The Rogue & Vagabond, Wellington NZ

It has been eight years since I was in Wellington last. Finally in May of 2026, I made it back. Splitting business and pleasure, my team met at a local bar for some local beers and spotted... jointed buffalo wings!

I couldn't leave without trying them! So, how were they?

The Scores

• The Specs: Single Jointed Wings! FINALLY! I mean, there was five of those and then on solitary drum but... I'll take it! RATING 7
• The Sauce: I think these were made with a local hot sauce. Regardless, they were bloody good. Excellent butter ratio. RATING 8
• Crunch: Crunchy. Fried. No seasoned flour coating. RATING 6
• Serving size & price/Value for Money: 5 single jointed wings and one drum for NZD$15 is just over AUD$2 apiece. That would be bang on average... except there's 5 jointed wings! That's gotta be the equivalent of 9 flats or something? GREAT VALUE. RATING 9
• Heat/spice level: Perfect. Beautiful, beautifully hot wings RATING 10.
• Flavour: Excellent, delicious wings. Whether they are made from Franks and I've missed it, or they're using local hot sauce, it matters not. They're great. Would I eat again? Yes. Would I get an immediate second serve? If there was time, absolutely I would. RATING 9
• Celery: Celery and carrot. A point off for carrots. RATING: 4.
• Dipping Sauce: Chunky, delicious blue cheese, I dipped every last celery stick in this sauce. Not the carrots though.  RATING: 5
• Other Stuff: Among a bunch of local NZ beers, I chose an excellent local fresh hop pale ale to go with the wing spice. Grungy venue with literal 1990s grunge playing in venue when we were there. I'm told that it is frequented by university students later in the day so, if you're old like me, I'd recommend visiting in the afternoon! Still, Rogue & Vagabond was a fun place with great wings. RATING 8
  

OVERALL RATING 66/80. 

No Moist Towelettes. No Bonus Points. But never mind! We have a new leader of the pack! The Rogue & Vagabond wing experience scores 66, despite carrots and a lack of moist towelettes... The point of difference? Blue Cheese, Celery, and jointed wings! BOOM!

Date Visited: 23rd May 2026

Venue Details:

18 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand