Mr. Brightside Rooftop Bar

About Mr. Brightside Rooftop Bar

Mr. Brightside Rooftop Bar sits atop the historic Public Trust Building on Oxford Terrace, in the heart of Christchurch's hospitality precinct. The building opened in 1925, designed by architect Cecil Wood, and was once home to offices and hospitality venues on the ground floor, including the now-closed Tru Bar, before the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.

After roughly two and a half years securing a liquor licence with the Christchurch City Council, Mr. Brightside opened to the public at 5pm on 2 December 2020. It's a penthouse-style rooftop bar with a retractable roof, offering 360-degree views over the Port Hills, the Avon River, the snow-capped Alps, Cathedral Square and across the city.

The bar describes itself as the last in town to see the sun, with a focus on curated cocktails, an eclectic playlist and full table service whether visiting during the day or late at night. It operates as an adult bar and casual dining environment, with all guests required to be at least 18, becoming an R20 establishment after 10pm.

Mr. Brightside Rooftop Bar: Cocktails with a View Above Christchurch

On the top floor of the historic Public Trust Building, overlooking Oxford Terrace in the heart of Christchurch, **Mr. Brightside Rooftop Bar** has built a reputation as one of the city's standout rooftop drinking spots. The building itself dates back to 1925, designed by noted architect Cecil Wood, and once housed offices and hospitality venues — including the long-gone Tru Bar — before the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes reshaped much of the city centre.

From Empty Rooftop to City Landmark

Getting Mr. Brightside open wasn't quick. The team spent roughly two and a half years working through the process of securing a liquor licence with the Christchurch City Council before finally opening the doors at 5pm on 2 December 2020. Since then, the venue has become known for its penthouse-style setup, complete with a retractable roof that opens the space up to the sky, and sweeping 360-degree views taking in the Port Hills, the Avon River, the snow-capped Alps and Cathedral Square.

The name and philosophy behind the bar are tied together. Mr. Brightside leans into Christchurch's reputation for resilience and optimism, positioning itself as a place to leave a tough day behind. It also claims a more literal distinction: being the last bar in the city to see the sun each evening, a detail that shapes both its rooftop setting and its all-day drinking culture, from afternoon sun to late-night city lights.

What's in the Glass

Mr. Brightside's drinks programme runs deep, organised across several distinct categories rather than a single generic cocktail list. There's a no and low alcohol range built around Seedlip non-alcoholic spirits, including drinks like Spice Is Life and the tomato-forward Brightside Bloody Mary — both able to be given an alcoholic boost on request. A Signature Serves selection pairs premium spirits like Scapegrace Blood Orange Gin and Roku Sakura Bloom with Fever-Tree mixers, aiming for big, clean flavours with minimal fuss.

Daiquiris, all built on Planteray 3 Stars White Rum and shaken to order, come in flavours spanning Coconut Banana to Hibiscus Pineapple, with a daily 3pm–6pm window where the classic size drops to snack pricing. The Spritz Cocktails, all topped with Cloudy Bay Pelorus Brut, include takes on the Aperol Spritz, Hugo Spritz and Italicus Spritz, and can also be ordered as a larger Spritz Tree for groups. Rounding things out is a rotating set of house classics and featured cocktails — names like Wingman, Little Miss Lover and Kingston Punch — that reflect five years of the bar's own cocktail history.

Food, Team and the Bigger Picture

Alongside drinks, Mr. Brightside runs food menus described as sourced locally and free-range or organic wherever possible, spanning a general food menu, a dedicated lunch menu, and a drinks menu that updates seasonally. The bar is led by General Manager and shareholder Adam Wood, alongside Assistant Manager Isaiah McLeod, with a front-of-house and bar team built around what the venue describes as casual, high-energy full table service, day or night.

Beyond regular trading, Mr. Brightside also hosts a calendar of events — cocktail competitions, Sunday Sessions, daily deals and long weekend celebrations — and takes bookings for private functions.

Planning a Visit

Mr. Brightside is located on Level 4, 152 Oxford Terrace, in Christchurch's Central City. As an adult bar and casual dining venue, all guests must be at least 18, with the venue shifting to an R20 (20-plus) environment after 10pm. Bookings can be made directly through the venue, and given its rooftop setting and reputation, arriving early or booking ahead is worth considering, particularly on weekend evenings.

Signature items

• Wingman
• Little Miss Lover
• Kingston Punch
• Classic Daiquiri
• Aperol Spritz
• Scapegrace Blood Orange G&T

Menu

Daiquiris

• Classic Daiquiri — Planteray 3 Stars White Rum, fresh lime juice, caster sugar syrup.
• Coconut Banana — Planteray 3 Stars White Rum, lime stock, coconut milk, banana puree.
• Passionfruit Mango — Planteray 3 Stars White Rum, lime stock, passionfruit, mango puree.
• Hibiscus Pineapple — Planteray 3 Stars White Rum, lime stock, fresh pineapple and hibiscus cordial.
• Double Berry — Planteray 3 Stars White Rum, lime stock, raspberry and strawberry puree.

