14 Best Nightlife in Wellington and the Wairarapa, New Zealand

This hidden speakeasy offers special punches, crafted cocktails, and impeccable service. Look for the lion-head door knocker.

With its bean bag lawn, wood-fired pizzas, and craft beers on tap, Rogue is the focal point for the city's summertime hum. When the sun goes down, it's the brilliant live funk, jazz, and pop shows that keep the patrons around. Find their packed schedule on their website or on the chalkboards outside.

Trading in uniquely infused rums and gins, this modern and cozy pirate den serves delicious, and sometimes unexpected, tipple treasures.

This restaurant and bar has a pleasant nautical theme with antique boats hanging from the ceiling. It's a popular watering hole with the locals. In good weather, everyone spills outside for the best close-up harbor views in Wellington.

Beckoning passers-by to the celebrated Hannah's Laneway, Fortune "favours" their patrons with a welcoming atmosphere, great food, and a huge range of craft beer, some of which is specially brewed on site.

With a comfortable but buzzing atmosphere and excellent beer selection, Golding's is a great place to spend an hour or two. There is geeky and Kiwi memorabilia on every wall. It's especially nice for solo travelers, whether you want to mingle or sit quietly and read. There's no food menu, but you can get some of the best pizza in town delivered from the pizza parlor next door.

Find Havana's two iconic colorful cottages just off Cuba Street, walk down between them, and you'll find two doors. The quieter cottage on the left is their brilliant tapas restaurant. On the right, there's a well-stocked bar extending the length of the wooden dance floor. This spot is regularly packed when the jazz, rhythm, and funk musicians come to visit. For quieter drinks, you can cozy into a nook of the sheltered street-styled courtyard.

Modern with polished wood and plate glass aplenty, Malthouse's long bar with illuminated lettering is an attractive place to drink a pint. With 29 taps, the only problem is deciding where to start.

Upstairs from a small poster-plastered doorway is the capital's iconic chameleon cavern of a venue. This Cuba Street spot stages everything, including international metal bands, local comedians, sonic "experiences," and psychedelic blues groups. San Fran has perfected the essentials: a big bar, a vast dance floor, and great sound.

This well-lived-in spot, once a brewery and then a distillery, has exposed brick walls, timber floors, and four levels with everything from a 400-person main bar to a garden bar, plus a couple of pool tables.

One of the best places to catch live local rock, Valhalla is a classic hole-in-the-wall dive: small, dark, and a little seedy, with concrete floors and a surprisingly good beer selection.

Skipping away from the "hoppy" trend, the sisters brew cleaner craft beer. Their fermenting talents also extend to their menu of elevated versions of bar food.