Most Historic Pubs in Wanaka With Real Character and Good Stories
Words by
James McLean
Wanaka sits at the foot of the Southern Alps, a town that grew from a gold rush outpost into one of New Zealand's most sought-after lifestyle destinations. If you want to understand this place beyond the lakefront Instagram shots, you need to pull up a stool in the historic pubs in Wanaka that have been pouring drinks since before the ski fields opened. I have spent years walking these streets, talking to publicans, and nursing pints in rooms where miners, mountaineers, and misfits have left their mark. This guide covers the old bars Wanaka still standing, the heritage pubs Wanaka locals actually drink in, and the classic drinking spots Wanaka has kept alive through decades of change.
1. The Wanaka Hotel (Dunmore Street)
The Wanaka Hotel sits on Dunmore Street, right in the heart of the town centre, and it has been serving drinks since the late 1800s when Wanaka was still called Pembroke. The building itself dates back to the gold rush era, and the pub was a gathering point for miners heading to and from the Cardrona goldfields. What makes it worth going to is the original timber bar top, which has been worn smooth by over a century of elbows and spilled beer. Order a Speight's Gold, the South Island's iconic lager, and sit near the front windows where you can watch the street life of Dunmore unfold. The best time to visit is a Friday evening after 5 PM when the after-work crowd fills the front bar and the energy shifts from quiet afternoon drinkers to something louder and more social. Most tourists walk right past the back room, which has a smaller bar and a collection of old photographs of Wanaka's early settlers. One detail most visitors miss is the brass footrail along the main bar, which was salvaged from a demolished hotel in Arrowtown. A local tip: if you want to meet actual Wanaka residents rather than holidaymakers, come on a Wednesday afternoon when the regulars dominate the front bar and the publican knows everyone by name.
What to Order: Speight's Gold with a side of the pub's house burger, which uses locally sourced beef from a farm near Luggate.
Best Time: Friday from 5 PM onward, when the after-work crowd arrives and the atmosphere shifts.
The Vibe: A working pub with genuine history, though the outdoor deck gets uncomfortably warm in January and February with no shade coverage.
2. The Bar Upstairs at the Wanaka Hotel (Dunmore Street)
Above the main pub, there is a smaller bar that most tourists never find. This upstairs space has its own character, separate from the ground floor, and it has hosted live music nights and private gatherings for decades. The room retains original timber panelling and a narrow staircase that feels like stepping into a different era. What makes it worth going to is the intimacy, you are never more than a few metres from the person next to you, and the acoustics make even a solo guitarist sound full. Order a craft beer from the rotating taps, the selection changes monthly and often features Wanaka Brewing Company or a Queenstown brewery. The best time to visit is a Saturday night when local musicians play and the room fills with a mix of young locals and older regulars who have been coming since the 1990s. Most people do not know that the upstairs bar was once a boarding room for travellers heading to the West Coast. A local tip: ask the bartender about the framed photograph of the 1964 flood, it shows the lake nearly reaching the pub's doorstep.
What to Drink: Rotating craft taps, particularly anything from Wanaka Brewing Company.
Best Time: Saturday nights for live music, usually from 8 PM.
The Vibe: Intimate and warm, though the narrow staircase is tricky after a few drinks and the single bathroom creates a queue.
3. The Federal Dunmore Street (Dunmore Street)
Federal Dunmore Street is not a traditional pub in the old sense, but it occupies a building with deep roots in Wanaka's commercial history. The structure dates to the early 1900s and served as a general store before becoming one of the heritage pubs Wanaka locals frequent today. What makes it worth going to is the combination of a serious coffee programme with a bar that opens in the evening, bridging the gap between daytime café culture and nightlife. Order a flat white in the morning or a Central Otago Pinot Noir by night, the wine list leans heavily on local vineyards like Rippon and Maude. The best time to visit is late morning on a weekday when the café side is busy but not overwhelming, and you can grab a window seat overlooking the street. Most tourists treat it as a coffee stop and never realise the evening bar scene draws a loyal local crowd. One detail most visitors miss is the original pressed-tin ceiling in the back dining room, which survived a renovation in the 1980s. A local tip: the back courtyard is the quietest spot in central Wanaka for a mid-afternoon break, and it is almost always empty.
What to Order / See / Do: Flat white in the morning, Central Otago Pinot Noir in the evening, and look up at the pressed-tin ceiling in the back room.
Best Time: Late morning on weekdays for coffee, evenings from 6 PM for the bar crowd.
The Vibe: A hybrid café-bar with genuine heritage, though the Wi-Fi drops out near the back tables and the lunch rush slows service noticeably.
