Queenstown's snow-capped mountains draw tourists in droves during winter, but us locals know the city is a vibe during summer, too. Longer, sunnier days are packed from sunrise to sunset with morning walks, afternoons spent lounging lakeside, and evening bar and restaurant hops chasing the sun.
To help you decide where to sip and snack, we’ve teamed up with local experts in this field—Republic Hospitality—to bring you the perfect summer evening tour for 2025.
Afternoon: Cocktails Shaken Lakeside
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, the best kinds of drinks are those served with a view. Equipped with both of the above, Sundeck is the lakeside location where it all happens.
Expect flowing bubbles, live tunes, and an array of shaken and stirred options for all styles of sippers. Cocktails include the likes of the best selling kiwifruit and passionfruit concution—I Am Kiwi and the new summer must-try—That's So Fetch. This one boasts Malfy Con Limone Gin, Chambord, lemon, sugar, berry syrup, edible glitter, prosecco, a dehydatred lime slice and even a picture perfect flower. You can thank us for the epic Insta post later.
Be sure to keep an eye out for their next Club Classic Sundays event, whether it is $12 Malfy Gins or live Ibiza club beats— if one things for sure, it's that you and the crew are in for a brag-worthy time.
Dinner: A Love Letter To The Med
After a sit-down at Sundeck you'll be ready for something to nibble on. Sitting pretty on Queenstown's Rees Street, SODA is where you can expect nothing but good food, good people, and all-around electric vibes.
Pull up a seat at the low-lit wrap-around bar with a drink, before venturing outside to the open-air lakeside courtyard for scenes overlooking some of Aotearoa’s most renowned peaks and terrain.
SODA's steak stacked summer menu is in our opinion one to watch. Packed with all things bright and bold, you can’t go past their antipasti selection, bluefin tuna ceviche served with tiger milk, coconut vinegar, chill, and a kumara puree and our fave—the seafood paella inclusive of tiger prawns, mussels, octopus, calamari and fresh blue cod. Yum. Check it out here.
As dusk turns to dawn, it would be rude not to treat yourself to an after-dinner mint of a local vino from their extensive selection—the perfect way to transcend into the rest of what is bound to be a great evening.
Cocktails: Last But Not Least
No more than a quick trot away, Tommy's Margarita Bar is the neon-lit institution that doubles as the ultimate destination for margaritas. As you enter this Med-inspired oasis of good times, enjoy expertly mixed margs from the dance floor with your chosen summer sipping crew.
With live DJs pumping disco-remixes every Friday and Saturday from 8pm and unexpected twists on traditional tequila and mezcal faves, what can go wrong? Oh and because it's summer, there is no question that these guys can whip up a frozen marg. And at just $12 a pop, it would almost be rude not to.
Visit Republic Hospitality for more details on how to have the ultimate summer sipping session in QT.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Republic Hospitality and proudly endorsed by Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.
Image Credit: Urban List