Wellington Nightlife
The city lays claim to being New Zealand's cultural capital, and that reputation extends to its pubs and clubs. Courtenay Place, dubbed the Neon Playground by locals, is the best-known club precinct, and stays pumping throughout the night.
Clubs
- Barney's Place (60 Dixon Street)
Dancing till dawn.
- Diva (37 Dixon Street)
Live music and house djs.
- Dockside (Shed 3, Queens Wharf)
A contemporary venue situated in the heart of Queens Wharf housed in a historic waterfront shed with stunning views.
- Paradiso Bar (32 Blair Street)
The place to go for techno music.
- Pound (63 Cuba Street)
Gay bar featuring resident and guest djs, plus weekly drag shows.
- Tatou (22 Cambridge Terrace)
Upstairs live bands, techno downstairs.
- Valve (154 Vivian Street)
A popular live venue for emerging bands.
- Traffick (Kent & Cambridge Terrace)
Middle of the road.
Comedy
- San Francisco Bath House (171 Cuba St)
Formerly Indigo Bar and Venue, San Francisco Bath House is Wellington's premier music venue with live music, comedy and festivals. relax in the heart of Cuba Street in cosy ambience with relaxed friendly staff.
Rock Music
- Bar Bodega (286 Willis Street)
Famous for local and original New Zealand music. Bodega are New Zealand ale specialists, offering 17 different tap beers with a massive imported beer selection. Serving the city's only hand drawn ales and the home of Wellington's Tuatara beers.
Live Bands
A mix of original and cover bands perform at:
- Amba (ph 21 - 23 Blair Street)
Live bands every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
- Bluenote (191-195 Cuba Street)
Live performance venue, café, pool tables.
- Indigo (171 Cuba Street)
Wellingtons premier music venue. Relax in the heart of Cuba Street in cosy ambience with relaxed friendly staff.
- Opera Bar (14-16 Courtenay Place)
Live entertainment featuring opera, jazz and contemporary styles.
- The Grand (69-71 Courtenay Place)
Live music on Thursdays.
- Wellington Sports Cafe (cnr Tory St & Courtenay Place)
Located in the heart of Courtenay Place with high-tech visuals and audio it is the best place to watch any live sporting event. Live bands on Thursdays.
Irish Music
- Molly Malones (cnr Taranaki Street and Courtenay Place)
The original Irish Pub, situated in the heart of the Courtney quarter. Live music seven nights a week.
- Kitty O'Shea's (28 Courtenay Place)
A taste of Ireland in Courtenay Place offering live music, tasty meals and a friendly environment. Live music every night.
Folk
- Acoustic Routes Wellington Folk Centre, under the rotunda, Wellington Community Centre, Oriental Parade.
Held on the 4th Sunday of the month.
Jazz
- Paradiso Bar (32 Blair St)
French and Italian cuisine in a chic setting where the hip young crowd are.
- Beacon Bar & Woodfire Grill (8 Blair Street)
Resident band the Vipers also perform on Saturday.
- Good Luck Bar (126 Cuba Street)
Good Luck is the Chinese Opium Den revisited. Featuring a dance floor and lounge to chill in, as well as a floating lantern bar and fine Cambodian cuisine. Live electronic jazz club on Tuesdays and Fridays and DJs on every other night.
Sunday jazz is offered at:
- Icon, Te Papa, Cable St, city, (noon-2pm).
Located at Te Papa, Icon has gained a reputation for fine dining specialising in elegant New Zealand cuisine.
- The Lido (cnr Wakefield & Victoria Streets), from 7pm.
The pavement seating at The Lido Cafe has become a Wellington landmark. Jazz on Sunday evenings.
Novelty Pubs
The city has a plethora of pubs but for something a little different, try:
- The Backbencher Pub (34 Molesworth Street, Thorndon).
Capturing the political tension with an entertaining array of giant puppets and cartoons of politicians adorning the walls and ceilings. Serving pub and cafe meals throughout the day.
- The Shepherds Arms Hotel (288 Tinakori Road, Thorndon)
Established in 1870 it is New Zealand's oldest hotel and bar. With historical memorabilia, enjoy brunch on the balcony or dinner by the fire - there's a place for everybody.
- The Dockside Restaurant & Bar (Queens Wharf, Customhouse Quay)
Situated in the heart of Queens Wharf, and one of Wellington's most diverse venues. Housed in an historic waterfront shed, with stunning views from and a maritime theme throughout. Sit outside and savour the beautiful weather or enjoy the large marquee.
- The Loaded Hog (14-18 Bond Street)
Featuring a rural New Zealand theme, award winning naturally brewed beers, along with a value for money, unpretentious robust style menu and experienced and friendly service.
- The Dubliner (cnr Taranaki & Courtenay Place)
Set up like a wee cottage in the west of Ireland, with lunches and brunches, and balcony dining available. Whiskey from around the world.
- The Malthouse (47 Willis Street)
New Zealand's home of beer, with the largest range of New Zealand natural beers, including the Tuatara range. Thirty beers on tap.
- Vespa Lounge (Allen Street)
A stylish and modern lounge bar, where top Wellington DJs play deep jazzy house music at a level which still allows easy conversation. A great place for a cocktail or a game of pool. A vodka specialist.
- Aerodrome Tavern & Bistro (32 Miramar Avenue, Miramar)
Set in and around a DC3 aeroplane.
Cinemas
If the big screen beckons try:
- The Rialto (cnr Cable Street and Jervois Quay)
The ultimate movie experience. Includes tea & gourmet Supreme coffee, beer & wine, a snack bar, Tip Top ice-cream, and parking right by the front door.
- Paramount (25 Courtenay Place)
Wellington's longest established and best loved movie theatre. Licensed cafe. 
- Embassy Theatre (10 Kent Terrace)
New Zealand’s grandest picture palace. Built in 1924, The Embassy is a Wellington icon and landmark.
- Penthouse Cinema (205 Ohiro Road, Brooklyn)
Screens a wide range of interesting movies, as well as some new release favourites. It is in Brooklyn, not far from Downtown Wellington.
- Reading Cinemas, Courtenay Central
Wellington City’s First Class 10 screen Cinema complex.
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