Rambler Christchurch sits on Lichfield Street in the heart of the central city, purpose-designed to be the most exciting bar space in Christchurch. It is built around a simple promise — a place to eat, drink and get lively — with fresh cocktails, local beer and wine, and a menu of tasty bites to match. The venue is the first of the Rambler family, with Wellington and Auckland venues on the way, and it shares a building with the Drifter Christchurch hotel. The day starts early here: coffee and pastries are served from 7am, and brunch runs from 7am to 2pm, Monday to Sunday. From 11:30am the snacks and plates take over, leaning Mediterranean and made for sharing — grilled pita with hummus, muhummara and marinated olives, seared brie, skewers, lamb kofta and shaker fries. As the evening rolls in, the bar swings into its true element, with house cocktails, a deep tap list, local wines, DJs and good vibes weekly. Happy Hour runs daily from 4pm to 6pm with drinks and snacks, Trivia takes over every Tuesday evening with Quizward, and three function spaces — the Public Bar, Social Club and Glass House — host everything from birthdays to corporate events. Walk-ins are always welcome, though booking ahead is recommended for larger groups and busy periods.
Rambler sits on Lichfield Street in the heart of Christchurch Central, purpose-designed to be the most exciting bar space in the city. It is built around a simple promise — a place to eat, drink and get lively — pairing fresh cocktails with local beer, wine and a menu of tasty bites. Whether you are calling in for a morning coffee, settling in for brunch or rounding up friends for a big night out, Rambler bills itself as 'your new local'.
The Christchurch bar is the first of the Rambler venues, with Wellington and Auckland in the pipeline, and it shares a building with the Drifter Christchurch hotel, making it an easy meet-up point for locals and out-of-town guests alike.
Rambler's day starts early. Coffee and pastries are served from 7am, with brunch running from 7am to 2pm, Monday to Sunday. The coffee list spans Vittoria espresso classics — flat whites, cappuccinos, lattes and mochaccinos among them — plus Coffee Supreme's bottomless Big Joe filter and a Raspberry Cloud Matcha. Iced versions of most drinks sit alongside a short list of smoothies, and soy, oat, almond and coconut milks are on hand.
The brunch menu covers the comforting and the indulgent: eggs on toast, eggs Benedict served on house-made hash, avocado toast with labneh, chilli oil and za'atar, a breakfast burger stacked with fried egg and hashbrown, honey butter toast with spiced apple caramel and whipped mascarpone, and apricot granola with berry compote. Add-ons like bacon, halloumi and avocado let you build your plate.
From 11:30am, the snacks and plates take over, leaning Mediterranean and built for the middle of the table. Hummus, muhummara and marinated olives come with grilled pita brushed with olive oil and oregano, while the seared brie arrives with preserved lemon and chilli relish, honey and thyme. Chicken and beef skewers and lamb kofta are paired with toum aoli or labneh, house pickled veg and za'atar, and there is fried cauliflower with tahini, cumin and mint, shaker fries with 'magic salt', beetroot salad and fennel apple slaw. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free dishes are flagged throughout the menu.
Cocktails are the headline act. The house list includes the Milk Punch — mezcal, Aperol, lime, grapefruit, peperoncini and agave — plus the Orange Spritz, Whiskey Smash, Pickled Lady with Bones Pickles, the Yuzu Negroni and a Vodka Sour, and staff can talk you through the classics. Berry Soda, Elderflower Fizz and Yuzu Sour keep non-drinkers well looked after.
Beer drinkers have a tap lineup pouring Drifter Lager, Speights Summit Ultra, Panhead Road Hog NZ IPA, Guinness, Parrotdog Birdseye Hazy APA, Crimson Badger Ginger Beer and Three Boys Pilsner, with cans and bottles from Modelo, Three Boys and Pals. The wine list reaches Marlborough, Waipara, North Canterbury and Central Otago, from sauvignon blanc and riesling to pinot noir and a chilled syrah, with prosecco and Laurent-Perrier champagne for celebrations and a no and low-alcohol beer range for lighter sessions.
Happy Hour runs every day from 4pm to 6pm — a claim to being Christchurch's best — covering wine, beer and cocktails like the Peach Fizz, Aperol Spritz, Limoncello Spritz and Negroni, alongside gyros with fries, mini charcuterie and grilled pita. Tuesday nights belong to Trivia, hosted by Quizward from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, and DJs and good vibes feature weekly.
Three function spaces — the Public Bar, Social Club and Glass House — host birthdays, engagement parties, corporate functions, team events, workshops, product launches, Christmas parties, networking nights and private dinners, with the team helping match each event to the right room. Walk-ins are welcome, though booking ahead is recommended for larger groups and busy periods.
You will find Rambler at 96 Lichfield Street, a short walk from One New Zealand Stadium — ideal for pre-game drinks or a post-event catch-up. It sits within the Drifter Christchurch hotel, so visitors can stay on-site, and gift vouchers are available for gifting a great night out.