Entertainment in Pacific
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A
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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B
Mt Smart Stadium
Hosts soccer, rugby league (Warriors) and really big-name concerts.
reviewed
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C
Maidment Theatre
The University's theatre often stages Auckland Theatre Company (www.atc.co.nz) productions.
reviewed
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D
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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E
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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F
Art-House Cinema
reviewed
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G
Community Theatre
reviewed
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H
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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I
Tap Inn
A huge pub doubling as a shrine to golf, with an indoor driving range and rooftop putting green.
reviewed
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J
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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K
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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L
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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M
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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N
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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O
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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P
Pause Bar
Pause draws a mixed local crowd for cocktails and mezes who like to settle into the dim North African–inspired interior for the night. Staff are laid-back.
reviewed
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Q
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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R
Laird Hotel
Men only. Lots of leather, moustaches, beer and brawn. Who’s yer daddy?
reviewed
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S
Multiplex Cinemas
Screening recent blockbusters in poorly sound-insulated cinemas.
reviewed
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T
Coffs Hotel
Irish pub with bands, several bars, DJs and mad Friday nights.
reviewed
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U
Roth’s Wine Bar
Oldest wine bar in NSW, with an atmosphere to show for it.
reviewed
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Devilles Pad Cabaret
The devil goes to Vegas in this extremely kooky venue, hidden in a quiet-by-night part of town. You're encouraged to dress up to match the exceedingly camp interiors (complete with erupting volcano). A lively roster of burlesque dancers, magicians, live bands and assorted sideshow freaks provides the entertainment.
reviewed