No strangers to sitting back with a good brew, Hamilton locals know a good bar when they see one.

Lucky then that Hamilton bars are of such a high standard that it’s super easy to head on down and stay for a cold pint or two, and much harder to know when to head home (although if you’re planning on kicking up your heels all night, Hamilton bars cater for that too). Approximately 40,000 tertiary students call Hamilton home in the study months, so an upbeat and playful nightlife is easy to find down the main strip during the end of the week. Spend the evening trying out a local craft brew, then get your best party frock on for when the lights go down and the music turns up.

Home to a handful of local breweries means Hamilton bars are spoilt for choice when it comes to offering their customers a cold one made in the area, and as the population continues to grow, so does the towns appetite for classy, crafty and unique beers.

Relaxed and easygoing, bars in this Waikato township offer the rugby-watching, pizza-eating, fun and friendly experience that are reminiscent of the days of old when hospitality was less about how slick the bartender looked, and more about how well they poured a pint. Yet if it’s slick you’re wanting, Hamilton bars aren’t one to exclude you. Find hidden cocktail bars here as proof the booming town caters to many styles and tastes - the dimly lit moody corners and glittering shelves of spirits the perfect background to watching the talented bartenders work their magic.

A Guide to Crafty Brews and Bites in Hamilton Kirikiriroa

A hand holding a glass of beer inside Bootleg Brewery.
Beers and bites go hand in hand (that’s why we have two, right?!), and Hamilton Kirikiriroa sure knows how to deliver some of the best (beers and bites, that is, not hands).

Made Hamilton

People hanging outside Made in Hamilton.
Place Hamilton
Bars key icon. Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

Made has quickly become a must-visit destination in Hamilton East, being a hub of bustling retailers, foodies, creators and artisans.

Last Place Bar

Close up of a man holding a burger on a tray at Last Place Bar.
Place Hamilton
Bars key icon.

If you picture a 1980s RSA (but cool) merged with an old-school American dive bar, you might land somewhere not too far off the vibe at Last Place.

Bootleg Brewery

Two ladies ordering at the wood panelled counter with big festoon lights hanging above them.
Place Hamilton Editor's Pick
Bars key icon.

A good ol’ bit of Kiwi ingenuity and a whole lot of hard work has created a watering hole in Matangi, made for locals, by locals. A couple of Hamilton mates came together with a love of home brewing and a bloody good tipple.

Mr. Pickles

Plates of food at the table at Mr. Pickles, Hamilton.
Place Hamilton Editor's Pick
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

A fancy yet cheeky bar and restaurant all in one, come here for your after work drinks.

Wonder Horse

Cocktail in the making at Wonder Horse, Hamilton.
Place Hamilton
Bars key icon.

The place for good chats, group hangs or after dinner drinks.

Good George Dining Hall

Bartender behind the bar at Good George Dining Hall, Hamilton.
Place Hamilton
Bars key icon.

With a large outdoor area amongst the brewing tanks, Good George is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of beer in the sunshine.