The good people at the Wellingtonista have put together this guide to enhance your Webstock experience.
Wellington is a gloriously compact city, and the Michael Fowler Centre (MFC) is right in the centre of it. Webstock is an awesome indoors experience, but make sure you get outside and explore! Here are a few places you might like to check out. It’s not a list of everything, but all the places on the list come with the Wellingtonista seal of approval (unless otherwise stated).
We’ve been writing about Wellington since 2005, and love nothing more than recommending our favourite places to visitors and residents alike. As well as our specialised suggestions below tailored for Webstock attendees, if you’re trying to get the most out of your time in Welly, maybe read about our answers to questions from Wellington, Florida, our suggestions for an odd tourist or just come and ask us!
Beer
Wellington is overflowing with craft brewers right now. Keep an eye out for Parrot Dog, Garage Project (makers of the Webstock IPA and others, which you’ll find served up in craft beer bars like Hashigozake, Goldings Free Dive, the Malthouse and Tuatara’s Third Eye.
BYO Restaurants
Looking for something cheap to eat that you can take your own wine to? Here are some recommendations by eating style:
- Malaysian: Istana Malaysia (1 Allan Street) gets our nod among the seemingly hundreds of Malaysian places in Wellington because it’s big, friendly and tasty.
- Indian: Great India (114 Manners Street) offers fresh-tasting food which stands out from the ‘same slop, different colours’ that other Indian restaurants are known to dish up. Plus, it’s real close to the MFC and near a liquor store, which will save you valuable time.
- Thai: Phu Thai Essan (Cambridge Terrace) is not at all spacious; because it’s so popular there are too many tables, and they’re all constantly occupied. That’s okay, though, the food makes it totally worth the squish. You’d do well to order sticky rice, and maybe the duck larb, to go with your delicious Northern Thai mains (the house specialty). Or of course there are the usual range of curries and stir fries, made better with the generous use of fresh herbs, and beautifully presented. Service is impeccable, and just writing this is making us hungry.
- Japanese: Hede Restaurant (43 Lower Cuba Street) upstairs is crazy busy and bustling, but they’re very good at fitting people in. The menu covers a broad range of Japanese food, and their set menus are really great value. Alternatively Ozeki on Upper Tory Street is a huge space and might also be able to fit in large parties, although it’s a bit of a trek from the Saint James.
- Chinese: There are many many Chinese restaurants on Courtenay Place but we like Peking House on Kent Terrace because you can always get a table and they don’t mind us being too rowdy. The best pan fried dumplings can be found at Red Hill on Manners Street, but don’t tell anyone we told you (beef > pork — sorry no vegetarian option).
City Creatures
Make sure you take a stroll around our waterfront (and do look up from your devices, even if there is free wi-fi available). There’s a sculpture tour to be done, and many things to be photographed! We particularly recommend Sundays, so you can also go to the Harbourside Markets (http://www.harboursidemarket.co.nz/) at Waitangi Park, where you can try all kinds of delicious local produce.
Coffee
Wellington is well known for its coffee culture. Most cafes in the inner city, and many in the suburbs, know how to pour good espresso, latte, or that Australasian specialty, the flat white. Local chains and roasteries whose outposts are generally reliable include Peoples (sic), Supreme, Flight and Mojo.
There are also a several places that stretch the boundaries a little and may be worth a special visit: among these are Customs Brew Bar on Ghuznee Street, Memphis Belle on Dixon, and Lamason, Wellington‘s first siphon bar; all three of which make fine espresso as well as single origin beans brewed in a number of interesting ways.
Delivery Food
If long days of geeking has taken it out of you and you want to just chill out at home/in your hotel, and room service won’t cut it, what are your options? We’ve got three good third-party delivery options
- Food Ninja (foodninja.nz)
- Delivery Easy (https://www.delivereasy.co.nz/)
- UberEats (use eats-joannam350 for $20 free for your first time and $20 free for Joanna who painstakingly put this list together for you)
Eva Street / Leeds Street
This little laneway gets a special mention because it’s close to the Saint James Theatre, and it’s packed with Wellington foodie destinations — Six Barrel Soda Co, Fix & Fogg Peanut Butter Company, Leeds Street Bakery (try the salted chocolate chip cookies) and the Wellington Chocolate Factory, as well as a pizza joint and two bars. Oh, and a strip club on the corner.
