Our Story
Tucked down a hidden alleyway in Arrowtown, The Blue Door Bar is a speakeasy-style hideaway with stone walls, a roaring fire, and an intimate atmosphere. Known for craft cocktails, fine wines, local beers, and live music, it’s one of Central Otago’s most iconic gems.
About Us
Step through the famous blue door and discover Arrowtown’s most atmospheric bar. With original schist stone walls, rustic beams, and a welcoming fireplace, The Blue Door Bar is a place where locals and visitors gather for great drinks, good company, and unforgettable nights.
Our menu brings together an eclectic mix of Central Otago wines, local beers, and signature cocktails crafted by passionate bartenders. To complement the drinks, we offer small plates and wood-fired pizza from Little Aosta, while private events are elevated through our partnership with the award-winning Aosta restaurant.
More than just a bar, The Blue Door is an intimate venue for live music, celebrations, and private gatherings. Whether you’re here for a quiet drink by the fire, a lively night out, or a one-of-a-kind event.
Our History
The Blue Door’s story begins in Arrowtown’s goldmining era, when the space served as a cold storage room for food in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its thick stone walls and cool underground atmosphere made it the perfect cellar, long before anyone imagined it as a bar.
In the early 1990s, the floor was excavated so people could finally stand upright inside. This transformation sparked the idea of creating a hidden, speakeasy-style bar that embraces Arrowtown’s historic character.
Over the past three decades, The Blue Door has become a beloved part of Arrowtown life. Today, it remains true to its roots with rustic stone, wooden beams, and a glowing fireplace — while hosting some of the region’s finest entertainment and partnering with Aosta and Little Aosta to create a complete dining and nightlife experience.
