Empire Tavern

bar & grill — Auckland CBD · Auckland

About Empire Tavern

Pouring pints and sharing stories since 1875, Empire Tavern has stood as a beloved central Auckland gathering place for over 150 years. Steeped in local history, heart, and genuine character, it provides a warm and lively atmosphere where business meetings, birthdays, and casual get-togethers seamlessly blend together.

Featuring an expansive garden bar, live music, and classic pub fare, the venue invites city workers and visitors alike to unwind. From hearty pub classics and wood-fired pizzas to craft tap beers and weekly pub quiz nights, the Empire continues its long-standing tradition of authentic Kiwi pub hospitality.

Empire Tavern: Over 150 Years of Stories, Pints, and Pub Culture in Auckland CBD

Perched on Victoria Street West, Empire Tavern is an enduring pillar of Auckland’s hospitality heritage. Pouring pints and sharing stories since 1875, this iconic establishment has welcomed patrons through its doors for more than a century and a half. Over the generations, it has witnessed the city evolve around it, serving as the setting where business deals are sealed, milestone birthdays celebrated, and memorable nights out begin.

Stepping inside, visitors encounter a venue built on character and warmth. Rather than trading solely on nostalgia, Empire Tavern pairs its historic charm with modern pub amenities, offering an expansive garden bar where patrons can soak up the city atmosphere in the open air, as well as inviting interior areas designed for gathering with friends or colleagues.

Generous Plates and Hearty Pub Classics

The kitchen at Empire Tavern takes pub food seriously, balancing comforting staples with creative touches. The menu starts with an extensive selection of pub snacks, highlighted by the crowd-favourite Tools Down Platter—a generous spread featuring sticky gochujang pork belly bites, buttermilk fried chicken, Korean fried cauliflower, tender salt and pepper squid, and glazed pork and wagyu brisket meatballs alongside grilled focaccia.

Those looking for substantial mains will find rotating cuts of premium New Zealand beef served with café de Paris butter and red wine jus, classic beer-battered fish and chips, and twice-cooked pork belly with potato gratin. The burger section satisfies cravings with options like the 150g brisket cheeseburger and the crispy chicken Cluckerson, while stone-baked pizzas—from classic Margherita to rich brisket and pork belly BBQ—round out the savoury offerings.

Cold Taps, Live Entertainment, and Good Times

Behind the bar, Empire Tavern delivers an extensive beverage selection designed to cater to diverse tastes. Beer lovers can choose from an array of tap pours including Monteith's craft varieties, Tuatara IPAs and pilsners, Heineken, and Tiger. The wine list showcases celebrated regional vineyards from Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Central Otago, alongside sparkling options and classic cocktails ranging from Espresso Martinis to fresh Aperol Spritzes.

Beyond dining and drinks, Empire Tavern remains a bustling entertainment destination in central Auckland. Screens broadcast live sports every week, while Tuesdays draw friendly competition with the weekly pub quiz. Monthly Beats by Bingo sessions, tribute nights, and live music ensure the tavern's long-standing tradition of lively social connection stays very much alive.

Signature items

  • Tools Down Platter
  • Twice Cooked Pork Belly
  • Rotating Cut of Premium NZ Beef
  • BBQ Pizza
  • Cheeseburger
  • Chicken Schnitty

Menu

Kids

  • Mini Beast Burger — Beef patty, cheese, ketchup, toasted bun, fries
  • Chook & Chips — Crumbed chicken bites, fries, tomato sauce
  • Lil' Fish & Flicks — Crispy fish bites, fries, tartare sauce
  • Meatballs — Italian tomato sauce, fettucine, cheese
  • Grilled Chicken & Mash — Gravy, greens
  • Fettucine — Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella
  • Cheesy Mini Pizza — Mozzarella, pizza sauce
  • Cheese & Bacon Loaded Fries — Cheese sauce, mozzarella, gravy

Pizza

  • Margherita — Cherry tomato, mozzarella, basil
  • BBQ — Brisket, pork belly, pepperoni, mozzarella, smoky IPA BBQ sauce
  • Bianca — Mushrooms, white sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, kale, parmesan
  • Chicken & Chorizo — Red onion, fire-roasted peppers, jalapeños

Sides

  • Cos Lettuce — Pumpkin seed crunch, house dressing
  • Charred Winter Greens — Garlic butter

Burgers

  • Cheeseburger — 150g brisket patty, American cheese, special sauce, ketchup, sweet & spicy pickles, milk bun, fries
  • The Cluckerson — Crispy-fried chicken, American cheese, chipotle mayo, ranch, sweet & spicy pickles, lettuce, milk bun, fries
  • The Hallouminati — Grilled halloumi, house-made vegan patty, American cheese, special sauce, sweet & spicy pickles, ranch, red onion, milk bun, fries

