Cocktail Library & Dessert Bar pairs two evening pleasures that are often treated separately. The Tutanekai Street venue operates as a cosy, polished lounge, but its identity is just as closely tied to plated sweets and savoury food as it is to the bar. Service begins in the afternoon and runs into the evening, making it possible to visit for dessert after dinner, settle in for cocktails, or build a fuller meal from snacks and shared plates. The compact concept feels deliberate rather than a novelty.
The drinks list is organised with plenty of ways to explore. Original cocktails use spirits, liqueurs, fruit, herbs and house syrups in combinations such as the plum rich Library Twist or bourbon and banana Banoffee. Classics remain available for diners who want a familiar martini, mojito or sour, while dessert cocktails translate flavours such as crème brûlée, tiramisu and Turkish delight into the glass. Mocktails use fruit, herbs, spice and house cordials, and the bar can guide a drink toward an individual preference.
Dessert is a complete course here. Irish cream tiramisu comes with coffee ice cream, hazelnuts and fruit, while pumpkin cheesecake adds salted caramel, toasted marshmallow and pistachio toffee. Chocolate appears as a warm lava cake or a brownie beneath a melting chocolate dome, and lemon ricotta cheesecake offers a sharper finish with curd, berry sorbet and confit strawberries. Zeppole and an ice-cream sandwich introduce playful alternatives without reducing the menu to a single style of sweet.
Savoury dishes give the venue enough substance to stand on its own before dessert. Moroccan-spiced prawns, fried chicken, calamari and green-lipped mussels in Thai coconut curry can be ordered as individual plates, while loaded fries and chicken wings suit a more casual visit. The largest shared platter combines pork ribs, beef short rib, wings, cheesy garlic bread, fries and salad. That breadth is important: Cocktail Library is not simply a drinks bar with one token snack, but a food venue designed for sharing across the evening.
Address: 1109 Tutanekai Street, Rotorua Central, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
Moved or closed? Tell us: Moved·Temporarily closed·Permanently closed
Cocktail Library & Dessert Bar Menu
Bar Snacks (4PM – 9PM)
Moroccan Prawns
Jumbo Prawns Sautéed with Garlic, Onion and Moroccan Spices. Served with Mango Peach Chutney. GF, NF
Fried Chicken Bites
Cornflour Dusted and Fried. Served with Roasted Garlic Aioli. NF, GFO
Fried Calamari
Cornflour Dusted and served with Roasted Garlic Aioli. NF, GFO
NZ Green Lipped Mussels
Onions, Garlic and Ginger in a Thai Coconut Red Curry Sauce. GF, DF, NF
Shrimp Cocktail
Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Sauce, Pineapple Salsa, Lemon and Toasted Baguette. GF, DF, NF
Loaded Fries
Topped with Melted Cheese, Crispy Bacon, Sour Cream and Spring Onion. GF, NF, VO
Big Meat Platter
Half Rack of St. Loius Ribs, Beef Short Rib, Chicken Wings, Half Rack Baby Back Ribs, and Cheesy Garlic Bread. Served with Fries and Side Salad. NF, GFO
Bar Snacks (4PM – Late)
Chicken Wings
Buffalo style or House-made BBQ Sauce. Served with Carrot and Celery Sticks. GF, NF
Jalapeno Poppers
Stuffed with Cheese and Deep Fried. Served with Chipotle Aioli. V, NF
Cheesy Garlic Bread
Loaded with Garlic Butter and Topped with Melted Cheese. NF, GFO
Fries
Served with Tomato Sauce. DF, NF, V, VG
Dessert (4PM – Late)
V = Vegetarian; VO = Vegetarian Option; VG = Vegan; GF = Gluten Free; GFO = Gluten Free Option; DF = Dairy Free; NF = Nut Free
Irish Cream Tiramisu
Oreo Soil, Affogatto Ice Cream, Toasted Hazelnuts, Fresh Fruit. V
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Salted Caramel, Toasted Marshmallows, Pistachio Toffee. V
Double Chocolate Lava Cake
Warm Sponge Cake filled with Chocolate Fondant. Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Butterscotch Sauce. V
Zeppole
Salted Caramel Cream filled Italian donuts, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Banana Puree. V
Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake
Lemon Curd, Berry Sorbet, Confit Strawberries. V
Ice Cream Sandwich
Fresh Baked Caramel White Chocolate Cookie stuffed with Hokey Pokey Ice Cream and Dipped in Chocolate. Butterscotch Sauce, Hokey Pokey Crumb. V
Melting Chocolate Ball Brownie
Decadent Chocolate Brownie and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Topped with a Chocolate Dome and served with Hot Chocolate Ganache. V
Innovation Cocktails
Poire Williams
Finlandia Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Poire William Liqueur, Citrus, Topped with Premium Soda.
