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    The Empire

    4.5 (2 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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    1 year ago

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    The Welsh Dragon Bar

    The Welsh Dragon Bar

    5.0(4 reviews)
    10.9 km
    $

    If you looking for a trendy bar with tall Russian hot chicks (which incidentally I love ). This is…read morenot the bar for you. If you want a good traditional pub like pubs used to be. Where you can come in on your own and have many friends (most of them tipsy) when you leave then go no further. Basic style but a heart of a Dragon. In winter you have a nice fire to keep you warm. Dart board to play with random strangers and pool table out back. There is a bet garden aka smoking area as well The food is good old fashioned pub food. The reason why I keep coming back. Is the staff are super friendly introduce you to the locals and make you feel like a local within a few minutes Enjoy Welsh hospitality if you are not a snob you will love this place.

    Whenever we're in Wellington, we head straight for the Welsh Dragon. Mike and Joanne have created a…read morefantastic atmosphere. Phil W. pegged it in his review. When you go in, there's usually someone you recognize from the day or week before and the conversation picks up right where it left off. It's like all the really nice people in Wellington decided to hang out at this place, although, this is a really friendly city to begin with. The last time we were in town, the wife and I renewed our vows here, after about 40 years I guess it was time. Mike and Joanne were so sweet. They cleared out the back room, moved the pool table and filled the room with flowers and wedding decorations. It was beautiful. We still have one of the heart shaped doilies glued to our refrigerator at home. The food was great and there were tons of snacks. There was about 25 of us back there partying all night but Ross kept those drinks coming like an assembly line. That same night, Prince Harry was in town watching a rugby match at the Cake Tin. We were hoping he'd stop in after the match but no such luck. We thought we saw him a couple of times but it was just Mike with that silly Prince Harry mask, LOL, Hilarious. Mike's a funny guy and knows how to keep the party going. One day we were sitting and talking for a while when one of the customers, after hearing our accent, got up, walked over to the piano and played the Star Spangled Banner ( U.S. National Anthem ). Everyone in the bar stood up while we sang. How cool is that? This is a great place to sit and watch a game and make friends. It does help if you know the rules of rugby and cricket but if you don't, there'll be someone there that will gladly explain them. I love the entertainment they have. Usually local talent on the piano or guitar. The Quiz Nights are a blast too. This place would do great in Long Beach. Check out the pictures on their website and you'll get a good idea of the vibe. Have fun.

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    The Welsh Dragon Bar
    The Welsh Dragon Bar
    The Welsh Dragon Bar

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    Cork and Keg - Bar area

    Cork and Keg

    4.5(8 reviews)
    93.2 km
    $$

    As one of the stops on the Hop on Hop off tour we took as an excursion off of our cruise boat, we…read moredid not quite know what to expect, but we very pleased in the end with our lunch at the Cork & Keg. We decided to wing our last excursion on our trip and took a tour that had a number of wineries, shops and attractions but limited food places. The Cork and Keg looked like a good option and the welcome interior and craft beer selection looked promising as we entered. Their lunch menu is hearty pub food and I selected the Pale Ale from Speight's brewery and ordered their steak sandwich with curly fries. Jo (my wife) ordered the fish and chips with a glass of white wine. My steak sandwich was stacked with thick tender steak and cooked to order medium rare. It was delicious! My wife as well enjoyed her fish and chips in which we enjoyed as we soaked up the interior of white plastered walls low hanging heavy wooden beams that adorn the interior giving it that warm pub feel. The exterior seating was warm and inviting as well, but at the time we arrive fairly crowded and we were on a tight time table so we passed. Food and Beverages 4.5 - Well prepared food and hearty portions. Good selection of local brews and wines. Service 3.5 The bartender who originally greeted us was great one server though skipped over us and went to the larger party that entered after us to get their order and didn't come back to us. The bartender did though follow up with us sure we did have our order in place after a short wait. Atmosphere 4 Nice wooden bar with fireplace and outdoor seating area shaded with umbrellas. A great pub feel to it. Price 4 I thought we had a good value as the food was well prepared and price for value seemed fair. OA 4.25

    Ok this place exceeded our expectations. First they picked us up at our hotel and gave us a ride to…read morethe restaurant... not just us, they just do this. The beer and wine selection was good and the chicken curry was just delicious (tonight's dinner special). Just a nice surprise!

