Christchurch entertainment
Despite its conservative and sleepy reputation, Christchurch has plenty to keep its guests entertained. Indeed, the City boasts some of the New Zealands most respected theatre, classical and pop music as well as some of the countrys most successful sports teams. And, you'll find the citys compactness works in your favour, as you check out the many bars, cafes and attractions.
The Canterbury Visitors Information Centre on the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Oxford Terrace is worth a visit for further details of entertainment venues. The local daily newspaper, The Press, publishes entertainment listings throughout the week and the City council also publishes City Scene, a monthly 'whats on' guide.
Pubs & Bars
Christchurchs cosmopolitan nature is perhaps best shown in its variety of bars
and pubs that are scattered throughout the city. Like many other cities, 'theme
pubs' have become common, with Manchester Street hosting the majority of them.
Enjoy a wild west saloon bar like the Grumpy Mole Saloon, the Craic of an Irish
pub at Sullivans and the notoriously one-eyed Cantabrian Rugby roar at the
Excelsior Sports Bar. If fine wine is more your style, Annies Wine bar in the
Arts Centre has plenty of choice. For a more traditional night down the pub, the
Jolly Poacher opposite the Casino or the oh-so-English Bard on Avon, by the
river on Oxford Terrace, are excellent choices.
Cafe Society
Like its big brothers Auckland and Wellington, Christchurch has its own cafe
scene, and many of the cities residents feel as happy with a Cappuccino as they
would with a Canterbury Draught. The stylish Vivace on Hereford Street, the
eponymous High Street Cafe and its funky neighbour C1 Espresso are often home to
city people enjoying a break, whilst Lyttletons Volcano Cafe erupts into life
most nights and weekends. For blowing away those Sunday morning cobwebs, you
can't beat a strong espresso and the sea breeze off the Pacific at On the Beach
on Sumners esplanade.
Live Music
When most major touring artists come to the South Island, Christchurch is
frequently their only stopover. The Westpac Trust Centre, New Zealands largest
entertainment venue, often plays host to pop concerts as well as sporting
events. If classical music is your thing, Christchurch is the envy of the North
Island, with its excellent Christchurch Symphony and Chamber Music ensemble
based at the Town Hall. For more intimate venues, the Dux de Lux is home to band
nights most weekends, Azure is great for Jazz and DJs, Sullivans regularly jigs
to the sound of Irish music, and the Blue Note on quaint New Regent Street is a
good place to enjoy cool dinner Jazz. For some unique sounds take a stroll
through the Arts Centre Weekend Market and check out the live performers (plus
all the arts and craft on display).
Nightlife
The boutique Christchurch Casino, the largest in New Zealand, is one of the main
draws for tourists visiting the city and provides ample opportunities for you
and your money to part company. If you still have some left over, the area known
as 'The Strip' around Oxford Terrace is the hub of the citys night life, with
Espresso 124, All Bar One and Coyotes street bar & restaurant transforming
from their comfortable daytime incarnations into thumping nightspots. For more
serious clubbing, Base, Ministry, Viaduct are all within walking distance. For
an alternative to the strip, the Dux de Lux by the Arts Centre has DJs most
weekends and regularly plays host to 'Battles of the Bands'. Outside of the CBD,
the Wunderbar in Lyttleton is a popular alternative, with live bands and DJs
performing into the small hours. If eighties kitsch and karaoke is more your
thing, the Treehouse is worth a look and is popular particularly with students.
Theatre & Cinema
When it comes to stage and screen, Christchurch has some excellent small
art-house cinemas, such as the Academy Cinema, Regent on Worcester, Cloisters
screening independent and foreign language films. The Hoyts Cinema chain of
multiplexes are located throughout the city and the Rialto on Moorhouse Avenue
is often home to special festivals of film. The Hollywood Theatre in Sumner is a
movie classic.
The Court Theatre is at the forefront of stage drama in the city, renowned for its productions of classic as well as contemporary New Zealand plays. Other smaller theatre groups are scattered around the city, such as the Elmwood Players, the Malthouse Theatre Company and the Ngiao Marsh Theatre, situated at the University of Canterbury. Lovers of Opera, Musical Theatre and Dance are also catered for, with Canterbury Opera and New Zealand Ballet staging regular seasons at the Christchurch Town Hall and the Theatre Royal.
Concerts and Events
Sports fans are treated to regular sporting events and the reigning Super 12
rugby champions, the Canterbury Crusaders, are the hottest ticket in town. Come
winter, legions of fans bedecked in Black and Red flock to Jade Stadium to cheer
on the Crusaders and the provincial Canterbury side in two of world rugbys
toughest competitions.
Free festivals, provided by the city council, play a big part in Christchurchs annual events calendar, with SummerTimes and World Buskers Festival, KidsFest among the most prominent. The internationally renowned Garden City Festival of Flowers is a true celebration of floral excellence. Hagley Park plays host to free Rock Concerts, Opera in the Park and Classical Sparks - a fireworks and music extravaganza which marks the end of SummerTimes Festival. The park is also the setting for the annual Christmas Carol Concert, which regularly attracts over 100,000 spectators.
Theres plenty more to do in town, and for further information check out local events and entertainment.
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