No & Low Alcohol

• Spice Is Life — Seedlip Grove 42 non-alcoholic spirit, lemongrass, kaffir lime, red chili pepper cordial, swizzled over crushed ice.
• Twisted Smith — Seedlip Garden 108 non-alcoholic spirit, Granny Smith apple, falernum, lime, shaken over crushed ice with an apple fan.
• Passion For Fashion — Seedlip Grove 42 non-alcoholic spirit, passionfruit, lime, served spritz style with soda water.
• Brightside Bloody Mary — House-made bloody mary mix of tomatoes, herbs, vegetables, fruits, spices and red hot chili peppers, served over ice.

Spritz Cocktails

• Aperol Spritz — Aperol, Cloudy Bay Pelorus Brut, orange, soda.
• Hugo Spritz — Florentine Elderflower Liqueur, Cloudy Bay Pelorus Brut, mint, lemon, soda.
• Italicus Spritz — Italicus Bergamot Liqueur, Cloudy Bay Pelorus Brut, lemon, olives, soda.
• Limoncello Spritz — Limoncello, Cloudy Bay Pelorus Brut, lemon, basil, soda.
• Campari Spritz — Campari, Cloudy Bay Pelorus Brut, orange, soda.

House Cocktail Classics

• Little Miss Lover — Absolut Watermelon Vodka, Absolut Citron Vodka, watermelon, lime juice, fresh mint, Fever-Tree ginger beer.
• Pretty Italy — Malfy Rosa Grapefruit Gin, Aperol, red grapefruit, lemon, soda.
• Kingston Punch — Planteray Original Dark Rum, Aperol, passionfruit, lactose, citrus, whole milk clarification.

Signature Serves (Fever-Tree)

• Scapegrace Blood Orange Gin & Fever Tree Tonic — With passionfruit liqueur and fresh oranges.
• Citadelle Gin & Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic — With elderflower liqueur, lemon and fresh basil.
• Roku Sakura Bloom & Fever Tree Raspberry Tonic — With lychee liqueur, lychee and Granny Smith apple.
• Planteray Pineapple Rum & Fever Tree Ginger Beer — With smokey pineapple rum, fresh pineapple and orange.
• Volcán De Mi Tierra & Fever Tree Grapefruit Soda — Paloma-style with orange aperitivo, tajin salt rim and fresh pink grapefruit.

Cocktails - Currently Featured

• Wingman — Citadelle Gin, Florentine Elderflower Liqueur, Granny Smith, Feijoa, Ginger Juice, Basil.
• Main Character Energy — Olmeca Altos Blanco Tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, Hibiscus, Pineapple, Lemon.
• Party Liaison — Olmeca Altos Blanco Tequila, Aperol, Mandarin, Mango, Yuzu, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tajin Salt.
• Tears of Your Ex — Lemongrass infused Vodka, Crème de Pêche, Sūpāsawā, Grapeseed Lavender Oil.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Mr. Brightside Rooftop Bar located?

Level 4, 152 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central City, on top of the historic Public Trust Building.

What are the trading hours?

Wednesday and Thursday from 3pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday from midday to 2am, and Sunday Sessions from midday to 9pm.

Is there an age restriction?

Yes, all guests must be at least 18. After 10pm, the venue becomes an R20 (20-plus) establishment.

Does Mr. Brightside have a retractable roof?

Yes, it's a penthouse-style rooftop bar with a retractable roof and 360-degree city views.

What's the story behind the building?

The Public Trust Building opened in 1925, designed by architect Cecil Wood, and previously housed offices and ground-floor hospitality venues, including the now-closed Tru Bar, before the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.

Can I book for a function or event?

Yes, Mr. Brightside takes bookings for private functions.

Do they offer non-alcoholic cocktails?

Yes, a dedicated No & Low Alcohol range is available, including drinks like Spice Is Life and the Brightside Bloody Mary.

Tips

• {"body":"Between 3pm and 6pm daily, the classic-size daiquiri is priced at snack rate.","title":"Catch the daiquiri happy window"}
• {"body":"The Spritz Cocktails are also available in a larger Spritz Tree format, good for sharing.","title":"Order a Spritz Tree for groups"}
• {"body":"Given the rooftop setting and views, booking ahead is worth it, especially Friday and Saturday nights.","title":"Book ahead for weekends"}
• {"body":"Entry requires guests to be at least 18, with R20 rules applying after 10pm.","title":"Bring ID"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Adult bar and casual dining environment — all guests must be at least 18, and it becomes an R20 establishment after 10pm."}