Meet, Eat & Drink

Festival District Bars and Eateries

There’s no better pairing than world class entertainment and local fare! Enhance your festival experience by stopping into some of the region’s finest local bars and eateries in between shows. We have a wide range of free and ticketed events in the heart of Hastings, situated right next to an eclectic array of gourmet food and drink.

Check HERE and the listings below to learn about special festival offerings and hours. Please contact establishments directly for bookings and public holiday hours. 

Hastings Distillers

Our Hastings shop is located in the vibrant East 200 block of Heretaunga Street – home to an eclectic mix of small artisanal businesses. Housed in a 1930’s building, originally the home of printers P.J.S. George and later the Denton Wyatt bookshop, the space has been artfully restored to provide a stage for our spirits and liqueurs. Visitors to our Tasting Room can sample our products, enjoy a drink and a bite to eat, or purchase bottles to enjoy at home.

Hours
Wednesday - Friday 3pm-7pm
Saturday 11am-7pm

Labour Weekend:
Open Sunday 25th October and Monday 26th.
Check our website for hours (TBC)

Phone: 06 870 3991

Brave Brewing Co

Our tasting room has become a meeting place for our local community. It's always a pleasure to witness the way in which beer brings people together, acting as a unifying force. We have ten tap offerings and the option of drinking onsite or taking beer away. Glass refillable flagons are available for purchase, or you are welcome to bring your own vessel in for filling. Peer through the glass windows or take a walk out the back and have a nosey at our brewery and equipment. Enjoying a 'tasting flight' of beers is a great way to sample our range. Our friendly and knowledgable team will work to ensure you get the most out of your visit with us. 

Hours of Operation:
Thurs: 3pm - 8pm
Fri: 12pm - 9pm
Sat: 12pm - 9pm
Sun: 12pm - 8pm

Phone: 0274608414

Sazio

SAZIO. Meaning: Full, satisfied. At Sazio, we believe the key to a good life is found in something pretty simple: fullness. A Full plate + a full glass + a full heart = a full life. Eat with the people you love. Eat well. Eat often. Eat pasta. 

Reservations are most welcome at Sazio for groups of 4 or more people, anything under we welcome you as walk ins on a first in, first served basis. Largest party size is 10 people. Table turnover is approximately 2 hours. 

Hours of Operation: 
Wed-Sat: 5pm - LATE
Thurs-Fri: 12pm - 2.30pm     

Phone: 06 650 7717

Funbuns

We are a locally owned small business with an addiction to Bao buns and anything that will accompany them to create a well rounded meal to share with those that are worthy of sharing food with.

We make our Gua Bao fresh in store and we are very proud of that fact, we have a few dishes that we keep on our menu but change the flavours on including Korean fried chicken, loaded fries and dumplings. other than these staples we draw our inspiration from street foods from all over Asia.

Since reopening post Covid we have started taking bookings, so give us a message on facebook or call us on the number below. 

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Thursday 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Friday - Saturday 4:30pm - 9:30pm

Phone: 06 650 0185

Common Room

Welcome to the sweetest little bar in Hastings, Great Wine, craft beer and a simple menu done well. Regular Live music and staff that like to have a laugh.

Hours of Operation:
Mon - Closed
Tue - 4.30pm - 10pm 
Wed 4.30pm - 11pm
Thu 4.30pm - 12:00am
Fri 3.30pm - 1:00am
Sat 4:30pm - 1:00am
Sun 3:00pm - 9:00pm

Phone: 06 211 2446

Opera Kitchen

Eat, Drink, Share: Always fresh and consciously modern, connecting our local flavours to what’s happening in food, globally. We are in central Hastings but only a stone’s throw from orchards, market gardens, road-side fruit stalls, vineyards, rivers and the sea. Being with friends and family is a big part of living in Hawke’s Bay. We provide the perfect setting and delicious accompaniments for your good times.

