce tasted like pesto. Yummy. Pigs in blankets were nicely prepared sausages wrapped in lightly cooked bacon.

It's one of the few places open in the evening in this neighborhood! Please note, there are stairs…read morein front, and no accessible entrance. However, there are a few tables on the sidewalk, so that is,an alternative if the weather allows. There are handrails but large potted plants were used to hold the doors open, and while they were lovely, they blocked access to the handrails. There's not a huge food menu, but most people should be able to find something to suit them. There seemed to be a hearty selection of alcohol. Seating was a mixture of regular tables and chairs and bar-height tables and stools. I got the burger and chips (fries). It was a good-sized patty with bacon and cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. There was also ketchup and mustard and something else in the sauce. I enjoyed it. The fries were a larger size (not shoestring). They were seasoned and tasted good, but I would have liked them to be a bit more crispy. A good option, especially if you're drinking, and a,welcome one at night if you're in the neighborhood.

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!

Good selection of beers, great atmosphere. What more do you need for a Saturday afternoon?read more

What a pleasant surprise to stumble on this upscale little bar/restaurant in the business district…read moreof Wellington. The entrance is deceiving as it is primarily listed as a bar and the warnings almost made me wonder if I was wandering into a stripclub. But no. Follow the narrow staircase at the foot of Cable Car Lane to a very hip and modern second floor restaurant. Staff Was friendly and service was prompt. The vibe here is urban classy. The music was up my alley- House- played at a reasonable volume. I was wishing it was evening or Happy Hour with friends or a date. I ordered the Basic B**ch martini (pictured) and got a snack of the popcorn shrimp and some fries. Both are GF and the menu had a number of options for various dietary needs. The cocktail was refreshing and crisp. Not overly sweet. The shrimp was good but a little salty but the honey-chili offered nice contrast. The fries were thick cut and golden and came out blazing hot from the fryer. They were served with a garlic aioli that went nicely with the shrimp as well. I definitely recommend this place for locals and travelers alike. I'll look forward to coming back the next time I'm in Wellington.

Concrete Bar is a hidden gem off of Lambton Quay just beside the Cable Car Terminal, up a flight of…read morestairs. Check out the 4/6pm happy Hour $6 drink specials. We sat at the bar to share the cheese platter (fantastic), the lamb (excellent) and calarmari (tasty). The happy hour pours are generous and well priced. The bartenders and staff are friendly and professional. It's quieter in the afternoon, hopping early evening. Not a late night spot seems to wrap up by 10:30 or so. So glad we discovered this place, it's a great find for tourists an locals alike.

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.