The best tips to enjoy the Queenstown's nightlife
Some ski destinations are just built for après and Queenstown is one of them. Ski soaring peaks by day with spectacular mountain views then descend upon the lake shores of Queenstown by night to celebrate the day that was. With a hundred and fifty drinking establishment in one square kilometer you could literally après for days.
Old schoolers start at Eichardt’s House Bar (eichardts.com), serving sun downers since 1867. Recline on the sofa and sip on a Vanilla Old Fashioned.
People watchers choose Rodd & Gunn's the Lodge Bar (thelodgebar.roddandgunn.com) to quench the first thirst. This lakefront bar is all Colorado chic interior with fur styled throws, copper panels, leather and the lodge like. Food is from Michelin chef Matt Lambert should you so desire to dine once the après hour ends.
Glamorazzi head to Reds Bar at QT Queenstown for flaming cocktails served up with the best view in Queenstown, bar none. Hipster mixologists have been imported from QT’s finest hotels in Australia to show them how après can be seriously done. Hand your life over to the bar man and let him create a cocktail just for you. You’ll thank us later, if you remember.
If you can take any more then hit up Attiqa (attiqa.nz) for fireside cocktails and champagne on their rooftop bar overlooking downtown Queenstown with lake and mountain views at dusk.
Soak up the après with some street side tacos at Taco Medic (tacomedic.co.nz) down Searle Lane for taco fusion flavours, slide into Madam Woo (madamwoo.co.nz) for dumplings with good attitude, Yonder (yonderqt.co.nz) for poke bowls or pull up a table for finer dining at Botswana Butchery (botswanabutchery.com) for meat lovers.
Now you’ve got your second drinking wind head to World Bar (theworldbar.co.nz) for a pumping atmosphere filled with the tears of your youth or take a more sedate stroll over to Bardeaux for the giant open courtyard fire and impressive wine list. Hipsters will love the artisan feel of Little Blackwood (littleblackwood.com) on Steamer Wharf. Settle into the hand crafted furniture, charcuterie and fromage boards and hand muddled cocktails.
By now you’ll have your dancing shoes on so get you to a dance floor, stat. Try Winnies, Surreal, Vinyl Underground and Searle Lane for live DJs and dance music. If you’re still standing then you will end up at Cowboys western style bar at some stage for the bucking bull alone.
Those with panache to still spare take the stairs to The Bunker (thebunker.co.nz) and mingle with the upmarket cocktail crowd. The carpet in the bar makes for a makeshift dance floor once the DJ starts peaking his tunes.
The final stop will be Fergburger (fergburger.com) for late night burgers as big as your head. If you can’t take the line up then grab a house baked pie or sausage roll from the baker next door.
Stumble up to the taxi rank to grab a ride home or download the TakeMe app (think of it as Uber for Queenstown) and hitch a ride. Sleep it off then head to Bespoke Kitchen (bespokekitchen.co.nz) for a ‘Healthy Mary’ (tomato juice, celery, spinach, beetroot, garlic, cider vinegar, cayenne and vodka).
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