Top Bars in Wellington You Must Visit
Find, compare, and book the best bars Wellington has to offer with VenueNow, your go-to platform for exploring nightlife in New Zealand.
Explore Wellington's Best Bars Today
Exclusive Hire at Jack Hackett's
Bar ●
Mount Cook
$$$$$
Exclusive Hire at Dirty Little Secret
Bar ●
Mount Cook
$$$$$
Exclusive Hire at Four Kings
Bar ●
Mount Cook
$$$$$
St Johns Bar and Restaurant
Bar ●
Mount Cook
$$$$$
Blend Bar & Bistro
Bar ●
Birchville
$$$$$
The Hunter Lounge
Bar ●
Balcairn
$$$$$
Little Beer Quarter
Bar ●
Mount Cook
$$$$$
Dragonfly
Bar ●
Mount Cook
$$$$$
The Royal Hotel
Bar ●
Featherston
$$$$$
Wellington Bar Hire Guide for Events
Wellington has a lively bar scene that is full of energy. This makes it an excellent place for many types of events. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot in a hidden laneway or a stylish rooftop venue, bars provide a great atmosphere perfect for anything from casual gatherings to special celebrations.
Types of Events You Can Host at Wellington Bars
Wellington bars provide stylish and flexible spaces that are great for various types of events, such as:
Corporate Functions
Bars provide a relaxed yet professional atmosphere ideal for after-work drinks, client mixers, Christmas parties, or EOFY celebrations. Many offer private function areas, audiovisual equipment for speeches or presentations, and custom packages for food and drinks, making them a popular choice among businesses.
Birthday Parties
Whether it's a low-key get-together or a big bash, bars offer a range of options to suit your style—rooftop views, DJ booths, signature cocktails, or themed spaces. From your 21st to your 50th, bars can scale to your celebration.
Product Launches
Stylish interiors, central locations, and a social vibe make bars an excellent choice for product or brand launches. Their built-in atmosphere cuts down on décor needs, and many are media- and influencer-friendly with Instagram-worthy settings.
Hens and Bucks Nights
Planning a pre-wedding party? Bars are a classic venue. Some offer cocktail-making classes, private booths, or VIP bottle service. You can even build an itinerary that moves from one bar to the next.
Social Reunions or Networking Events
Alum meetups, club socials, and professional networking events all work well in a bar setting. Choose venues with semi-private sections so attendees can chat freely while still enjoying the energy of the bar.
Top Tips for Planning a Bar Event in Wellington
- Choose the Right Vibe: Not all bars are created equal—some are laid-back lounges, others are high-energy night spots. Pick a venue that matches the tone of your event and your guest demographic.
- Ask About Minimum Spend: Rather than charging a venue hire fee, many bars require a minimum spend on food and beverages. Confirm this early and ask what's included (e.g. staff, AV, furniture).
- Plan for Flow: Ensure the space allows people to mingle, move freely, and access the bar without bottlenecks. If you're expecting speeches or entertainment, ask about microphone access or staging options.
- Communicate Dietary Requirements: Bars often offer catering services. Make sure to tell them about your guests' dietary needs ahead of time.
- Book Early for Weekends: Friday and Saturday nights are busy for bars. If you want to hold a private or semi-private event, book your spot early so you don't miss out.
What to Look for in a Bar Venue?
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a bar venue in Wellington:
- Ambience and Style: Is the aesthetic of the bar in line with your party atmosphere? If you're looking for chic and contemporary, rustic and intimate, or vibrant and multicoloured, the décor of the venue greets your guests from the first step inside.
- Layout and Capacity: Make sure the venue can comfortably fit your guests. Look for spaces that offer both seating and standing areas. Also, check for spots that can be used for speeches, entertainment, or activities.
- Private or Semi-Private Options: If you are hosting a corporate event or private celebration, check if the bar has areas that you can reserve just for your group. This will give you space and privacy without having to share with other guests.
- AV and Tech Support: Planning to show a presentation, play music, or host a speech? Check if the venue has microphones, speakers, TVs, or projectors—and confirm if there's tech support on the day.
- Food and Beverage Flexibility: Great bar venues offer flexible catering packages, customisable menus, and drink options tailored to your budget. Ask whether they can accommodate dietary requirements, custom cocktails, or themed menus.
- Licensing and Curfew: Some bars have licensing restrictions or noise curfews, especially in residential areas. Be clear on closing times and any limitations to avoid surprises on the night.
