Other entertainment in Pacific
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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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Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Averaging 130 performances a year, the MSO has a loyal following. Their reach is broad: while not afraid to be populist (they’ve done sell-out performances with Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka and the Whitlams), they can also do edgy. The Metropolis series premieres new Australian composition and challenging works from international contemporary composers. The well-regarded Melbourne Chorale has joined forces with the orchestra and is now known as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus. The MSO performs regularly at Hamer Hall, but also at other venues around the city, including the Malthouse and St Paul’s Cathedral.
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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Suncorp Stadium
One of the fiercest rivalries in Australian sport is the State of Origin rugby league match held at least once a year at the ‘cauldron’, Suncorp Stadium, between the mighty maroons (Queensland) and the blues (NSW). The local rugby league team, the Brisbane Broncos, play home games at Suncorp Stadium and it also hosts international tests.
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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Terrace Cinema
Near Wingham, Tinonee is a tiny heritage town. It features the usual Sunday drive crafts-and-souvenir shop, a museum and the highlight – the 22-seat Terrace Cinema. This little gem is the world’s second-smallest cinema, set in a charming 1860s weatherboard house. Unfortunately it’s only available for group bookings.
reviewed
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Australian Outback Spectacular
This is a 1½-hour dinner and show in a 1000-seat arena. The venue captures the spirit of the Australian outback with displays of brilliant horsemanship, stampeding cattle and even a little boot scootin’ to music written by Australian country singer Lee Kernaghan. You’re given a stockman’s hat to keep; dinner is three courses of outback tucker.
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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Blue Sky Brewery
Here’s a sparkling new drinking hall and brewery that caters for foodies and beer-lovers. A ‘snow rail’ keeps the average barflys’ beer cool, and you can try all seven premises-made brews on a taster-tray for $16. Foodwise, the malt from the brewery goes to the tablelands cattle, which end up in the kitchen. True-blue beery beef.
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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Top End Hotel
Popular with locals, this busy little entertainment enclave has several clubs and bars, including Lizards Outdoor Bar & Grill, with its lush tropical beer garden; the Rock ’n’ Country Bar, with pool tables on the deck and Elvis posters and guitars stuck to the roof (Darwin’s version of the Hard Rock Cafe!); and the Beehive Nightclub.
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
