Life is a carousel, my friends

Being the reluctant drinker that I am, it takes a bit of arm twisting to get me out to any of the city's watering holes - and even then they have to have something a little different about them.

Long gone are the days when my idea of a fun night out is having to shout at your companion who is no more than a foot away from you while yahooing patrons pour beer down your neck - accidentally, no doubt, and accomplished with a lopsided shrug and a laugh - enshroud your personal space with agrarian body perfume and otherwise intrude on your relaxed evening out.

Ah, the ravages of age.

Be that as it may, the other night I finally ventured up into a place I had been meaning to visit for quite some time: Carousel Lounge Bar in Lower Stuart St.

This is a very smart bar, with smart prices to match, but, hey, if you want to drink far from the madding crowd, then the experience evidently carries a tariff.

Comfortable furniture, smart décor, obliging service and a friendly but slightly formal ambience mark this place out.

On a fine evening there is a sort of balcony bar area out the back, some of it covered, some open, in which to experience that soothing al fresco feeling. Yes, even in Dunedin! (Overhead gas heaters to take the chill off on an autumnal evening.)

The wine list is excellent, and although I did not on a recent occasion have time to sample it, the cocktails look inviting.

There is also a limited but tasty and elegantly presented nibbles - tapas - selection to go with your drinks.

I gather the place is popular with the late night crowds, but early in the evening it is an oasis of sophisticated calm and a great addition to the Dunedin bar scene.

While I'm on oases of calm, if you haven't already, check out the whisky bar at Scotia, at the Dunedin Railway Station - another attractive, and relaxed venue for that quiet coffee or after work dram.

Like Carousel it has a fireplace and comfortable furniture.

It also does snacks, light lunches and almost anything you care to drink.

The coffee is also excellent.

And of course there is its extraordinary collection of single malts and other whiskies to just sit there and gaze at.

Whether its a quiet assignation, or a place to catch up with friends without having to compete with a room full of rowdies, this unheralded but beaut little bar does the trick.

On the pub front, it's been around for a good long while but rates a mention simply because it is rather wonderful: the Duke of Wellington, just off the Exchange.

I mention it partly because of its unmatched collection of English real ales - Old Speckled Hen, Ruddles County, Fullers ESB and countless others - and partly (and unashamedly) to make up lost ground with proprietor Mike who was mightily miffed by a Smoko column by this writer on the inadequacies of your average Australian league player.

I'm biting my tongue over certain recent events to mark the NRL season opening, and will be popping in to whet my whistle with Mike again soon.

The Duke has an accommodating downstairs space much used by film, theatre and other types for "meetings".

Needless to say the Duke's quality brews have helped bring many such meetings to order and facilitated a lot of creative and rowdy discussion.

A couple of bouquets: to Stephen Hannagan and chef Rosalie Lock of Bacchus for their 10th consecutive New Zealand Beef and Lamb Hallmark of Excellence award.

The restaurant has been going for 17 years now and Rosalie has been there for 15 of them.

It's obviously a partnership that works because the food at Bacchus is consistently very good, and with attentive service and one of the most attractive settings in Dunedin, tucked up above the Octagon, this is another oasis.

Another bouquet to the good folk at Chard Farm in Gibbston Valley, near Queenstown - incidentally a charming winery to visit if you are in the area and haven't already done so.

Anyway, an SOS to the cellar door unearthed a few bottles of a now rare wine, purchased for a forthcoming charity auction.

Time was of the essence and the bottles duly arrived by courier the following day.

A lot of wineries will now do this sort of thing and if you are serious about your wine and reluctant to go out searching around the supermarkets and bottles stores for it, go online, make the connection, and hey presto, that favourite tipple can be on your doorstep the next day.

So thanks to Chard Farm for their charm and efficiency.