Christchurch, nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, is a city that promises countless adventures by day and an exciting array of nightlife experiences once the sun goes down. Its most distinctive allure lies in the numerous cocktail bars that carpet the city. These elegant havens of merriment pull locals and tourists alike into a mesmerising journey of flavours, each one offering a unique interpretation of night-time pleasures. This article aims to serve as your guide through the dynamic cocktail bar scene in Christchurch.
Let’s start our nightcap journey downtown with “The Last Word”. This quintessential cocktail and whisky lounge offers an extensive menu of both classic and innovative cocktails. Ensconced in a sophisticated yet relaxed ambience, their expert mixologists astound you with a cocktail bar christchurch slight theatrical flair on their cocktail crafting while retaining the precise art of combination. The highlights here include ‘Penicillin’, a robust blend of Scotch, honey, ginger, and lemon or the whimsical ‘Smurf and Turf’ – a concoction as effervescent as it is intriguingly mysterious in its blend.
Up next is the colourful “Smash Palace”. This outdoor bar is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Christchurch post-earthquake, operating initially from a converted bus and evolving into a cornerstone of the city’s nightlife. Their inventive cocktails, such as the ‘Basil Gin Smash’, a zingy, complex hit of basil, gin, sugar syrup and lemon, encapsulate their spirit of playful innovation.
No Christchurch cocktail bar crawl is complete without visiting the iconic “The Dirty Land”. This bar effortlessly captures the elusive speakeasy vibe of the ’20s with its dimly lit settings, half-drawn velvet curtains, and traditional chandelier accents. The star attraction here is the creative menu with winning choices like ‘A Figa for Kingston’; with fig vodka, apple schnapps, and lime or the ‘Citrus Mistress’; a tangy explosion of gin, elderflower, passionfruit, lemon, and sparkling wine.
Take a break from the downtown hustle and head towards the suburb of Addington to “Christchurch Casino”, a place where glitz, glamour and cocktails mix perfectly. Their repertoire of cocktails ranges from the classics to some contemporary twists that are sure to excite your palate. Choose from an elaborate selection such as the robust ‘Espresso Martini’ or the aromatic ‘Lemon and Thyme Gin Sour.’
Last on our journey, but certainly not least is “O.G.B. Bar and Cafe”. Housed within a heritage building, it exudes a nostalgic charm with its hand-cranked cash register, chesterfield sofas and gramophone music. The cocktail menu is a symphony of surprising flavours, with options such as ‘The Bee’s Knees’, a concoction of gin, honey, and lemon or the ‘Old Man River’, a clever mix of vodka, raspberry, lime, and ginger beer.
To journey through Christchurch’s cocktail bar scene is to immerse oneself in a culinary wonderland, a dazzling interplay of flavours, atmospheres, and storytelling. Each bar breathes its distinct character into the city’s nightlife, offering a surprising versatility that speaks volumes about the Christchurch spirit – innovative, resilient, and refreshingly bold. On your next visit to this vibrant city, be sure to venture into these nocturnal landscapes and allow Christchurch to entertain, surprise, and enchant you, one cocktail at a time.