From epic views to kiwi brews, here are five of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most-loved pubs.
According to George Orwell, the perfect public house must have at least ten specific qualities, i.e., draught stout, open fires, cheap meals, and so on. Too many to list here, so we’ve identified three of our own. These pubs value conversation as much as beer, have something original to say about bar snacks, and make everyone – from all walks of life – feel like they’ve found a home away from home.
Permanently moored at a jetty on Lake Whakatipu, Perky’s Floating Bar(opens in new window) is the perfect spot to enjoy a quiet drink while taking in one of New Zealand’s best views. Like many Kiwi pubs, Perky’s Bar takes pride in promoting local products. Look for the mountain symbol on the drinks menu for local drops – currently, a sizable portion of the menu.
Location: Queenstown, South Island
The Cardrona Hotel(opens in new window) is famously one of country’s most photographed buildings, snapped for its quirky, almost dilapidated appearance. What most people don’t realise is that the 160-year-old building has a false front, initially installed to conceal the small corrugated-iron building behind it. False fronts were a defining part of ‘frontier’ architecture, designed to signal a level of prosperity that hadn’t yet been achieved. These days, the reverse is true: the hotel’s rustic frontage attracts our gentrification-weary eyes and belies the top-quality drops and finest regional produce on offer inside. Here, the focus is on traditional pub favourites with some inspired local touches, including deep-fried dill pickles and deep-fried pizza dough topped with garlic cream for bar snacks.
Location: Wānaka, South Island
The Free House’s(opens in new window) mission is to be a great place for people to gather and enjoy each other’s company. But to help keep the lights on, they ask that you purchase some beverages during your stay. Precisely, 99.9% of the beer menu is New Zealand brewed, including some from their own onsite brewery. They also serve locally produced cider and wines.
Location: Nelson, South Island
You haven’t truly visited Arrowtown, unless you’ve been to the Fork & Tap(opens in new window). Both vibrant social scene and delicious pitstop, this heritage pub is ubiquitously loved. With a focus on ethically sourced, seasonal fare, the Fork & Tap excels at pub classics, catering to both gastropub aficionados and local sensibilities. If the lemon-pepper seasoned fries or the Tap Burger were removed from the menu, there would be a public outcry. Since opening its doors, the pub has proudly supported New Zealand wineries and microbreweries, including a few on its doorstep. Look for Arrowtown Brewing Co(opens in new window) and Ground Up Brewing(opens in new window), along with wines from Rippon Vineyard and Brennan Wines(opens in new window) – some of New Zealand’s top wineries located a stone’s throw from Arrowtown.
Location: Queenstown, South Island
