Wellington is beloved for many reasons. Its beautiful beaches, botanic gardens and waterfront promenade are just a few of the things that make it great. We’d argue, though, that the real reason to come here is for all the attractive, horny people. Wellington hookups are what we love most about living here.
As with any beachside city, there are plenty of great bars for meeting dates and flings. We call these hookup bars - and Wellington has more than its share, from Oriental Bay to Tawa. Unfortunately, they aren’t always obvious. Even if you’re working with one of the many online hookup options, it’s easy to strikeout.
It doesn’t have to be, though. You’re not stuck out in Masterton, so why should your social life feel like you are? With the guidance of locals, we’ve investigated all the best hookup options in the area. The result is this list of amazing hookup bars and online platforms. Whether you’re studying at Victoria U or you’re a working professional, it’s time to fully appreciate this city.
Keep reading for our favourite ways to find hookups. Then let us know how our recommendations worked for you in the comments.
Table of Contents
Our favorite spots to find Wellington hookups
Did you know there are more than 400,000 people in the greater Wellington area? Find the most sexually adventurous with these hookup hotspots!
The Arborist Rooftop Bar lifts you up where you belong
@arboristwgtn
The women of Wellington are absolutely gorgeous but the city itself ain’t too bad to look at either. That’s especially true when you’re enjoying an aerial view from the Arborist Rooftop Bar high above Willis Street. Seven stories up, this magnificent bar and restaurant will help you appreciate how beautiful our city really is.
Of course, when you are that high up, it can get a little chilly. That’s why Arborist offers its patrons warm blankets to get comfy under while sitting on their plush cushions. It’s the perfect romantic way to spend the night or a great way to kick things off with someone you just met who's looking to hookup. After having a few drinks and enjoying those stunning views, you and your companion will definitely be in the mood.
All Wellington hookup platforms should be thanking AFF
Back in the 1990s, online options dedicated to hooking up were pretty rare. One of the first was AFF. It immediately made an impact but hookup culture had hardly become mainstream like it is now. Over the years, many others came and went while AFF quietly built its impeccable reputation. It helped usher in the freer age we live in now. And we couldn't be more grateful.
In its third decade, AFF is not only the gold standard of Wellington hookup platforms, it’s the most well established. We love how large and active the userbase; it makes it far easier to find someone right away. In fact, there are over 90 million users on AFF around the world, which is frankly staggering. Its dedicated users across the globe say they would gladly only use AFF if they had to. So, of course, it consistently tops our yearly rankings of the best hookup options online.
Even as mobile options have become the main hookup tool, AFF remains massively popular and easy to use. It’s got a great browser experience for the phone and computer, and its search function is nicely direct. Need someone nearby? You can search for that. Have a specific kink or prefer a cup size? You can search for all of that too, and much more. We can't get enough of how easy it is to find what you desire on AFF.
Of course, none of that would mean anything if the users weren’t ready and excited to mingle. Since AFF is purely about hooking up, it’s super easy to get laid with AFF. You don’t need to be a model, either. Men and women of all appearances find partners on here. Pleasantly, it’s also got tons of people in their 30s (and older). That means your dating life doesn’t have to dry up when you exit your 20s.
As more and more online options appear, it’d be easy to think AFF is a relic. The fact is, though, it remains one of the most consistent tools for finding hookups. Why mess with a winning formula?
The best Wellington pickup bars we've tried
Bars are some of the best places to get laid in Wellington. If you don't know where to start, here's where you need to go.
Hawthorn Lounge will be your go-to bar for hookups
@hawthornlounge
The key to a good hookup bar is atmosphere and plenty of good libations. That’s why we like the slick, speakeasy-style Hawthorn Lounge on Tory Street. Open until three every night (other than Sundays), this cocktail bar offers intricate cocktails served amidst hip, 1920s-inspired ambiance. You’ll be impressed from the moment you walk in.
For cocktail connoisseurs, there is everything you could want: classic drinks and creative new concoctions. For those whose interest is a bit more erotic, this hidden gem provides the perfect backdrop for a sensual rendezvous. Bring a date to make an immediate impression. Or just show up solo and see what happens.
The Library has something for everyone
@thelibrarywellington
Head upstairs at Courtenay Place to find one of Wellington’s classiest, most charming bars. Appropriately named, The Library looks like the reading room of an eccentric millionaire’s mansion in a movie. The book-lined walls create a feeling like you’ve walked into your own den. The beautiful company, however, will remind you that you’re in one of the city’s best bars.
In addition to the lounge and reading room, The Library is host to live music many nights. If you’ve connected with an attractive cougar and are looking to impress, this should be your first (or last) stop. The lounge’s many quiet corners are perfect for intimate conversation and maybe something a little more carnal.
The Hop Garden provides a relaxed break from hectic city life
@TheHopGarden
Speaking of drinking outdoors, do you love beer gardens as much as we do? What’s not to love, right? During the day or into the evening, enjoying a tasty beer in the sun or by starlight is perfection. We know we’re not alone, either. As craft beer culture has blossomed, even people who aren’t big drinkers have come to enjoy lively beer gardens.
There’s perhaps no greater example of what we’re talking about than Mount Victoria’s The Hop Garden. It’s got a decent food menu but the biggest selling points are its abundance of microbrews and outdoor seating area. The garden-patio bar is always bustling with beautiful people having a good time. That’s a recipe for getting laid in Wellington if we’ve ever seen one.