Getting Around The City
You can walk everywhere in Wellington, but if you choose not to, buses in the inner city (from the Railway Station to Courtenay Place) will cost you just $2 (ask for a city fare). You can find out more information about the buses on the GoWellington website.
If you’re after a taxi, the Wellingtonista like Green Cabs because it’s a hybrid fleet. Their free-call number is 0508 4 Green. If Green Cabs aren’t available, the biggest company in Wellington is Combined Taxis, on 0800 THE CAB. We have Uber in Wellington but we also have Zoomy, the NZ-owned company (http://wellingtonista.com/2017/10/09/zoom-zoom-zoomy/). Use X3R7UUD for your first ride up to $10 free.
Group Hang
So you’ve got yourself a big group, and you’re moving venues, or you’ve made plans to meet up with people and you’ve spread the word over Twitter. These venues are the most likely to have room for you and all your new friends:
- The Southern Cross (35 Abel Smith Street): This sprawling bar has a whole variety of different settings, from high stools, to comfy couches and the biggest garden bar in Wellington (we think). Their menu runs all day long, there’s coffee and great beer on tap.
Hear Yourself Talk
Conversations are generally the best if you can actually hear the person you’re talking to, right? So if you’re going for drink and a conversation, here are some places you might want to check out.
- Hashigo Zake: If beer is your thing — or even if it isn’t — Hashigo Zake with its ridiculous stock of over 100 kinds from all over the world should definitely be a place you should stop in at. Underneath Zibbibo at 25 Taranaki Street, the former police cells now serves a range of Japanese snacks as well in very comfortable surroundings. The barmen have an insanely wide knowledge of beer and they even stock one that tastes like bacon…
- CGR Merchants and The Hawthorn Lounge: The McKenzies (yes, brothers of Bret of Conchords fame) own two of the most delightful bars in town. CGR Merchants is the larger of the two, upstairs at 46 Courtenay Place, with leather armchairs, cozy nooks and the possibility of burlesque dances. Hawthorne meanwhile is quieter. Upstairs at 86 Tory Street, it’s possibly the most classy bar in Wellington, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to put on airs to fit in. With an air of a gentlemen’s club in the 1920s , the service and drink selection here is second to none.
- Hanging Ditch (14 Leeds Street): This bar is newish but it’s rapidly become one of our favourites. It offers exquisite cocktails, decent wine list and a beer selection that’s all craft but limited out of deference to Golding’s next door. You’ll be entertained by all the bottles hanging from the ceiling and there’s plenty of space to sit and chat.
Late-Night Eating
If you’ve been out and get hungry, you have more options than MacDonalds and Burger King in Manners Mall and on Courtenay Place. All bars are obliged to offer some kind of food which often takes the form of toasted cheese sandwiches, but if you step out onto the streets, you’ll find other places to eat. Other than ubiquitous kebabs (our favourite is Sahara at 39 Courtenay Place), we recommend the following:
- Tommy Millions: finally Wellington has pizza-by-the-slice, and very delicious it is too. Plus you’ll find it conveniently located in the kiosk right outside the Saint James Theatre.
- Burger Fuel: definitely a step up from the major chains, Burger Fuel has two convient locations in the two big late night areas, and offer vegetarian and vegan goodness as well as all the fried meaty bacony goodness others might want.
Markets
Need to buy presents for ones you left behind to come to Webstock? The Frank Kitts Underground Craft Market on Saturdays is a good bet. If you’re looking to fill your facehole, Harbourside Market on Sundays in Waitangi Park is the place to be. Friday nights has the night market in Leftbank off Cuba Street, and Saturday night has a food market in Lower Cuba Street.
Movie Buffs
Get your ass on a #2 bus out to Miramar. There you’ll find the Weta Cave, as well as the Roxy Cinema, which is co-owned by Weta guy Sir Richard Taylor. The Roxy has recently reopened, restored to its former glory with bonus amazing murals by Greg Broadmore — it has to be seen to be believed. While you’re there, get great Mexican food at La Boca Loca — we love them not just because they’re delicious but also because they pay their staff a Living Wage.
