Wellington Unplugged
If you're heading to Kiwi's favourite live music party, this is one guide you should bookmark.
Welcome to the beating heart of New Zealand’s capital, where every street corner hums with the promise of memorable moments with your closest mates — especially when Kiwi music’s biggest party is in town.
If you’re heading to the iconic Jim Beam Homegrown Festival, gather your crew and prepare for an escapade in Wellington filled with hidden gems, bustling hotspots, and the spirit of Jim Beam with this guide.
Where to Play
You might already be in town for the Jim Beam Homegrown Festival, a massive celebration of epic local tunes and good vibes, but that’s not the only escapade you should embrace over the festival weekend.
Jim Beam loves to promote good (but responsible) times with good mates, so why not take the scenic ride on the Wellington Cable Car and catch panoramic views of the cityscape? It’s perfect for a group selfie or taunting your friend with a fear of heights.
Get a culture fix at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the City Gallery Wellington, where art, history, and innovation collide. Or unleash your inner film buff at the Wētā Workshop Tour, a fantastic behind-the-scenes experience from the famed special effects company behind The Lord of the Rings and Avatar.
Where to Stay
Naumi Studio Hotel is an energetic boutique hotel showcasing local art and design housed in the renovated landmark Edwardian-style building at 213 Cuba Street. The reception area is adorned with a gold leaf floral backdrop by Art Dep’t NZ, and its cocktail bar, Lola Rogue Bar, serves up fusion delights like prawn and scallop dumplings and miso glazed eggplant which pair beautifully with a Jim Beam Ginger Highball cocktail.
Another artistic stay your mates could prefer is The Intrepid Hotel. The ground floor’s natural wine bar, Puffin, offers an intimate setting to savour a curated selection of minimal-intervention, organic, and biodynamic wines while lounging on the plush velvet green booths.
For something more historical, step into the iconic Cambridge Hotel, where old-world charm meets modern comfort. With a legacy dating back to 1883, the centrally-located hotel is a perfect base for exploring the city on the Jim Beam Homegrown Festival weekend.
Where to Eat
If you and your mates love uncovering hidden gems, discover the tastiest laneway in town: Hannahs Laneway. Along here, you’ll find specialty cafes, the utterly beloved peanut butter heroes Fix and Fogg, and the city’s own chocolatier, Wellington Chocolate Factory.
Later on, if you’re hankering for a pub grub feed with your mates, dive into classic pub fare at watering hole Four Kings and Jack Hacketts — one part sports bar, one part Irish pub. And with Ireland’s unofficial national holiday happening on the same weekend as the Jim Beam Homegrown Festival, you’re sure to have a grand ole time sipping on Jim Beam and Cola or a pint of the black stuff.
Transport your tastebuds to the streets of Havana with Ernesto’s Cuban fusion cuisine. From daytime delights to night-time revelry, Ernesto’s in the CBD blends tradition with innovation under the creative mastery of award-winning chef Kit Foe. Pair a classic Cuban sandwich with a bourbon take on the tequila sunrise cocktail: the ‘Kentucky Sunrise’ starring Jim Beam, grenadine, orange juice and garnished with a fresh orange slice.
If the sun is shining, hit up the courtyard at Southern Cross — a well-loved Wellington institution. Tucked away off Cuba Street, you’ll find the better half of Wellington hiding out and playing giant Jenga underneath the lanterns. With live music in the background, it’s the perfect locale for you and your mates to laze in the sun with a couple of Jim Beam Homestyle Lemonade cocktails off the drinks list.
Where to Sip Cocktails
Raise a glass to friendship and unforgettable moments at Wellington’s finest watering holes like The Rogue & Vagabond, a craft beer bar specialising in great live music and good times with friends — including the furry variety, as it’s dog-friendly. Or saddle up and embrace the spirit of the Wild West at Dakota Bar, Wellington’s premier honky-tonk country bar, where good times are guaranteed.
Nothing beats a Jim Beam in the sun with mates, so you could head over to the not-so-secret Dirty Little Secret rooftop container bar. It’s a great haven for chinwags with your mates over views of the city skyline.
For an elevated cocktail experience, head to the Library Bar. With its book-lined walls, intimate booths and dim lighting, it is the perfect place for a Friday evening rendezvous with your friends before the Jim Beam Homegrown Festival kicks off.
Kick on with your mates at pink-hued The Garden Hotel, renowned for its pink-everything, lively ambience and late-night vibes. Why not embrace the pink theme with a chilled Jim Beam Peach Iced Tea?
In Wellington, every moment is an opportunity to connect, laugh, and create unforgettable memories with your mates. So gather them, raise your glasses, and celebrate a weekend of feasting, fun, and togetherness in the vibrant heart of the capital at the Jim Beam Homegrown Festival.