Drink Up! Our Favourite Cocktail Bars In Christchurch

Christchurch’s very own historic New Regent Street is home to a luxurious whisky and cocktail lounge; The Last Word. Indulge in the finer things in life and spend an evening participating in whisky training, sipping an expertly made cocktail and dining upon tasty morsels like the wood-fired pizza. Cool down on a balmy afternoon with a refreshing Aperol Spritz, or feel the heat with a spiced Glen Livet pineapple Collins.

Work your way through a selection of classic and iconic cocktails like gin martinis, negronis and sours. There is a concoction to suit every palate from sweet to sour, fruity to bitter and everything in between.

The Austin Club motto “where the spirits run high and the drinks never run dry” is one of our favourite mottos to live by. The underground bar has set the scene for many big nights out with an excitable atmosphere, sing-alongs and boozy cocktails; you are guaranteed a memorable evening. We always advise lining the stomach; Austin Club has a delicious range of snacks like American hot dogs and BBQ pulled pork tacos.

The cocktail menu is inspired by post-war period novels and each cocktail has been curated for maximum enjoyment. Work your way through the library and sample the catcher in the rye, breakfast at Tiffany’s and The Lion the witch and the wardrobe. Our personal favourite has to be the cat in the hat, made with strawberry and lemongrass rum, lemon and coconut foam.

There is nowhere we would rather be after a big week at work than The Poplar Social Club; this cocktail lounge is a beloved local watering-hole that thrives on creating fun and exotic cocktails. You can’t go wrong with a lil’ monster martini; this is Poplar’s twist on the classic espresso martini made with Coffee Monster espresso, vodka and Kahlua.

Hold on to the fresh and fruity flavours of summer with the gins’n’rosé cocktail, made with pink gin, Crème De Crassis, Main Divide rosé, lime and lemonade. Other crowd-pleasers include the tiki club, honeycomb martini and El matador. For the sober drivers in the group, Poplar has a tasty range of mocktails that are as good as the real deal.

Long gone are the days of the speakeasy; however, O.G.B Bar has kept that memory alive in the heritage building in Cathedral Square. There is something irresistible about a speakeasy, and O.G.B knows this best. The cocktail list is daring, experimental and enticing; try new flavours and combinations.

The ghost of suite 12 is divine with strong flavours like Mezcal, cherry jam, coconut and lemon. The sage before beauty pairs Irish whiskey with raspberry, honey and sage, lemon and egg white; this sour is rich and smooth. O.G.B is the perfect spot to try new things! What better a companion to cocktails than a platter of food to graze upon; we are usually swayed towards the cheeseboard or pub platter.

If sophisticated cocktails and a broody aesthetic is your vibe, The Dirty Land is your spot. Picture heavy red curtains, exposed brick walls, mood lighting and candles; add in a killer cocktail list, and we are sold. We love The Dirty Land for boozy date nights and weekend romps with friends. The cocktail specials evolve with demand, and the menu is beyond impressive; we are talking page after page of deliciousness.

Depending on your mood, have a cocktail from the tropics, a sweet treat, something strong and stirred, a fresh and fruity cocktail with herbaceous flavours or opt for a crowd favourite. While the list is daunting, we have never enjoyed a challenge this much; our current top contender is the high tea, with house-infused orange peel-gin shaken with apricot brandy, earl grey syrup and lime.