The Blue Door Bar

About The Blue Door Bar

Tucked down a cobbled alleyway in the heart of historic Arrowtown, The Blue Door Bar is an atmospheric speakeasy-style hideaway steeped in local heritage. Originally serving as a cold storage room during the goldmining boom of the late 1800s, the space was excavated in the 1990s and transformed into an intimate retreat. With exposed schist stone walls, rustic wooden beams, and a roaring open fireplace, it offers an authentic Central Otago drinking experience.

The bar serves an extensive collection of local Central Otago wines, craft beers on tap, and handcrafted signature cocktails mixed by passionate bartenders. Alongside its curated beverage list, guests can enjoy wood-fired pizzas and small plates supplied by neighbouring sister venues Little Aosta and Aosta. Whether visiting for a relaxed evening drink by the fire or catching an intimate live performance during the Tiny Room Concerts, The Blue Door Bar remains a cherished institution for locals and travelers alike.

The Blue Door Bar: Arrowtown’s Historic Speakeasy and Fireplace Hideaway

Discreetly hidden down a cobbled laneway in the center of Arrowtown, The Blue Door Bar is one of Central Otago's most enduring and cherished nocturnal retreats. Finding it is half the adventure: there are no oversized neon signs, only a modest blue entrance set into stone that welcomes curious travelers and devoted regulars into a candlelit subterranean den.

Inside, the space immediately transports visitors to another era. Thick schist stone walls, weathered timber beams, and a crackling open fireplace establish an ambiance that feels entirely sheltered from the outside world. Whether stopping by to shake off the winter alpine chill or escaping for an unhurried nightcap during the summer months, the bar blends historical authenticity with genuine South Island warmth.

Goldmining Heritage and Subterranean Roots

The origins of The Blue Door Bar trace directly back to the vibrant gold rush era of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The stone structure initially served as a cold storage room for food supplies, where thick subterranean walls maintained the low temperatures essential for preserving perishable goods in Arrowtown's extreme climate.

For decades the cellar remained untouched, until an ambitious excavation project in the early 1990s dug down into the foundation so visitors could comfortably stand upright inside. That excavation unlocked the hidden architectural charm of the historic cold cellar, sparking its reinvention into the speakeasy-style sanctuary known today. More than thirty years later, the original masonry remains fully intact, preserving the rustic, secretive spirit that defined its pioneer beginnings.

Fine Regional Wines, Handcrafted Cocktails, and Intimate Music

The beverage offerings at The Blue Door Bar place the celebrated viticulture of Central Otago front and center. The wine list showcases standout regional producers from Bannockburn, Wanaka, and the wider district—ranging from delicate Pinot Noir roses and crisp Pinot Gris to benchmark cellar-worthy Pinot Noirs. International selections from France, Italy, and Spain complement the local bottles alongside fresh pints and cans from regional craft breweries like Canyon Brewing and Altitude.

Behind the counter, skilled bartenders craft seasonal specialty cocktails and tailored mocktails, carving ice and serving balanced libations in vintage glassware. To complement the drinks, the bar shares culinary connections with neighbouring establishments Little Aosta and Aosta. Patrons can nibble on fresh wood-fired focaccia, scorched olives, seasonal pasta plates, and charcuterie delivered straight to their rustic tables.

Adding to its distinctive energy, The Blue Door regularly hosts its signature Tiny Room Concerts. These intimate performances bring local and touring musicians directly into the stone-walled room, staging up-close acoustic sessions where the boundary between artist and audience virtually disappears.

Signature items

• Terra Sancta Estate Pinot Noir
• Stracciatella Brûlée Focaccia
• Pappardelle with Paua
• AOSTA Tiramisu
• Handcrafted Cocktails
• Canyon Brewing Craft Beers

Menu

Dessert

• AOSTA Tiramisu — Classic house-style tiramisu dessert
• Sweet Cheese Gelato / Pistachio / House Brewed Amaretto — Sweet cheese gelato served with pistachio and house-brewed amaretto

Glass Pour Reds

• Terra Sancta Estate Pinot Noir 2023 — Bannockburn, Central Otago
• Chateau Macoil 2023 — Côte du Rhône Villages, France
• Alpha Domus Syrah 2022 — Hawke’s Bay
• Banfi Barbera 2021 — Piemonte, Italy
• Dicey Gamay Noir 2023 — Bannockburn

