12 Best Bars in The Southern Alps and Fiordland, New Zealand

In winter, Bardeaux has that upscale mountain-après-ski atmosphere; even in summer there's a fair chance the fire will be roaring. There's a wide selection of whisky and wine, and they know how to fix you up a cocktail. It's a pleasing bar that's good for a quiet, intimate evening.

What goes on behind the Blue Door? Whisky, wine, and cocktails, served by knowledgeable and chatty (when it's quiet) staff. Sit in a dark corner near the fire, or at the bar. Set in a beautiful old stone building with candles burning around the room, it's the perfect place for a nightcap before walking back to your accommodation.

If you want a late bite and a good bottle of wine, pop into The Cow on Post Office Lane for good garlic bread, pizza, and spaghetti. It's a very comfortable place, modeled in local stone and heavy timber, just like the original Cow in nearby Queenstown. In winter, the open fireplace does an incredible job of warming the bones (and the wine). Feel free to add commentary to their restroom chalkboard walls.

In this cozy historic building there are 20 beers and ciders on tap, a great selection of local Central Otago wine, and a hearty pub-style menu for lunch and dinner. If you're looking for a lively spot to enjoy a beer and share stories after a big day of skiing or sightseeing, this is it. Don't sit too close to the fire if you can help it as it can get very hot.

No matter the season in Queenstown, the atmosphere here always feels like a summer night in Cuba. This hidden little boutique bar is, as the name suggests, a love letter to rum. The menu elevates the classics like mojitos and daquiris, and experiments with unique cocktails and applies rum-accented twists on negronis and martinis.

This bar's in an iconic spot at the top of Ardmore Street. Sit inside or out and soak up the amazing views of the lake and mountains; if you get hungry they turn out pub-style tapas and lunch, as well as dinner with a separate kids' menu. If you just want a pint in the sun, or after dark, the Lake Bar is a great place for visitors and locals alike.

With its lakeside views and lively atmosphere, LaLaLand is the locale for a late night out. Opening at mid-afternoon, their well-priced snacks and pizza will keep you balanced as enjoy the alpine sunset with a tipple. Their drinks menu is small but has quality craft beers and signature cocktails, including their New York Cheesecake Martini, which is a must-try twist on the classic. On weekends, the lounge welcomes guest shows, DJs and bands to keep party going.

Ice bars have become feature for big ski towns, and it's great fun if you've never tried one—even just for the beautiful ice sculptures. They deck you out in jackets and gloves prior to entering. In summer, it's a good reminder of how close to Antarctica you are, and, in winter, it just adds to the alpine resort experience. It costs NZ$35 to get in, NZ$40 with a cocktail and NZ$45 for two cocktails. It's best to book online to reserve your spot during ski season.

Wānaka’s first brewpub has always had fun experimenting with flavor. Their on-site craft beer creation is like a laboratory in ethos, but their warm woody taproom and beer garden is welcoming with a bubbly atmosphere. Try out a range of local pale ales and sours across their fourteen taps, or grab a tasting paddle if you can't decide. When you find your favorite, you can grab a six-pack, half-gallon "rigger" or a 24-can "slab" to takeaway. Most Saturday afternoons they host live music, featuring local and touring artists passing through.

With its roaring fire, good food, and quirky decor, Searle Lane is a popular Queenstown spot. There's plenty of beer on tap and a good selection of wine by the glass. They do a mean cocktail, too. The food is made for sharing with hearty choices; their specialty is rotisserie chicken, which is seriously good.

This bar offers the best range of New Zealand and international beer in town, including the stand-out local beer, Queenstown's own Altitude Brewing. There's a great pub food menu of burgers and sandwiches and a nice balcony from which to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Queenstown.

This is a great place for drinks in the sun or inside by the huge open fire on colder days. Later in the evening, it turns into a rowdy venue, particularly on the weekend, with DJs playing most nights and live music Friday and Sunday, plus an acoustic open mike on Sunday night. The famed cocktails are served in teapots, and you can get good gastro pub food throughout the day and early evening.