Antico Highlighted
Pink Gin, Rosso Antico Vermouth, Peychaud’s Aperitivo, Basil Syrup, Citrus.
Good Vibe
Bianco Tequila, Mezcal, Hibiscus Syrup, Passionfruit Puree, Citrus, Egg White.
Fallen Leaves
Makers Mark Blended Malt Scotch, Poire William Pear, Spiced Pumpkin Syrup, Soda
Ruby
Gin, Aperol, Elderflower Liqueur, Grapefruit Juice, Citrus, Egg White.
Sherbet Punch
Bianco Tequila, Lime Juice, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Premium Ginger Beer, Raspberry Sherbet.
Blue Sky Ahead
Coconut Rum, Midori, Blue Curacao, Pineapple juice, Citrus, Agave Syrup, Lemonade.
Apple Smash
Bourbon, Honey, Cardamom, Apple Juice, Nutmeg Citrus, Honey.
Goody Goody Gumdrop
Citron Vodka, Chambord, Cranberry Juice, Falernum Syrup, Citrus.
Banoffee
Maker’s Mark, Banana Liqueur, Fino Sherry, Galliano Vanilla.
Smokey Sour
Blended Scotch, Ginger Liqueur, Cane Syrup, Pineapple Juice, Angostura Bitters.
Library Twist
Pink Gin, Plum Liqueur, Cranberry, Citrus, Agave.
Konnichawa
Japanese Whiskey, Peach Liqueur, Maple Syrup.
The Papasito
Mezcal, Montenegro Amaro, Campari, Pineapple juice, Bitters.
Hibiscus Bloom
Gin, Blueberry Liqueur, Pomegranate Juice, Hibiscus.
Purple Lady
Gin, Dom Benedictine, Butterfly Pea, Simple Syrup, Egg White.
Bramble Twist
Blackberry and Raspberry Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Chambord, Grapefruit Juice, Sparkling Rose.
Backyard Bench
Vodka, Campari, Fresh Lime Juice, Peach Syrup, Passionfruit Puree, Pineapple Juice.
Cucumber Basil Smash
Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, basil, Cucumber, Elderflower Tonic.
Smoked Negri
Gin, Campari, Rosso Sweet Vermouth, Burnt Rosemary.
The Paloma
Dry Gin, Grapefruit Syrup, Citrus, Egg White, Premium Grapefruit Soda.
Give a Fig!
Tequila, Homemade Fig Liqueur, Egg White.
Classic Cocktails
Espresso Martini
Mojito
Cosmopolitan
Margarita (ask for flavours)
Classic Martini Gin/Vodka
Daiquiri (ask for flavours)
Negroni
Whiskey Sour
Amaretto Sour
Long Island Iced Tea
Old Fashioned
Dessert Cocktails
Creme Brûlée
Vodka, Baileys, Cream, Demerara Sugar, Caramel Syrup
After Eight
Baileys, Crème De Cacao, Crème De Menthe, Cream
Black Forest
Vanilla Vodka, Crème De Cacao, Mixed Berries Puree, Cocoa, Cream
Turkish Delight
Vodka, Crème De Cacao, Hibiscus, Rose, Cream
Tiramisu
Kahlua, Baileys, Coffee Shot, Cream, Vanilla
Mocktails
Raslychee
Lychee, Rhubarb, Raspberry, Rose Water, Lemonade
Shrub Mojito
Mango & Turmeric Shrub, Roasted Pineapple Cordial, Mint, Lime & Soda
Botanist Lemonade
Homemade Lime & Thyme Cordial, Citrus, Elderflower Liqueur, East Imperial Soda
Premium Soda
East Imperial Burma Tonic
East Imperial Grapefruit Tonic
East Imperial YUZU Tonic
East Imperial Thai Ginger Ale
East Imperial Soda
Soft Drinks
Coca Cola
Lemonade
Coke Zero Sugar
Schweppes Ginger Ale
Schweppes Tonic Water
Ginger Beer
Lemon Lime & Bitters
Red Bull
Juice
Keri Orange
Keri Pineapple
Keri Apple
Keri Cranberry
Pomegranate
Grapefruit
Mango
Tap Beers
Heineken 5%
Heineken Silver Low Carb 4%
Tiger 5%
Monteiths Pilsner 4.9%
Tuatara Hazy Pale Ale 5.5%
Tuatara WC Reptilian IPA 6.4%
Bottle Beers (330ml)
Heineken Light 2.5%
Export Gold Citrus 2.0%
Heineken 0%
Bottle Ciders (500ml)
Rekorderlig Passionfruit & Lime
Rekorderlig Raspberry & Lime
Champagne / Sparkling Wine
Canti Mini Doc, Prosecco, Italy
18K Prosecco, Italy
Moet Chandon NV, Brut, France
G.H MUM NV Rose, France
Wines
Volcanic Hills, Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough | Fresh and zingy with a tangy lime finish.
