Post dinner drinks, happy hour, an all around social event or something a bit more intimate. It’s all possible with the bars in Ōtepoti / Dunedin. When in this South Island city, be sure to indulge in some visits to bars with great atmosphere and the finest beverages and brews. You can count on these spots being unpretentious and genuinely good. With great variety and the odd weird and wonderful touch, these Dunedin Bars ought to be on your must-visit list.
1. Albar
We love a local pub and Albar is a Dunedin local favorite. With Scottish influence, in-house whisky tasting and a ‘malt of the month’ it’s sure to make your night memorable. Wood panelling and curved ceilings complete the look and ensure the ambience is just right. Plus, on Tuesday’s there’s known to be a local Celtic band onsite.
2. Zanzibar
All your gin wants and needs can finally be recognised at Zanzibar! They are a gin bar and stock over 100 different types of the good stuff, making it a great addition to the Dunedin bar scene. Cosy and friendly with staff who are well informed and more than happy to share their knowledge creates the perfect atmosphere. The interior takes a lot of inspiration from its name and it’s well worth a spot on this Best Bars in Dunedin list!
3. Pequeño Lounge Bar
Living up to its name (Pequeño meaning little/small in Spanish) Pequeño Lounge bar is the perfect intimate and cosy bar. Beautifully exposed brick, leather couches, a burning wood fire and an incredible wine and cocktail menu, this bar has it all. Pequeño Lounge bar is a hidden gem and the perfect spot to wind down after a long day or night.
4. Woof!
Woof! is the bar Dunedin didn’t know it needed until it arrived. It’s got all the good parts of classic bar with all the finesse of a cocktail lounge. Covered floor to ceiling in greenery and plants, Woof! is the ultimate spot to eat, drink and be merry. Their ever-changing cocktail menu keeps things fresh for locals and faithful returnees. Beers, wine, and food are on the menu too. Convinced yet?! Grab your mates and park up in the glasshouse at Woof! for a cold one.
5. Dog With Two Tails
Crafted gin, absinthe and various liqueurs on hand, tasting sessions and live music and entertainment. Dog with Two Tails is another Dunedin local favourite. They serve specialty coffee and delicious baking by day, and turn the volume up by night. Quiz nights are a regular occurrence. Their website is the place to go to find out what’s on at this Dunedin bar.
6. Mr Fox Lounge & Tapas Bar
Mr Fox is the ultimate ‘den’ for late night socialising with your nearest and dearest. This foxy bar is tucked behind an inconspicuous door in the heart of the city (The Octagon), and down some stairs to an underground oasis. The idea here is to sip on cocktails and nibble on delicious morsels. It’s a fantastic Dunedin bar experience and one that you’ll go back to time and time again.
7. Ombrellos Kitchen and Bar
If craft beers are high on your priority list then Ombrellos is your bar. From Emersons to Boneface and everything in between, it’s tap beer heaven. They have 15 ever-changing craft beers on tap and an incredible food menu. It’s the perfect lunch or dinner spot. The private dining rooms and outdoor courtyard give customers options and make this a special place for events and larger gatherings too.
8. Emersons
Emersons is a part of the furniture in Dunedin. It’s Dunedin ‘born and brewed’. You simply can’t visit the city without going to Emersons. With their beers on taps in bars all across the country, it’s a special thing to visit the taproom and brewery. Brewery tours, tasting flights and great bar snacks, this is a Dunedin bar that has it all. Their tap beers haven’t travelled far so are as fresh as can be. Go on, indulge in a few brews and make a night of it and stay for dinner!
Cover Image Credit: Emersons.
