Those who like to imbibe in swank surrounds where exotic cocktail lists meet craft beers, fine Kiwi wines and savvy service are in for a treat, with Christchurch rocking some seriously swishy bar action.

You’ll find the slinky, speakeasy cool of O.G.B. resplendently housed in the Old Government Building. Ballantynes’ Lichfield Street wing is home to Kin, an elegant café, deli and wine bar with a fine collection of wines, craft beers, spirits and bubbles. Stroll down historic New Regent Street to The Last Word, an intimate and beautiful cocktail lounge and bar where you can enjoy a fine selection of craft beers, New Zealand wines and a wealth of hand-picked whiskies. The rebirth of pre-quake fave Fat Eddie’s on Oxford Terrace offers toe-tapping live jazz and blues every night in an old-skool atmosphere and with some excellent snacks and drinks.

On Poplar Street, four-bar venue Dux Central consists of London-esque craft beer-topia Brew Bar, the swank sophistication of the Emerald Room next door, 1920s speakeasy-fuelled cocktails and swagger at neighbouring The Poplar Social Club and upstairs, Upper Dux’s funky sun-drenched/after-dark space.

Head to the top of the Port Hills for Sign of the Takahe. This unique Category 1-listed heritage building boasts stunning views of Christchurch as well as a splendid café, bar and restaurant setting. Salut! Salut! in The Welder serve up some of the most authentic tapas in town and a wine list to match.

On Cambridge Terrace, Sawyer serve a curated collection of delicious fermented and distilled refreshments alongside adventurous cocktails and classic Champagnes. No.4 Bar & Restaurant has a lively atmosphere every day of the week. Take a seat in a candlelit corner or celebrate with friends in one of the covered outdoor courtyards. Also in Merivale, the team at Aikmans Bar & Eatery have a tasty selection that captures the best of New Zealand cuisine.

Head to Scarborough Beach for Ocean Café & Bar, where you can settle in for tempting tapas on weekend afternoons, grab a bite to eat in the laxed dining atmosphere or soak up the scenery with beer or wine.

The go-to bar in Addington for more than 25 years, The Miller Bar offers live music and hearty traditional meals for affordable prices. Enter through the hanging curtains of Bar Yoku and you will be transported to another world. These guys serve up the ultimate traditional Japanese street food. They also sell primo Wagyu beef. Tucked in behind city institution Cook ‘N’ With Gas, the Astro Lounge is a groovy spot to enjoy a casual beverage.

If you are looking to leave the city behind, head over the Port Hills to Governor’s Bay Hotel. For a bar with sustainability at its heart, check out The Fermentist micro-brewery and taproom. They offer great beers brewed onsite and sensational food sourced seasonally. Elmwood Trading Co. offers a mellow setting where you can enjoy the hoppy flavour of a craft bevvy or a full-bodied vino. Breathing new life into the Arts Centre space that was once home to Annie’s Wine Bar, Cellar Door continues the traditions of warm hospitality, fine wine and good food.

Bringing some super-slick sophistication to The Terrace is Terrace Tavern. At nearby Riverside Market, there’s Bavarian-inspired hospitality and delicious fare to share at Kaiser Brew Garden. Down Victoria Street you’ll find late-night fave Sister Kong rocking some fierce cocktails in a Hong Kong-cool fitout. Housed in the contemporary cool of the Christchurch Art Gallery, Universo Brasserie & Bar is equal edgy-Euro chic and sunny tropical escape with a drinks list that’s off the charts. And across the road you’ll find Fiddlesticks Restaurant & Bar, a sophisticated haunt that serves up an array of great fare and excellent tipple.

At Carlton Courts, Vesuvio Jazz & Tapas Bar serves up live jazz, an international wine selection and seriously tasty eats in intimate surrounds. Ralph Lauren glamour is the order of the day at the Polo Bar & Restaurant (Hotel Montreal), where you can lounge in the cosy interior amidst polo paraphernalia or soak up the rays in the lush garden bar, while Bloody Mary’s (Rydges Latimer) whisky lounge is perfect for a nightcap in the plush surrounds, and the slinky Rogues of Rotherham works a detox/retox angle with their killer cocktails along with secret sibling venue Sneaky’s.