The Best Bars in Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown, New Zealand gets most of its fame for its adventure activities-not the least of which are its three massive bungee jumping sites. After a long day of adrenaline chasing, you might find yourself wanting to unwind with a drink or have a wild night out. Either way, Queenstown is home to many great bars.

Winnie's

If you're looking to start-or end-your night with delicious food, look no further than Winnie's. This self-described "gourmet pizza bar" serves up hot, fresh wood-fired pizzas with exotic toppings such as goat cheese and lamb or pumpkin, olives, and peppers. The bar itself is large enough, with several tables, a large dance floor, pool tables, and live music almost every night of the week.

Minus 5°

Minus 5° is arguably more of a novelty than a bar, but if you've never been to an ice bar you won't want to miss out. Start your night out at Minus 5° because you won't want to go after you've had too many drinks. An admission fee grants you access to the bar, which is made entirely out of ice, and a cocktail of your choice served in a glass made entirely from ice. You'll have to wear a parka, boots, and gloves (provided by the bar). Again, it's not a place for a long drinking session, but the novelty makes it worth a look.

Altitude Bar

The Altitude Bar can be found on the ground floor of the Base Backpackers hostel and serves as a popular meeting hub for young backpackers passing through Queenstown. Every night of the week offers a different theme party, such as karaoke on Mondays, ladies night on Fridays, and costume parties on Sundays. The bar also gives away prizes every night, such as free passes to local attractions such as the Nevis bungee jump-one of the world's tallest bungee sites.

Póg Mahones

Póg Mahones is Queenstown's only Irish pub and offers a great waterfront location complete with an outdoor balcony and beer garden to enjoy New Zealand's warm summers. As an Irish pub, it offers Irish beers like Guinness and Murphy's on tap and a full menu of traditional Irish dishes. Pog Mahones is popular for its live music, including traditional Irish music sessions and more modern Irish music.

The Pig and Whistle

The Pig and Whistle is in a building that once served as Queenstown's court and jailhouse and provides plenty of space for drinking and relaxing with your friends. The ground floor features a large dance floor as well as an outdoor patio for enjoy a drink, pub grub, or full meal. The upstairs offers a more relaxed atmosphere with dart boards, televisions, and a handful of pool tables.

Sources

http://experiencequeenstown.com/minus-5-queenstown/
http://www.winnies.co.nz
http://www.stayatbase.com/base-backpackers-queenstown-hostel/
http://www.pogmahones.co.nz/
http://www.pigandwhistlepub.co.nz/