Where to drink outside in Wellington this summer
When the sun shines brightly there’s nothing better than having a glass of something cold on a rooftop bar, balcony or beer garden
Dirty Little Secret
54 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington
It’s a secret no longer - get a drink or two from Dirty Little Secret’s rooftop bar and enjoy watching Wellington from on high.
With views of Courtenay Place and the waterfront, there’s plenty to see while you sip. Choose from a selection of amazing cocktails, beers, NZ and international wines or non-alcoholic options. If you're feeling peckish, the rooftop bar also offers dishes that have been designed to share so that you can enjoy the company of those you’re with.
The Arborist
166 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington
What better way to spend a sunny day than high above the city at The Arborist rooftop garden bar. The Arborist is decked out in recycled pallet furniture for the ultimate backyard vibe. Try out a range of beers, wines and boutique sodas, or go for one of The Arborist’s specialty frozen cocktails. The rooftop has a limited capacity, but if it’s full up top, grab a drink in the downstairs bar and the friendly staff will let you know when there’s a space on the roof.
The Champagneria
8 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington
Wellington's first champagne bar, The Champagneria, is fun and un-fussy, allowing punters to enjoy a glass of fizz without having to crack open your special bottle from the shelf (but they have bottles too). Mix it up with a champagne cocktail, champagne beer, a regular beer, or still wine.
They've got every way to enjoy champagne covered. Head in for a champagne breakfast, high tea, flights of champagne, champagne yum cha, and even a dog menu – chardognay, anyone?
Grab some tapas or a platter that's matched to your wine's region, and enjoy on the rooftop bar.
Karaka Cafe
2 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Experience Māori-inspired cuisine in a stunning location beside the Whairepo Lagoon on Wellington’s waterfront. Located in Te Raukura, Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, Karaka Café is an architecturally award-winning modern venue with indoor and outdoor dining spaces.
Their signature dish is a café version of a traditional hāngī meal, including rēwena (Māori potato bread) or legendary fry bread. The terraced grass by the lagoon is a popular spot for a drink on a sunny afternoon or evening - get there early and claim yourself a bean bag and park up until the sun sets.
Fortune Favours
7 Leeds Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Set in an old industrial building that was once used for restoring furniture, Fortune Favours is one of the growing number of brewbars in the central city.
Some of the building’s original features have been retained and new steampunk features added, along with a sunny outdoor deck with great views of some of Wellington’s famous street art.
Fortune Favours specialises in charcuterie and cheese platters to partner with their large line-up of beers on tap. If you do develop a taste for Fortune Favours flavours while you’re here, you can get in one last beer at their Wellington Airport bar.
St Johns Bar & Eatery
5 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Situated in the historic former Wellington Free Ambulance building, this popular waterfront bar and restaurant is the place to be on a sunny day.
St Johns sheltered outdoor area has a grassy lawn where you can pull up a bean bag or a deck chair and enjoy an alfresco drink and snack.
Inside, the beautiful Art Deco-style building has been elegantly refurbished with period light fittings, plush velvet booths and potted palms. Soak up the lush atmosphere in the bar before heading next door to dine at the eatery.
Coene's Bar & Eatery
103 Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay, Wellington
Coene's Bar & Eatery has one of the best views in Wellington.
On sunny days sit out on their deck overlooking the water or sit inside and take in the spectacular views.
Their all-day menu covers brunch, lunch, snacks and dinner. Try their mussels and clams or seafood chowder to enjoy a taste of the sea while you gaze out at the ocean. Coene’s is a popular spot for brunch or pop by for a drink and a snack on a sunny afternoon.
Ascot
2/55 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Only in Wellington: a rooftop bar specialising in wine and hotdogs (as well as vegetarian 'notdogs').
Nestled in a cosy art deco space behind an Edwardian parapet, Ascot is a quirky bar that serves an ever-changing lineup of organic and biodynamic wines from New Zealand and overseas.
Ascot has a sunny outside deck which is a lovely place to be on a sunny afternoon or summer’s evening. Not to mention you can people watch everyone walking down Cuba St.
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