Alice H.'s
Best bars for music
- 111Mighty MightyWellington CentralMighty Mighty is something of a Wellington institution, with its kitsch decor, quirky soundtrack, and outlook over Cuba Mall. Though it’s most popular as a late-night gig venue, or, from 6.30pm every Wednesday, its quiz, it’s also a great spot for an after-work or early afternoon beer. Later on, there’s often no door charge, but it’s rarely more than $5.
- 26PuppiesTe AroRun by New Zealand indie music guru Ian "Blink" Jorgensen, Puppies – in the former site of Happy, on corner Tory and Vivian Sts – is the best place to check out up-and-coming local bands. There’s a gig – sometimes two – on most nights, and admission tends to be free after midnight, making it a great place to end a night out. If you’re lucky, there might be karaoke.
- 35BodegaTe AroThere’s a gig on most nights at Bodega – often up-and-coming local bands – but it also plays host to some of the biggest names on tour in New Zealand. The lighting and sound tends to be good; there’s a smoking area out back; and the bar staff are adept at handling the throngs.
- 49San Francisco Bath HouseTe AroOf the bands and artists I’ve seen live in Wellington, the best shows – The Kills, Neko Case, Broken Social Scene, DJ Premier, Ghostface Killah – have typically been at San Francisco Bath House. The staff there are pros at handling both performers and punters, and the wide stage means there’s more visibly and less of a crowd crush than there is at Bodega.
- 521Havana BarTe AroIf you’re in the region of upper Cuba - maybe you’ve just had dinner at Fidel’s, or seen a movie at the Lighthouse Cinema on Wigan St - you can’t go past Havana for a drink. Its tapas menu is varied and delicious, there’s often a band or DJ pencilled in to play, and there’s no cocktail its experienced staff haven’t made (or can’t learn how to). In summer, its deck - a relatively new addition to the bar - catches the last of the evening sun, too.
Alice H.'s
Clubs that don't suck
- 121Havana BarTe AroIf you’re in the region of upper Cuba - maybe you’ve just had dinner at Fidel’s, or seen a movie at the Lighthouse Cinema on Wigan St - you can’t go past Havana for a drink. Its tapas menu is varied and delicious, there’s often a band or DJ pencilled in to play, and there’s no cocktail its experienced staff haven’t made (or can’t learn how to). In summer, its deck - a relatively new addition to the bar - catches the last of the evening sun, too.
- 211Mighty MightyWellington CentralMighty Mighty is something of a Wellington institution, with its kitsch decor, quirky soundtrack, and outlook over Cuba Mall. Though it’s most popular as a late-night gig venue, or, from 6.30pm every Wednesday, its quiz, it’s also a great spot for an after-work or early afternoon beer. Later on, there’s often no door charge, but it’s rarely more than $5.
- 34CGR Merchants and CoTe AroCGR stands for Coffee, Gin and Rum - so you’re left in no doubt as to what this hidden gem is in the business of. But don’t think that limits your choices. Its huge range of intriguing special infusions - cinnamon gin, egg coffee, salted caramel rum - mean there’s bound to be a tipple to suit your fancy. A great place to take out-of-towners, too.
- 46Hotel BristolTe AroIf you’re looking for a central, no-frills pub, the Bristol’s your bar. Along the trendy stretch of Cuba mall, it’s remarkable for its absolute lack of pretension; when the keg ran out mid-jug, a barman suggested he fill it up with another brew, and seemed a bit disgruntled at my aghast response. That unpleasant episode aside, the Bristol is my go-to when I want somewhere cheap and cheerful in which to catch up with a friend on a Friday or Saturday night.
- 54Good Luck BarTe AroAfter about 10pm on Friday and Saturday night, the queue for Good Luck Bar – of first- and second-year students – can extend to Ghuznee St. But during the week, and before 10pm on weekdays, it’s a pleasant spot for a casual drink, especially the seated area on Cuba Mall and at the back of the bar. There are also very competitive drinks specials.
Alice H.'s
Cafes that cater to the coffee connossieur
- 114The home of Peoples Coffee in Newtown is the perfect spot for a relaxed coffee, with inside and outside seating, a wide range of paraphernalia for brewing at home, and perhaps the best carrot cake this side of the Mt Vic tunnel. In summer, it’s also the home of the excellent Cold Flat White. A tip – aside from that day’s Dominion Post, there’s not much in the way of reading material, so bookworms are recommended to bring their own.
- 214LamasonWellington CentralHidden away on Lombard St, Lamason’s is easy to miss, but once you know it’s there, you’ll keep going back. Though it’s best known for its People’s Coffee and wide range of "soft-brew’ options, it also serves one of the best cheese scones in Wellington – though, with only a handful served each day, they sell out fast.
