Wellington is famous for its tiny, tucked-away bars, quirky cafes and galleries, fashion boutiques, award winning restaurants and buzzing nightlife. But what you may not know is that the New Zealand capital is also blessed with more bars, restaurants and cafés per capita than New York City. That’s right, it’s a thriving foodie (and drinkie) metropolis. We can’t show you all the 300 plus inner-city restaurant and bars, but here’s a sneak peak at some of Australian tourist, Patrick Stevenson — aka The Hipster’s — favourites.

Matterhorn [pictured above and below]

A local institution on Cuba Street, Matterhorn is known as the favoured local bar for Wellington’s chic crowd. Not only loved by the locals, Matterhorn was crowned as the Best Bar in New Zealand three years in a row from 2006-2008. You’ll find this funky haunt behind an inconspicuous sign down a dark alley way on the oober cool Cuba Street and is open throughout the day for coffee, lunch and dinner, and is known to host regular live music events.
Address:
106 Cuba Street, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 384 3359

Hawthorn Lounge
You could be mistaken for thinking you’ve stepped right back into the 1920s, with Hawthorns gentleman’s club style retreat escorting bar goers back into time where poker, cocktails and big-band medleys rained supreme. Opened mid-2006 by brothers who wanted to share their vision of a public living room, The Hawthorn has all the grace one would expect from the flapper era, especially with their big band music and nattily attired staff
Address:
Upstairs 82 Tory St
Tel: +64 4 890 3724

Mighty Mighty Bar
Hula hoopin, burlesque dancers, rollerskating ukelele orchestras, indie rock bands, limbo experiments…no you’re not at the local circus just at the very hip and very unique Mighty Might Bar. On any given night you can expect that something extra from Wellington favourite haven of kitsch. Just a few doors down and a flight of stairs up from the Matterhorn, Mighty Mighty is a local for locals and a mash of extremes.
Address:
Upstairs, 104 Cuba Street, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 385 2890

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