Neat Places Team Picks: Where to Go for an Evening Tipple

Puffin Wine Bar. I love taking out-of-towners here for a nightcap and seeing their reactions, as the gritty entrance from the street leads them to one of the classiest bars in Wellington. The wine list can be overwhelming, so just ask the knowledgeable staff for their picks and park up in one of the booths with a couple of small plates to share. It's a true oasis in the heart of the city.

With a breastfeeding 7-month old, it feels like a lifetime ago that I've been out for an alcoholic beverage. However, I do love gin and pre-child me always loved a tipple at Gin Gin in Christchurch. They have the biggest range of gins and concoct some pretty tasty cocktails. Mocktails here are deliciously refreshing too. 

I am going to cheat here slightly and name an entire street… the picture perfect, pastel-adorned New Regent Street in Ōtautahi. Venture along here and you will not be short on options for a beverage that hits the spot. Whiskey lovers will be in heaven at The Last Word, although they make a killer margarita which is always my go to. For aesthetic vibes and a gin list to marvel at it has to be Gin Gin. And on a day where you just want to be cosy and consuming a glass of wine that’s guaranteed to be top notch then Downstairs Bar is the destination for you.

I agree that Gin Gin is a beautiful place to enjoy a cocktail, whether inside the bar or outside on New Regent Street. For bars that really know their wine I go to either Downstairs bar on New Regent Street or Cellar Door in the Arts Centre. I know nothing about wine, so it's nice to talk to people who do.

Civil & Naval is a Lyttelton classic. Honestly, it’s always a good time.

I don't drink, so I'm always impressed with a good non-alcohol menu! Boo's in Christchurch has a ripper menu, using Lyre's spirit alternatives for traditional cocktails. My wife's pick is pretty much anything at Pink Lady rooftop bar!

If I could only pick one alcoholic beverage to drink for the rest of my life - there's no contest, it's going to be a classic margarita. Which is why it will come as no surprise that Queenstown's Tequila & Mezcal Bar, Little Mez, is my absolute favourite local haunt for a cheeky drink. The problem with Little Mez is that you can never just go for one, because it's too delicious and the expansive menu simply demands to be explored. Sit yourself at the bar and get chatting with the experts, or fill a cosy booth with friends where you pass around your drinks just to try a sip of these perfect concoctions. And if you're peckish - you can order snacks from their sister restaurant, Margo's, upstairs - don't sleep on the vegan queso!

I spend a bit of time travelling with the job, and I have a few favourite bars that I like to hit up at the end of the day for a pint and catch up on emails. They are Woof! In Dunedin, Mr Pickles in Hamilton (nabbing a high table in the laneway is the go), and Giant Brewing in Havelock North. I haven't got to that last spot as much as I would like, but I’ve always thought it was pretty awesome when I have.

Maggies in Dunedin for a mid-day beer, where I can play video games and sip my heart out while my wife gets her hair done or whatever... Okay, so I wasn't listening but I am on Act 2 of Ms. Pac-Man and I gotta get that damn pretzel okay! Ironically, I'm not only a Neat Places contributor, I'm a user too, which is how I heard about this no-frill gem. It has an analog, meet someone IRL vibe that I adore.

The Esplanade in my hometown Dunedin. It’s located right on St Clair beach where you can sit and watch the surfers. There is a great selection of Italian drinks also (limoncello spritz anyone?), and if you get a bit peckish while you’re there they have a great menu of antipasti, pizza and pasta.

Annabel's Wine Bar. A little taste of Europe in Auckland! A wine bar with everything you need. Natural wine, Peroni on tap, tasty small plates & good people. Love the timeless fit out of Annabels as well as the story behind it.

Not averse to a cheeky craft beer, I’m a huge fan of Kingsland brewery Urbanaut. Always coming up with interesting new flavours, the beers are perfectly washed down with the tasty smash burgers made onsite. For something more fancy, I love heading down to Britomart’s Rocketman: a cocktail bar - speakeasy style - sometimes offering live jazz (and with its own karaoke room if you want to make your own music!).