Desserts

  • American Chocolate Brownie Sundae — Chocolate peanut butter granola, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce
  • Baked Cheesecake Pop — Chocolate crackle, raspberry gel, sherbert
  • Sticky Date Pudding — Butterscotch sauce, vanilla bean ice cream

Cocktails

  • Cosmopolitan — Finlandia Lime vodka, De Kuyper triple sec, lime, cranberry juice
  • Classic Margarita — El Jimador Blanco tequila, De Kuyper triple sec, lime, sugar syrup
  • Dark & Stormy — Havana Spiced rum, ginger beer, bitters, lime
  • Espresso Martini — Finlandia vodka, Kahlúa, espresso, sugar syrup
  • Long Island Iced Tea — Finlandia vodka, City of London gin, El Jimador Blanco tequila, Havana 3 rum, De Kuyper triple sec, sugar syrup, Coca-Cola, lemon
  • Mojito — Havana 3 rum, lime, sugar syrup, soda, mint
  • Moscow Mule — Finlandia vodka, ginger beer, lime
  • Tequila Sunrise — El Jimador Blanco tequila, orange juice, pomegranate syrup
  • Aperol Spritz — Aperol, prosecco, soda water, orange slice

Pub Mains

  • Chicken Schnitty — Crumbed chicken breast, green herb slaw, gravy, with choice of fries or mash
  • Fish & Chips — Beer-battered daily catch, house fries, green herb slaw, tartare sauce
  • Potato Gnocchi — Leek & peas, Italian tomato sauce, lemon ricotta verde, crispy kale
  • Twice Cooked Pork Belly — Potato gratin, winter greens, pear & fig relish, jus
  • Fettuccine Carbonara — Creamy carbonara sauce, chicken, bacon, Grana Padano
  • Classic Caesar — Cos lettuce, bacon, herbed croutons, anchovy dressing, soft-boiled egg, parmesan snow
  • Green Tahini Bowl — Roast carrots, lemon ricotta verde, winter leaves, toasted buckwheat, pumpkin seed crunch

Pub Snacks

  • Pull-Apart Garlic Loaf — Garlic butter
  • Korean-Fried Cauliflower — Korean BBQ sauce, pickles
  • Salt & Pepper Squid — Garlic aioli, fresh lemon
  • Sticky Pork Belly Bites — Gochujang BBQ glaze, chilli, sesame seeds
  • Loaded Fries — BBQ brisket, cheesy sauce, chipotle mayo, pickles, green onion
  • Garlic Chilli Prawns — Blistered cherry tomatoes, green onion, chilli aioli on garlic butter pizza bread
  • Glazed Pork & Wagyu Brisket Meatballs — Smoky herb butter jus, mustard cream, cheddar dust
  • Buttermilk Fried Chicken — Honey sriracha, ranch, garden pickles
  • Onion Rings — Chipotle mayo
  • Fries — Confit garlic aioli
  • Tools Down Platter — Sticky pork belly bites, buttermilk fried chicken, Korean fried cauliflower, salt & pepper squid, pork & wagyu brisket meatballs, grilled focaccia

Butcher'S Cut Steak

  • Rotating Cut of Premium NZ Beef — Fries, café de Paris butter, red wine jus, charred winter greens

Frequently asked questions

Where is Empire Tavern located?
Empire Tavern is located at 137 Victoria Street, Auckland 1010, in the central business district.
What are the tavern's opening hours?
The venue is open Monday to Wednesday from 11am to 10pm, Thursday from 11am to 12am, Friday from 11am to 1am, Saturday from 5pm to 1am, and is closed on Sundays.
Does Empire Tavern host private functions or events?
Yes, Empire Tavern offers dedicated function spaces with tailored food and beverage packages and event planning services.
Are there vegetarian or gluten-friendly options available?
Yes, several dishes are marked vegetarian, and burgers and pizzas can be ordered with no-gluten-added buns or bases, with dairy-free mozzarella also available for pizzas.
Is there a kids' menu?
Yes, Empire Tavern offers a dedicated kids' menu where each meal includes a complimentary kids' ice cream sundae.
What weekly events take place at the tavern?
Empire Tavern hosts a weekly pub quiz every Tuesday at 7pm, screens live sports each week, and features Beats by Bingo and live music shows.

Tips

  • {"body":"The venue features an open garden bar area, making it an ideal outdoor spot for after-work drinks in central Auckland.","title":"Head to the Garden Bar"}
  • {"body":"Gather a team on Tuesday evenings at 7pm to test your trivia skills during the weekly pub quiz.","title":"Visit for Tuesday Quiz Night"}
  • {"body":"If visiting with a group, the Tools Down Platter combines several of the kitchen's most popular snacks on one sharing board.","title":"Order to Share"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"Dedicated kids' meal menu including complimentary ice cream sundaes.","dietary":"Vegetarian, no-gluten-added, and dairy-free cheese options available on select items."}