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

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.