Nightlife · Queenstown · New Zealand
Queenstown nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Queenstown, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nick Bramhall from Tillicoultry, Scotland, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
For a small town, Queenstown has a busy après and bar scene, concentrated in a few streets of the town centre and lively year-round thanks to backpackers, ski workers and visitors. The main areas are Shotover Street and the Mall, Steamer Wharf and the lakefront and Searle Lane and Cow Lane.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- Queenstown Town Centre
- Local drink
- Central Otago pinot noir
Where to go out
Shotover Street and the Mall
Pubs, backpacker bars and late-opening venues in the core of the town centre.
Steamer Wharf and the lakefront
Waterfront bars for sunset drinks overlooking Queenstown Bay.
Searle Lane and Cow Lane
Small laneway bars and cocktail spots tucked behind the main streets.
Nightlife tips
- Carry photo ID; door staff check it carefully.
- Walk or book a taxi home; do not drive after drinking on icy mountain roads.
Evening sights
Viewpoint · Queenstown Town Centre
Skyline Gondola and Luge
Buy a gondola-and-luge combination and ride at least three luge runs; the first one is a slower practice run.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- After dark
Experience · Arthurs Point
Onsen Hot Pools
Book an evening slot in winter to soak under the stars after a day on the slopes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
- Rainy day
What to drink
- Central Otago pinot noir — The world's southernmost major wine region produces intense, fruity pinot noir, along with aromatic whites such as riesling and pinot gris.
- Flat white — The espresso-and-microfoam coffee New Zealand claims as its own, served at cafés from early morning before ski and tour departures.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. January has the warmest evenings, with lows around 10°C (50°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 21:31 | 10°C (50°F) | 9 |
| April | About 18:10 | 5°C (41°F) | 8 |
| July | About 17:24 | -1°C (30°F) | 8 |
| October | About 20:10 | 4°C (39°F) | 10 |
Getting home late
- Bus — A Bee Card gives lower fares than cash.
- Walking — Everything in the town centre — the gondola, wharf, gardens and restaurants — is within about ten minutes' walk.
Late-night bites
- Gourmet burgers — Fergburger on Shotover Street (expect a queue, often late into the night) and other burger joints in the town centre.
- Cheese rolls — Cafés and bakeries across Otago and Southland, especially in winter.
- Central Otago stone fruit — Fruit stalls and orchards on the road to Cromwell, mainly from December to February.
Staying safe at night
Queenstown is generally safe, and the main risks are outdoor ones: changeable alpine weather, icy roads in winter and the cold water of Lake Wakatipu. Use licensed operators for adventure activities and drive carefully on unfamiliar mountain roads.
- Emergency number
- 111 (police, fire and ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, solo travellers and food lovers
Queenstown Town Centre
The town centre spreads a few blocks back from Queenstown Bay, with the gondola base, Steamer Wharf, the Earnslaw jetty and most adventure-tour pick-ups all within a ten-minute walk. Shotover Street and the Mall hold restaurants and bars that stay busy late. Rooms are expensive and can be small, but staying here removes the need for a car.
- Good
- Walk to restaurants, bars and tour pick-ups; Lake views from many hotels; Best nightlife
- Watch out
- Highest room rates; Noisy late at night on weekends; Parking is scarce
- Nearby
- Skyline Gondola, Steamer Wharf, Queenstown Gardens, TSS Earnslaw
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Queenstown?
Shotover Street and the Mall, Steamer Wharf and the lakefront and Searle Lane and Cow Lane. Pubs, backpacker bars and late-opening venues in the core of the town centre.
+Which area of Queenstown is best for nightlife?
Queenstown Town Centre: Compact lakefront grid of tour shops, restaurants, bars and the Steamer Wharf.