WellingtonEat & Drink
Four people sitting outside on a picnic table at Heyday Beer Co enjoying pints of beer.

Heyday

  • Location

    264A Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington

  • Website
    Heyday Beer

In a city full of quality brewpubs, Heyday’s mint green exterior stands out. While a brew ferments away next door, you can relax in a fresh, friendly pastel atmosphere.

It’s not just the décor that is fresh at Heyday. The team believes “fresh is best” when it comes to beer, too. With the brewery and bar both at the upper Cuba Street site, Heyday serves the serious beer aficionado and casual bar-goer. The brews are constantly evolving to supply the best product for the taps. Heyday releases around 25 beers every year. Anything from coffee-infused white stout to grapefruit New England IPAs.

Close up of a freshly poured beer in a glass at Heyday Beer Co.
Four friends raise their glasses at Heyday Beer Co.
Four friends enjoy a flight of beers on thee patio at Heyday Beer Co on a sunny day.
Craft beer tasting flight at Heyday Beer Co. with a basket of fries in the background.

Heyday’s taps have a wide range of rotating beers and seasonal specialities. The bar staff are well-versed in brewing, so you’ll get excellent advice when choosing what to drink. If you’re not in the mood for hops, then the wider drinks menu still serves you well. You’ll find a selection of wines and craft gins from Southward Distilling Co. 

The menu continues the fresh theme. While there are plenty of BBQ-inspired beer-drinking dishes like fries and burgers, there are also modern veggie and vegan options. The tacos feature brisket and pulled pork. If you’re looking for extra freshness, head along on a Friday. Held on the first Friday of the month, Heyday’s ‘Friday First Pour: A Lager & Sour Series’ releases a new lager and sour. The event includes food specials, a DJ, music bingo, and spot prizes. 

On sunny days the outdoor area at the front fills with patrons, pints, and pooches. The team converted a car park into a relaxing space. Picnic tables and beanbags overlook a games court where you can challenge friends to a game of cornhole. Heyday’s dog-friendly status (and free water and treats) is loved by many furry friends who bring their owners along.   

Heyday’s three directors come from diverse backgrounds. Hannah Blackwood was a graphic designer, Hamish Sail was a builder and project manager, and Andy Collins was a mechanical and electrical engineer. Their plan to open a brewery was hatched after Hamish and Hannah (both keen home brewers) took a three-month road trip in the US. They visited dozens of breweries and realised that their next step was to open their own. But they wanted to do it their way. “We found a lot of the craft beer places we had visited, overseas and closer to home, were often dark and masculine in their design and fit-out,” says Hannah. She decided that their brewery would be light, bright, colourful, and inclusive.

Explore more

Looking for more?

At start of items
Two people enjoying drinks at Golding's Free Dive, a cool, kitsch, and cosy laneway bar in Te Aro, Wellington.

Golding’s Free Dive

Tucked away in Hannahs Laneway, Golding’s Free Dive is a much-loved Wellington bar. It’s cool, kitsch, and cosy. Find great beer and a great atmosphere.

A waiter hands a beer to a table of three inisde Garage Project. The wall behind them is covered in hand drawn art.

Garage Project Taproom

Garage Project brewery is based in Aro Valley, Wellington. Try experimental brews at the taproom, cellar door or Wild Workshop.

The bar staff at Parrotdog pouring a drink while laughing with a customer.

Parrotdog Bar

One block back from Lyall Bay beach sits Wellington's Parrotdog Bar & Cellar Door. Welcoming to one and all, the retro decor brings the space to life.

The patio at Beach Babylon Cafe in Oriental Bay, Wellington. There are five small circular tables with two people sitting at each of them.

Beach Babylon

Beach Babylon is a retro gem in Wellington’s Oriental Bay. Grab brunch, fondue, or drinks just steps from the beach and city centre.

Interior with customers sitting down chatting, light blue and orange painted walls light up the space.

Chaat Street

Chaat Street owner and chef Vaibhav Vishen is opening Wellingtonians’ eyes to Indian cuisine and its wide-ranging street foods, one tapas dish at a time.

Close up of a person enjoying a bowl of pho with a pair of chopsticks.

Keeping you in the soup loop: where’s the best ramen, pho, and laksa in Wellington

Exploring the best winter soup dishes in Wellington and where to find them. From ramen, pho, laksa, and more — a local’s guide to authentic and spicy soups in the city.

The vintage car themed interior of Gear Street Union Lower Hutt.

Gear Street Union

Gear Street Union is an American-style diner in Petone serving up good times and a huge selection of craft beers, cocktails, and classic diner food.

Three people at Ascot sitting at the bar, while a server makes cocktails.

Ascot

Only in Wellington will you find an art deco rooftop bar serving hot dogs and natural wine. You’ll discover Ascot with its old-world charm on Ghuznee Street.

Exterior view of the Salty Pidgin in Brooklyn. An old wooden weather-board building shaped like a triangle.

Salty Pidgin

Housed in a prominent heritage building, Salty Pidgin provides bistro food and a local gathering point in Wellington’s Brooklyn Village.

Two friends sit at a high-top table enjoying burgers, beers and good conversation.

Burger Liquor

Get your fix of American burger bars at this central Wellington restaurant. The Smokey is a local favourite, with beef, smoked bacon, and smokey BBQ sauce.