Wellington

Wellington is small, creative and delightfully unconventional – and its queer scene takes place almost entirely on one street. Around Cuba Street with its rainbow zebra crossing you will find cabaret, cocktails and a community where people know each other.

Cuba Street

Cuba Street is the colourful backbone of the capital and also the centre of queer life. In the basement of the old department store on lower Cuba Street, Ivy Bar & Cabaret offers drag, comedy and long weekend nights. A little further up, Scotty and Mal run their sociable lounge S&M’s Cocktail Bar & Lounge, a living room for the community. For comedy, karaoke and cabaret, The Fringe Bar near Courtenay Place is worth a visit. The scene is small but warm – stay two evenings and you will recognise the first faces.

When to go?

  • March – Wellington Pride Festival (Tū Whakahīhī e Te Whanganui-ā-Tara): Every year in March the city celebrates Pride with parties, culture and community events (check the date with the organisers).
  • March – NZ Fringe Festival: The large performing arts festival is not explicitly queer, but is very popular with a queer audience (check the date with the organisers).

Our favourites

  • Ivy Bar & Cabaret – the queer heart of the city with a stage and dance floor
  • S&M’s – scene history and hospitality in a cocktail glass

Queer city tours

Want to get to know the scene during the day too? A tour with local guides is a great way to do it:

Tours & activities in Wellington

See all tours and activities in Wellington on GetYourGuide

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Practical tips

  • Most bars only open from Wednesday – Sunday to Tuesday is quiet.
  • Almost everything is within walking distance between Cuba Street and Courtenay Place; you do not need a car.
  • There is currently no longer a gay sauna in Wellington – the former Checkmate Sauna has closed.

Researched by our editors, as of October 2026. Please check event dates with the organisers each year.

Map

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Places in Wellington

Nightlife

ClubIvy Bar & CabaretQueer bar and cabaret · Wellington Cuba StreetDrag, burlesque, comedy, karaoke, quizzes and the occasional rave: the Ivy Bar in the basement of an old department store on Cuba…Cocktail BarS&M’s Cocktail Bar & LoungeCocktail bar · Wellington Cuba StreetS&M's stands for Scotty and Mal's: an intimate cocktail lounge on upper Cuba Street that has been a meeting place for Wellington's…BarThe Fringe BarBar and stage · Wellington Te AroComedy several nights a week, karaoke, live music and cabaret: the Fringe Bar near Courtenay Place is not a gay bar as…

Stay

HotelBolton HotelWellington Thorndon / Parliament districtBoutique hotel near Parliament and the Botanic Garden. You can reach the bars on Cuba Street in about 20 minutes on foot.HotelCQ Quality Hotel WellingtonWellington Cuba Street / Te AroFour-star hotel on Cuba Street, Wellington's queer nightlife strip. Scotty and Mal's and Dirty Little Secret are about 200 m away.HotelOhtelWellington Oriental BayDesign boutique hotel with just ten rooms on Oriental Parade overlooking Chaffers Marina. Te Papa and the city-centre bars are within walking…HotelQT WellingtonWellington Te Aro / WaterfrontArt-focused hotel right next to the national museum Te Papa. You can reach the bars on Cuba Street in about ten minutes…

Events in Wellington

FAQ: Wellington

Which gay bars and clubs are there in Wellington?

The Atlas currently lists 3 bars and clubs in Wellington, including The Fringe Bar, Ivy Bar & Cabaret and S&M’s Cocktail Bar & Lounge. Each listing has the address, opening hours and our take on the place.

Is there a gay sauna in Wellington?

There is currently no gay sauna listed for Wellington in the Atlas. Know one? Let us know via the contact form.

Which gay-friendly hotels are there in Wellington?

Recommended options include Bolton Hotel, CQ Quality Hotel Wellington, Ohtel and QT Wellington.