Cabernet by candlelight
Where the wine flows and the walls whisper.
Before the first glass is poured, you’ll feel it: Vesuvio has history in its bones and a little mischief in its heart. Vesuvio first made its mark in 1992 as the only bar on Oxford Terrace, founded by Matt Lingens, who was told he was mad to open in “that part of town”. Joke’s on them. Jon (affectionately known to many as Fu), now co-owner, was a loyal customer back then and clearly saw the potential. After the 2010 earthquake, Jon joined forces with Matt to relocate Vesuvio to its current home, continuing its legacy after spending several years without a permanent home.
Nestled in a sunken Mediterranean-style courtyard whose architecture dates back to the 1930s, this Carlton Courts mainstay is moody, musical, and marvellously misbehaved. In 2020, the venue was lovingly transformed. Walls were knocked out, floors laid, and even the paving done by hand, all by owners Rachel Powderly and Jon. Rachel even taught herself to weld to build the bar. The result? A labyrinth of nooks, alcoves, and shadowy corners that can host anything from a quiet wine-fuelled read to a post-work pilgrimage for a pour of Pinot. It’s walk-ins for the most part. So just stroll on in. Jon and Rachel believe there’s always room for one more.
The food menu is humble, hearty, and surprisingly swanky for a wine bar. Small plates of grilled prawns, wagyu meatballs, and larger Euro-style sharing platters, best enjoyed with something bold from behind the bar. There’s no printed wine list as such, just a knowledgeable team ready to guide you through a rotating library of wines, hand-selected by the team. The selection spans both near and far, changing regularly. As for how a wine earns its place on the shelf? Jon’s a certified sommelier, so the process is instinctual but exacting: “If it’s not a straight yes, it’s a no.” One week, there might be a Lebanese Bordeaux blend; the next, a pét-nat from North Canterbury’s Silverwing Wines. The natural wines they love to pour, and with good reason.
The cocktail offerings lean classic, executed cleanly, confidently. Think good whiskeys, sharp negronis, and high-quality aperitifs. Additionally, 12 taps are kept in constant rotation in their tap room, thanks to their exclusive partnership with Garage Project Brewery, which releases over 100 new beers each year.
The soundtrack at Vesuvio is smooth grooves of jazz, funk, and soul floating through the air. Every Saturday night, the space comes alive with live music, featuring a rotating lineup of local legends like Swing 42 and longtime favourites Mundi. On Fridays, a DJ takes the reins from 7pm, spinning vinyl across the courtyard, into the tap room, and throughout all the secret hideaways Vesuvio has to offer.
Vesuvio sits proudly alongside hospitality heavy-hitters, Londo, Gatherings, Noki, and Mama Ree Thai Street Food. This cluster of hospitality gems collectively keeps this corner of Ōtautahi buzzing.
Step inside and you’ll find a space that pulses with culture. Poetry readings echo from the corners, art lines the walls, and book clubs and wine tastings fill the calendar. On any given night, you might catch a whisky masterclass, a game of backgammon between strangers-turned-friends, or a dog curled up under a table while jazz hums and candles flicker across the heated courtyard. Vesuvio is a love letter in liquid form, penned nightly to those who value great bottles, moody music, and fine food.