Après at Ayrburn, Queenstown’s Upscale Dining Precinct

Unlike a lot of other ski towns in the world, there’s hardly any on-mountain accommodation around New Zealand’s Queenstown resorts. Instead, everyone stays either in Queenstown or Wanaka, giving them access to all the bars, cafes, restaurants and stores they need. It stands to reason then that Queenstown is an après-ski hot spot. And it got even hotter with the launch of Aynsbury.

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Located in Arrowtown, this upscale, still-expanding precinct opened in December 2023. That doesn’t mean it’s new. Oh no. A Scottish farmer rocked up here in 1860, claimed some land and called it Ayrburn. In the decades that followed, he built a homestead and lots of farm buildings, and they’re what’s been rehabilitated to create this one-of-a-kind venue.

When it comes to dining, there’s The Woolshed bistro and the unusually named wine bar, The Manure Room. (During prohibition, our old mate, the farmer, hid his booze in the manure shed.) There’s also the subterranean sanctuary of The Barrel Room, chic and intimate cocktail spot, The Burr Bar, and, if you’re with the kids or not imbibing, go to The Dairy for ice-cream and milkshakes.

During winter, things really heat up, with events and activities taking over all the bars and restaurants. Christmas in July takes over the entire month, with the grounds transformed with light displays and decorations inspired by the incredible displays of London’s Oxford Street.

The Dell – during summer, an incredible lawn where kids play and adults sun themselves – becomes home to an ice rink. Even if you don’t want to skate, you can grab a hot chocolate and watch on. It also hosts The Winery Arena. During September, when the Snow Machine Festival takes over The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, you can catch a line-up of live performances there, ncluding Middle Kids, Ladyhawke, Teenage Dads and more.

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But you don’t need to do any of that. In fact, if your perfect après moment is a cheese board and a glass of local pinot noir, you’re more than covered at one of Ayrburn’s many options.

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