Your Guide to an Accessible Night Out

Whether you like to go out on the town, or a relaxed Sunday Brunch, Wellington has entertainment for everyone. With a vast selection of clubs, pubs, and bars, there’s always something to do on Friday night. But, when these spaces aren’t accessible, it’s harder to let loose. It’s not exactly slay when you’re having a panic attack from being over stimulated, or are sitting stuck at the bottom of a stairwell, as drunken strangers offer to carry your wheelchair up to whatever bar everyone’s talking about this week.

So for our disabled icons, here are my top recommendations for mostly accessible places to party:

Looking for a place that’s accessible and LGBTQ+ ? Check out Ivy on Cuba Street! They have tons of fun events - including karaoke, comedy nights, and regular drag shows. Whilst the main entrance isn’t wheelchair accessible, there is alternate access via an elevator. Ivy can be visually and audibly overstimulating, so be prepared to take some breaks and bring tools like noise cancelling headphones and sunglasses if you need them. 

Elixir, a cocktail bar on Chews Lane, is much more sensory friendly. They have low lighting, quieter music, and very accommodating bar staff. Elixir boasts a menu of unique cocktails with exotic ingredients and rich flavours. They also have their bathroom hidden behind a moving bookcase, which is pretty epic.. Whilst Elixir is not wheelchair accessible, there's only one step to the door rather than an entire flight of stairs, so it’s one of the better options for those of us with mobility impairments. 

Puffin, a wine bar on Ghuznee Street, also has a lower sensory input. With quiet music and dimmer lighting, Puffin has a curated selection of fine wines, cocktails and charcuterie. Again, they are not fully accessible, but their two stairs will be more manageable to those with low mobility. 

Searching for a wheelchair accessible rooftop bar? Try Dirty Little Secret! This bar on Taranaki Street has a lift, drag quizzes and regular bingo nights. In addition to their cocktails, beer and wine, they have a full food menu, complete with sharing plates, individual meals, and dessert options!  

Whilst today, searching for an accessible night out is a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack, we hope you enjoy these options.