Speight's Ale House Wanaka is a family-owned lakefront pub in the heart of the Wānaka CBD, just a stone's throw from the waterfront. Opened in December 2012 by South Otago sheep-farming brothers Roger and Archie Gordon, it's one of 18 privately and individually owned Speight's Ale Houses across New Zealand — each upholding the brewery founder's motto, 'Generous to a fault'.
The setting is half the appeal: a combination of bar, restaurant and outdoor seating lets you pick your scene, whether that's a cold beer on one of two large decks with all-day sun, views of Lake Wānaka on one side and Bullock Creek on the other, watching the game in the bar, or apres-ski mulled wines beside the outdoor fire.
The kitchen takes pride in a seasonal menu built on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients — from New Zealand lamb shanks and market fish to hearty burgers, steaks, salads, garlic loafs and seafood, plus a dedicated kids' menu. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free options cater to all diets, and the chefs whip up daily specials and desserts so there's always something new to try.
True to its Ale House name, there are 18 beer taps pouring the full Speight's range alongside Emerson's craft beers, Panhead, Guinness, Steinlager, cider and a seasonal release — backed by Central Otago and New Zealand wines, a massive range of gins and whiskeys, cocktails and homemade mulled wine. Happy hour runs every day from 4:00 to 6:00pm with discounted house beers, wines and spirits.
Family friendly and relaxed, with crayons and colouring for kids and dogs welcome outside, it's a go-to for after-work drinks, family get-togethers, birthdays and celebration nights alike.
There's a reason Speight's Ale House calls itself 'everyone's local'. Sitting at 93 Ardmore Street, a stone's throw from the Wānaka lakefront in the centre of town, this family-owned pub pours hearty Southern hospitality alongside classic Kiwi pub fare, with the Southern Alps framed behind Lake Wānaka as your backdrop. Holidaymakers, skiers and locals all find their way here — for a chilled afternoon on the deck, a family dinner in the restaurant, or a mulled wine by the outdoor fire after a day on the mountain.
Speight's beer has been brewed in Dunedin since 1876, when James Speight, Charles Greenslade and William Dawson founded the brewery known as the Pride of the South. The Wānaka Ale House carries that torch as one of 18 privately and individually owned Speight's Ale Houses across New Zealand, all living up to the founder's motto of being 'generous to a fault'.
This one opened in December 2012, when brothers Roger and Archie Gordon — sheep farmers from South Otago — traded the paddocks for the pub. Roger can still occasionally be found pouring beers behind the bar, general manager Charline runs the show day to day, and head chef Amar leads the kitchen, a role he stepped back into in 2022.
Few pubs can rival the setting. Pick your spot: the cozy indoor dining area, the buzzing bar, or one of two large decks that catch all-day sun. One side looks over Lake Wānaka, the other over Bullock Creek, and when the sun drops behind the mountains it's a show in itself. In the colder months the outdoor fire becomes the centre of gravity, especially with a homemade mulled wine in hand. Indoor and outdoor TVs mean you won't miss the game either.
The chefs take pride in a menu that reflects the seasons, built on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients — think New Zealand lamb shanks (Charline's favourite, ideally alongside an Old Dark) or the market fish of the day. Around them sits a full line-up of pub classics: hearty burgers, succulent steaks, garlic loafs, hearty salads and seafood, plus a dedicated kids' menu. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free options mean nobody misses out, and daily specials and desserts keep regulars coming back to see what's new. Head chef Amar reckons the Speight's Empire IPA is the ideal companion to many a meal.
Eighteen taps pour the full Speight's range alongside Emerson's craft beers, Panhead, Guinness, Steinlager, cider and a crafty seasonal release. Current standouts include Speight's 1876 Limited Edition, a smooth dark ale with roasted malt, cocoa and a hint of coffee; the hop-forward Speight's Hazy Pale Ale, made for sunny deck afternoons; and Emerson's Hazed & Confused, a cloudy 5.8% IPA loaded with Riwaka, Simcoe and Mosaic hops. Not a beer drinker? There's a selection of fine Central Otago and New Zealand wines, a massive range of gins and whiskeys, and a cocktail list. Every day from 4:00 to 6:00pm, happy hour brings discounted house beers, wines and spirits.
This is a pub built for gathering. Crayons and colouring keep the kids busy, dogs are welcome outside, and the team happily hosts birthdays, work dos and wedding drinks — small gatherings or larger parties with family, friends and colleagues. Service runs from 11:30am with a lunch menu through the afternoon, dinner from 5:00pm until 9:00pm, and a snack menu until closing time, so whether it's a long lunch with friends or an apres-ski nightcap, there's a seat with your name on it. Book ahead for a crowd or a special occasion — though plenty simply wander in off the street, and that works too.