Party time in Cuba street

Making the most of your night out in Cuba street – cheers!

Anyone looking for a party time in Cuba street, Wellington, will not be disappointed! You’ll be spoiled for choice which in itself can present a problem. With just one or two nights in town you will definitely want to get it right. But how do you know where to go looking for some after-dark fun which will have you mixing it in with the locals? Or will you head for some great bars to sink a few drinks in where the locals go? Which are the venues where the music is good and always on after midnight?

1) Early Evening Drinks

Luckily, we’ve had a few nights on the town ourselves and with rather more time on our hands to get the lie of the land we’ve been able to suss out what’s hot and what’s not worth bothering with. To start the evening off on the right foot push your way through the swing doors of Cuba Street’s Matterhorn – a place which regularly hears itself described as ‘legendary’, ‘iconic’, ‘a Wellington institution’ and almost annually grabbing itself a place on the ‘World’s 50 Best Bars’ list. If nothing on the extensive cocktail menu grabs you (as if!) then have a chat with the friendly bar staff who’ll create something tailor-made for you. Although if you’re celebrating (or even if you just feel like celebrating) cut straight to the champagne cocktail choices.

Next on the evening’s itinerary could be one of any number of pubs and bars in the area…. and there’s the great thing about Wellington. It’s compact and nothing is ever far away – you really could have a pub crawl here without getting your hands and knees too dirty. Just across the street from the Matterhorn you’ll find JJ Murphy & Co where if you grab an outside table – after you’ve grabbed yourself a pint of course – you can watch the colours and characters of Cuba Street pass by. There’s no knowing whether it will be ragtime buskers, a spray-can pavement artist or a uni-cycling ‘Hello Kitty’ which keeps you entertained. If you snuggle up inside instead you could catch live music here too several nights each week – both Irish flavoured and otherwise.

Top Tapas at Ombra – great way to line your stomach

2) Something to Eat

You’re probably getting a bit peckish now so head to ‘Ombra‘ – still on Cuba (we told you jumping from A to B required minimum effort didn’t we) to soak up some of that party liquid. We don’t think it gets much better than the classic – and it has to be said top-notch – tapas with all the trimmings here. Don’t worry if you need a lull to let it all settle – the music and happy buzz make this a great place to be for a party evening anyway. However, if you’re eager to see what’s next there’s not far to go; just follow Cuba a few steps to the San Fran in fact. Depending on what day and date you walk through the doors here you could be entertained by bands either local and international, in the mix with the DJs or choking (with mirth of course) over your pint/glass/bottle/(insert drinking vessel of choice) at a comedy evening.

The evening is getting on now but we still have a couple of places we want to take you so nod your thanks to the band, down your drink dregs and come with us to the Southern Cross Garden Bar just round the corner. Even though it stays light until late these summer evenings it’s a little beyond late now which means the cute lanterns and weaving fairy lights will be at their cosiest. Locals love this place – as much community space as pub – all kinds of things go on here such as outdoor movies, puppet theatre and live gigs. If you can still focus you can even challenge the locals to a round of scrabble……not something you’d perhaps typically associate with party time but the Southern Cross is a lover of quirky.

3) Late night Cocktail to Finish off your Party Time in Cuba Street

Last stop of the evening…. (or is it possibly already morning?)…….a final night-cap cocktail at Havana’s. Of course you don’t have to grab yourself a hand-crafted concoction of the fresh and exotic type – the choice is yours on what you fill the last glass of the evening with. If this is the last glass that is………..whose round is it anyway?!