Seasonal Plates

• Mountain Meat Tartare / Lemon / House Made Mustard / Piadina — Tartare prepared with lemon, house-made mustard, and served with piadina
• Golden Beetroot / Ricotta / White Balsamic Caramel / Radicchio — Golden beetroot paired with ricotta, white balsamic caramel, and radicchio
• Red Deer Ossobuco Raviolo / Boudin Noir / Celeriac / Truffle — Raviolo filled with red deer ossobuco, boudin noir, celeriac, and truffle
• Cavatelli / Cacio e Pepe / Pecorino / Aosta Pepper Blend — Cavatelli pasta prepared cacio e pepe style with pecorino and pepper blend
• Mackerel Ragu / Tomato Tagliatelle / Chilli / Oregano — Tomato tagliatelle served with mackerel ragu, chilli, and fresh oregano
• Daily Catch / Maltagliati / Pancetta / Heritage Carrots / Bisque — Fresh daily catch with maltagliati, pancetta, heritage carrots, and bisque
• Pappardelle / Paua / Hens Yolk / Crispy Leek / Purple Shiso — Pappardelle tossed with paua, hen's yolk, crispy leek, and purple shiso
• Royal Burn Lamb / Romanesco / Chestnut Granola / Sunflower / Artichoke — Royal Burn lamb served with romanesco, chestnut granola, sunflower, and artichoke
• Lake Ohau Wagyu 400g Ribeye / Confit Potatoes / Watercress / Pecorino — 400g Wagyu ribeye served with confit potatoes, watercress, and pecorino
• Confit Purple Potatoes / Rosemary Mayonnaise / Parsley / Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Confit purple potatoes with rosemary mayonnaise, parsley, and olive oil
• Rocket / Kale / Parmesan / Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Fresh rocket and kale salad tossed with parmesan and extra virgin olive oil

Glass Pour Whites

• Ant Moore Sauvignon Blanc 2024 — Marlborough
• Lake Road Chardonnay 2023 — Gisborne
• Terra Sancta, Lola’s Block Pinot Gris 2022 — Bannockburn
• Banfi Vermentino 2022 — Tuscany, Italy

Woodfired Focaccia

• Mascarpone Cream / Truffle / Black Pepper — Woodfired focaccia served with mascarpone cream, truffle, and black pepper
• Scorched Sicilian Olives / Citrus / Garden Herbs — Woodfired focaccia with scorched Sicilian olives, citrus, and garden herbs
• White Anchovies / Chive / Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Woodfired focaccia accompanied by white anchovies, chives, and olive oil
• Whipped Parfait / Preserved Peacherine — Woodfired focaccia paired with whipped parfait and preserved peacherine
• Stracciatella Brûlée / Wild Shot Game Sausage — Woodfired focaccia with stracciatella brûlée and wild shot game sausage

Chefs Menu Selection

• Chefs Cuts — 7-item chef tasting selection concluding with AOSTA Tiramisu

Soft Drinks & Juices

• Personalized Mocktail — Custom mocktail tailored by the bartender
• Bundaberg Ginger Beer — Bottled ginger beer
• Coca Cola — Classic cola soft drink
• Coca Cola Zero — Zero sugar cola soft drink
• Sprite Lemonade — Lemon-lime soft drink
• Schweppes Dry Ginger Ale — Dry ginger ale mixer
• Schweppes Tonic — Tonic water mixer
• Schweppes Soda — Carbonated soda water
• Juices Selection — Choice of orange, apple, cranberry, pineapple, grapefruit, or tomato

Glass Pour Rose & Bubbles

• Terra Sancta Pinot Noir Rose 2022 — Bannockburn
• Ruggeri Prosecco Brut NV — Veneto, Italy
• Frank Bonville Grand Cru Blanc du Blanc NV — Champagne, Avize, France

Bottles & Cans Beer & Cider

• Peroni — Bottled Italian lager
• Canyon Gold — Canned lager
• Canyon Conehead — Canned hazy pale ale
• Canyon Wild Thing — Canned IPA
• Canyon The Front — Canned pilsner
• Canyon Stout — Canned stout
• Canyon Tussock Basher — Light low pale ale 2.5%
• Altitude Good Times — Extra pale ale 0%
• Canyon Point Pressed — Apple cider

Frequently asked questions

Where is The Blue Door Bar located?

The bar is hidden down the laneway at 18 Buckingham Street in central historic Arrowtown, a short drive from Queenstown.

What are the opening hours?

The Blue Door Bar is open seven days a week, Monday through Sunday, from 3:00 PM until late.

Can you order food at the bar?

Yes, guests can order wood-fired pizzas, focaccia, and small plates supplied by neighbouring sister venue Little Aosta, as well as refined seasonal dishes from Aosta.

What are the Tiny Room Concerts?

Tiny Room Concerts are intimate live music gigs held inside the bar's cozy stone-walled space, featuring local and touring musicians.

Can I host a private event or function at The Blue Door Bar?

Yes, the bar can be booked for private functions, parties, and celebrations, with event catering options supported in partnership with Aosta.

Do I need to make a reservation?

Reservations are accepted and can be booked online, though guests are also welcome to drop in for drinks and small plates.

Tips

• {"body":"The venue is tucked down a cobblestone alley off Buckingham Street—keep an eye out for the distinctive blue door.","title":"Look for the discreet blue entrance"}
• {"body":"The cozy seating near the glowing stone fireplace fills up quickly, especially on brisk Central Otago evenings.","title":"Arrive early for fireside seating"}
• {"body":"Check their schedule for Tiny Room Concerts to catch intimate live acoustic performances in a historic setting.","title":"Check the schedule for live gigs"}
• {"body":"Order freshly baked woodfired focaccia and bites from Little Aosta while exploring the regional Central Otago wine list.","title":"Pair drinks with woodfired focaccia"}