Behind the Bar: The Craft Cocktails Creating a Frenzy in Rotorua

Rotorua may be all about its steaming mud pools, geothermal delights, and Māori heritage. But while all of that is utterly worth seeing, there's also a lesser-known aspect of this dynamic town that has been steadily stirring things up—its nightlife, specifically, its bars.

Right in the middle of town, there's one place that's fast made a name for itself as Rotorua's top bar: The Rusty Bros. A combination of laid-back cool and sophisticated taste, this café, restaurant, and bar is a place to not only get an excellent meal but also to relax. It's become a local and tourist hot spot for people who want to drink something very special—craft cocktails with a story.

From signature cocktails to reimagined classics, The Rusty Bros is spearheading a quiet revolution in Rotorua nightlife. And if you're searching for the best restaurants in Rotorua that also serve up top-notch drinks, this is where you begin.

Let's go behind the bar and find out what all the fuss is about.

🍹Rotorua's Cocktail Scene: Small But Mighty

Rotorua isn't typically the first destination that comes to mind for a cocktail crawl—but that's just why it's such a breath of fresh air. The atmosphere here is small, inventive, and full of character.

At The Rusty Bros, the staff has drawn inspiration from local Rotorua flavors as well as international cocktail trends. Rather than bombarding visitors with a 50-drink menu, they've whittled it down to a closely edited cocktail list that strikes all the right chords—everything from boozy and full-bodied to fresh and floral.

What distinguishes their bar isn't what's in the glass—it's the attention, care, and affection that goes into each pour. You'll notice bartenders zesting citrus fruits by hand, making syrups from scratch, and garnishing drinks with panache (without the attitude).

🍸 Signature Cocktails You'll Want Again

So what can you anticipate when you slide into a seat at The Rusty Bros' bar?

Some of the crowd-pleasers that are quickly becoming icons in Rotorua's emerging cocktail scene include:

1. The Smoke & Tonic

A G&T variation that begins with smoked rosemary, local gin, house tonic syrup, and a dash of elderflower. It's served over a lowball with a huge ice cube, and it's crisp with just a hint of drama.

2. Manuka Old Fashioned

This reinterpretation of the classic is Kiwi innovation at its best. They age bourbon with manuka honey, combine it with bitters and orange peel, and stir-finish it to silky perfection. Earthy, warm, and unmistakably local.

3. Pineapple Lush

Rum, lime, pineapple juice, and coconut foam come together in this tropical cocktail—your own personal vacation in a glass. Perfect to sip in the sun-drenched courtyard after a day of ziplining or lake-hopping.

4. Rotorua Mule

Vodka, home ginger syrup, and lime over crushed ice with a sprinkle of chilli. It's strong, zippy, and precisely enough bite. A new favourite among those seeking something new with a twist.

5. Kawakawa Cooler

For those with an appetite for something more herbal, this cocktail boasts kawakawa-infused gin, cucumber, mint, and lemon. Light, refreshing, and a proper salute to native ingredients.

It's drinks like these that make The Rusty Bros stand out as the best bar in Rotorua, not due to flash or gimmicks, but due to true creativity and a passion for flavour.

🍽️  Great Cocktails Need Great Food

Of course, you can't (or shouldn't) drink without eating. Fortunately, The Rusty Bros also serves some of the best quality casual dining in town. Actually, it's regularly rated among the best to eat and drink in Rotorua.

The menu is modern, hearty, and made to match perfectly with a cocktail in hand. Whether you’re dropping in for shared plates with friends or sitting down for a full dinner experience, you’ll find dishes that surprise and satisfy.

Some must-try food pairings include:

  • Loaded Kumara Fries – Slightly sweet, crispy, and served with aioli. A great match with something spicy like the Rotorua Mule.

  • Sticky Pork Belly Bites – Sticky, rich, and mouthwatering. Pair them with the Manuka Old Fashioned for the ultimate sweet-savoury combination.

  • Chargrilled Halloumi Salad – Fresh, light, and perfect with gin-based cocktails like the Kawakawa Cooler.

  • Smoked Brisket Burger – A smoky, juicy monster of a burger that slides down perfectly with any of their robust whisky cocktails.


The food here isn't secondary to the drinks. It rounds out the experience.

🌿 Local Love & Laid-Back Atmosphere

What really makes The Rusty Bros special—beyond the food and drinks—is the vibe.

It’s got that sweet spot of cool and casual. Whether you’re in a dress shirt after a long day at a conference or in jandals after a walk through the Redwoods, you’ll feel right at home.

You’ll find locals grabbing drinks after work, visitors chatting over cocktails, and groups celebrating birthdays or just another great Friday night in Rotorua. There’s a community spirit that’s authentic and welcoming.

It's also a family-friendly eatery by day, evolving into a vibrant bar as night falls. That makes it not only one of the top bars in Rotorua, but one of the most diverse restaurants to dine Rotorua locals keep returning to.

🥂Events & Seasonal Specials

The Rusty Bros is constantly experimenting—whether it's a limited batch of cocktail offerings, live music events, or seasonal food and drink pairings.

They've even offered cocktail classes, where visitors can learn to shake, stir, and garnish like the experts (with lots of tasting in between). It's the sort of hands-on experience that makes an enjoyable night out into a memory.

Be sure to catch them on social media or take a glance at their chalkboard menu when you go by—these guys are always getting up to something cool.


🌟 Why The Rusty Bros is Rotorua's Must-Visit Destination

Rotorua is brimming with surprises. Okay, so it has geothermal parks, mountain biking trails, and cultural encounters—but now it has a bar that's raising the bar on how we dine and imbibe.

The Rusty Bros isn't only a top spot to grab a bite or a drink—it's where Rotorua's flavour, creativity, and charm meet.

If you're visiting for the weekend or live just around the corner, this place is well worth a visit. And if you're googling "Best bar in Rotorua" or "places to eat Rotorua", now you know where to go.

Cocktail in hand, wonderful food on your plate, and the vibe of a town that knows how to mix it up—what more could you ask for?

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