Hidden bars of Wellington (and how to find them)
Up a flight of winding stairs or down a laneway, these are Wellington's best-kept secret bars
Ascot
2/55 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Through a discreet door between Ghuznee Street's 1154 and Caughley, you'll find a narrow, winding staircase. Follow the stairs up, up, up, (three whole flights), and right at the top, you'll find Ascot.
Serving the unique combo of hot dogs and wine (trust us, it works), Ascot is a bar worth seeking out. With funky, eclectic decor inside and a rooftop terrace outside, it's a great spot to finish off the day. While the terrace's surrounding parapet walls mean you trade views for shelter from the wind, the great music and cosy feel make it somewhere you'll want to spend a few hours.
Dirty Little Secret
54 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Step into a discreet elevator on Taranaki Street and head for the roof. When you arrive, you'll be greeted by an extensive rooftop bar, complete with a dance floor, container bar, fairy lights, and panoramic views across Wellington's entertainment district.
Dirty Little Secret is Wellington's hidden rooftop bar, set right at the top of Courtenay Place. With a view worthy enough of an Instagram pic, you’ll have to get a spot by the glass windows and watch the city go by below.
Puffin
60 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Low-fi meets luxury at this hideaway bar on the ground floor of a boutique hotel on Ghuznee Street. The interior glows with emerald green velvet, brass fittings and chandeliers in contrast to the exposed concrete walls.
Puffin focuses on organic and minimal intervention wines, alongside a thoughtful menu of charcuterie and cheese, oysters and small plates. They also do a mean classic cocktail and there's beer on tap.
Night Flower
1/55 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Go for old-fashioned cocktails in a speakeasy style bar above Cuba Street.
Night Flower takes old-fashioned cocktails and reworks them with a botanical flair; possets, syllabubs, Rumfustians, fizzes, fixes and flips; if you don’t know what we’re talking about, you will soon. Tell the Night Flower team what flavours you’re into and they'll make you a cocktail to match (or challenge) your taste.
Night Flower make their own tonic water, a subtly perfumed and delicately flavoured concoction that elevates their G&Ts to whole new levels of deliciousness. With a large deck overlooking the heart of Cuba Street, Night Flower is the perfect spot for a drink while you watch the bohemian happenings, below.
Hawthorn Lounge
82 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington
With a 1920s speakeasy or gentlemen's lounge vibe, Hawthorn Lounge is a hidden gem you need to seek out.
Head through the unmarked doorway, go up the stairs and you'll find a swanky spot where the bartenders really know their cocktails. Sit at the bar as their nattily-attired staff entertain you with a potted history lesson on your favourite cocktail or nab a leather couch by the open fire and relax as your own bespoke drink is concocted and brought over to you.