The best cocktails in Christchurch

Christchurch's cocktail game has come a long way — from hidden laneway bars to restaurants with someone behind the stick who actually knows what they're doing. These are the spots mixing the city's best, whether you want a classic done right or something you've never heard of.

107 places pouring proper cocktails across the city — densest through the Central City, with standouts in Addington, Riccarton and over in Lyttelton. A mix of dedicated bars and restaurants worth perching at just for the drinks list.

The good bars get busy from Thursday on, and the best lists change with the season — when in doubt, trust the bartender's pick.