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Dee's Place

@deesplace.nz

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Tues - Sat
5 'til Late
Walk-ins Only
Menu coming soon

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What an incredible few month it’s been! We were blown away by the response to our Scapegrace Single Malt Cocktail Competition, with over 60 talented bartenders from across New Zealand putting their creativity to the test.

From an amazing range of entries showcasing just how versatile and exciting single malt whisky can be, six outstanding finalists earned their place at our National Final in Queenstown, where they battled it out for the title.

A massive congratulations to our six finalists:
🥃 Ross – @deesplace.nz
🥃 Rebecca – @drinkatberts
🥃 Trystan – @bedford_bar_ponsonby
🥃 Umesh – @kamanaqt
🥃 Kiernan – @yonderqt
🥃 Cat – @fergsbarqueenstown

After an incredibly close final, Ross from Dee’s Place was crowned our 2026 National Champion.

Scapegrace Marketing Manager Tim Giles said:
“It’s been an awesome few days in Queenstown with a seriously talented group of bartenders. The standard of cocktails and presentations in the final was exceptional, and the judging couldn’t have been much closer. Beyond the competition, it’s been great getting everyone together, sharing some amazing experiences and making some brilliant memories along the way. We’re incredibly proud of all six finalists and can’t thank everyone enough for getting behind the competition.”

A huge thank you to everyone who entered, supported and helped make this year’s competition such a success. The future of New Zealand single malt whisky cocktails is looking pretty exciting!

Congratulations again, Ross! 🏆

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Wellington has something ✨
Grateful to be adopted by this city once again 🏡
Y siii Welly Wow me gustas demasiaaado 🤩
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#welly #wellington #art #food #flowers

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72 hours in Wellington 🇳🇿✨

A little taste of the capital — good coffee, amazing food, wine, wandering around the city, and finally seeing WOW 👗🍷☕️

Some of my favourite stops from the trip:

🏨 The Intrepid Hotel
🍕 Pizza Pomodoro
🍽️ Kisa
🍽️Ombra
🍷 Puffin
☕️ Flight Coffee Hangar
🥐 Shelly Bay Baker
☕️ Neo Cafe
🍷 Dee’s Place
🍺 Fork & Brewer
🌿 Wellington Botanic Garden
✨ World of WearableArt

Save this for your next Wellington trip ✈️

#WellingtonNZ #NewZealandTravel #WellingtonEats #WellingtonFoodie

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Introducing your finalists for Best Cocktail Bar 🥂

Voting is open now, link in our bio 🔸

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Introducing your finalists for Best Late Night Bar 🥂

Voting is open now, link in our bio 🔸

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Introducing your finalists for Outstanding Bar 🥂
Proudly sponsored by @hancocksnz

Voting is open now, link in our bio 🔸

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Introducing your finalists for Outstanding Bartender 🥂
Proudly sponsored by @johnniewalker

Voting is open now, link in our bio 🔸

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how is september already over?? 🤯

october is going to bring some auckland eats, choctoberfest and probably more wine & coffee!
keep your eyes peeled 👀 🍫☕️

#wellington #recap #nz #foodie #eats

bueno latte was gooood 🌰 @betsycoffeetruck

@lucky_8_welly cocktails!

@zephyr_cafe_wellington almond croissant latte 🙂‍↕️

@1154pastaria happy hour deals

@arboristwellington also happy hour deals!

@localauthoritycoffee coffee dates

@deesplace.nz the best hidden vibes

@cafe_neo sticky date pancakes!!

@puffinwinebar

@mianbarwellington

@backyardcafe__nz

@thegreekfoodtruck my favs 💙

@urban_eatery_

@columbuscoffeenz @columbuscoffeeporirua

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your sign to go for a drink this week, or two!

i love fun drinks & good vibes, let me know of more i need to try!

#bars #wellington #wine #drink #nz

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💛What we loved in August 💛 Wrapping up winter in style with Charlotte’s burger series and plenty of good food and company along the way 🙌🏼

Meg & Charlotte 🤎

#monthlywrapup #wellingtonfood #foodie

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THANK YOU WELLINGTON!! It was an absolute honor to be part of the @wellyonaplate programming this year and we were humbled by your warm welcome. It's really wonderful to discover a food city like Wellington on the opposite side of the planet - your dining scene and food appreciation easily make it a destination city for eating and drinking. We will not forget the time we had there, or the amazing people we’ve met. And I already miss Moore Wilson's, green-lipped mussels, paua, and the Green Apple Whiskies Dee's Place (which I’m going to re-create the minute I get home LOL).

HUGE thanks to our host Beth Brash who really showed us a great time over the 12 days we were there. The wineries, the cheese, the restaurants, the bars, the random visit to the Japanese embassy, teaching us how to toot in tunnels…but most importantly it was the Māori mihi whakatau welcoming ceremony that pushed us over the edge - thank you for allowing us to be part of such a special moment.

Big thanks also to Dan Haycock and the hard working crew at @BurgerLiquor for the kitchen/burger support over all of our cooking and press events - those events would not have been so smooth without you. To @Conscious_valley for suppling the (very) local beef, Martin’s @potatorolls for the 2800 buns, the Opera House for the over the top masterclass venue, to Ryan at @beervana for attempting a frisbee toss on the Hnry Stadium pitch in a stiff wind, to Dom and Hayden for that incredible @kitchenday.nz moment, and of course to Mauri and Dee - the very best travel partners.

See you next time!

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Wellington's drink scene is officially top tier, with local legends bringing home massive wins at the NZ Spirits Awards! 🍸

From Dee's Place on Cuba Street taking out Cocktail Bar of the Year to innovative new spirits from Woodward Street, our capital dominated the night.

🔗👈 Hit the link in our bio to read all about our local trophy winners.

#WellingtonEats #WellingtonDistillers #NZSpiritsAwards #CubaStreet #WellingtonHospitality

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