Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital, set on the shore of Lake Wakatipu beneath The Remarkables mountain range. Known for bungy jumping, jet boating and skiing, it also offers lakeside dining, Central Otago wineries and the gold-rush village of Arrowtown.
Queenstown nightlife is concentrated within a few blocks: Searle Lane and Church Street for clubs and late bars, Shotover Street for craft beer and pizza bars, and Steamer Wharf and Beach Street for lakefront drinks. Weekend closing times can stretch to 4AM at some venues, and many places start with happy hours from 3PM.
Evenings start with dinner and happy hour, DJs and live music begin from about 9-10PM, and Cowboys fills after midnight on weekends. Thursday to Sunday are the busiest nights; Monday to Wednesday are quieter, with deals like Tuesday line dancing at Cowboys.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Thursday to Sunday, roughly 10PM-3AM. Zephyr and some Searle Lane venues stay open until 4AM.
- Average drink
- Beer NZ$5-12 (~US$2.90-7) for a pint; NZ$5-6 at 1876 and Harry's, NZ$10-12 at The London · Cocktail NZ$6-15+ (~US$3.50-8.70); about NZ$12 (~US$7) at The London, over NZ$15 at The World Bar
- Dress code
- Casual in most bars. A bar guide reports that some club doors do not admit hats, sleeveless shirts or open-toe shoes for men; cocktail rooms favour dressing up.
- Cover charge
- The legal drinking age is 18. New Zealand venues are strict about valid ID; carry a passport or driver licence, and a bar guide recommends carrying two forms of ID. Busy bars may prefer cash for speed.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Searle Lane and Church Street
Cowboys, Zephyr and The World Bar sit on or near these streets, with several open until 4AM.
Best for: Dancing and late nights
Shotover Street
The London, Smiths Craft Beer House, Fergburger and Fergbaker line the street.
Best for: Craft beer, pizza and a late burger
Steamer Wharf and Beach Street
Atlas Beer Cafe, Little Blackwood, Public Kitchen & Bar and the Minus 5 Ice Bar share the wharf.
Best for: Lakeside drinks and cocktails
Brecon and Ballarat Streets
Harry's Pool Bar, 1876 and Pig & Whistle offer cheap drinks and sport on screens.
Best for: Budget drinks and pool
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
The World Bar
Quirky Church Street bar known for teapot cocktails, DJs and live music; happy hour 3PM-5PM daily and teapot happy hour 9PM-10PM. Cocktails run over NZ$15 (~US$8.70).
Known for: Teapot cocktails served with cups to share, burgers and craft beer on tap
12 Church Street, Queenstown 9300
Smiths Craft Beer House
Upstairs craft beer bar overlooking Shotover Street with dozens of rotating New Zealand craft taps, a covered patio and live music on some nights.
Known for: Rotating local craft beer taps
53 Shotover Street (Level 1), Queenstown 9300
Atlas Beer Cafe
Craft beer bar on the Steamer Wharf waterfront with an outdoor lake-view deck.
Known for: Craft beer with lakefront deck
Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300
Harry's Pool Bar
Budget pool and sports bar with seven pool tables and live sport on screens; tap beer from about NZ$6-7 (~US$3.50-4.10).
Known for: Seven pool tables, sports on TV and cheap tap beer
8 Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300
1876 Bar and Restaurant
Former Magistrate's Court with a large sunny terrace, an indoor dance floor and some of the cheapest drinks in town: pints from about NZ$5 (~US$2.90) and cocktails from NZ$6 (~US$3.50).
Known for: All-day cheap drinks, sun terrace and live music
45 Ballarat Street, Queenstown 9300
Little Blackwood
Calmer cocktail bar at Steamer Wharf with an extensive cocktail menu, meat and cheese boards and live music.
Known for: Cocktails, meat and cheese boards, live music
88 Beach Street (Steamer Wharf), Queenstown 9300
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
The London
Underground pizza bar that turns into a DJ venue after about 10PM, with Latin nights. Pints about NZ$10-12 (~US$5.80-7) and cocktails about NZ$12 (~US$7).
Hours: Mon-Sat from 5PM until late; closed Sunday
Cowboys
Country-themed late-night bar with a mechanical bull (NZ$2 donation, ~US$1.16), pool tables, shuffleboard and 1-litre beer glasses. Tuesday line dancing 9PM-11PM, Sunday karaoke 9:30PM-midnight.
Hours: Very busy after midnight on weekends; happy hour daily until 8PM
Zephyr
Late-night rock bar on Searle Lane with live bands and classic rock tracks, popular with hospitality workers; one bar guide lists it open until 4AM nightly.
Hours: Open until 4AM nightly
Winnies Gourmet Pizza Bar
One of the town's busiest pizza bars and late-night spots, noted for its opening roof.
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Ice bar
Minus 5 Ice Bar at 88 Beach Street (Steamer Wharf): entry with two cocktails NZ$40 (~US$23.20); warm gear provided.
Live music
Live music is listed at 1876 (Wednesday to Sunday), Smiths Craft Beer House on some nights and Zephyr.
Karaoke
Cowboys, 7 Searle Lane: Sunday karaoke 9:30PM-midnight; Tuesday line dancing 9PM-11PM.
Pub crawl
A Friday and Saturday 'Kiwi Crawl' starts at The London at 9PM, covering five bars for about NZ$30 (~US$17.40) per a bar guide; confirm the operator and price before booking.
Floating bar
Perky's Floating Bar on Lake Wakatipu off Marine Parade; no food served on board.
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Carry a passport or driver licence; venues are strict on ID and the drinking age is 18.
Look for happy hours: The World Bar 3PM-5PM, 1876 4PM-6PM (per a bar guide), Cowboys until 8PM.
Fergburger is open until 2:30AM for a post-night-out burger.
Queenstown is compact and walkable; use a taxi for Frankton Road and Arrowtown venues.
Check opening days before travelling to Nest, Sherwood or Arrowtown venues.