The World Bar

Not all adventures in Queenstown require a tent, carabiner or dehydrated food (thankfully). In fact, some of the greatest expeditions entail a short stroll down to the town centre. World Bar recreates a night in a faraway alpine cabin with your best mates, albeit with some top-notch chefs and bartenders to tend to your every need.

This iconic establishment has been on the scene since 1996, initially opening on Shotover Street and enjoying a stint in Sydney’s King Cross neighbourhood a few years later. In 2013, tragedy struck as the original venue burned down, sparking a phoenix moment as the team came together to lovingly rebuild the bar from scratch on Church Street. 

A hodgepodge of trinkets dominate the interior, bringing the place alive with stories of past travels and legendary adventures. Add in a roaring fireplace and a beer garden that catches the last light of day, and there’s few better places to flock to from January to December.

The menu lives up to the setting, offering a tip-top selection with all the flavour and none of the fuss. Burgers reign supreme in this kitchen and have since day one – crafted in-house each day, from the oven-fresh buns to hand-ground patties. Amidst the burger rotation, the Smash Burger remains a fixed staple, featuring a Hereford chuck patty and smoky bacon with American cheese, red onion, pickles, mustard and a special sauce. 

Almost as famous as the burgers are the teapot cocktails, with eight well-thought out recipes available to share between friends. But if that’s not your cuppa tea, you’ll find other classic cocktails as well as local beers and wine.

Each visit to World Bar offers up a new experience, whether it’s the neighbouring tables spinning tales of backcountry missions, unexpected skate ramps set up in the beer garden or live music. As sponsors of local outdoor events and environmental trusts, it’s nice to visit somewhere that gives more to the community than just a good burger and pint.