Other entertainment in New Zealand
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Malthouse
Beervana. An immense array of beers (both local and international) that would make even the most fervent of hopheads quiver at the knees. New Zealand does brew great beer, and this is the place to quaff them. Check out the Forty Licks–style toilets in the gents.
reviewed
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Cabana Bar
This legendary music venue of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s died in 1997, but thanks to some forward-thinking, toe-tapping folk, it’s risen from the grave. Visit its website (www.cabana.net.nz) to see who’s on, then get down there and shake your thang.
reviewed
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Town Hall
Closed until further notice.
The riverside town hall and its two main spaces (the 2500-seat Auditorium and the 1000-seat James Hay Theatre) are the main venues for local performing arts such as orchestras, choirs and bands. The venue’s acoustics are excellent.
reviewed
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Pheasant Plucker
A place for a proper pint, but this time á l’Anglais. The Pheasant proffers locally brewed and British beer, along with bangers ’n’ mash and nonstop carvery with Yorkshire pud (mains $15 to $36).
reviewed
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Charleston European Tavern
Charleston, 28km south of Westport, boomed during the 1860s gold rush, with 80 hotels, three breweries, and hundreds of thirsty gold-diggers staking claims along the Nile River. The only pub left is the Charleston European Tavern, now doing double-duty as a cafe during the day and a boozer at night. It’s the base for underground, water-laden trips offered by Norwest Adventures.
reviewed
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Chick’s Hotel
Across in Port Chalmers, Chicks is the archetypal rock-and-roll pub, and the venue’s 19th-century stone walls now play host to everything from touring alt-country bands from the States to local metal bands. If any of Dunedin’s esteemed Flying Nun alumni are performing, chances are it will be here or at Sammy’s. Catch bus 13 or 14 from stand 4 outside the Countdown supermarket on Cumberland St.
reviewed
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Cartel
Closed until further notice.
Cartel may look like the end result of a garage sale at your quirky uncle’s house, but inside the retro interior is a wine list and cocktails to die for. In cooler months, pull up a bean bag in front of the toasty outdoor fire and look forward to music you thought only you knew about. There’s only room for 30 punters, but that doesn’t stop Cartel from hosting occasional DJs and live bands.
reviewed
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Goodbye Blue Monday
Closed until further notice.
Tucked away in Poplar Lane, Goodbye Blue Monday’s mismatched retro couches are a cool spot for a drink early in the evening, and then the ambience usually morphs to include live bands and DJ beats, often with an indie accent. It’s the preferred venue of about-to-be-famous Kiwi bands. It’s also the only place, anywhere, you’ll find Bodgie Beer’s organic Pilsner.
reviewed
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Harstons
The place for live music and DJs. Housed in a former piano showroom which has converted surprisingly well into a music venue (good acoustics, nice dance floor), Harstons brings national and occasionally international artists to town to entertain the late-nighters. A great attempt at big-city sophistication in a city that quite possibly doesn’t appreciate it.
reviewed
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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, a changing array of interesting tap beers, and a concise menu of cheap-as-chips bar snacks ($4 to $8). Background music stays firmly in the background, making Albar a top spot for conversation.
reviewed
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Mou Very
The tiny Mou Very may well be the world’s smallest bar. It’s only 1.8m wide, but is still big enough to host regular funk and soul DJ sessions most Fridays from 5pm. There’s 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
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Pig & Whistle
This excellent microbrewery pub in the former police station offers a conducive atmosphere in which to enjoy its Swine lager (big-screen TV, beer garden, live music Thursday to Saturday), while serving up some of the best simple grub in town (mains $19 to $30). Their menu runs the gamut from spare ribs to a gluten-free vegetarian toastie.
reviewed
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Pub on Wharf
The newest pub in town is also one if its most stylish. Ubercool interior design is shoved to the fore with handsome woodwork, lighting fit for a hipster hideaway and animal heads on the wall to remind you you’re still in NZ. Mac’s beer on tap, scrummy nibbles and a decent wine list make this a great place to settle in for the evening.
reviewed
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Forsyth Barr Stadium
Constructed for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Dunedin’s newest sports venue is 2km from the centre of town. It’s the only major stadium in NZ with a fully covered roof and will host the Highlanders Super 14 rugby team from 2012 and the Otago NPC rugby team from 2011. See www.orfu.co.nz and www.highlanders-rugby.co.nz for match schedules.
reviewed
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Butter Factory & Butterbank
Tucked away in a back lane, Butter Factory is an atmospheric wine bar with stone walls, exposed beams and so-cool-it-hurts staff. As the hours dissolve, DJs kick in and the crowd spills outside. It’s proved so popular that it’s taken over the old bank upstairs and converted it into a nearly-as-cool tapas and cocktail bar.
reviewed
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Tonic
Craft beer bar with the best of Kiwi brews, and lots more interesting imports than your average pub. Limited release beers, loads of single malt whiskies and stellar cocktails appeal to an older crowd than Dunedin’s student pubs. Antipasto plates and cheese boards mean you’ve got good reasons to stay for another drink.
reviewed
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Chamois Bar
Chamois Bar is upstairs in Glencoe Lodge, 500m from the YHA, where it entertains with a pool table, big-screen TV, and the occasional live gig. It’s a good place to catch up over a burger or nachos with the international crew of mountain guides and travellers who call the village home during summer.
reviewed
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Cleaners Only
Closed until further notice.
Good luck finding this place – it’s tucked away in the corner of SOL Sq – but once inside you’ll be in Christchurch’s quirkiest bar. Apparently it used to be the lunchroom for cleaners at nearby warehouses, and a gloriously retro ambience is still intact, complete with comfy old sofas from your first student flat.
reviewed
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Powderkeg & Matterhorn
The Powderkeg is the party bar of the Powderhorn Chateau, with bands in winter and regular dancing on the tables – once the detritus of the burger and pizza meals have been cleared. Upstairs is the swankier Matterhorn, serving cocktails and sophisticated bar snacks as well as relaxed but chic à la carte dining.
reviewed
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Monty’s
On warm summer days the patio at Monty’s is prime real estate. Same goes for the fire inside when the snow flies. With Monteith’s beer on tap, this is a great place for a quiet drink with a predominantly local crowd. Most nights the band cranks up and gets the crowd tapping their feet as they down a few.
reviewed
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Saints & Sinners
This is the nightclub that ate Invercargill – an intricate collage of bars, pool halls, dance floors and flashing lights. Maybe take a GPS with you. While entrapped, you’ll discover Saints & Sinners, the preferred live music venue for touring Kiwi bands, and the raucous Players Entertainment Venue.
reviewed
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Lyme
Closed until further notice.
Good for a drink before or after diving into the restaurant strip along Colombo St, Lyme was named NZ’s best new bar a few years back. The award-winning bartenders still make damn fine cocktails, and on Friday nights it’s a good place to meet young professionals celebrating the end of the working week.
reviewed
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Origin Coffee Station
It’s a long way from Malawi to the old Otorohanga railway station, but the beans don’t seem to mind. The folks at Origin are dead serious about coffee, sourcing, importing and roasting it themselves and then delivering it to your table, strong and perfectly formed, and possibly with a slice of cake.
reviewed
