The sun may be setting, but things are just kicking off in Queenstown. As soon as the day turns to night, the city lights up with plenty of things to enjoy. From late night eats to gorgeous gondola rides and delicious cocktails to live gigs, Queenstown is an epic city around the clock. Here are the best things to do in Queenstown at night.
Devour A Delicious Feed
At the top of our list of the best things to do in Queenstown at night is—of course—anything involving food. Plenty of restaurants are open from morning until late in the evening and serving up mouthwatering dishes. The Cow is a Queenstown institution. Its rustic and cosy atmosphere makes it a great late-night spot to enjoy delicious pizza and pasta. For fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere, head to Josh Emett's Rātā to try their take on the infamous Cheese Roll. For more drool-worthy recommendations check our list of the best restaurants in Queenstown.
Drinks And Dancing
There’s a reason why Queenstown is called the party capital of the South Island. The streets here are packed full of bars, pubs and clubs, perfect for anyone seeking a fun night out. Whether you’re after a casual drink with a friend, a romantic place for cocktails with your love or somewhere to dance until the wee hours of the morning, we’ve covered all our favourite bars in Queenstown for an awesome night out.
Give Night Skiing A Go
We all know that Queenstown’s the place to hit the slopes, but night skiing is a definite game-changer. If you’re a bit of a night owl, you’ll definitely want to try night skiing at Coronet Peak, where you can enjoy New Zealand’s best ski fields well after dark. On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights from 4pm to 9pm, from late June to mid-September, Coronet Peak lights it up with this bucket list activity. Check out the incredible sunset before you send it down wide-open floodlit trails each night co-hosted with a partner to make this memorable experience even cooler.
Catch A Live Gig
We honestly can’t think of anything better than catching a live gig late into the night and Queenstown’s the place to do it. One of our favourite spots is The World Bar, which has a lineup of musical guests every night. On Fridays, you’ll hear a mix of cover tunes and DJs and on Sundays, it’s indie rock and baseline beats. Another go-to is Yonder next door, an all-hours establishment with a lively atmosphere. Linger over drinks and live music that’ll have you dancing until the wee hours of the morning. If you’re after more of a pub vibe, head to Pog Mahones. The Irish-Kiwi pub and restaurant is very much into entertainment. Regular performers include Queenstown guitarist Charlie Gibston, and Irish cover-man Dan Browne.
Go Stargazing
On a clear night, the stars that can be seen from Queenstown are absolutely astonishing. Head along on a stargazing tour with Skyline Queenstown and make use of their high-powered telescope atop the Skyline Gondola. Another option is to hit the road to get away from the city lights until the skies get clearer and clearer. In the winter months, Queenstown also sees displays of the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis. Find out where else you can catch this epic celestial light show.
Try The Famous Fergburger
Visiting Queenstown without stopping in for a Fergburger is a major misstep. Open 21 hours per day, it’s the perfect late-night meal if you’ve been out dancing the night away. Make sure you come hungry because these burgs are the size of your head and well worth the inevitable wait. With a menu that includes everything from beef to chicken, falafel and cod, cleverly named The Codfather, there’s something for everyone at this Queenstown institution. Call in your order, grab it from the pick-up window and head to the lake. With Fergburger and Fergbaker both staples, there are also rumours that a Ferg bar is in the works.
Take The Plunge Over The Ledge
For a completely unique perspective of Queenstown, take a leap from The Ledge Bungy. Open at night during the winter months, The Ledge is located on Bob’s Peak and is a pretty epic spot to take in the Queenstown lights. It’s known for its insane aerial views, so definitely worth a go if you’re wanting to take your adventure to extreme heights. It’s worth noting that you'll need to take the Skyline Gondola to reach the Ledge Bungy—you can't drive up.
Spent all your money living it up? Here are the best free things to do in Queenstown.
Image credit: AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand, Phil Botha