Volcanic Hills, Chardonnay
Marlborough | Smokey, oaky, toasty vanilla, this wine is slightly lighter than its Hawke’s Bay counterpart.
Volcanic Hills, Pinot Gris
Marlborough | A fresh, full-bodied wine with ripe peach and pear flavours, hints of spices and ginger, and a dryish finish.
Squealing Pig, Rosé
Marlborough | Filled with juicy stone fruit on the snout nose and creamy citrus tart and just-picked strawberries.
Volcanic Hills, Pinot Noir
Central | Lively fresh fruit. Mocha coffee and chocolate coated coffee bean flavours. Soft tannins that will age well.
Rua, Pinot Noir
Central Otago | Aromas of cherries, redcurrants, earth, and roasted meat. Some dried flowers, too. It’s medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Juicy and fruity.
Hay Maker, Merlot
Marlborough | Rich aromas of juicy plum and cherries, mocha spice, and a hint of mint. The red fruit flavours linger on the palate.
Pepperjack, Shiraz
Australia | Rich dark red in colour with a dark purple rim, the nose shows rich concentrated red and blue fruits, dark chocolate, and rich mocha notes with hints of spice and cedary oak.
Special Wines
Lake Chalice, Vegan Pinot Gris
Marlborough | Fresh palate with cut green pear and honey suckle blossom. Ripe Pear and subtle spice.
Lake Chalice, Vegan Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough | Bright and intense characters of blackcurrant leaf, gooseberry, and green capsicum with layers of tropical fruits.
Vodka
Finlandia, Finland
Finlandia Cranberry, Finland
Finlandia Grapefruit, Finland
Finlandia Mango, Finland
Absolut Vanilla, Sweden
Broken Shed, New Zealand
Scapegrace, New Zealand
Scapegrace Yuzu Lemon, New Zealand
Ukiyo, Japan
Crystal Head Clear, Canada
Gin
City Of London, England
Dancing Sands, Dry, New Zealand
Hayman’s Peach & Rose, England
Dancing Sands, Sun Kissed, New Zealand
Dancing Sands, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
Sundown Doris Plum, New Zealand
Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger, Scotland
Hendricks, Scotland
Scapegrace, New Zealand
Scapegrace Black, New Zealand
Scapegrace Blood orange, New Zealand
The Botanist, Scotland
Malfy Blood Orange, Italy
Malfy Grapefruit, Italy
Last Minute Botanical, New Zealand
Ukiyo Japanese Yuzu, Japan
Ukiyo Japanese Blossom, Japan
Brandy / Cognac
St Remy VSOP
Metaxa 7 Star
Darroze 8yo Armagnac
Remy Martin VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac
Remy Martin XO Excellence
Spiced Rum
Black Magic, Trinidad
Helmsman, New Zealand
Sailor Jerry, Caribbean
Union Pineapple, Amsterdam
Rum
Appleton Estate 12yo, Jamaica
Gosling’s Black Seal, Bermuda
Union Pink Grapefruit & Rose, Amsterdam
Charles Mercer Double Barrel, Barbados
Mount Gay X.O New Edition, Barbados
Flor de Cana 25yo, Nicaragua
Tequila & Mezcal
El Jimador Blanco
El Jimador Reposado
El Jimador Anejo
Monte Alban Mezcal
1800 Reposado
1800 Coconut
Herradura Anejo
Herradura Reposado
Herradura Plata
Bourbon & Rye
Jim Beam, Kentucky
Jack Daniel’s, Tennessee
Jack Daniel’s Honey, Tennessee
Buffalo Trace
Makers Mark, Kentucky
Woodford Reserve Rye, Kentucky
Woodford Reserve, Kentucky
Eagle Rare
Sazerac Rye
Blended Scotch
J.W Black Label
Monkey Shoulder
Single Malt Scotch
Ardmore Legacy
Glenfiddich 12yo
Tamnavulin
Glenlivet 12yo
Benriach 10yo
Highland Park 12yo
Laphroaig 10yo, Peated
Glenfiddich 15yo
Glenrothes 12yo
Macallan 12yo
The Balvenie Double Wood
Glenfiddich 18yo
Macallan 15yo
The Balvenie 21yo Port Wood
Irish Whiskey
Black Irish
Jameson
Teeling
Liqueurs & Other Spirits
Absinthe Hapsburg Classic
Amaretto
Amaro Montenegro
Baileys
Chambord
Cherry Heering
Dolin Blanco Vermouth
Dolin Dry Vermouth
Dolin Rosso Vermouth
Galliano
Galliano Sambuca
Galliano Vanilla
Glayva
Jägermeister
Mandarine Napoleon
Montenegro Rosso Antico Vermouth
Pernod Absinthe
Quick Brown Fox Coffee Liqueur
Tuaca
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