How VenueNow Can Help You Find the Right Bar Venue
Finding the right bar for your event in Wellington is easy with VenueNow. You can search and compare bar venues by guest capacity, atmosphere, location, and budget. Whether you're organising a corporate mixer or a birthday party, we can help you find and book a venue that fits your needs. Try it today!
Wellington has a lively bar scene that is full of energy. This makes it an excellent place for many types of events. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot in a hidden laneway or a stylish rooftop venue, bars provide a great atmosphere perfect for anything from casual gatherings to special celebrations.
Types of Events You Can Host at Wellington Bars
Wellington bars provide stylish and flexible spaces that are great for various types of events, such as:
Corporate Functions
Bars provide a relaxed yet professional atmosphere ideal for after-work drinks, client mixers, Christmas parties, or EOFY celebrations. Many offer private function areas, audiovisual equipment for speeches or presentations, and custom packages for food and drinks, making them a popular choice among businesses.
Birthday Parties
Whether it's a low-key get-together or a big bash, bars offer a range of options to suit your style—rooftop views, DJ booths, signature cocktails, or themed spaces. From your 21st to your 50th, bars can scale to your celebration.
Product Launches
Stylish interiors, central locations, and a social vibe make bars an excellent choice for product or brand launches. Their built-in atmosphere cuts down on décor needs, and many are media- and influencer-friendly with Instagram-worthy settings.
Hens and Bucks Nights
Planning a pre-wedding party? Bars are a classic venue. Some offer cocktail-making classes, private booths, or VIP bottle service. You can even build an itinerary that moves from one bar to the next.
Social Reunions or Networking Events
Alum meetups, club socials, and professional networking events all work well in a bar setting. Choose venues with semi-private sections so attendees can chat freely while still enjoying the energy of the bar.
Top Tips for Planning a Bar Event in Wellington
- Choose the Right Vibe: Not all bars are created equal—some are laid-back lounges, others are high-energy night spots. Pick a venue that matches the tone of your event and your guest demographic.
- Ask About Minimum Spend: Rather than charging a venue hire fee, many bars require a minimum spend on food and beverages. Confirm this early and ask what's included (e.g. staff, AV, furniture).
- Plan for Flow: Ensure the space allows people to mingle, move freely, and access the bar without bottlenecks. If you're expecting speeches or entertainment, ask about microphone access or staging options.
- Communicate Dietary Requirements: Bars often offer catering services. Make sure to tell them about your guests' dietary needs ahead of time.
- Book Early for Weekends: Friday and Saturday nights are busy for bars. If you want to hold a private or semi-private event, book your spot early so you don't miss out.
What to Look for in a Bar Venue?
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a bar venue in Wellington:
- Ambience and Style: Is the aesthetic of the bar in line with your party atmosphere? If you're looking for chic and contemporary, rustic and intimate, or vibrant and multicoloured, the décor of the venue greets your guests from the first step inside.
- Layout and Capacity: Make sure the venue can comfortably fit your guests. Look for spaces that offer both seating and standing areas. Also, check for spots that can be used for speeches, entertainment, or activities.
- Private or Semi-Private Options: If you are hosting a corporate event or private celebration, check if the bar has areas that you can reserve just for your group. This will give you space and privacy without having to share with other guests.
- AV and Tech Support: Planning to show a presentation, play music, or host a speech? Check if the venue has microphones, speakers, TVs, or projectors—and confirm if there's tech support on the day.
- Food and Beverage Flexibility: Great bar venues offer flexible catering packages, customisable menus, and drink options tailored to your budget. Ask whether they can accommodate dietary requirements, custom cocktails, or themed menus.
- Licensing and Curfew: Some bars have licensing restrictions or noise curfews, especially in residential areas. Be clear on closing times and any limitations to avoid surprises on the night.
How VenueNow Can Help You Find the Right Bar Venue
Finding the right bar for your event in Wellington is easy with VenueNow. You can search and compare bar venues by guest capacity, atmosphere, location, and budget. Whether you're organising a corporate mixer or a birthday party, we can help you find and book a venue that fits your needs. Try it today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do bars in Wellington cost for events?
Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Wellington bars cost between 65 to 95 NZD per person for functions. For example, an event for 100 people could cost between 0-0 NZD. Costs may differ based on your food and beverage requirements, AV requirements, event date and time and the type of venue you decide to book.What should I consider when comparing Wellington bars for events?
