Wellington and Auckland have scooped most of the accolades at this year's coveted New Zealand Bartender Magazine Bar Awards.

The capital's Matterhorn and Hawthorn Lounge establishments both picked up two top prizes.

Matterhorn took bar of the year and best drinks selection, while Hawthorn Lounge scooped new bar of the year and cocktail list of the year.

Frequented by the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Sir Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Tess Daly and Vernon Kay, the Matterhorn has now secured both awards for two consecutive years.

Wellington’s luxurious Vivo Enoteca Cucina was named best wine bar of the year.

Auckland also won a number of top awards, including pub of the year for Galbraith's Alehouse, new pub of the year for The Living Room and best bar food for La Zeppa.

The city also boasts New Zealand's best cocktail bar, Mea Culpa.

Christchurch's Double Happy was named nightclub of the year.

"We are very grateful and humbled in fact to be chosen again," said Sam Chapman, co-owner of Matterhorn.

"It was a really nice surprise. We're thrilled, and honoured and even more delighted than we were last year, and it's fantastic for Wellington.

"The awards are a validation of everything I feel about this great city."

The second annual New Zealand Bartender Magazine Bar Awards took place in Auckland on July 17.

THE WINNERS
Bar of the Year
Matterhorn, Wellington

Bar Manager of the Year
Daniel Walker, Suite, Auckland

Bartender of the Year
Nick Ravenhall, Corner Bar, Auckland

Wine Bar of the Year
Vivo Enoteca Cucina, Wellington

Pub of the Year
Galbraith's Alehouse, Auckland

New Pub of the Year
The Living Room, Auckland

New Bar of the Year
Hawthorn Lounge, Wellington

Nightclub of the Year
Double Happy, Christchurch

Best Drinks Selection
Matterhorn, Wellington

Bar Team of the Year
Clooney, Auckland

Operator of the Year
David Hawk, Suite & Crow Bar, Auckland

Cocktail Bar of the Year
Mea Culpa, Auckland

Cocktail List of the Year
Hawthorn Lounge, Wellington

Best Music Offering
Sandwiches, Wellington

Best Bar Food
La Zeppa, Auckland

The article New Zealand's best bars announced originally appeared on 999 Today