Penny Black is Cromwell's dedicated cocktail bar, set on the waterfront of Lake Dunstan in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Founded in July 2022 out of a desire to create a special space for all to enjoy, it celebrates craft cocktails, local craft beer and local wines, all enjoyed with the mountains and the lake spread out in front of you.
The bar's motto tells you most of what you need to know: when you meet here, your burdens are halved and joys doubled. Fun and casual is what you can expect — whether you want a quiet (or not so quiet) drink with friends or with someone special. There's no stuffiness and no ceremony; there is a cracking view, a well-considered drinks list and a warm welcome.
The theme is a nod to years gone by: the team kept to the Victorian era, honouring the first adhesive postage stamp — the famous Penny Black — with a bend towards the Industrial Revolution, linking the bar to the Dunstan Cycle Trail that begins at its door. Indoor and outdoor seating is on offer depending on the weather, and being on the lake front, the team reckon they have Cromwell's best views.
On the waterfront of Lake Dunstan, where the Cromwell Heritage Precinct meets the start of the Dunstan Cycle Trail, you'll find Penny Black — Cromwell's dedicated cocktail bar and a small, deliberate celebration of good drinks. Founded in July 2022 out of a desire to create a special space for all to enjoy, it has settled into its role as the town's place for craft cocktails, local craft beer and local wines, all enjoyed with the mountains and the lake spread out in front of you.
The bar's motto tells you most of what you need to know: when you meet here, your burdens are halved and joys doubled. Fun and casual is what you can expect — whether you want a quiet (or not so quiet) drink with friends or with someone special. There's no stuffiness and no ceremony; there is, however, a cracking view, a well-stocked back bar and a genuinely warm welcome.
The name and the look are a nod to years gone by. Remembering years gone by, the team kept to the Victorian era, honouring the first adhesive postage stamp — the famous Penny Black — with a bend towards the Industrial Revolution, and linked the whole theme to the new Dunstan Cycle Trail that begins at the door. Keep an eye out for Penny the Pimp, the bar's playful alter ego who makes cameo appearances in photos around the place. It's an affectionate bit of theatre that suits a heritage precinct perfectly.
Cocktails lead the way. The list runs from the classics, done as they should be, through to the Fun Signature Penny Creations — the bar's own inventions, made for people who like a little surprise in the glass. If cocktails aren't your thing, there's still plenty to choose from: a great selection of locally crafted beers, local wines and local spirits, keeping the drinking firmly anchored in its home patch. Both the cocktail menu and the wider drinks menu are available to browse online before you visit.
Being on the lake front, Penny Black is lucky enough to lay claim to Cromwell's best views. Looking out over the mountains and the lake, it's the perfect place to grab your Cromwell snaps — and an even better place to put the phone down and simply sit with the scene. Seating runs indoors and outdoors depending on the weather, so on a fine day the outdoor spots by the water are the ones to aim for.
The bar sits right at the start of the Dunstan Cycle Trail, so it makes a natural first stop before you ride, or a welcome full stop when you roll back in. It's equally easy on foot: a short stroll through the Cromwell Heritage Precinct brings you to the door. If you need a reprieve and a recharge, the team invites you to come on down and experience the Penny Magic in their beautiful hidden haven.
Penny Black doesn't take bookings — just turn up and grab a seat. If you're part of a larger group that needs accommodating, have a chat with the team first; enquiries go through on 021 998 974. Trading hours are 2pm to 7pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 2pm to 8pm on Friday and Saturday, with Tuesdays closed. All are welcome — and as the motto promises, your burdens leave lighter than they arrived.