Entertainment in Rotorua & The Bay Of Plenty
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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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De Bier Haus
With a pavement packed with happy punters, this hot Haus features Belgian beers and sophisticated environs. The interior’s a classic manly hunting lodge with an antler or two in the midst. Kitchen-work is swift and savvy, turning out Euro-offerings such as German sausage, brezels, moules, frites and an excellent squid salad.
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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Cornerstone
A cheerful watering hole attended by on-the-ball staff and a mature crowd (let’s say over 25). A solid no-surprises menu offers whopping meals, while sports fans can watch the game on the big telly and groovers can swing a hip (live music Thursday to Sunday).
reviewed
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Belgian Bar
The best bar in town for lovers of gigs and good beer. Half a dozen Euro-beers on tap and 42 in the bottle make for quality supping while a menu of meatballs, mash and moules et frites will allow you to stick around and sup a few more. Regular blues and acoustic acts.
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Underground Bar
‘It’s all about the beer’ at this crafty underground bunker, run by the lads from Croucher Brewing Co, Rotorua’s best microbrewers. Sip down a pint of fruity Pale Ale, aromatic Drunken Hop Bitter or malty Pilsener and wonder how you’ll manage a sleep-in tomorrow morning.
reviewed
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Latitude 37
A classy, upmarket bar with stone-faced walls, fold-back windows and flaming torches out the front. A lot of folk come here to eat (brunch $14 to $26, dinner $21 to $42), but it’s a beaut spot for a cold Heineken after a day in the surf.
reviewed
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De Luxe Cinema
The beguiling old De Luxe Cinema shows the occasional movie and brass-band concert. Check the window for upcoming events, including the annual Silent Film Festival in September
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Crown & Badger
A particularly convincing Brit boozer that does pukka pints of Tennent’s and Guinness, and food along the lines of bangers and mash. Things get lively at the weekends when live bands play.
reviewed
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Bar Barella
For late-night action, head to Bar Barella, where bands and DJs play metal, hip-hop, reggae, rock and dub to a nocturnal crowd.
reviewed
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Office
The upmarket Office does what it does well: beer, big meals with chips and salad all over, and live bands on Friday nights.
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Colosseum
Your first choice for big-screen sports (30 screens!) and live music (Katchafire, dub DJs, Hendrix tribute bands etc).
reviewed
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Mount Mellick Hotel
A blokey Irish pub with hefty meals, regular jam sessions and poker and quiz nights, plus live bands on weekends.
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Baycourt
This big venue hosts an eclectic mix of theatre, visiting big bands, world-music concerts and music festivals.
reviewed
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Rosie O’Grady’s
Rosie’s is slightly less blokey than the Mellick, with NZ boutique beers on tap, open-deck DJ nights, big screens and good-value pub grub.
reviewed
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Rialto
There are two cinemas in town: the art-house Rialto and the megaplex
reviewed
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Buddha Lounge
A cocktail lounge and dance venue hosting local and visiting DJs.
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The Craic
reviewed
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Boiler Room
reviewed
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Princes Gate Hotel
reviewed
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Basement
reviewed
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Pohutu Cultural Theatre
reviewed