Off Licences in the City
If you want to buy wine or beer, you’ll be able to find it at most dairies in the Cuba Street area, New World Metro at 68 Willis Street and the Railway Station, and New World Proper at 227 Wakefield Street. There is also a very nice wine shop called Wine Seeker on Victoria Street. If spirits are your thing, there’s Glengarry on Courtenay Place, Capital Liquor at 105 Manners Street (please note, you will need ID), Liquor King at 29 Kent Terrace, or the studenty Liquorland at 233 Victoria Street. Please remember that there is a liquor ban in all of central Wellington, which means you can’t drink on the street or along the waterfront. Unless you’re very very discreet (not recommended).
Shake That Ass
Maybe you don’t want to talk. Maybe you just wanna dance. San Fran (171 Cuba St) First, there’s the wide variety of gigs that they have — from Iron and Wine, to Peaches, to the regular new-wave Atomic nights, to drum and bass. Then there’s the fact that there’s a clear, unobstructed space for dancing right in front of the stage. Add in a super-late license, a big balcony for fresh air, and a handy Cuba Street location, and you’ve got the recipe for one big party going on.
- Havana (32 Wigan St) The dance floor at Havana is as tiny as any of the other areas in the cute little house, but somehow bongos and funk are still a regular feature. The intimacy of the venue may enhance the intimacy of your night as well, especially given that we’re pretty sure it’s not always just cigarette smoke out back.
- Laundry (204 Cuba Street – http://www.laundry.net.nz/) Café by day, shaking-it shack by night. As expected from a bar on Cuba Street, this place is indie & eclectic.
Shopping
You can walk around Wellington so easily that no doubt you’ll be browsing freely, but here are the Wellingtonista’s nominees for the best shops in town:
- Wanda Harland (Petone): Owned by one of the Wellingtonistas, we‘d still pimp this quirky design/gift shop even if we didn‘t get drunk with its owner.
- Unity Books (57 Willis St): Let’s see — it’s a bookshop that is a pleasure to browse, and with knowledgeable staff who are more than happy to guide you in the direction of a book you’ll love.
- Slow Boat Records (183 Cuba St): In this modern digital age, where the local record shop is a dying breed, Slow Boat is still around and still thriving with their bins full of lovely lovely vinyl. Whether you’re after something specific or just wanting to browse for inspiration, Slow Boat is a jewel of Cuba Street.
- Moore Wilson’s Fresh: Moore Wilson will overpower you with its glorious smell when you walk past — a mixture of fresh produce, cut flowers, fresh baked bread and the anticipation of all the glorious cheese and chocolate inside. Although we‘re secretly a little sad you no longer need a club card to shop there, it‘s a great place to load up on food, or to just pop into for a few things.
Slippery when wet
Seriously, watch yourself on the red bricks all over town. They’re born slippy, even if you’re not lager-lager-lagered.
Tech Supplies
- JB Hi-Fi downstairs on Willis Street is a huge store with all kinds of electronics, usually cheaper than most other stores.
The three big telecommunications companies Telecom, Vodafone and 2degrees have shops all over the place for your mobile needs.
Vegetarians, Vegans, Gluten-Free and Others who are Dietarily Challenged
Almost every restaurant & cafe in Wellington will offer you a vegetarian option, but finding vegan is harder to do. Some suggestions:
- Deluxe Cafe (10 Kent Terrace): This tiny cafe has a big range of food, offering vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free salads, sandwiches, pizza, filos and baked goodness. Everything is clearly labeled too, so you’ll know what you’re getting into.
- Victoria Street Cafe (98 Victoria Street): Not too far away from the Saint James, this cafe has at least six salads on offer and a selection of well-marked cabinet food as well.
- Midnight Espresso (178 Cuba Street): Open until 3amish, this cafe is the perfect destination not just for vegans but also for anyone wanting coffee, cake, hot food or the perfect place to watch people in one of Wellington’s most interesting streets.
- Aunty Mena’s Vegetarian Cafe (167 Cuba Street): It may look rundown, but you don’t go to Aunty Mena’s for the decor, luckily, you go for a wide range of Asiany food with fake meats.
Wi-fi
Free wi-fi is available outside around the waterfront thanks to Trade Me, and in the CBD thanks to @cbdfree.
Many cafes and bars — especially the craft beer bars — also offer free wi-fi.