Restaurant
Puffin Wine Bar & Shop
60 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Find Puffin Wine Bar & Shop
60 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Puffin Wine Bar & Shop
Tucked past a front bottle shop on Ghuznee Street, Puffin is Te Aro’s moody shelter for unscripted natural wines and bespoke drinks. Regulars lean on the counter for a proper yarn, trusting bartenders who build custom cocktails to your palate or shake a cold, savory martini. Settle into dark green velvet booths beneath a Murano chandelier, or step through to the plant-filled courtyard out back away from the Wellington gusts. The rotating wall menu highlights unfamiliar, low-intervention pours, backed by local craft beer and sourdough pretzels with pickle dip.
- Moody Sanctuary: Green velvet booths, taxidermy, and a sheltered, plant-filled courtyard offer calm refuge from Wellington wind.
- Unconventional Natural Wine: Staff pour rotating, low-intervention bottles and rare grape varieties written up on the wall menu.
- Bespoke Cocktails & Martinis: Bartenders tailor custom cocktails on the fly and shake what many call the capital’s sharpest dirty martini.
- Hidden Shop Layout: Slip through an unassuming bottle shop and hotel corridor into this intimate, speakeasy-style retreat.
What's On at Puffin Wine Bar & Shop
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose Puffin Wine Bar & Shop
Discover what sets Puffin Wine Bar & Shop apart, from natural vintages to hidden speakeasy booths.
Passionate and Educated Wine Curation
Guests can explore unfamiliar and natural pours guided by dedicated staff who will gladly taste, compare, and exchange bottles to ensure the right vintage experience.
Signs of a passionate, educated and we'll run wine bar.
Patrick Peng Curated Natural and Funky Wine Discoveries
The bar presents rotating wall selections and unique grape varieties tailored for patrons seeking natural, unconventional profiles.
I would recommend their natural wine program to all who enjoy a funky wine and a beautiful atmosphere!
Logan Samuels Tailored Martinis and Bespoke Cocktails
Patrons enjoy expertly tailored martinis and classic cocktails mixed to personal preference by attentive bar staff.
she came up with some amazing tailor made cocktails based on my taste
Luke Dienes Intimate Atmosphere for Dates and Gatherings
With its stylish corners and intimate seating, the bar offers a quiet setting ideal for dates and evening catch-ups with friends.
this place is also great for a first date if you’re after a wine and cocktail bar
Sally Concealed Bottle Shop Speakeasy Entrance
Hidden away through a dedicated bottle shop and hotel corridor, the bar rewards patrons with an unexpected speakeasy-style sanctuary.
Hidden bar found behind a wine shop...brilliant place
Vivienne Garrick Cosy Sheltered Refuge from the Wind
The interior and rear courtyard offer comfortable booths and sheltered spaces tucked safely away from Wellington's blustery weather.
Was also a cozy warm spot on a windy night, with plenty of nooks and spots to cozy up into.
Jethro Donald
Most popular items
Celebrated pours and cocktails praised by regulars
Martini
Might be the best Martini in Wellington.
Luke Dienes Amaretto Sour
an Amaretto Sour
Jethro Donald A Thousand Gods Giara
Tried the A Thousand Gods Giara - great crisp nose, smooth on the palate and a refreshing citrus follow up.
Mitchell Bidois Birdseye Hazy
NZ’s best hazy (birdseye)
Jethro Donald
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality touches that elevate the experience at Puffin Wine Bar & Shop
Complimentary Soda Water on Arrival
Guests are greeted with complimentary sparkling soda water upon taking a seat.
Handwritten Coaster City Recommendations
Bartenders gladly write down curated lists of local bar and venue recommendations directly on coasters for visitors.
Proactive Table-Side Bottle Comparison
If a bottle does not show at its best or requires decanting, staff proactively taste alongside guests and promptly open a fresh bottle for comparison.
Bespoke Taste-Profile Cocktails
The team crafts tailor-made cocktails and bespoke dirty martinis shaped to individual personal preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the bar located inside the building?
Puffin is tucked past the wine bottle shop at the front—walk down the corridor past the entrance area to find the moody bar space inside.
What kind of drinks and food are offered?
The staff can guide you through natural and unfamiliar grape varieties with changing by-the-glass wall options, alongside craft cocktails, martinis, and small plates.
What seating options are available?
You can choose between plush velvet booths and cozy nooks inside, street-side tables out front, or a sheltered, plant-lined courtyard area out back.
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