Does Schnapps Bar offer vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options?

Yes. The menu features several dietary-friendly dishes, including a vegan and gluten-free 5 Bean Harmony, gluten-free butter chicken, vegetarian nachos, a falafel burger, and vegan rosemary and chilli polenta fries.

What kind of entertainment is available at the bar?

Guests can enjoy a big screen TV showing SKY Sports, an 18-hole mini golf course, a pool table, video games, live gigs, and quiz nights.

Is there an outdoor seating area?

Yes, Schnapps Bar features a garden bar with panoramic views of the Central Plateau mountains.

Are there function or event hosting facilities?

Yes, Schnapps Bar accommodates functions including party groups, conferences, business meetings, and staff nights.

Is Wi-Fi available on site?

Yes, the venue provides Zenbu Wi-Fi access for visitors.

Schnapps Bar

bar — Erua · Erua

About Schnapps Bar

Schnapps Bar is a lively alpine hospitality hub set against the dramatic backdrop of New Zealand's Central Plateau. Offering panoramic views of the surrounding volcanic peaks, the venue provides a warm and welcoming retreat where visitors can gather around cozy fires after exploring Tongariro and Ruapehu.

The bar and restaurant blends hearty mountain fare with relaxed entertainment. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of drinks and satisfying pub classics, relax in the garden bar, or dive into entertainment options that include SKY Sports on a big screen TV, pool tables, and video games. Outside, visitors can test their putting skills on an 18-hole mini golf course or admire unique local artwork, including a prominent driftwood kiwi sculpture.

Whether dropping in for an après-ski celebration, catching a rugby match with friends, or hosting a group function, Schnapps Bar serves as an energetic and scenic meeting point in the heart of the adventure region.

Schnapps Bar: Après-Ski Comfort and Mountain Views in the Central Plateau

Nestled within sight of the majestic Central Plateau mountains, Schnapps Bar has carved out a reputation as one of the area’s premier spots to kick back, warm up, and refuel. With sweeping panoramic alpine views and roaring fires to ward off the high-country chill, the venue provides an inviting haven for hikers, skiers, and road-trippers navigating the volcanic heart of the North Island.

Whether you are coming off the slopes of Mount Ruapehu or completing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the welcoming interior immediately sets a relaxing tone. Guests can pull up a seat indoors near the crackling fires or head out to the garden bar when the weather turns sunny, soaking in the mountain scenery with a cold pint in hand.

Generous Plates and Après-Ski Favourites

The kitchen at Schnapps Bar is dedicated to honest, hearty meals that satisfy robust mountain appetites. Diners regularly gravitate toward the house specialities, notably the towering Mountain Burger loaded with beef and bacon, and the classic beer battered fish and chips that has earned a devoted local following.

Those looking to share can dig into plates of chicken wings tossed in spicy buffalo or BBQ sauce, alongside comforting bowls of poutine smothered in cheese curd and gravy, loaded potato wedges, or crisp polenta fries. The broader menu caters to diverse cravings and dietary needs, offering everything from coastal spring lamb rump with chimichurri and Chinese-style pork belly to creamy butter chicken, vegan-friendly five-bean curry, and slow-cooked pastas.

Games, Entertainment, and Open-Air Fun

Beyond great drinks and satisfying food, Schnapps Bar is well regarded for its lively social scene. As an après-ski entertainment hub, the venue frequently hosts live gigs, pub quizzes, and rugby screenings on the big screen TV hooked up to SKY Sports. Inside, guests can also challenge one another to a round on the pool table or try their luck on the arcade video games.

Outside, the fun continues with an 18-hole mini golf course that offers lighthearted competition for families and travel groups alike. While wandering the grounds, visitors can also take in local art, including a standout kiwi sculpture crafted entirely from driftwood as part of the Forgotten World project.

With convenient on-site amenities including an indoor ATM and Zenbu Wi-Fi, Schnapps Bar functions as a complete basecamp for both locals and adventurers passing through the Tongariro and Ruapehu country.

Signature items

Mountain Burger
Fish and Chips
Chicken Wings
Coastal Spring Lamb Rump
5 Bean Harmony
Poutine

Fish and Chips — Beer battered fish and chips, a local favourite
Coastal Spring Lamb Rump — Served with mash, green beans and wine chimichurri
Chinese Style Pork Belly — Served with rice, Asian slaw and onion pickle
Butter Chicken — Tender chicken in a rich creamy sauce served on rice (GF)
5 Bean Harmony — Legumes, coconut cream, spinach, seasonal vegetables and rice (GF, DF, Vegan)
Beef Stroganoff — Beef strips, caramelized onion sauce, sour cream and rice
Razor Back Ribs
Scotch Fillet — Served with mushroom sauce, fries and salad
Fettuccine — Creamy mushroom in a parmesan sauce (Vegetarian)
Fettucine Bolognese — Served with warm ciabatta garlic bread

Salads

Thai Beef Salad — Marinated strips of prime beef, Thai style
Goat Cheese Salad — Beetroot, walnuts and balsamic dressed salad (Vegetarian)

Burgers

Mountain Burger — Huge beef and bacon burger served with fries
Korean Style Chicken Burger — BBQ chicken burger with Asian sesame slaw and fries
Falafel Burger — Served on a brioche bun with polenta fries (Vegetarian)

Bites & Starters

Garlic Bread — Slow cooked beef ragu with rich tomato sauce
Cheesy Garlic Bacon Bread — Warm ciabatta cheesy garlic bread with bacon
Polenta Fries — Rosemary and chilli polenta served with vegan aioli (GF, Vegan)
Poutine — Fries topped with cheese curd and gravy
Chicken Wings — Spicy buffalo or BBQ sauce
Wedges — Served with cheese, bacon, sour cream and sweet chilli
Nachos — Served with cheese, chilli beans, sour cream, guacamole and jalapenos (GF, Vegetarian)
Soup of the Moment — Served with warm garlic bread

Frequently asked questions

Does Schnapps Bar offer vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options?: Yes. The menu features several dietary-friendly dishes, including a vegan and gluten-free 5 Bean Harmony, gluten-free butter chicken, vegetarian nachos, a falafel burger, and vegan rosemary and chilli polenta fries.
What kind of entertainment is available at the bar?: Guests can enjoy a big screen TV showing SKY Sports, an 18-hole mini golf course, a pool table, video games, live gigs, and quiz nights.
Is there an outdoor seating area?: Yes, Schnapps Bar features a garden bar with panoramic views of the Central Plateau mountains.
Are there function or event hosting facilities?: Yes, Schnapps Bar accommodates functions including party groups, conferences, business meetings, and staff nights.
Is Wi-Fi available on site?: Yes, the venue provides Zenbu Wi-Fi access for visitors.

Tips

{"body":"Grab a seat near the indoor fireplace after a day out on the slopes or hiking trails to warm up with hearty comfort food.","title":"Warm Up by the Fire"}
{"body":"Take advantage of the on-site 18-hole mini golf course for an easy, entertaining outdoor game before dinner or drinks.","title":"Challenge the 18-Hole Mini Golf"}
{"body":"Be sure to check out the intricate kiwi driftwood sculpture crafted by a local artist as part of the Forgotten World project.","title":"Spot the Driftwood Art"}
{"body":"If you want to catch rugby or major matches, head over to watch games on the venue's big screen with SKY Sports.","title":"Catch Live Sports"}

Good to know

{"wifi":"Zenbu Wi-Fi hotspot available on site","dietary":"Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan meal options available","payments":"Indoor ATM available on premises"}