There are a number of different factors you should consider when comparing Wellington bars for events. Firstly, you should review the standing and seated capacity of the venue to see if they can fit your attendees. Next you should review the costs associated with hiring the venue such as venue hire fees, food & drink packages, additional costs such as audio-visual equipment, and whether there is a minimum spend to hire the venue. Other important factors include the location, aesthetic, amenities and facilities of the venue to understand if the venue fits all of your requirements. A great way to do this is review the venue's listings on VenueNow and review their function packs attached to the page.How do I find and book Wellington bars for events?
Finding and booking Wellington bars for events is easy with VenueNow. Simply follow these steps: (1) Enter your location, event type and number of people into VenueNow's search engine. (2) Narrow down your search results by adding filters such as your event date and time, preferred room layout and budget. (3) Once you've found some venues you're interested in, visit the venue listings and send your enquiry via VenueNow. The venue will receive your enquiry immediately and respond to you within 24 hours via email. We recommend contacting 3-5 different venues to ensure you get the best price. (4) Venues will respond with a quote via email based on your requirements, and may suggest alternate dates when they can host your event. (5) Once you're happy with the quote, you can confirm your booking with the venue, pay your deposit and start planning your event.How far in advance should I book Wellington bars for events?
On average, VenueNow customers book a venue 90 days in advance of the event. In some cases you are able to find venues that are available at short notice, however, availability for your preferred date and time may be limited. For large corporate events or weddings, we recommend booking your venue at least 3-6 months in advance, to ensure plenty of venues are available and you can lock in the best price for your requirements. Larger events also typically require additional planning with your attendees as well as any suppliers that may be required for the event.Can VenueNow help me find Wellington bars for an event?
We sure can! Not only can you find and book venues via on VenueNow yourself or using our Match AI feature, our team of Venue Booking Experts can help you find the perfect venue, collect quotes from multiple venues on your behalf, negotiate the best price with venues and book venues, all for free. Simply send us your event brief and our team will be in contact with venue recommendations within 24-48 hours.How much do bars in Wellington cost for events?
Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Wellington bars cost between 65 to 95 NZD per person for functions. For example, an event for 100 people could cost between 0-0 NZD. Costs may differ based on your food and beverage requirements, AV requirements, event date and time and the type of venue you decide to book.What should I consider when comparing Wellington bars for events?
There are a number of different factors you should consider when comparing Wellington bars for events. Firstly, you should review the standing and seated capacity of the venue to see if they can fit your attendees. Next you should review the costs associated with hiring the venue such as venue hire fees, food & drink packages, additional costs such as audio-visual equipment, and whether there is a minimum spend to hire the venue. Other important factors include the location, aesthetic, amenities and facilities of the venue to understand if the venue fits all of your requirements. A great way to do this is review the venue's listings on VenueNow and review their function packs attached to the page.How do I find and book Wellington bars for events?
Finding and booking Wellington bars for events is easy with VenueNow. Simply follow these steps: (1) Enter your location, event type and number of people into VenueNow's search engine. (2) Narrow down your search results by adding filters such as your event date and time, preferred room layout and budget. (3) Once you've found some venues you're interested in, visit the venue listings and send your enquiry via VenueNow. The venue will receive your enquiry immediately and respond to you within 24 hours via email. We recommend contacting 3-5 different venues to ensure you get the best price. (4) Venues will respond with a quote via email based on your requirements, and may suggest alternate dates when they can host your event. (5) Once you're happy with the quote, you can confirm your booking with the venue, pay your deposit and start planning your event.How far in advance should I book Wellington bars for events?
On average, VenueNow customers book a venue 90 days in advance of the event. In some cases you are able to find venues that are available at short notice, however, availability for your preferred date and time may be limited. For large corporate events or weddings, we recommend booking your venue at least 3-6 months in advance, to ensure plenty of venues are available and you can lock in the best price for your requirements. Larger events also typically require additional planning with your attendees as well as any suppliers that may be required for the event.Can VenueNow help me find Wellington bars for an event?
We sure can! Not only can you find and book venues via on VenueNow yourself or using our Match AI feature, our team of Venue Booking Experts can help you find the perfect venue, collect quotes from multiple venues on your behalf, negotiate the best price with venues and book venues, all for free. Simply send us your event brief and our team will be in contact with venue recommendations within 24-48 hours.150,000+ customers have used VenueNow to find the perfect venue.
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