Hours of Operation: 
Mon 7:30am - 3:00pm
Tue 7:30am - 3:00pm
Wed 7:30am - 3:00pm
Thu 7:30am - 3:00pm
Fri 7:30am - 3:00pm
Sat/Sun - Closed

**Evening Festival Hours**
5:30pm - 8.00pm 12 - 14 of October
5:30pm - 8:00pm 20, 21, 22 of October 

Little Black Bird Eatery & Cafe

Little Black Bird. Good, honest food using fresh, local ingredients. Food that's crafted each day on site. Also home to Little Black Bird Catering.

Call ahead or online bookings available. 

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday to Friday: 7:30am - 3:00pm
Saturday 8.00am - 2:00pm

Closed Friday 23rd October - Monday 26th October .
Reopen Tuesday 27th October 7.30am

Phone: 06 870 7462

The Hawke's Bay Wine Cellar Door

The Hawke’s Bay Wine Cellar Door offers an opportunity to Discover, Taste and Buy wines from across our great region. With extended opening hours during Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival, pop in to see the team and purchase a bottle or two to take home with you. Many of the eating establishments in the vicinity of the venues are offering specially curated wine-matched dishes for you to enjoy also.

Festival Hours of Operation: 
Thurs 1pm - 7pm
Fri 1pm - 7pm
Sat 11am - 7pm
Sun 1pm - 7pm

Phone: 06 876 3418

Carr's Kitchen

We like to feed people.

We are Nicole McDonald and Dan Hopkins, so before you ask "Why Carr's Kitchen?" we'll explain. The reason we like to feed folks comes firstly from our dear old Nana, Joyce Carr and then our Mum and aunties. Any family event, wedding, birthday or even a quick cup of tea involving the Carr family is incredibly well catered, guests must leave full, preferably with a plate of leftovers. We're still trying to perfect Joycie's shepherd's pie and her light, fluffy sponge to this day.

Hours of Operation:
Mon 9.30am – 2.30pm
Tues 9.30am – 2.30pm
Wed 9.30am – 2.30pm
Thurs 9.30am – 2.30pm
Fri 9.30am – 9ish
Sat 4pm – 9ish

Phone: (022) 584-1728

Diva Bar and Bistro

Iconic bar in the heart of the beautiful Havelock village. A variety of drinks for everyone to enjoy, local wines, craft beers and much more. Our new management and chef continue to deliver with a mouth-watering lunch and dinner menu and awesome service. Come down and check us out. Find us on Facebook or on our website.

Cafe Anatolia

We are a contemporary Turkish cafe chain with branches located in Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Tauranga, Te Awamutu, Wanganui, Levin, and Masterton.

Hours of Operation: 
Mon - Sun 11am - 9pm 

Phone: 06 876 8410 

Art Deco Masonic Hotel

Why not make a night of it!  Enjoy our pre and/or post performance food & beverage options in Art Deco Masonic Hotel’s luxurious Emporium Lounge.

PERFORMANCE ONE
• Bubbles (Daniel Le Brun): $15/glass, $60/bottle
• Pre-Opera Platter: A selection of deliciousness to share: $40/2 people
• Post-Opera Dinner: Crafted by Emporium’s chef Sara Simpson featuring contemporary, locally driven, seasonal food. Enjoy 2 or 3 courses. $55/person for 2 courses (choose from two entrées, mains and desserts), add $15 for an extra course.
• A small bar service will be available

PERFORMANCE TWO
• Bubbles (Daniel Le Brun): $15/glass, $60/bottle
• Pre-Opera Dinner: Crafted by Emporium’s chef Sara Simpson featuring contemporary, locally driven, seasonal food. Enjoy 2 or 3 courses. $55/person for 2 courses (choose from two entrées, mains and desserts), add $15 for an extra course.
• A small bar service will be available
• Post-Opera Platter: A selection of deliciousness to share: $40/2 people

To Book - Please email fb@masonic.co.nz. Please state the dinner courses in which you would like to indulge in, and any special dietary requirements.  Bookings close 5pm Sunday 11th October 2020

Hours of Operation: Mon-Sun 5pm - 8.30pm

Phone: 06 835 8689 

*In support of NZ Opera as part of the Harcourt's Hawke's Bay Arts Festival, quote the promo code OPERA and enjoy 10% off our best available room rates and packages. (Available from 11-17^th October inclusive)