Where to go and locations
For a small town Dunedin has a vibrant social life making it a great place to hang out and meet new people. Nothing like a student culture soaking into Dunedin’s city life.
Dunedin’s population is approximately 20% of Dunedin’s population students attending Otago University. That is 25,000 young people out of a total population of 130,000 permanent residents.
INDIGO ROOM
Eclectic funky bars like Indigo Room introduce guests to the best Otago wines. Walk down an alleyway adjacent to the iconic Octagon cinema and follow the INDIGO ROOM brightly lit neon sign. A great place to catch up with friends and family after a day exploring the Otago peninsula.
PEQUEÑO LOUNGE BAR
Pequeño Lounge Bar is a surprise down another alleyway. The jazz lounge bar has a devoted following. There is a cosy fire in winter, yummy lemon meringue pie is an unusual yet great compliment with drinks. The open mic night is a local favourite with slots booked for up and coming talent to showcase their entertainment chops.
MR FOX
Mr Fox, gotta love their byline, ‘in the octagon is an unassuming door. Behind the door is a staircase. at the bottom of the staircase is a bar. The bar is called Mr Fox, a watering hole for discerning creatures of the night…’ fun, funky and food with imaginative cocktails what a way to meet and greet friends.
VAULT 21
A bit of everything, during the day a premier eating establishment serving Asian-Pacific fusion cuisine transforming into a nighttime venue with delicious cocktails, local wines and craft brews. There is a live DJ getting the beat going and visitors are invited to dance the night away. Located in the Octagon Vault 21 is a firm favourite.
TOAST BAR
OMG the ceiling decorative art is worth the visit alone. And the cocktail glory is fantastic with award winning cocktails adding bling to an evening out. The bartenders have won several awards including Suntory Cup and Trans Tasman Cocktail Competition. Unique ingredient combinations add a touch of glamour; consider an espresso martini with Dunedin’s own Quick Brown Fox added to the coffee liqueur. Toast Bar is a memorable moment for holiday makers and locals alike.
For more ideas about craft brews check out Dunedein craft brewery & gin trail. And, don’t forget to scroll through 11 must-do Dunedin attractions.
INCH BAR
Weekly open mic night ensures a dedicated following for INCH bar. Inch specialises in local craft brews and is one of them. Dunedin’s original craft beer outlets. The tiny bar is a cosy bar with live music + impromptu DJ’s. There is a jazz element during the weekend. The menu is Spanish influenced and the bar service is very good with attention to detail. If you are not keen on crowded places then INCH could seem a tad too cosy. The place rapidly fills up the small space. Check out Inch Bar for details. Note: the bar is in the North-East Valley close to student accommodation and the university.
Classic pubs such as Speight’s Ale House, Emerson’s, New New New, The Craic or the well known Duke of Wellington are scarfie haunts where students, their wool scarfs hang out.
Getting to Dunedin lounge bars
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