- 320Though no one will look down on you for ordering a flat white, if you’re in the mood to broaden your horizons, Customs Brew Bar is a great place to start. It specialises in soft brews, and has a wide variety of beans, sourced from all over the world. It serves Coffee Supreme.
Alice H.'s
Best cafes serving Peoples Coffee
- 19Clark's CafeWellington CentralClark’s Cafe, in the Wellington City Library, has a wide range of cabinet food but its tasty and affordable cheese scone is a safe bet for a light lunch or morning tea. There’s a couple of great baristas there, too, working with People’s Coffee. It’s best to go before 12.30pm if you want to beat the lunchtime rush.
- 214The home of Peoples Coffee in Newtown is the perfect spot for a relaxed coffee, with inside and outside seating, a wide range of paraphernalia for brewing at home, and perhaps the best carrot cake this side of the Mt Vic tunnel. In summer, it’s also the home of the excellent Cold Flat White. A tip – aside from that day’s Dominion Post, there’s not much in the way of reading material, so bookworms are recommended to bring their own.
- 314LamasonWellington CentralHidden away on Lombard St, Lamason’s is easy to miss, but once you know it’s there, you’ll keep going back. Though it’s best known for its People’s Coffee and wide range of "soft-brew’ options, it also serves one of the best cheese scones in Wellington – though, with only a handful served each day, they sell out fast.
Alice H.'s
Cool places to get a drink
- 121Havana BarTe AroIf you’re in the region of upper Cuba - maybe you’ve just had dinner at Fidel’s, or seen a movie at the Lighthouse Cinema on Wigan St - you can’t go past Havana for a drink. Its tapas menu is varied and delicious, there’s often a band or DJ pencilled in to play, and there’s no cocktail its experienced staff haven’t made (or can’t learn how to). In summer, its deck - a relatively new addition to the bar - catches the last of the evening sun, too.
- 211Mighty MightyWellington CentralMighty Mighty is something of a Wellington institution, with its kitsch decor, quirky soundtrack, and outlook over Cuba Mall. Though it’s most popular as a late-night gig venue, or, from 6.30pm every Wednesday, its quiz, it’s also a great spot for an after-work or early afternoon beer. Later on, there’s often no door charge, but it’s rarely more than $5.
- 320MatterhornTe AroThere’s nothing casual about the Matterhorn, even if you’re just in the mood for a relaxed glass of wine. The attention to detail, the typically excellent service and the extensive drinks and tapas menu are what make the Matterhorn a cut above the rest of the bars on Cuba St. Its courtyard area is a pleasant place to enjoy a drink in summer, though less so if you’re a non-smoker.
- 44CGR Merchants and CoTe AroCGR stands for Coffee, Gin and Rum - so you’re left in no doubt as to what this hidden gem is in the business of. But don’t think that limits your choices. Its huge range of intriguing special infusions - cinnamon gin, egg coffee, salted caramel rum - mean there’s bound to be a tipple to suit your fancy. A great place to take out-of-towners, too.
Alice H.'s
Best cheese scones
- 114LamasonWellington CentralHidden away on Lombard St, Lamason’s is easy to miss, but once you know it’s there, you’ll keep going back. Though it’s best known for its People’s Coffee and wide range of "soft-brew’ options, it also serves one of the best cheese scones in Wellington – though, with only a handful served each day, they sell out fast.
- 27Pravda Restaurant & CafeWellington CentralThe speed with which Pravda’s cheese scones sell put the proverbial hot cakes to shame: ready to go in brown paper bags before 9am, they’re often sold out by noon. They’re so popular, Pravda’s pastry chef often shares his scone secrets at workshops during Wellington On A Plate – tickets to which also sell out.
- 39Clark's CafeWellington CentralClark’s Cafe, in the Wellington City Library, has a wide range of cabinet food but its tasty and affordable cheese scone is a safe bet for a light lunch or morning tea. There’s a couple of great baristas there, too, working with People’s Coffee. It’s best to go before 12.30pm if you want to beat the lunchtime rush.
- 49FincTe AroAcross the road from the Wellington City Council, Finc is renowned for its baked goods and brunch options. Its doughnuts, pastries, brioches and date scones are great, but if you’re in the mood for a savoury snack, you can’t go past a classic cheese scone.
- 524Nikau CafeWellington CentralTucked behind the Wellington City Gallery on Civic Square, Nikau is best known for its eggs-any-which-way brunch menu and popularity with professionals in need of a caffeine hit. As such, it’s not the first cafe that springs to mind when you’re in the mood for a light savoury snack, but it’s got great cabinet food, including pastries and its underrated cheese-and-herb scone. Best to get there before 12.30pm if you want to to choose from the full selection, though.