📍 294 Apirana Avenue, Glen Innes, Auckland
📍 Address: 294 Apirana Avenue, Glen Innes, Auckland 1072, New Zealand
📞 Phone: +64 9 528 6289
Quick stop for a quick pint during Friday after mahi. Great music, cheerful patrons. Good gaming machines.
I'm a local now, been here since '98 and became familiar with the Courtyard Bar early on. At the time it was very much a "locals only" bar and any newcomer was given the "eye"! It did take awhile over numerous visits for me to feel comfortable, but eventually I became almost part of the furniture. I wasn't an every-day regular so it took longer. So that was a few years ago. The Bar has changed hands since then, and that in itself was something of an adjustment for many of the old hands. But the guys behind the bar seem to have blended in quite well and are always welcoming whenever I've popped in for a drink or two. Someone mentioned it's a bit like a rugby club and that is accurate in a way. The shape of the place doesn't help. There are no closed-off spaces - mini lounges so to speak - with proper tables and chairs, though there were once upon a time, near the entrance. The other problem, for patrons, not the management, is the walled-off pokie machine area. I know this provides income for the bar, and it's probably not going anywhere soon, but it does limit the already limited space. The pool tables also reduce the area, but these form an essential part of the Courtyard Bar, where competition games are held between competing bars, RSAs and sports clubs. And they've always been part of the bar and are a great ice-breaker for newbies. I got to know a number of people simply by joining a casual game or three. Yes, the bar can be loud. It's a "public bar", not the Hilton! But it's mostly well under control, compared to many I can think of. There are still a few pubs in the city I wouldn't enter alone, but the Courtyard Bar isn't one of them. The locals are pretty much a good crowd and look after one another. The Bar makes the best of what it's got. As the area is slowly changing, so, I suspect, will the make-up of the bar, but hopefully it will retain the ambience that gives it its flavour. OH! I forgot to mention the outside area. Spacious with standard outdoor wooden deck tables and seating. Closed off with high walls and a bit on the bland side. Various attempts over the years to give it "atmosphere" haven't really paid off. Still, it's an excellent retreat on a hot day or night. (I think smoking may still be permitted, but don't quote me on that!!) As for the overall Star rating, I gave it a 4, though it's probably closer to 3.5.
The place is a dive people swear and yell across the pool room like out on a football field, theres some nasty bar people that i have come across im a local lived in G.I.for fifty years and never struct that rudeness before cheers.
Just called in for a drink with a group of friends Good service
Good place to have a drink and play a poker machine. Good people around. Bar finger food available. Always a good host. Good place to go and hang around with locals
The management took good advantage of the lockdown periods . . .ie: new carpets throughout, new modern bar and pumping stations! Lowest prices in Auckland! Buy two discounts! Recently they again increased the bar prices, canceling the specials! Management getting too greedy, charging over 500% mark up Profit on bottled beers. Charging City prices for suburban pub, but don't supply the ambiance that city pubs do!It's advertised as a sports Bar TV's never have sound on for sporting fixtures, background music all repeat recorded music playing over and over, at too high volume for customers to have conversations. Toilets still have entry door wedged open to ventilate bad odours, needs drains fixing and a ventilation fan! It is now just a Pokie machine gaming bar . . . A real pity to see the demise of a historic popular pub!
Updated review: I've increased the rating from previous. The staff are friendly, the vibe was chill and the place was so clean. Amazing improvements.
Friendly hosts will always great you, good atmosphere a good kiwi bar which is hard to find these days. Decent amount of pool tables and their music is always worth a good sing along
The Courtyard Bar is located at 294 Apirana Avenue, Glen Innes, Auckland 1072, New Zealand
You can contact The Courtyard Bar at +64 9 528 6289
You can find directions to The Courtyard Bar by following this map link
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