Entertainment in Dunedin & Otago
-
A
Backstage
Hidden down an appropriately seedy backstreet, magnificently grungy Backstage is the live-music venue in Dunedin. This is where NZ's bigger acts usually play when they're in town, whether they're pop, metal, rock, jazz or dub. Check local media or the website to see who's playing when you're in town. Acts here can be pretty loud, but it's a big bar, so you can generally escape far enough to be able to think, if not talk. It even does bar food, but you'd have to be pretty hungry…
reviewed
-
B
Penguin Club
Tucked down a sleepy alley off a 19th-century street, the Penguin’s bizarre location matches its acts: everything from touring Kiwi bands to punky/grungy/rocky/country locals. Fridays are open-stage jam night. It’s nominally Members Only, so ask at the Oamaru i-SITE about scoring a guest pass. See the website for listings.
reviewed
-
C
Arc Cafe
Wonderful Arc Cafe would be an asset in any city: out front there's a laid-back, grungy bar-café with mismatched tables and a gentle, welcoming vibe from the be-dreaded staff and drinkers; in back there's a dark live-music venue where fine bands play to packed crowds, or lousy bands play for their own entertainment. Good for a midday coffee or a late night beer. The vegetarian fare here is some of the best (and certainly the healthiest) options for late-night snacking.
reviewed
-
D
Empire
The stately old dame of Dunedin's pubs, this is a ‘must visit' if you're one of the army of Flying Nun pilgrims that visit Dunedin each year. It's not in the hot list of greatest live-music venues these days, but is still a damn fine venue, with bars on each of three floors, each providing a different vibe, and often hosting local bands (perhaps blues or acoustic) or jam sessions on the bottom floor.
reviewed
-
Chicks Hotel
Across in Port Chalmers, Chicks is the archetypal rock-and-roll pub, hosting everything from US alt-country bands to local metal noise merchants. Search Facebook for 'Friends of Chicks'. Catch bus 13 or 14 from Cumberland St in Dunedin.
reviewed
-
E
Circadian Rhythm Café
Specialising in organic Indian curries, this all-vegan cafe is also known for its cookies and cakes. Circadian Rhythm is also a music venue, with a variety of interesting acts on Friday nights from 5.30pm. Dunedin’s Emerson’s and Green Man beers are both available, so you don’t have to be too healthy.
reviewed
-
F
Albar
This former butchers is now a bohemian little bar attracting just maybe the widest age range in Dunedin. Most punters are drawn by the 50 single-malt whiskies, interesting tap beers and cheap-as-chips bar snacks ($4 to $8).
reviewed
-
G
Mou Very
Welcome to one of the world's smallest bars – it’s only 1.8m wide, but is still big enough to host regular funk and soul DJ sessions most Fridays from 5pm. There are just six bar stools, so Mou Very’s boho regulars usually spill out into an adjacent laneway. By day, it’s a handy refuelling spot for your morning or afternoon espresso.
reviewed
-
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Constructed for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Dunedin’s best sports venue is 1.5km from the centre of town. It’s the only major stadium in NZ with a fully covered roof and hosts the Highlanders Super 15 rugby team (www.highlanders-rugby.co.nz) and the Otago NPC rugby team (www.orfu.co.nz).
reviewed
-
H
XIIB
XIIB (aka 12 Below) is an intimate underground bar with comfy seats and couches, and cosy nooks aplenty. There’s also floor space for live-music acts (look forward to lots of funk and reggae), or to wriggle along to hip-hop and drum ‘n’ bass.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Pequeno
Down the alleyway opposite the Rialto cinema, Pequeno attracts a more sophisticated crowd with leather couches, a cosy fireplace and an excellent wine and tapas menu. Music is generally laid-back and never too loud to intrude on conversation.
reviewed
-
J
Tonic
Limited-release Kiwi craft beers, single-malt whiskies and good cocktails appeal to an older crowd than Dunedin’s student pubs. Antipasto plates and cheese boards are good reasons to stay for another drink.
reviewed
-
K
Fortune Theatre
The world’s southernmost professional theatre company has been running dramas, comedies, pantomimes, classics and contemporary NZ productions for almost 40 years. Shows are performed – watched over by the obligatory theatre ghost – in a Gothic-style old Wesleyan church.
reviewed
-
L
Murphy's Irish Bar
Less painfully Irish than most of the country's Irish bars, rustic, no-nonsense Murphy's has live music, generally of the foot stompin' and fiddle-playin' variety, on Friday nights. Couches in front of the gas heater are a nice spot to lounge on a cold winter evening.
reviewed
-
M
Sammy’s
Dunedin’s premier live-music venue draws an eclectic mix of genres from noisy-as-hell punk to chilled reggae and gritty dubstep. It’s also usually venue of choice for visiting Kiwi bands and up-and-coming international acts.
reviewed
-
N
Di Lusso
Cool with crimson walls and a backlit drinks display, Di Lusso serves seriously good cocktails.
reviewed
-
O
Speight’s Ale House
Busy even in the non-university months, the Ale House is a favourite of strapping young lads in their cleanest dirty shirts. A good spot to watch the rugby on TV, and to try the full range of Speight’s beers.
reviewed
-
P
Captain Cook
This grand-daddy of Dunedin student pubs, with a fun garden bar that’s packed with the nation’s youth over winter, shrinks to a sad pokies venue over the summer months.
reviewed
-
Q
Fat Sallys
Popular with locals, especially early on when they’re often tucking into a substantial pub meal. Come along on a Wednesday night for the rollicking pub quiz.
reviewed
-
R
Carousel
Dark and sophisticated, with great cocktails, loungey music and a late-30s crowd looking pretty pleased with themselves to be seen somewhere so deadly cool.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Bath Street
When all the other bars are closed, Bath Street’s famously good sound system summons Dunedin’s unsleeping dance crowd for drum ‘n’ bass, house and hip-hop.
reviewed
-
T
10 Bar
Deep downstairs is a complex space filled with loud music, pulsing lights and dancing bogan princesses. A cover charge kicks in at midnight.
reviewed
-
U
Toast
The dark, comfy booths at small, intimate Toast are a nice spot to catch your breath between livelier, noisier bars.
reviewed
-
V
Pop
Pop serves Dunedin’s best martinis and prides itself on seriously good DJs playing funk and house.
reviewed
-
W
Rialto Cinemas
Blockbusters and art-house flicks. Rates often cheaper on Tuesdays.
reviewed