4. The Wanaka Ale House (Ardmore Street)
The Wanaka Ale House sits on Ardmore Street, just a short walk from the lakefront, and it has become one of the classic drinking spots Wanaka returns to again and again. The building has housed a drinking establishment since the mid-20th century, and the current iteration honours that legacy with a focus on craft beer and pub food. What makes it worth going to is the beer garden out the back, which faces the mountains and catches the afternoon sun from November through March. Order the Ale House burger with a pint of something from the 12 rotating taps, the selection leans toward New Zealand craft breweries like Beervana regulars. The best time to visit is a Sunday afternoon from 2 PM when the beer garden is at its best and the pace is slow enough to actually talk. Most people do not know that the building was once a boarding house for seasonal workers in the orchards that used to dominate the area before tourism took over. A local tip: the kitchen closes at 8:30 PM, so if you want the full menu, arrive before 7:30.
What to Order: Ale House burger with a rotating craft tap, ideally something from a Central Otago brewery.
Best Time: Sunday afternoons from 2 PM, when the beer garden is in full sun.
The Vibe: Relaxed and outdoorsy, though parking outside is a nightmare on weekends and the outdoor seating gets uncomfortably warm in peak summer.
5. The Lake Bar (Lakefront, near the Wanaka Tree)
The Lake Bar sits right on the lakefront, near the famous Wanaka Tree, and it has been a fixture of the town's social scene for decades. The building has undergone several renovations, but the bones of the original structure date to the 1970s when Wanaka was transitioning from a farming and orchard town to a tourist destination. What makes it worth going to is the view, you are literally steps from the lake, and the outdoor terrace is one of the best spots in town to watch the sun set over the water. Order a G&T with local gin from the Cardrona Distillery, which is just up the valley, and pair it with the seafood chowder, which is consistently good. The best time to visit is golden hour, roughly an hour before sunset, when the light on the lake is at its most dramatic and the terrace fills with a mix of locals and visitors. Most tourists do not realise that the bar was originally a fishing supply shop before it was converted in the early 1980s. A local tip: the back bar, away from the terrace, is where the regulars sit, and it is significantly quieter.
What to Order / See / Do: Cardrona Distillery G&T with the seafood chowder, and watch the sunset from the terrace.
Best Time: Golden hour, about one hour before sunset, for the best light and atmosphere.
The Vibe: Tourist-friendly but with a local backbone, though the terrace gets packed in January and service slows down badly during the dinner rush.
6. The Rhymer's Arms (Dunmore Street)
The Rhymer's Arms is one of the old bars Wanaka has kept alive through sheer stubbornness and a loyal local clientele. It sits on Dunmore Street, a few doors down from the Wanaka Hotel, and it has been a pub since at least the 1960s, though the building itself is older. What makes it worth going to is the lack of pretension, this is a pub that has never tried to be anything other than a place to have a drink and a conversation. Order a handle of the house beer and a plate of the pub's famous chicken parmigiana, which has been on the menu for over 20 years. The best time to visit is a Thursday night when the quiz night draws a crowd and the energy is competitive but friendly. Most people do not know that the pub is named after a local poet who used to drink here in the 1970s and left behind a collection of verses that are framed in the back room. A local tip: the quiz night starts at 7:30 PM sharp, and teams fill up fast, so arrive by 7 PM to get a table.
What to Order: Handle of house beer with the chicken parmigiana, a menu staple for over two decades.
Best Time: Thursday nights from 7 PM for quiz night, which starts at 7:30 PM.
The Vibe: Unpretentious and genuinely local, though the interior is dimly lit and the single-screen TV can be distracting if you are trying to have a conversation.
7. The Country Club (Cardrona Valley Road)
The Country Club sits out on Cardrona Valley Road, about 20 minutes from central Wanaka, and it is one of the heritage pubs Wanaka residents consider worth the drive. The building dates to the 1920s and was originally a social club for the Cardrona mining community, which was one of the richest goldfields in Central Otago. What makes it worth going to is the setting, you are surrounded by the Cardrona Valley's dramatic landscape, and the pub itself feels like a time capsule with its low ceilings and original timber bar. Order a pint of Mac's beer, which has been a staple here for decades, and the venison pie, which uses local game. The best time to visit is a winter afternoon after skiing at Cardrona Alpine Resort, when the pub fills with snow-covered visitors and the fire is roaring. Most tourists drive right past on their way to the ski field without stopping. One detail most visitors miss is the collection of gold panning equipment mounted on the wall near the entrance, which belonged to the original mining families. A local tip: the road from Wanaka can be icy in winter, so take it slow and allow extra time.
What to Order / See / Do: Mac's beer with the venison pie, and examine the gold panning equipment near the entrance.
