1. The Blue Star (Auckland)

Proper pub, proper beer. Mt Eden. No pokies, no frills. The patio in summer.

2. The Fork & Tap (Arrowtown)

The best pub in the South Island. Good beer, good food, and a fireplace in winter.

3. The Duke of Marlborough (Russell)

NZ's oldest pub, licensed 1827. Beachfront. The deck at sunset with a cold beer.

4. The Speight's Ale House (various)

The reliable chain. Great Harbour (Wellington) and Port Chalmers (Dunedin) are the best.

5. The Inverary Inn (Akaroa)

Small, friendly, and proper. The fireplace in winter, the courtyard in summer.

6. The Vulcan (Wellington)

Craft beer, proper cocktails, and a kitchen that punches above its weight. The hidden bar downstairs is a bonus.

7. The London Bar (Lyttelton)

The closest thing to a British boozer in NZ. Live music, rowdy, and exactly what a port town pub should be.

8. The Dunedin Exchange (Dunedin)

Speight's on tap, a fireplace, and the best pub quiz in the South Island.

9. The Mussel Inn (Golden Bay)

The most remote pub on this list. Manuka beer brewed on site. Live music and a fireplace.

10. The Bog (Queenstown)

Irish pub done right. Live music every night, the best Guinness in Queenstown.

FAQ

Which of these is actually New Zealand's oldest pub, and is it worth the detour to Russell?

The Duke of Marlborough is genuinely NZ's oldest licensed pub, first licensed in 1827, and it's worth building a stop around if you're already doing the Bay of Islands, not a special day trip on its own since Russell is a short ferry hop from Paihia rather than a through-road. The beachfront deck at sunset is the reason to go, not the pub food, which is solid but unremarkable.

Is the Mussel Inn worth the drive if you're not already in Golden Bay?

Only if Golden Bay is already on your route, since crossing Takaka Hill just for a beer is a two and a half hour round trip that doesn't make sense as a standalone excursion. If you are there, the manuka beer brewed on site and live music on weekend nights are genuinely worth it.

The Fork & Tap is called the best pub in the South Island. How does it compare to The Bog in Queenstown for a night out?

The Fork & Tap suits a quieter night with good food and a fireplace in winter. The Bog in Queenstown is the louder, later option built around live music every night. Go to the Fork & Tap if you want to sit down and eat properly, The Bog if you're out after 9pm and want noise.