Complete guide

Rooftop Bars Wellington

2024 update

Country New Zealand

Currency New Zealand dollar

Best time to visit Decemeber - May

Rooftop grade 6/10

Courtesy of Dirty Little Secret

Wellington Rooftop Guide

By:Rikard Fredricson

Updated:September 2, 2023

Wellington rooftop map

Diverse and vibrant, the capital of New Zealand has a whole lot to offer. To get a new perspective on it all, take aim for one of the rooftop bars Wellington has to offer. But which is the best Wellington rooftop? To help you find the answer, this ultimate guide comes packed with all info you need about each venue: opening hours, dress code, pictures, maps and much more.

Although unpredictable in weather, not much beats Wellington on a good day. That's when it is high time to get elevated and even closer to the sunshine, with relaxing drinks at a Wellington rooftop bar. Just scroll down and find the rooftop bars Wellington best suited for you.

The list

5 best rooftop bars in Wellington

Rooftop bar Wellington The Aborist Rooftop Bar in Wellington — 1

The Aborist Rooftop Bar

$$$ | 7th floor | Te Aro

Highlights

Lovely views

Garden oasis

Vibrant

Perched on top of the Trinity Hotel in the heart of Wellington, The Aborist Rooftop Bar is a vibrant and **relaxing garden oasis** for al-fresco drinks and views. The lush rooftop comes decorated with recycled pallet furniture, plenty of comfy cushions and blankets for when the sun goes down, all framed with lovely views over Wellington. Enjoy a large selection of frozen cocktails, a range of beers, wines, top shelf spirits and boutique soda’s, as well as sharing platters and burgers from the rooftop kitchen.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Wellington Dirty Little Secret in Wellington — 2

Dirty Little Secret

$$$ | 8th floor | Te Aro

Highlights

Container rooftop bar

Panoramic views

Live DJs & Drag Bingo

From the 8th floor of the Hope Gibbons Building in Te Aro, Dirty Little Secret offers a **unique Wellington rooftop experience**. Inspired by the laneway and rooftop bars of Melbourne, this industrial chic rooftop comes with a main bar made out of a shipping container, graffiti decorated walls and panoramic views of Courtenay Place and beyond. Offering a vibrant atmosphere 7 days a week, here you can sip house cocktails and house sangrias and nibble on the crowd favourite fried chicken.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Wellington Bethel Woods in Wellington — 3

Bethel Woods

$$$ | 2nd floor | Wellington CBD

Highlights

Low and slow cooked meat

Garden-like terrace

Weekdays

Bethel Woods is a **meat, beer and music bar**, found on The Terrace in Wellington CBD. Set in a corporate environment, this hip venue brings a nice diversity to the neighborhood. Especially on the garden-like and sunny rooftop terrace. With a menu inspired by American BBQ, here you can enjoy an abundance of low and slow cooked meat, as well as 16 a beers on tap, a great atmosphere and good music, with live sessions every Friday.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Wellington ABV Rooftop Bar in Wellington — 4

ABV Rooftop Bar

$$$ | 3rd floor | Te Aro

Highlights

Great views

Friendly service

Curated cocktails

ABV is a premium cocktail rooftop Bar, found on top of The Grand Wellington steakhouse, right in the heart of Courtenay Place. Part indoor lounge, and part charming outdoor terrace with both open-air and covered seating, the rooftop is a great spot to enjoy drinks, bites and great views over the Te Aro rooftops and buzzing Courtenay Place. Paying special attention to details and ingredients, the ever-changing menu includes **curated and creative cocktails**, five regularly cycling taps, and many bottles of New Zealand’s finest craft beer.

Everything you need to know

Rooftop bar Wellington The Champagneria in Wellington — 5

The Champagneria

$$$ | 2nd floor | Te Aro

Highlights

Plant based

Charming rooftop

Champagnes & sparkling wines

Located in the vibrant Courtenay Place, The Champagneria has taken over the venue where you used to find the Mockingbird. This modern spot comes with a comfy-elegant interior lounge and spacious street side patio, but the prime spot is the charming and lush year-round rooftop. As Wellington's only bar **dedicated to champagnes and sparkling wines** from around the world, The Champagneria offers an extensive range of champagnes from France, cava from Spain, prosecco from Italy, as a fully plant based selection of tapas and platters.

Everything you need to know

Rikard Fredricson

Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.

Wellington Rooftop Map

Hot Read

Dazzling heights

Head sky-high, to the tallest rooftop bars around the globe

Winter fun

Explore the best rooftop igloos for a cosy and elevated winter experience

Explore

Browse all the cities & articles at The Rooftop Guide

City info

Rooftop bar Wellington

Rooftop-grade: 6/10

Prime season: Dec-May

Residents: 440 000

Climate: temperate marine

A small but vibrant and diverse capital, also offering a diverse set of rooftop bars. From lush rooftop gardens to urban and trendy terraces, there are several rooftop bars Wellington worth exploring.

The temperature in Wellington is generally moderate all year round with quite warm summers and mild winters. But it can also be quite unpredictable, and while the rooftops pretty much can stay open year-round, the open-air terraces might have to close from one day to the other. The best bet for warm and sunny hour on a rooftop terrace is during the summer months, from December through February.

About Wellington

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, located at the south-western tip of the North Island. It is actually the world's southernmost capital. It has been described as "the coolest little capital in the world", offering plenty of culture and a vibrant atmosphere. It is also a popular tourist destination, with famous attractions include the Te Papa museum, Wellington Zoo, Zealandia, the Wellington Cable Car and Mount Victoria.

Rooftop Bars Wellington

Wellington Rooftop Guide