Where to Find the Cosiest Cocktails This Winter

Let's kick things off with a doozy: head to Auckland's CBD, duck up a narrow streetside staircase, and you'll discover the trendy, sophisticated inner-city hideout that is Culprit. Offering both classic and inventive cocktails alongside a thoughtfully curated wine list, take your pick of tipple, or opt to pair with the chef's choice menu, serving nostalgic New Zealand cuisine with a modern global edge - local seasonal ingredients are championed without the fuss. Walk-ins welcome, reservations recommended.

Ask any Gizzy local where to go for a one-of-a-kind experience, and chances are, they'll point you to the doors of the historic Poverty Bay Club building. Cinema, music, bar, pizza. Sultry and low-lit, fun, romantic and utterly enchanting. At Dome Cinema, the walls are covered in glamorous portraits of empowered women, projectors casting moving images into various corners. A single red rose adorns each table, while velvet textures, tasselled lampshades and a mirrorball casting dancing light set a sumptuous tone of old-world elegance. Enjoy a cocktail in the dining room or beautiful garden area – no movie ticket needed.

A beautiful blend of boutique bottle shop, tasting room, and intimate cocktail bar all wrapped into one stylish space, yep, that's Neat at MADE. Here you can choose to settle into the relaxed yet refined atmosphere, with a perfectly executed drink in hand, or, get something special to go enjoy in your best drinking PJs at home. On any given week at Neat, you might encounter rare bottles like a 50-year-old grain whisky, a floral 38-year-old Bowmore, or a single cask Springbank with decades under its belt. Just as often, the showstopper could be a small-batch rum or a local beer that surprises. Neat is nestled within MADE: a lively market-style hub humming with food vendors, artisan goods, jewellery and produce – pop in and grab a drink, then head out to enjoy.

On the electric corner of Ghuznee and Cuba Streets, you'll find two spots worth knowing. Regent, self-proclaimed "cocktail pub", boasts the coldest martini in town, effortlessly straddling arvo pint territory and the realm of boutique beverages, with classic British pub fare to boot. 

But your night doesn't have to end there. Head upstairs and you'll find The Ascot, where hot dogs and wine meet for a curiously perfect pairing. Pick a glass from the all-natural wine list and pair it with a free-range pork dog or vegan carrot dog. Enjoy both from the covered outdoor decking, or on rainy days, tuck up inside with floor-to-ceiling windows and candles burning. The ideal bookend to a night downstairs, or vice versa.

Set across the ground floor of uber-cool Drifter, lies laid-back local favourite Rambler. They champion the notion that unexpectedly good things happen in hotel bars, and that they're not just an amenity for visitors staying upstairs, but a destination in their own right. Housed in the former Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Company Building, a 1919 heritage gem, expect exposed concrete, steel-framed windows, lofty proportions, lounge seating, tucked-away nooks, house cocktails and DJs spinning beneath kaleidoscoping disco balls. Open seven days from 7am, Rambler is purpose-built for drinking, dining and dancing.

A small space big on vibes, Civil & Naval does away with square metre supremacy, instead boldly embodying all that is Lyttelton: cosy, achingly cool and always approachable. Tucked away on appropriately named London Street, this heritage spot presents tastefully with an elegant fit-out carved within a beautiful brick exterior. Perfect for cocktails on a balmy night or snuggling up by the fire with something tasty. The team know a thing or ten about good food, beer, wine and cocktails - or in Civil and Naval speak: grub, ale, plonk and hooch. They're all about boutique and family-owned producers and small-scale international distillers.

As comfy as a diner with the late-night allure of a cocktail lounge, Dunedin darling Woof! is a one-stop shop for any and all libations. Excellent, personalised service, damn fine drinks and delectable kai. Tick, tick, tick. Their cocktail list rotates every few weeks, though the classics are done beautifully, too, making it easy to try something new or stick to an old faithful.

Now, Queenstown is the place to be if you're on a cocktail spree. Gorgeous lakeside views with a glass in hand? Of course it is. Level it up by heading a level down to Little Mez, hidden beneath sister restaurant Margo's, and dressed gloriously in papaya orange and deep green. Little Mez is a go-to for cocktail enthusiasts, particularly those with a fancy for tequila and mezcal, or anyone who simply enjoys sipping on sunshine in a cosy, low-lit space. Start with one of the Little Cocktails if you're having trouble choosing, they’re a perfectly petite pour. Special mention to the non-alcoholic options, and don't be afraid to hit up the knowledgeable bartenders who can mix anything expertly from smoky and herbaceous to crisp and spicy. Underground, unexpected, unforgettable. It's Little Mez, baby.

Now this is a classic. And if you've ever been lucky enough to spy the famous blue door - and step through - you'd know exactly why. Arrowtown's Blue Door Bar is a speakeasy-style spot cherished by locals and visitors alike. Tucked down an alleyway, inside you'll find original stone walls and floors, repurposed timber furniture, wooden beams and an open fireplace, a setting perfect for kicking off a night or winding one down. There’s an extensive list of single malt whiskies and impeccable cocktails, plus mulled wine when the surrounding peaks get their first serious dusting. Share small plates or order sourdough pizza from Little Aosta's menu. Across the week, local and international artists turn the tiny room into an intimate live music venue, with patrons spilling out into the alley. Who would've thought an old, weathered doorway sporting peeling blue paint could cause such a stir?

Ideal for a tour or tasting session, Cardrona Distillery mills, mashes, ferments and distils artisan spirits amongst the rugged beauty of Central Otago. You name it: whisky, vodka, gin made from traditional botanicals and locally foraged rosehips, and a powerful range of liqueurs. Though the tasting room is an option, it's their little cocktail bar that means you can try the Single Malt Vodka or Rosehip Gin shaken, mixed or stirred. For the full experience, sit back and choose a selection of plates from the contemporary, seasonal menu - each designed to complement a cocktail. The perfect flourish after a day on the slopes.