Nightclubs and bars in Wellington

No rough types. NO POKIE MACHINES! Very nice food which is not a total rip off. Sit at the tables and get waitress service - or sit on the bar stools and order at the bar. Agreeable staff. Music of the less raucous sort and they don't pump up the volume. Families with kids eating there. Locals meeting and chatting. No rough types staggering up and down the streets smashing bottles and asking for money or a smoke - (they are all down in Cuba Mall).
One of the oldest pubs in Wellington all tastefully gussied up.

Tell you what - this pub is so refined they don't have a bouncer - not even on a Friday night.
They do lunch too.

They also seem to have accomodation of the extremely top end sort.

Perhaps my favorite nightclub in all of Wellington (maybe even New Zealand) is Jet Bar. Though there is not a lot of gimics at this bar, it might be the most relaxed and hip place in the city. You walk into Jet Bar through a small door on Courtney Place and immediatly you are transported to what I can only imagine is fashionable New York City or Milan.

It's obvious the creators of Jet Bar have a great sense of style and wanted to integrate their idea of style into their bar. European tones and shapes frequent everything you sit on or see at Jet.

Two levels, Jet Bar continues downstairs where another more low key bar sits with halfcircle sofas and tables. It's also apparent that people watching is important here as everything opens out towards the center. Their is also a semi-private pool table room located just next to the stairs.

Lighting is very dim but seeing is not a problem. People come to Jet to see and be seen by the hip and flashy. Unlike the Matterhorn however, this is played down to a more grounded level.

Dress Code: Your hippest and flashiest. Jeans and a graphic t-shirt work well here but so does your more dressed slacks and button down shirts.

Jet is a bar and situated on the corner of Courtenay Place & Allen St. It is a smallish spot but with really comfy semi-circle cubicles inside and some tall tables with bar stools outside. The outside seating is great in Summer for relaxing and having a beer while watching Wellington and its people do their thing. Jet is directly over the road from the local Art House movie theatre so a great place for pre movie drinks (not too much though!!) or an after movie spot to discuss the finer points of life.

Jet has the likes of Tiger and Mac beers on tap plus Heineken & Monteiths. You can also buy food here but as I have never indulged (eatin's cheatin' as my Irish friend tells me) I can't comment.

Dress Code: Smart casual at least though, being the cutural capital of NZ, what passes for smart casual here is less dressy than some other cities.

The Malthouse has recently moved from Willis St to its new location on Courtenay place between Tory & Allen sts. The bar is on the smaller side but has plenty of seating and is a great place to have a beer or two. Behind the bar is a vast, vast array of international beers from all over the globe. Added to this is a few local beers on tap including a couple of exceptional brew - the Tuatara Pilsner & the Monk's Habit from the Cock & Bull brewery. The latter is a 7% alcohol beer so you need to be careful!!

Service here was great and nothing was a problem. Open 'til quite late most nights the Malthouse is a good spot to sample a few ales. If you are a homesick visitor or a local who hasn't experienced the wonders of international brews the Malthouse is the right place to go.

Dress Code: Casual is the thing here with the punters in the bar wearing everthing from jeans & tee shirts to expensice suits. You should fit in no matter what you are in!!

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Situated above Burger King on Tory street/Courtenay Place corner, Chow is a good spot for a bit of Asian food or just a drink. We popped in here after work for a quick drink and the place got very busy very quickly after 6pm as people came in for either the 2 for 1 coctails (wednesday night) or the more serious business of eating.

If you come here for lunch you can opt for the $12 special which gives you a long plate of food with rice and Miso soup. Very reasonable and very tasty. I've been here with mates and shared Eel rolls, Prawn dumplings and NZ Scallops - all really good.

Prices here are slightly above average though the Tiger beer I'm having was $7 a bottle so about what you might expect.

Dress Code: Smart casual

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The Leuven bar is a really great spot to relax with your favourite Belgian beer and have a few fries with mayo or one of many Mussel dishes. Situated in Featherston St the Leuven is in the middle of town and patronised by everyone from Office workers to visitors.

The beer menu is quite extensive with everything from your bog standard Stella to the various Leffe brews. Most have the option of a small 330ml glass or a large 500ml. Prices are about average though the large glasses will set you back around $14 per glass! The food is ok with the fries & mayo a popular nibble while enjoying your beer.

There are several levels to the premises including a small downstairs area that is great if you can get alarge crowd together and make a takeover bid! The staff a fairly attentive and will move around the tables taking orders. Menus are in good supply so you can view the variety of beers and food options.

Dress Code: Smart casual is the pref here though the bar doesn't seem to be too worried about the more casual attire. Between 4.30 and 7pm lots of the patrons will be wearing suits.

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The Black Harp is a great Irish bar on Featherston St with all of the stuff you'd expect from an Irish bar - good booze and some good entertainment on and near the weekend. There are some interesting items around the bar of an Irish nature plus an old library area complete with easy chairs and books. There are plenty of good brews on tap incluidng my favourite - Kilkenny (mmmmm, Kilkenny...)

Dress Code: It's an Irish bar so most things are fine......

If you are at a loose end, sick of going out drinking, weather is bad, nothing good on TV - try and pick up half price tickets for a play - go to the Information Centre in Civic Square after midday. Your chances are good because this opportunity is not well publicised.
Circa's standard is pretty good and I have seen two plays there very cheaply. And it is such a charming venue - very close to Te Papa. I think you can get tickets for Downstage too - which is in Courtenay Place. Now - that building is not charming. But it is protected because it is such a good example of the Brutalist school. Very very very ugly!
Bats Theatre is opposite Downstage - and it always has something on - prices are cheap so maybe they don't discount them (not sure because I haven't tried) but the standard is variable. VERY variable.
They have a lovely bar called The Pit just off their foyer - scrabble nights on Tuesday!