Cuckoo Cocktail Emporium is a crazy good time
@cuckooemporiumnz
Cuckoo Cocktail Emporium truly lives up to its name. Located in the Steamship Building at the North Queens Wharf of Wellington’s waterfront, this bar is quirky and fun. Not only do they have great drinks and bar snacks, they have a pool table and room to stretch out. Also, do you like that couch you’re sitting on? Then buy it.
That’s right; not only is Cuckoo Cocktail Emporium one of Wellington’s most daring bars, it’s a furniture store. The retro pieces that give the place so much charm can be yours, if you’re in the market. Even if you aren’t looking for a new sofa, it’s a great conversation starter. That’s always useful when looking to make a good first impression with a stranger.
The hookup apps in Wellington dating coaches prefer
A huge number of hookups start online now. You don't have spend all day on the apps but spending 10-20 minutes a week sending messages can really pay off. These are the best hookup apps in the city right now:
| Site | Our Experience | Our Rating | Free Trial Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Hookup Site Right Now  | Experience Highlights
| 9 | Try AFF For Free |
Great If You're Handsome  | Tinder Highlights
| 8 | Try Tinder |
2nd Best For Most Guys  | Experience Highlights
| 8 | Try Passion |
The best clubs for finding hookups in Wellington
Get up close with someone hot on the dance floor at an amazing club where you can get laid in Wellington.
Havana Bar brings Caribbean sexiness to Wellington
@havanabarwellington
There’s a reason the term “Latin lover” evokes such powerful emotions from women. It’s not just that the people of Latin America are so sexy (though that helps). There’s just something about the thought of being in a Caribbean paradise that gets a woman’s engine running. That’s why we have to recommend Havana Bar.
This Te Aro bar is a blast of Cuban-inspired drinks and tapas. It’s also one of the city’s liveliest venues for local musicians and DJs. Whether you enjoy mixed drinks, beer or wine, there’s something on the menu for you. Get your liquid courage in, then hit the dancefloor and find your ideal dance partner. Havana nights get hot for a reason.
Best places to meet sexy Wellington girls during the day
These daytime hotspots are some of the best places to find hookups in Wellington. Give them a try!
Lamason Brew Bar is a caffeinated alternative to hookup bars
@Lamason-Brew-Bar-267527119927052
Don’t tell our parents but sometimes we actually don’t feel like drinking alcohol. It’s shocking, we know, but it can be nice to take a break from the bar scene. On those rare occasions, we like to head over to a coffee house and get something warm to sip. That doesn’t mean we’re not still on the lookout for hookups.
Lamason Brew Bar is the perfect example of a coffee house that still bristles with sexual energy. Located where Bond and Lombard Street meet, this cosy little spot is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. You can nurse a drink and chat up a pretty little thing that sits next to you. Best of all, you won’t go broke while you’re waiting for sparks to fly.
New World is not just a meat market
@newworld
We’d never suggest that hooking up ever gets boring but we will say that the process can be repetitive. Go to a bar, talk up someone attractive and guide the evening back to someone’s place. Rinse, repeat. It’s plenty of fun, don’t get us wrong. Sometimes, though, it’s nice to challenge ourselves. To spice things up, so to speak.
When we need a little spice, we go to New World, our local grocery store. In those aisles, there are more than just chips and milk. Beautiful women have to run errands too, after all, and that means there are opportunities for making a connection. If you’ve conquered all the hookup bars in Wellington, branch out. You might find the tastiest treat at the grocery store.
Other great hookup spots to get laid in Wellington
Our recommendations so far have something for everyone. But if you like a little more variety in your Wellington hookups, keep reading.
Find the sexiest hookups in Wellington swiping on Tinder
Among the coeds of Massey University and Victoria University, Tinder needs no introduction. Ever since it launched in 2012, Tinder has been shorthand for pretty much all hookup platforms online. You would be hard-pressed to find any Millennial (or Gen Z-er who hasn’t at least tried it.
With Tinder’s simple user interface and focus on profile pictures, it’s basically a menu of the most beautiful local people. If you’re hoping to hook up with the sexiest people possible, this is your best method. Even as it shifts focus towards dating and relationships, Tinder remains the sexist (and shallowest) of online options.
You’re probably wondering, if it’s so sexy, why have we waited until now to discuss it? The truth is, while Tinder is very popular and unquestionably stacked with hot users, it’s also often quite disappointing. This is one that, more than any other, puts all the emphasis on being young and attractive. If that doesn’t describe you, Tinder will be frustrating.
Simply put, the users who have the most success on Tinder are young and good looking. The unofficial age limit is 28. Once you pass that, your matches drop off dramatically. Similarly, men need to be in the top 15% of looks (and women in the top 50%) for consistent matches. If that describes you, then you’re going to have a blast with this. For the rest of us, sadly, not so much.
Even if you are objectively attractive, be forewarned: matches don’t always mean hookups. Many of the absolute hottest female users only use Tinder for ego boosts. They rarely bother to respond to matches. Still, as long as you’re a good-looking guy (or gal), Tinder will provide regular, sexy hookups in Wellington. That’s hard not to recommend.
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