Places to catch the Phoenix outside Wellington

Places to catch the Phoenix outside Wellington

I thought it might be worthwhile compiling a list of bars and clubs outside Wellington that regularly show (or have been known to show) Phoenix games, purely for those of us in Rikk Herbert's Yellow Army stationed outside the ring of fire.

I suggest a format like:

City
Bar name, address
How often the 'Nix are shown, etc etc.

I would kick this off with an example of my own, but I'm doing this partly for selfish reasons as I've recently moved to a place I grew up in called Ashhurst outside of Palmy, and being without Sky TV, finding a place to catch the 'Nix this year is absolutely paramount.

So, I imagined there might be a few others in a similar predicament to me. Plus, should anyone find themselves outta town on match day, this thread could be a helpful resource for the stranded Yellow Feverite.

Palmerston North is a football black hole. We asked the local "sports bar" to show the world cup games on their tvs the other year and they refused. Wouldn't even play  them with the sound off.

Tauranga/Mount Maunganui (same diff)
Maunganui Road, in the Phoenix Shopping Centre (no lie!)
Don't know how regularly they play it, but they've put it on when requested before

(PS Michael, Salient sucks even MORE without your column! It was the only thing worth reading :P)

edit - bolded the key bit for punters in a panic come game 1
tigers2008-05-16 16:47:16

(Segue: Salient...now that's a piece of reading I haven't read for a couple of years. Even thought you can pick them up on the way in at arch school, the Dom Post is always so much more appealing. And Salient wasn't that great in comparison to its Otago cousin Critic which I did enjoy reading while I was a student in Dunners).

But back on topic, I have to rave about the Waikanae Hotel! I was up at Waikawa Beach for New Years, and on the eve of New Year's eve we headed down to some crappy pub (can't remember the name of it). I called in advance to check that they were playing the Newcastle game, they said they were, rocked on down round 8 (game kicked off at 9 NZT), brought a couple of jugs and proceeded to drink them. Then the lady told us they would be closing soon as everyone was saving themselves for New Years - i.e. you must leave (despite being told that they would play the game) - not impressed. We then jumped in the car and headed South stopping at every bar and pub on the way, until we found the Waikanae Hotel - who are Christmas. And despite us being the only people in the bar, they let us stay (we were buying drink and food despite having been drinking and eating all day, and when we couldn't drink or eat anymore we were relentlessly dishing out the compliments...haha) where we then watch the 'Nix beat Newcastle. It was great. And Waikanae Hotel, you are awesome!

edit - bolded the key bit to help profile the good guys!!
tigers2008-05-16 16:48:28

great idea for a topic !!

how about folks bold the guts of their post - i.e the name of the place

and i reckon the venues in this topic are worth calling into and supporting outside match days - anyone who looks after football fans deserves to be rewarded


edit- Michael, if this topic takes off, we could probably sticky it or in some other cnutishly skillful way make it easily available closer to season k.o.
tigers2008-05-16 18:06:32

Ashurst near Palmy North? Why, I know an amazing venue with awesome atmosphere, beer, chanting, the works. Best place I've ever watched football (except the Theatre of Dreams). Only 2 hours drive, or a possible train ride?

How about places to watch away games? I know four kings is the official away venue but I live in Porirua/Whitby area and can't make it in to town for those games.

Brisbane Mick O'Malleys Irish Pub, Queen St Mall, CBD

Are there any football friendly pubs in Christchurch that anybody knows about?  My parents just cancelled our subscription to sky 

Peggy Gordons in New Plymouth showed it on request on a TV tucked away in a corner. However because the game was in Q'land it was about 10pm and the band had started playing (loudly) Therefore no sound, but good of them to help me out.

Dude, dude, seriously, if I wasn't in the predicament I was in, I would be there with my scarf and an insatiable urge to ask after the opposition's identity whilst listing the three reasons why Wellington is wonderful, but I've been dealt a raw hand; I flopped out, took a wrong turn and the only river that can save me is the Manawatu, and that pikes out at Foxton - about an hour too short for this kid.

I hope this thread does take off since it would be awesome to "spread the fever" to strange lands outside the wider Wellington region.

As for Salient -- I do miss that little column. I was pretty bummed out to see that nobody had taken it up for this year, but who knows? It leaves the door open for a return in Trimester 2 perhaps... haha

Fox & Ferrit at the palms had several HAL games on through out the season (and Guiness on tap)
tigers2008-05-22 07:45:17

Sweet as, cheers gings.

I considered offering my services but never got around to it. I would for Trimester 2, but I'm ditching Vic for Massey so meh. Maybe I'll rant in the Massey fishwrap instead.



Also to stay on topic, ashamedly almost forgot The Copper Room in Takapuna. Some might remember my story of how I saw our 1-0 win against Perth last year - I couldn't get to Auckland in time to watch the match, and all the bars close at midnight there due to local bylaws. The staff there put the first half on for me, then delayed stacking the chairs on the tables so that I, standing outside in the cold, smoke and noise of drunken JAFA's, could watch the second half on the big screen through their front window. Needless to say this show of class deserves to be rewarded, and it will always be my first choice any time I'm in the neighbourhood.

Go The Copper Room - brilliant story Robb (they must have realised they were dealing with a desperate man )

no probs,

Holy grail occasionally had a game on...not on the big screen though. although it is in town so it may be more accessable.

Talk to the crew in at the F & F a day or 2 before the game to make sure its gunna be on, they're a good bunch. Pelter used to work there so they understand the game
gings2008-05-22 23:48:51