Barmuda

Address: Searle Lane, Queenstown and Arrowtown, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)3 442 7300
Website: view Barmuda’s website
Style: Cocktail bar

Review

Barmuda is from the same stable as Bardeaux and Bunker, but has more of a relaxed, party atmosphere. A large terrace contains a huge open fire while inside, running right along the wall, is a long bar with a truly enormous back-bar. It's fairly opulent, with fresh flower displays, chandeliers and huge angled mirrors which make the place seem double its actual size. The music is louder here than its stablemates, and there's a good, happy atmosphere and very friendly service.

The drinks list here is pretty enormous - cocktails are listed according to spirits category and mix classics with contemporary original drinks, so in the case of cognac lists both the Brandy Alexander with a Whykicka Moo Cow? (Meukow Cognac, Laphroig 10 year old and Absolut Peppar blended with freshly squeezed orange juice and other tropical flavours).

As you'd expect, the drinks are made proficiently if without a certain level of finesse that you see in other bars in the group. The spirits list is huge, containing a good level of super premium brands. Plus there's a healthy selection of champagnes ahead of a library of New Zealand wines listed by grape.