Eichardt’s Bar

Eichardt's Bar is the lakeside bar of Eichardt's Private Hotel, which has welcomed travellers on Marine Parade since 1861, and it is one of the most atmospheric places for a drink in Queenstown. The hotel stands right on the waterfront, on the site of the town's first building, the woolshed built by William Gilbert Rees in 1860 and 1861, so an evening here comes with a strong sense of history, as well as views over the water.

Cocktails are the bar's speciality, and the team takes them seriously: spirits are infused in-house and garnishes are prepared by hand, with the bar promoting its drinks as world class. There is a full drinks menu and a food menu built on vegetables picked by hand and meat sourced from local farmers, so it works for a light meal as well as a drink.

Inside, sofas are arranged beside a homely fireplace, which makes it particularly appealing in winter, and guests describe a lively but cosy room overlooking the water.

The bar is open every day from 11am to 10pm. It does not take reservations, and instead encourages walk-ins throughout the day, so arrive early in the evening if you want a seat by the fire or the window. It suits couples, hotel guests, small groups of friends and anyone who wants a polished, grown-up bar rather than a late-night party venue.

Eichardt's is a heritage building, listed as a Category 2 historic place with Heritage New Zealand, and its history is worth knowing as you sit with a drink. After gold was found in the Shotover River in 1862, Rees turned his woolshed into the Queen's Arms hotel. Albert Eichardt took over in 1866, and after his death his wife Julia ran the hotel until 1892; she is credited with making it the first building in Queenstown with electricity.

The bar is part of a group of venues that includes The Grille restaurant next door, with its waterfront views, and Jervois Steak House. Botswana Butchery is also on Marine Parade, so it is easy to combine a cocktail here with dinner nearby.