Best Pubs in Christchurch to Enjoy

Christchurch’s pub scene has come into its own. Over the past decade, the city has quietly rebuilt not just its skyline but its nightlife too. These days, you’ll find a good mix of old-school locals, stylish craft beer hangouts, and gin bars dotted throughout the city and suburbs each with its own crowd and pace.

Wander through the central city and you’ll quickly notice how different each venue feels. Oxford Terrace is the most obvious starting point. It runs along the Avon River and is always busy in the evenings. There’s music in the air, tables spilling out onto footpaths, and a mix of locals and visitors lingering over drinks. Some bars crank up the volume with DJs or live bands. 

Community and Culture

Pubs here aren't just places to drink, they’re community hubs too playing a huge part in the city’s culture and events calendar. From hosting local musicians and comedy nights to pub quizzes packed with trivia enthusiasts, Christchurch’s hospitality here is tight-knit, ensuring that your night out always feels friendly and inviting.

Suburb Gems

Don’t skip the suburbs. Places like Lyttelton, Sumner, Lincoln and Woolston have their own scenes going, and they’ve built loyal followings over the years. These pubs are part of the neighbourhood. You’ll find locals at the bar, staff who know the regulars, and no shortage of good food and beer.

Events are part of the routine. 

Pub quizzes, comedy nights, and weekend bands draw regulars in. If you're around midweek, you’ll still find something on. Christchurch venues don’t need much of an excuse to put on a gig or open late.

Craft beer is easy to find here.

A lot of pubs rotate their taps and lean into local breweries. Tasting paddles are common, and most bartenders can give you a quick rundown of what’s on.

Gin is just as popular.

Many pubs have updated their drinks lists with local gins and mixers. Some make a real effort with seasonal cocktails too.

The Sunday roast tradition is very much alive. 

A Sunday in Christchurch isn’t complete without a traditional roast dinner. Pubs throughout the city offer hearty meals, bringing friends and families together over comforting classics. 

Nightlife in Christchurch

When the sun goes down, the tempo picks up. The city transitions from laid-back pub vibes to late-night hotspots with acoustic sessions, DJ sets, or hidden speakeasies, each venue promises an evening to remember.

Christchurch’s pubs offer a sense of community, celebration, and genuine warmth. If you're a local or just visiting, the city's pub scene guarantees memorable nights, great conversations, and plenty of reasons to return.

How much do pubs in Christchurch cost for events?

Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Christchurch pubs 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 Christchurch pubs for events?

There are a number of different factors you should consider when comparing Christchurch pubs 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 Christchurch pubs for events?

Finding and booking Christchurch pubs 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 Christchurch pubs 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 Christchurch pubs 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.