Sipping the Sunset
Sipping the Sunset
Probably one our most favourite past times, regardless of the season, is to appreciate the unique sunsets over Queenstown’s alpine mountain environment. We know you can do this is a variety of ways – sit on the beach, climb one of the many peaks that surround Queenstown, or you could do it the way we love best – from the comfort of one of the many café’s and bars that feed into the culture of Queenstown.
As a tourist destination, many establishments have successfully capitalised on the views and created memorable dining and drinking experiences that match the beauty of the local sunsets. In summer, the sun sets late and daylight extends the atmosphere and experience - the blues are simply more blue, and the golden hues of tussock covered mountains will certainly impress. A pretty neat way to complete your action packed Queenstown day is partaking in the simplicity of enjoying a creative cocktail, a great local wine or a craft beer at one of our favourite waterfront locations.
In this post we’re going to give a guide of sorts as to our favourite sunset bars. Queenstown is often known as a party town – it goes hand in hand with the adrenalin rush supplied by some of those crazy activities on offer. Any bar in the region will have an outdoor drinking and dining option – its part of the kiwi culture, but we’ll only touch on the ones that are defined by their memorable sunset locations.
The Sundeck
A small innocuous door and two flights of stairs off the main thoroughfare of The Mall, you’ll find this small comfortable and relaxed sundeck. With seating for only a few dozen this well set our bar offers a great cocktail menu, outdoor fireplaces, relaxed seating and a great mixologist team. Of course the view is fantastic from its heightened vantage point, although not expansive. On occasions a DJ will play a few sets, generally starting in the early evening through to closing, when the atmosphere changes from relaxed to pumping.
Top Tip: Come early and settle in. In the hotter days of summer there are huge sunshade umbrellas to keep the direct heat at bay. In winter there are fireplaces and gas fuelled heating lamps with fur rugs!
The Lodge Bar
The interesting combination of retail and hospitality combine perfectly in this high-end bar. Rodd and Gunn, a well-known and respected men’s clothing brand in Australasia have successfully launched a boutique bar with some of the most beautiful views in the world. Taking advantage of the shops prime waterfront location, their Lodge Bar is situated as close as you can get to the shore front, with vistas looking out over Lake Wakatipu towards Cecil and Walter Peaks. Keeping in tune with their retail market, The Lodge Bar offers a taste of the very best in New Zealand wine and food. Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas curated the wine list exclusively for the bar and Chef Matt Lambert, from Michelin starred restaurant The Musket Room in New York City, designed the food menu. Chef Lambert’s exceptional dishes showcase New Zealand’s finest and freshest produce, prepared using modern and traditional techniques and bringing unique flavours to the fore.
Winter or summer, this bar is a beautiful spot to enjoy a glass of exceptional local wine and soak up the ambiance of the waterfront as the sun sets.
Top Tips: Jandals and board shorts may be ok for sitting outside (during the day), but if you want to enjoy the sunset from the comfort of inside we suggest adhering to a dress code of ‘smart casual’.
Atlas Beer Café
A wonderful place to enjoy mainstream and craft beer! Locals come here for the steak and beer combo, combined with its great shore front location and outdoor seating! The wines are pretty standard, which in Queenstown means superb, and the café offers more than just steak, with some interesting menu choices. But probably its biggest selling point, is its laid-back and friendly vibe – for a small café / bar it packs some punch!
Top Tip: Atlas is a cool place for that Après sports drink our European counterparts do so well although I have to say that once the sun sets, it get cool quickly so bring your layers!
The Bathhouse
Location, location, location! Nestled on the beach, close to Queenstown Gardens, the Bathhouse cannot be beaten on location! By default, in the height of summer when the sun dips down across the lake, you’ll find no better spot to enjoy the atmosphere of a glass of wine, or a pint of beer as our famous sunsets enthral you.
Top Tip: It’s a small and memorable bar – don’t underestimate the fantastic menu and therefore the demand for a seat! Come early and leave late!
1876
If you want to hang where the locals hang, then 1876 would be your most popular choice. While the sunset views are not epic, the conversion from the towns historic Magistrates Court Rooms to a lively bar and casual restaurant with a large street side deck & garden bar has created an atmosphere which see’s it busy from lunch until closing in the wee hours! There is plenty of room outside and the casual laid back local atmosphere means you can pull up on your mountain bike – hot and sweaty and no one will blink an eye!
Top Tip: Try the Works Platter while you sit on the deck and enjoy your evening sunset – then grab the next Rugby game inside!
Surreal Bar & Restaurant
Don’t be fooled that there are not epic sunset views from a glimpse of the roadside entrance. For all intent and purposes, the entrance and in fact the ground floor don’t lend to the perception of a ‘great sunset bar’! Known as a popular and long standing dance lounge, it also boasts one of Queenstown’s original Sunset decks. Head in and head upstairs and grab a table for epic views with surprisingly great NZ food. Once that sun has set though, the tables and chairs get moved away and the party begins!
Top Tip: check their website for the DJ and Gig schedule first – there is a huge variety of live music!
Frankton Arms Tavern
An interesting addition to our list is the very local local’s bar – the Frankton Arms Tavern. More in the style of a workman’s bar, this tavern is a touch of rural NZ in a spectacular location. A short drive from Queenstown towards the Airport, the outdoor beer garden is a causal place to meet up with mates and have a local pint with pub food. As it sits above Frankton Beach the sunset that streams down the lake and lands on the pub can be pretty spectacular!
Top Tip: leave the heels and handbags at home. Pokies and rugby games are the fixtures here!
Pub on Wharf / Pier 21 / Ivy & Lola’s Kitchen and Bar
This is a cluster of bar’s and pubs situated on the waterfront with views back over Queenstown, the mighty Remarkables mountain range and Coronet Peak. The sun sets behind you but the colours thrown onto the town and surrounding landscape is jaw droopingly beautiful and worth a mention. All three eateries offer great food and wine so choice is more about personal menu tastes and seating availability.
Top Tip: While daylight hours are extended during summer, it can get a bit breezy down on the wharf and once that sun is gone the chill factor sets in quickly so bring a layer or two. It’s pretty causal to start but once dining is over it can get more raucous as the drinking crowd arrives
The Boat Shed
Small but stunning, this converted villa café sells exceptional restaurant / café food paired with great local wines with a deck that drops off into the Wakatipu! Neither in town nor in Frankton, the Boat Shed is a small eatery about 6kms out of town – direction Frankton. If you didn’t read about it here you would never have stumbled across it unless you were walking the Frankton Trail! Secretly, I like the sunrises + breakfast combo best, but on a warm summers day, sitting on the deck with the sound of the Wakatipu lapping at your feet, minus the hustle and bustle of Queenstown – makes for a perfect end to my day.
Top Tip: one of my favourite lake front locations – casual and friendly with exceptional food.
Frankton Arms Tavern
An interesting addition to our list is the very local local’s bar – the Frankton Arms Tavern. More in the style of a workman’s bar, this tavern is a touch of rural NZ in a spectacular location. A short drive from Queenstown towards the Airport, the outdoor beer garden is a causal place to meet up with mates and have a local pint with pub food. As it sits above Frankton Beach the sunset that streams down the lake and lands on the pub can be pretty spectacular!
Top Tip: leave the heels and handbags at home. Pokies and rugby games are the fixtures here!
As we said earlier, there are many many bars and pubs, cafes and restaurants in Queenstown and its surrounds that offer great dining and drinking experiences as the sun sets but having the feel of the sun touching your face then fading away as it the sun disappears behind the mountains is an experience unto itself! Enjoy!