Entertainment in New Zealand
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A
Multiplex Cinemas
Screening recent blockbusters in poorly sound-insulated cinemas.
reviewed
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B
Crowded House
A sporty hive of boozy activity with pool tables (in good nick), restaurant (fries with everything) and big-screen TVs. No sign of Neil Finn…
reviewed
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C
Danger! Danger!
Be very afraid: you may find yourself screaming along as the covers band belts out ‘Living on a Prayer’ to the packed-out scrum of booze hags and hogs at this popular and populist wood-clad barn.
reviewed
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D
Flying Haggis
Proudly displaying a Glaswegian connection, this otherwise nondescript pub rustles up baked potatoes, toasties and fish and chips, which can be washed down with imported Scottish ales. Musos drift in from the hills occasionally and twang their guitars.
reviewed
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E
Dockside
An upmarket, nautically themed restaurant-bar, popular for after-work tie-loosening later in the week (it's nicknamed the 'dry cleaners' on a Friday night, as it's where you come to pick up a suit). Great indoor-outdoor venue with water frontage and quality seafood.
reviewed
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F
Bar Mode
Ground zero for live bands in Palmerston North, Bar Mode is a big beery room with a big stage and a big sound system. Rock, punk, indie, metal and ska – big. Usually full of pool-playing, jukeboxing students, unwinding after a hard day spent aspiring to adulthood.
reviewed
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G
Sprig & Fern
The Sprig & Fern brewery in Richmond supplies an extensive range of beers to S&F pubs springing up around the region. Around 20 brews on tap, from lager through to doppelbock and berry cider. No pokies, no TV, just decent beer, occasional live music and a pleasant outdoor area. Pizzas can be ordered in.
reviewed
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H
Butterbank
Occupying a converted bank building, this tapas and cocktail bar hosts live musicians on Fridays. As the hours dissolve, DJs kick in.
reviewed
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I
Maen Fiddler
A traditionally Irish bar, but not nauseatingly so with leprechauns and shamrocks everywhere (retro record sleeves and an antique motorbike instead). Live music nightly, plus an amazing range of whiskies, local and imported beers. Maen hangovers...
reviewed
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J
Community Theatre
reviewed
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K
Art-House Cinema
reviewed
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L
Hotel de Brett
Grab a beer in the cornerbar, a cocktail in the chic art deco housebar or nab a spot by the fire in the atrium, an interesting covered space fashioned from the alleyway between the old buildings.
reviewed
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M
Civic Theatre
This restored grand dame of a theatre is used by major touring productions, including opera, musicals and live theatre, as well as by the Auckland International Film Festival.
reviewed
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N
Maidment Theatre
The University's theatre often stages Auckland Theatre Company (www.atc.co.nz) productions.
reviewed
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O
Mt Smart Stadium
Hosts soccer, rugby league (Warriors) and really big-name concerts.
reviewed
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P
Picton Cinema
Two microtheatres within the Eco World Aquarium building bring Werner Herzog and associates to small-town New Zealand. The manager deserves a medal.
reviewed
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Q
SkyCity Theatre
reviewed
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R
Gintrap
reviewed
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S
Shed 2
reviewed
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T
Thirsty Whale
reviewed
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Basement
reviewed
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U
Founders Brewery & Café
reviewed
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V
Princes Gate Hotel
reviewed
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W
Criterion Hotel
This restored property is the ultimate corner pub. The owner maintains an ever-changing selection of draught beers – look for brews from Christchurch's Harrington Breweries and Dunedin's Green Man – and there’s also excellent pub food. Don’t blame us if you progress to the single-malt heaven also on offer. Weekend evenings sometimes see impromptu gigs from local musos.
reviewed