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    Cork and Keg - Restaurant exterior

    Restaurant exterior

    Cork and Keg
    Cork and Keg - Cork & Keg outdoor sign

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    Cork & Keg outdoor sign

    Dodson Street Beer Garden - Fish and Chips w/ Hoki

    Dodson Street Beer Garden

    4.3(11 reviews)
    82.3 km

    Fish and chips was outstanding! Others got pork schnitzel and fish sandwich. Can't comment on the…read morebeer as I was the DD..

    Dodson's is an expansive German-esque beer garden nestled comfortably on the outskirts of town…read more Parking is to be had in a large lot or on the streets. 20+ taps available at any given moment. Beers are served in 200, 400, and 500mL formats with some strong IPA's, DIPA's, and even a robust stout on tap. Blenheim is quite near to Wellington therefore you'll eye a good number of tap handles occupied by breweries from the area. Food is of the German-fare, but they also have pizza and burgers. The Pork Knuckle served over a hefty bed of mashed potatoes seemed quite revered which the guy gluttonized over since it was just about the heartiest pork knuckle meal I've ever laid mine eyes on. Like woah! I will never forget it! I, on the other hand, went with another favorite in the form of the Fish and Chips (19.5 NZD). Theirs is made with a wheat beer battered Hoki fish, tartare sauce a salad, and requisite chips on the side. Batter was a little cakey, but with the best crunch. The salad was appreciated to bite through this heavy meal while helping the guy some with his massive slab of pork. The fun and laid back atmosphere of this cavernous beer garden with outdoor patio served as a great night cap though it is your typical pub experience in the end with heavy, greasy food and strong beers.

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    Dodson Street Beer Garden - Ambiance

    Ambiance

    Dodson Street Beer Garden
    Dodson Street Beer Garden

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    The Old Bailey - Steamed Pudding at The Old Bailey

    The Old Bailey

    3.8(11 reviews)
    10.5 km
    $$

    Nice place. Vibrant. Busy. Good food. The side salad which was large enough to share and…read moredeliciously dressed. The charred vegetables were not charred but more steamed. Still very good. Onion rings good. Accompaniment of Coriander sauce tasted like pesto. Yummy. Pigs in blankets were nicely prepared sausages wrapped in lightly cooked bacon.

    It's one of the few places open in the evening in this neighborhood! Please note, there are stairs…read morein front, and no accessible entrance. However, there are a few tables on the sidewalk, so that is,an alternative if the weather allows. There are handrails but large potted plants were used to hold the doors open, and while they were lovely, they blocked access to the handrails. There's not a huge food menu, but most people should be able to find something to suit them. There seemed to be a hearty selection of alcohol. Seating was a mixture of regular tables and chairs and bar-height tables and stools. I got the burger and chips (fries). It was a good-sized patty with bacon and cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. There was also ketchup and mustard and something else in the sauce. I enjoyed it. The fries were a larger size (not shoestring). They were seasoned and tasted good, but I would have liked them to be a bit more crispy. A good option, especially if you're drinking, and a,welcome one at night if you're in the neighborhood.

    Photos
    The Old Bailey - Dining Area at The Old Bailey

    Dining Area at The Old Bailey

    The Old Bailey - Beef Pie and Fries at The Old Bailey

    Beef Pie and Fries at The Old Bailey

    The Old Bailey - Storefront for The Old Bailey

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    Storefront for The Old Bailey

    The Empire - pubs - Updated May 2026

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