Dinner, Dessert & Dancing: An After-Dark Guide to Wellington’s Courtenay Precinct

Kick off your evening with a plate of something memorable. Locally beloved since 1997, Nicolini’s famously uses nothing but precious family recipes passed down through generations – and you can taste it. Sink your teeth into their mouth-watering selection of traditional Neapolitan cuisine. 

Around the corner, Capitol uses the best of Wellington’s seafood and produce to create a rotating cast of fresh, uncluttered seasonal menus. Regularly ranked among Wellington’s finest, this family-run restaurant has been a local favourite since 2002, with curated, thoughtful dishes that have kept locals coming back for decades. 

When it comes to cocktails, the Courtenay Precinct has no shortage of options. Tucked up a flight of stairs that’s easy to miss, C.G.R Merchants is a hidden gin and rum lover’s haven. With a relaxed, old-world nautical feel, beautifully crafted cocktails and a charming bird’s eye view of the action below, this cosy bar is the perfect place for an intimate drink or date. 

Just a hop and a skip around the corner to Tory Street, the Hawthorn Lounge transports you to the prohibition era. This speakeasy-style bar is all about dim lighting, leather seating, and world-class cocktails. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or just cocktail curious, the attentive staff are always eager to guide you through their creative libations.

Looking for something sweet? The Library has you covered. This charming little lounge bar filled with cosy cubbies and book-lined walls boasts an incredibly popular dessert menu, alongside their extensive cocktail list. Perfect for a shared treat, perhaps paired with some live jazz on a Sunday evening.

For something a little more casual or on-the-go, swing by The Little Waffle Shop. Known for its selection of creative, loaded toppings – this tiny hole-in-the-wall serves up waffles that are anything but small. From simple and classic to decadent and dripping, this one’s definitely for the sweet-toothed. 

Courtenay Precinct’s not just about eating and drinking – there’s plenty to get involved in, too. Start with a show at BATS Theatre, the heart of Wellington’s alternative performance scene, where you’ll find everything from fresh, experimental work and physical theatre, to laugh-out-loud improv comedy.

From there, wander over to Fringe Bar for a night of anything-goes entertainment. Drag, burlesque, karaoke – the loud, eccentric and charmingly chaotic atmosphere has a near-magical ability to coax even the shyest patrons out of their shells (and sometimes, even on stage). 

If you’re still up for more, hit up Lulu’s. The place to be at the turn of the clock, when dancing shoes come out and the layers come off, this venue smoothly transitions from an easy-going dinner spot to a heaving late-night dancefloor with live music to boot.

For a more intimate, laid-back end to your night, Poquito is the spot. Small in size but big on charm, this suave little cocktail bar is the place perfect for winding down with a whisky or two while catching a live music session.

If you’re in the mood for something a bit more wholesome and spirited, head to The Welsh Dragon. Known as (allegedly) the only Welsh pub in the Southern Hemisphere, this unassuming gem comes alive with regular shanty singing and rowdy pub quizzes. Whether you’re there for the crackling fire, hidden beer garden, or the lively atmosphere, it’s a guaranteed good time, every time.