New Zealand - 9 great pubs and bars by Mark Sukhija

    Auckland

  • The Occidental Belgian Beer Cafe (6-8 Vulcan Lane, Auckland) - One of my favorite pubs in Auckland the The Occidental Belgian Beer Cafe does a good range of Belgian beers - all served in appropriate glass ware.

  • Northern Steamship (122 Quay Street, Auckland) - Handily located close to the Quay, the Northern Steamship boasts an excellent array of Mac's beers, a good selection of meals and, handily for a gadgeted traveller, free wifi. Good place for a light evening meal, pint of beer and checking that all important email.

  • cornerbar (Hotel DeBrett, 2 High Street, Auckland 1010) - One of Auckland's finest institutions for a pre-dinner drinks in the nearby restaurants and bars. Offers well selected set of New Zealand wines and light bites - and ideal introduction to the evening.

  • Wellington

  • Hashigo Zake (25 Taranaki St, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand) - An astonishingly excellent array of New Zealand and foreign boutique and "special-interest" beers. Knowledgeable staff are more than happy to advise on the broad selection. Highly recommended for both beer-lovers and the casual-consumer looking for something unusal.

  • The Backbencher (24 Molesworth Street, Wellington) - Quite an institution in Wellington and directly opposite the Beehive (Houses of Parliament). Does an excellent line of lunches and a standard selection of New Zealand beers. The real attraction, however, are the numerous puppets and cartoons lampooning current politicians and poltical events.

  • Leuven (135-137 Featherston St, Wellington, New Zealand) - In common with its brethren in Auckland and Christchurch , Leuven does a good line Belgian beers (all in appropriate glassware) and foods - including the popular mussels. Popular with locals and visitors alike, the Leuven is a most excellent joint with a convivial atmosphere.

  • South Island

  • Craic Irish Tavern (24 The Octagon, Dunedin) - I'm not usually one to recommend Irish-themed pubs as they tend to be much-of-a-muchness and, like a well known burger chain, you could be anywhere. The Craic does, indeed, have the usual selection of Irish beers and a selection of local brews but, unlike many other Irish pubs, does actually do decent meals which actually mean it's worth it!

  • Belgian Beer Cafe Torenhof (20 Durham Street, Sydenham, 8023 Christchurch) - The Belgian Beer Cafe Torenhof is a fine pub in a historical building in central Christchurch. Excellent selection of Belgian beers all served in appropriate glassware. Does a good selection of Belgian-themed meals.

  • Whataroa Pub - Wouldn't usually get a look in. BUT, Whataroa Pub is a real pub with real people in it. Does a standard range of New Zealand beers. The Stonegrill is excellent and a must have - locally produced meats of very good quality.

Related Posts

Auckland - where to eat and drink Recommended places to eat and drink in Auckland
Auckland - skyline of the harbour Skyline at the harbour of Auckland in New Zealand
Auckland - recommended hotels Recommended places to stay in and around Auckland City
Auckland - Sky Tower On and about the Sky Tower in Auckland - the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere
Auckland - reflection of Sky Tower Auckland - Sky Tower reflected on the different architectural styles of Aucklands CBD
Auckland - Sky Tower by night Sky Tower in central Auckland seen by night
Rangitoto - volcanic rock on Rangitoto Island near Auckland Volcanic rock on Rangitoto Island in the Hauraki Gulf off Auckland
Waiheke Island - Mudbrick from the air Mudbrick Vineyard seen from a helicopter ride over Waiheke Island

Map

Further reading

Auckland - recommended hotels - Recommended places to stay in and around Auckland City

Auckland - where to eat and drink - Recommended places to eat and drink in Auckland

New Zealand - recommended luxury accomodation - Recommended luxury accomodation inNew Zealand

Wellington - reflections in the windows of the Intercontinental Hotel - Buildings reflected in the windows of the Intercontinenal Hotel, Wellington

Wellington - Monet and the Impressionists at Te Papa - Monet and the Impressionists at Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand in Wellington

New Zealand - Whataroa - Information about Whataroa on the West Coast of South Island of New Zealand

Leaving Queenstown for Whataroa - New Zealand travelogue for November 2007, covering Taranaki on the North Island and a trip around South Island

The White Heron Sanctuary at Whataroa - New Zealand travelogue for November 2007, covering Taranaki on the North Island and a trip around South Island

New Zealand - places not to miss - Recommended places to visit in and around New Zealand

Wellington - Lambton Quay - View down Lambton Quay, the main shopping centre in the Wellington CBD

Auckland Tourism - Official website of the Auckland Tourism Office

Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism - Official website of Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism

Wellington Tourism - Official website of Wellington Tourism

Key facts

Name: Belgian Beer Cafe Torenhof
Address:
20 Durham Street, Sydenham, 8023 Christchurch
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Name: cornerbar
Address:
Hotel DeBrett, 2 High Street, Auckland 1010
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Name: Craic Irish Tavern
Address:
24 The Octagon, Dunedin
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Name: Hashigo Zake
Address:
25 Taranaki St, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
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Name: Leuven
Address:
135-137 Featherston St, Wellington, New Zealand
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Name: Northern Steamship
Address:
122 Quay Street, Auckland
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Name: The Backbencher
Address:
24 Molesworth Street, Wellington
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About Mark Sukhija

Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook