Willis Lane

Stay and explore key icon. Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.
Stay and explore key icon. Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Monday11:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Tuesday11:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Wednesday11:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Thursday11:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Friday11:00 am – 10:00 pm.

Saturday11:00 am – 10:00 pm.

Sunday11:00 am – 8:00 pm.

State Insurance Building 1 Willis St, Wellington Central, Wellington

Wellington’s city streets are constantly humming with life and energy, but for a playful excursion that breaks the norm, you’ll want to head underground.

For below the surface of Willis Street lies Willis Lane, a subterranean dining and entertainment precinct with an almost relentless focus on ensuring you have a great time. A labyrinth of sleek tunnels, exposed brick archways and polished tile floors, you’ll want to spend your first visit here just wandering around and taking it all in. And once you’ve got the lay of the land, the fun can seriously begin. 

One side of Willis Lane is lined with top-notch eateries boasting cuisine from across the globe. Here, you’ll find a mix of household Wellington names such as Hot Like a Mexican and Rick’s Cheese Steaks (yep, the same Rick behind Soul Shack) - as well as ventures from elsewhere in New Zealand, such as Hamilton’s Duck Island and Crack Chicken, the brainchild of Auckland restaurateur David Lee. Eateries bringing flavours from Vietnam, Italy, Malaysia, Japan and further afield round out a truly eclectic bunch of vendors.

Once you’ve filled up on food, it’s time to check out the entertainment options on offer. Put your putting skills to the test on Holey Moley’s highly Instagrammable mini golf course before letting your inner child run riot on the arcade games at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq. Somehow, there’s also space for tenpin bowling lanes and karaoke rooms. It’s colourful, a bit chaotic, and very, very fun.

A truly all-ages venue, Willis Lane is perhaps the most versatile spot in town. From a quick midweek lunch to a rowdy night of sinking holes and shooting hoops, you’ll find it all at Willis Lane.

Words by John Son

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

State Insurance Building 1 Willis St, Wellington Central, Wellington

Nearby Places

Everybody Eats

Dining room space at Everybody Eats.
Place Wellington
Restaurants key icon.

Who knew that making a difference to the community could taste so good? At Everybody Eats on Wellington’s Dixon Street, the heart of hospitality beats loud and clear.

Te Papa

The interior of the museum.
Place Wellington
Galleries and museum key icon.

Te Papa is one of New Zealand’s most prized museums.

Little Beer Quarter

The yellow exterior of Little Beer Quarter.
Place Wellington
Bars key icon.

With 12 craft beers on tap and over 100 bottled beers from New Zealand and around the globe, this inner-city pub truly is a gem.

Jhana Millers Gallery

Large exhibition on the gallery wall at Jhana Millers Gallery.
Place Wellington
Galleries and museum key icon.

Housed in Wellington’s heritage-listed Mibar building, Jhana Millers Gallery is both a celebration of emerging art talent in Aotearoa and a quiet oasis from the noise...

Similar Places

Aurora Argentinian Bakery

Exterior of Aurora Argentinian Bakery with signs outside.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon.

You can tell right away that Aurora Argentinian Bakery is the kind of place that was built from scratch with love, and that’s because it was.

Salty Pidgin

Inside the restaurant.
Place Wellington
Restaurants key icon.

A suburban eatery with city sophistication.

Coffee Supreme Midland Park

Customer reads a journal at Coffee Supreme Midland Park, Wellington.
Place Wellington
Goods key icon.

Midland Park marks new beginnings for Coffee Supreme.

FJ Noodles and Dumplings

Bright red exterior of FJ Noodles & Dumplings.
Place Wellington

Tucked within the humming heart of dynamic Courtenay Place, FJ Noodles and Dumplings could be one of the nation’s most unassuming noodle artisans.