Nightlife · Wellington · New Zealand
Wellington nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Wellington, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: SPCarterObservatory, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For its size, Wellington has a strong nightlife centred on Te Aro: craft-beer taprooms, small cocktail bars, live-music venues and theatres, with Courtenay Place the busiest strip late on weekends. The main areas are Courtenay Place, Cuba Street, Te Aro lanes and The waterfront.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Te Aro
- Local drink
- Flat white
Where to go out
Courtenay Place
The main bar and club strip, plus theatres and the Embassy cinema; busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.
Cuba Street
Craft-beer bars, live music and late-opening eateries with a more alternative crowd.
Te Aro lanes
Cocktail bars and small venues tucked into laneways such as Hannah's Laneway and the streets around Ghuznee Street.
The waterfront
Bars and restaurants on the wharves with harbour views, good for early evening drinks.
Nightlife tips
- Carry photo ID; bars check age for anyone who looks under 25.
- Late-night buses run on some routes at weekends; otherwise use taxis or Uber.
- Many bars host live music midweek; check listings for local gigs.
Evening sights
Museum · Kelburn
Space Place at Carter Observatory
Go on a clear evening to look through the telescope as well as seeing a planetarium show.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- After dark
Nature · Karori
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Book a guided night tour for the best chance of seeing kiwi; daytime visitors should go early when the birds are most active.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- After dark
Street · Te Aro
Cuba Street
Explore the side streets too; Left Bank Arcade and the lanes off Ghuznee Street hide small cafés and shops.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- After dark
What to drink
- Flat white — Wellington claims a share in the invention of the flat white, espresso with velvety steamed milk and thin microfoam, and takes coffee seriously, with many roasters and independent cafés.
- Craft beer — The city has a dense concentration of small breweries and taprooms making hazy IPAs, sours and experimental beers; Garage Project in the Aro Valley is the best known.
- Martinborough Pinot Noir — The Wairarapa town of Martinborough, about an hour over the hill, is known for structured, cool-climate Pinot Noir and aromatic whites.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. February has the warmest evenings, with lows around 14°C (57°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 20:54 | 13°C (55°F) | 7 |
| April | About 17:50 | 11°C (52°F) | 10 |
| July | About 17:11 | 7°C (45°F) | 13 |
| October | About 19:41 | 9°C (48°F) | 11 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Most central sights are within a 20–25 minute walk; expect steep climbs to Mount Victoria, Kelburn and Thorndon.
- Bus — A Snapper card gives cheaper fares than cash on buses.
- Ferry — Cook Strait crossings can be rough and are sometimes cancelled in strong winds; check before you travel.
- Ride-hailing — Uber and local taxi companies are widely available and useful late at night or for the airport.
Late-night bites
- Fish and chips — Takeaway shops near Oriental Bay, Lyall Bay and Petone, eaten on the beach or waterfront.
Staying safe at night
Wellington is generally relaxed for visitors. Strong winds can make walking on exposed streets difficult and disrupt ferries and flights; New Zealand is seismically active, so learn the 'Drop, Cover, Hold' drill, and use strong sunscreen even on cool days.
- Emergency number
- 111 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers and solo travellers
Te Aro
Te Aro is the creative and nightlife quarter, taking in pedestrianised Cuba Street with its vintage shops and Bucket Fountain, the bars and theatres of Courtenay Place and the lanes in between. Te Papa and the waterfront are at its northern edge, and many mid-range hotels and apartments are here.
- Good
- Walk to Te Papa and the waterfront; Best food and bar choice; Lively evenings
- Watch out
- Noisy on weekend nights around Courtenay Place; Some rooms face busy streets
- Nearby
- Cuba Street, Courtenay Place, Te Papa, Waterfront
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Wellington?
Courtenay Place, Cuba Street and Te Aro lanes. The main bar and club strip, plus theatres and the Embassy cinema; busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.
+Which area of Wellington is best for nightlife?
Te Aro: Cuba Street cafés, Courtenay Place bars and Te Papa on the waterfront.