Best Time: Winter afternoons after skiing, when the fire is lit and the crowd is lively.
The Vibe: Rustic and historic, though the drive back to Wanaka in winter darkness requires caution and the pub closes relatively early at 10 PM.
8. The Pembroke Pub (Pembroke Street)
The Pembroke Pub sits on Pembroke Street, near the lake, and it carries the name of Wanaka's original settlement, which gives you a sense of its place in the town's history. The building has been a pub since the 1970s, and while it is younger than some of the other venues on this list, it has earned its place among the classic drinking spots Wanaka locals trust. What makes it worth going to is the consistency, the menu is straightforward, the beer is cold, and the staff have been there for years. Order a Speight's Summit lager and the fish and chips, which are beer-battered and served with a side of tartar sauce that is made in-house. The best time to visit is a Saturday afternoon in summer when the outdoor area is open and the lake breeze keeps things comfortable. Most people do not know that the pub was originally called The Lakeview and was renamed in the 1990s to honour the town's original name. A local tip: the outdoor area has a few tables that are technically first-come, first-served, but if you ask the bartender nicely, they will often hold one for you.
What to Order: Speight's Summit lager with the beer-battered fish and chips and house-made tartar sauce.
Best Time: Saturday afternoons in summer, when the outdoor area is open and the lake breeze is pleasant.
The Vibe: Reliable and unpretentious, though the interior can feel cramped when the outdoor area is closed in winter and everyone is squeezed inside.
When to Go / What to Know
Wanaka's pub scene shifts dramatically with the season. In summer (December through February), the lakefront bars are packed with tourists and the outdoor areas are the place to be. In winter (June through August), the après-ski crowd dominates, and the pubs closer to town fill with people coming off the mountains. If you want the most authentic experience, visit on a weekday evening when the locals outnumber the visitors. Most pubs in Wanaka close by 11 PM, though some stay open later on weekends. Tipping is not expected but appreciated, especially in the smaller venues where the staff know you by name. The legal drinking age in New Zealand is 18, and ID checks are common, particularly in the more tourist-heavy spots. Cash is still accepted everywhere, but card payments are universal. If you are driving, note that New Zealand's drink-driving limit is strict, and the police conduct regular checkpoints, especially on weekend nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Wanaka?
Wanaka is extremely casual, and no pub or bar enforces a formal dress code. Jeans, tramping boots, and a puffer jacket are standard winter attire, while shorts and a t-shirt are perfectly acceptable in summer. The only cultural etiquette worth noting is that New Zealanders generally do not rush their rounds, buying a round for the group is expected if someone buys you a drink, and skipping your turn is considered poor form. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill or leaving 10 percent for good service is appreciated.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Wanaka?
Most pubs and bars in Wanaka now offer at least one or two plant-based options on their menus, though the selection varies widely. The Wanaka Ale House and Federal Dunmore Street tend to have the most consistent vegan and vegetarian choices, including plant-based burgers and salads. Dedicated vegan restaurants are limited in Wanaka compared to Queenstown, so checking menus online before visiting is advisable. The Wanaka Farmers Market, held on Thursday mornings, is another reliable source for plant-based food from local producers.
Is the tap water in Wanaka to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?
Tap water in Wanaka is safe to drink and comes from local mountain sources. It meets New Zealand's drinking water standards and is not treated with fluoride in most areas. Many locals drink it straight from the tap without any issues. Travelers with sensitive stomachs may prefer filtered water for the first day or two, but there is no medical necessity to avoid tap water. Reusable water bottles are widely encouraged, and many cafés and public spaces have refill stations.
Is Wanaka expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
Wanaka is moderately expensive by New Zealand standards. A mid-tier traveler should budget approximately 150 to 200 NZD per day, which includes accommodation (80 to 120 NZD for a mid-range hotel or Airbnb), meals (40 to 60 NZD for pub lunches and casual dinners), and a few drinks (15 to 25 NZD for two or three pints at a local pub). Activities such as hiking are free, but ski passes at Cardrona or Treble Cone cost around 150 to 180 NZD per day. Car rental adds approximately 50 to 80 NZD per day if you are not using public transport.
What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Wanaka is famous for?
Central Otago Pinot Noir is the standout local drink, with vineyards like Rippon, Maude, and Mt Difficulty all within a 30-minute drive of Wanaka. For food, the venison pie is a regional specialty that appears on many pub menus, including at The Country Club in the Cardrona Valley. Wanaka is also known for its craft beer scene, with Wanaka Brewing Company producing small-batch beers that are available at several local bars. If you visit during autumn (March to May), the Central Otago stone fruit, particularly cherries and apricots, are worth seeking out at the Wanaka Farmers Market.
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