Rooftop Bars in Wellington

words by niall roeder

An afternoon beer, wine or cocktail is a good thing. An afternoon beer, wine or cocktail on a rooftop is a great thing. There’s something enticing about drinking outside. The breeze, sun and cabin-fever-be-gone lack of walls is liberating and you get a new bird’s eye perspective for people-watching – it’s pretty much like the “I’m flying, Jack” scene from Titanic, but at a bar. And no watery grave.

Waking up with a harbour view – We got you covered #QTLife #qtmuseumwellington #goodmorning #Wellington

A post shared by QT Museum Wellington (@qtmuseum_wellington) on Feb 26, 2017 at 10:17am PST

We take a look at the best rooftop bars in Wellington…

Basque
Craft beer, tapas and sangria served on the top of a building – check and mate. We recommend getting a perch overlooking the vibrant Courtenay Place and ordering the Pescado Platter, which includes sardines escabeche, beetroot-cured salmon, smoked salmon pate, Iberico cheese, French brie, olives and more. Basque in the glory.

Dirty Little Secret
Inspired by the laneway bars of Melbourne, this ironically underground bar is one of Wellington’s best rooftop bars. It’s actually Welly’s first rooftop container bar and boasts near-panoramic views. Order a Kiwi Mai Tai (pineapple juice and fresh kiwi fruit muddled, poured over coconut and dark spiced rum) and start talking dirty.

The Arborist
This is a seven-storey high garden rooftop bar that serves Southern fried halloumi chips with chilli yoghurt and is renowned for a hectic Bloody Mary, which takes 15 minutes to prepare. Hello my name is Dr Green Thumb…

The rooftop bar is pumping this Monday! Open and serving until late tonight, get in quick for a good spot and a frozen cocktail or two ?

A post shared by The Arborist Wellington (@arboristwellington) on Feb 26, 2017 at 10:04pm PST