May 5, 2012
The only fault I’ve found with Hashigo Zake is that the low ceilings can make it a bit too noisy on busier nights. Easily the most knowledgeable staff and best selection on tap and in bottle in any bar I’ve been to.

April 6, 2012
Generally deserving of the hype and rating. Just another inner city basement bar but the selection, particularly the taps, is very serious and focused. Staff completely on top of their game but I do suspect, as noted below, you might cop a sly snigger if you asked for a pint of Stella. That said, I received excellent service although my Slowbeer connections were known. Some 7 world class IPA / DIPAs on the night we were in.

August 4, 2011 [ Updated February 17, 2012 ]
Nice underground place down an alley off the main CBD of Wellington. Quite a comical Heineken sign as you walk in which is worth a look. Typical bar ambiance but its cooler caus its underground. Service was sublime. Took the time to answer the questions I had and spent plenty of time with us. Great range of beers and a good assortment on tap as well. Also had some beer ageing in a small wine fridge on the back of the counter which were all for sale. Picked up some cool bottles out of the fridge which I could also take away with me. Loved the place and was a highlight of our trip. Spent a solid amount of time in and around Beervana with the manager as well which knew his stuff big time so props to him

April 19, 2011
Dark basement bar on the CBD fringe. Dont see the huge appeal myself. While I am a craft beer fan, my friend shall we say has, more pedestrian tastes and was almost mocked by the arrogant bartender who served us when he requested a lager. Fair enough this place is a niche beer place, but c’mon....

April 15, 2011
A special place. You pause, as your eyes adjust to the dark after the bright Wellington sunlight, then step down the steps to a warm red-and-black Japanese-tinged interior, to be faced by a cosy, snug bar nestled in a corner, bristling with taps and lined with fridges. The whole place feels like a snug, but first, you see the flat-screen monitor hung on the wall telling you what is on tap - brewery (with an icon), brew, price, abv and pour method (handpull or tap). Huge range, and, as you step to the counter, you see a further menu of what are in the fridges. Order your choice, discuss options with the knowledgeable staff, or just choose randomly; you’ll get something great. Most of the beers on tap are New Zealand sourced, but beers from Japan and the US make appearances from time to time. And the fridge offers a world of ale and lager. Then find a seat - either the area with tall tables where the suits gather to laugh and joke in the evening, or the sit down tables in the snug low-ceilinged ’lounge’. It’s not all perfect. The food range is limited, but it’s a bar, not a restaurant - and you’re in the heart of Wellington’s entertainment district, so it can be a great place to start (or end) an evening. And the beer being the focus means don’t go expecting sport or music, except on the most infrequent occasions. But, overall, love the place. My favourite bar, bar none.

February 14, 2011
Best beer bar in Wellington and most likely New Zealand. No commercial crap stocked here. Also a small but very good wine selection too.

December 5, 2010
My favourite bar in Wellington, one of my favourites in the world! Outstanding range, super friendly and knowledgeable staff. Their regular tastings are excellent value and heaps of fun. Even my friends who are so-so on beer are happy to go because they can always find a beer they’ll like.

October 21, 2010
A very cosy bar, great for a session with a few friends. The Beer selection is amazing. When a keg finishes, something different replaces it. Effectively something new on tap almost every day. These guys are a huge supporters of local craft beer, stocking bottles of the rarest from around New Zealand and always having NZ craft beers on tap. Add to this a large selection of exclusively Imported, top quality craft beers both in the bottle and on tap. With 11 taps, that’s quite the selection. If You’re looking for mass produced, flavourless lagers, You will be very disappointed. The staff are excellent, very friendly and know their beers. The basement is cosy and warm. Pies are cooked fresh to order, with a delicious range of fillings and perfect pastry, they make an ideal accompaniment to any beer. Wellington is very lucky to have such an excellent bar.

June 5, 2010 [ Updated August 8, 2011 ]
LOCATION:Bay end of Taranaki Street beneath Zabbiba’s, in a small alleyway, across from the infamous Green Parrot Cafe. Street parking - limited. Reading Cinema parking lot - 4 minutes away. AMBIENCE: Basement - cozy and insulated. Decor - Red and black and natural wood floors. Small L-shaped bar. Rooms divided off from the main area, reasonably lit, well rounded environment. CLIENTELE: Primarily middle aged to older, tends to be well behaved. Evenings draw more Bohemian university types - loudish but behave well. Drunk, the average New Zealander can be obtuse and obstinate - best to avoid. MUSIC: Subdued - conversation is possible (a rarity these days in the central business district of Wellington); Good - nice, eclectic and varied. SPECIAL FEATURES: Regular beer tap appliances and two beer engines. AMENITIES: Bathrooms – clean, roomy; STAFF: Good social skills, knowledgeable about beer. In a crush they have little time to be chatty but are usually very sociable - and yes, they can be a little snobby about craft beer, a characteristic found world wide. SELECTION: Evidently best in NZ, impresses publicans and vendors world wide. On tap changes frequently and a short time away brings new delights. OTHER BEVERAGES: Limited but excellent whisky selection, premium Irish and Scotch & Japanese single malts; Excellent sake and wine selection - not huge, just very good; FOOD: ratings for HZ are skewed here at Ratebeer. Food is limited in selection but done quite well: pies (exceptional), Japanese noodles (very good - I lived in Japan for two decades and they do them well (rate them 4 out of 5), takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and other finger food which are very authentic Japanese and very good. They also have the occasional specials (the chili has been exceptional). The exceptional meat pies are unlike any I have had in the UK or any where else in New Zealand. The octopus dumplings are very authentic Japanese and very tasty. They have added chilies - piquant - to the menu. Great hors d’oeuvres. OVERALL: Excellent selection of New Zealand and international craft beers. This is the place in Wellington for the discerning beer quaffer, an oasis in this rather rowdy part of town. Good value .

December 25, 2009
If it was in Auckland, it would score higher!