The Merchant Pub Co.

About The Merchant Pub Co.

The Merchant Pub Co. is a bustling, independently owned gastropub situated at Westfield Albany on Auckland's North Shore. Designed as a welcoming local hub, the venue pairs relaxed Kiwi hospitality with an expansive courtyard, two bars, and multiple big screens dedicated to live sports and entertainment. Whether meeting friends for a casual lunch, catching the big game, or gathering for an evening celebration, guests find a comfortable, unpretentious setting crafted for good food, cold drinks, and lively company.

The kitchen offers an eclectic, globally influenced gastropub menu spanning hearty sharing plates, stone-baked pizzas, gourmet wagyu burgers, fresh local seafood, and slow-cooked meats. From Asian-inspired street snacks and American smokehouse favorites to traditional pub classics, the extensive beverage list matches with local craft beers on tap, regional New Zealand wines, signature cocktails, and a thoughtful array of zero-alcohol options. With versatile function spaces and live entertainment, The Merchant remains a quintessential North Shore gathering spot.

The Merchant Pub Co.: Albany's Vibrant Gathering Place for Pints, Plates, and Live Sport

Nestled along Don McKinnon Drive right by Westfield Albany, The Merchant Pub Co. has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the North Shore social scene. Now fully independently owned and operated by the same dedicated team, this expansive venue delivers unpretentious, top-tier Kiwi hospitality tailored for any occasion. From leisurely afternoon catch-ups on the sunlit courtyard to high-energy match nights surrounded by sports fans, The Merchant provides the ideal backdrop where Albany meets to unwind.

Generous Sharing and Global Gastropub Flavors

The culinary offering at The Merchant balances classic tavern comfort with contemporary global street food influences. Those looking to share over a round of drinks can graze on buttermilk fried chicken with chilli jam, twelve-spice salt and Sichuan pepper squid, spiced lamb gözleme, or the colossal Merchant Platter loaded with dumplings, kransky bites, prawn wontons, and house-baked jalapeño cheddar bread.

For heartier meals, the kitchen crafts gourmet burgers featuring wagyu beef, vibrant bowls like the Korean-inspired Bang Bang chicken, and twelve-inch stone-baked pizzas ranging from a classic margherita to slow-roasted brisket Philly cheese steak. Local New Zealand seafood takes center stage in dishes like the white wine green-lipped mussels simmered in rich lobster bisque, while comforting signatures like the slow-cooked massaman lamb shank and Texas barbecue pork ribs cater to robust appetites.

Poured Pints, Craft Cocktails, and Big-Screen Action

Behind the bar, two separate service points keep the refreshments flowing smoothly even during the busiest rushes. Draft towers pour perennial favorites like Heineken, Tiger, and Monteith's alongside rotating seasonal craft guest taps and crisp ciders. Wine lovers can choose from curated New Zealand labels across Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay, and Central Otago, while cocktail enthusiasts enjoy both time-honored classics and lively house creations like the Kiwi As, Tiramisu Espresso Martini, and refreshing spritzes.

Those looking for non-alcoholic options are equally well looked after with a dedicated menu featuring Lyre’s zero-alcohol spirits, non-alcoholic beers, and fruit smoothies. Pair the extensive drink menu with big screens broadcasting All Blacks rugby and global sports live and loud, and you have an electric North Shore atmosphere that easily turns an afternoon visit into a memorable night out.

Signature items

• Merchant Platter
• White Wine Green Lipped Mussels
• OG Cheeseburger
• Massaman Lamb Shank
• Philly Cheese Steak Pizza
• Ice Cream Nachos

Menu

Kids

• Kids Fried Chicken — Crispy chicken with fries and tomato sauce; includes regular soft drink.
• Kids Fish n’ Chips — Grilled or battered fish with tartare sauce; includes regular soft drink.
• Kids Cheeseburger — Beef patty and cheese with fries; includes regular soft drink.
• Kids Loaded Fries — Topped with cheese and gravy; includes regular soft drink.
• Kids Steak + Chips — Tender steak served with jus and chips; includes regular soft drink.
• Kids Mac n’ Cheese — Classic cheesy macaroni; includes regular soft drink.
• Kids Pizza — Mozzarella pizza with choice of two toppings; includes regular soft drink.
• Kids Churros or Ice Cream Sundae — Sweet treat for younger guests.

Bowls

• Classic Caesar — Cos lettuce, focaccia crostini, bacon, boiled egg, and parmesan.
• Bang Bang Chicken — Korean fried chicken served with summer greens, sesame peanut dressing, chilli jam, and kaffir lime rice.
• Greens + Grains — Organic quinoa, rocket, edamame, peas, cucumber, avocado-coriander dressing, walnuts, and baby kale.

Mains

• Fish n’ Chips — Beer battered or grilled fish served with tartare sauce and lemon.
• Lemon + Thyme Chicken Breast — Pan-roasted chicken served over pumpkin risotto with formaggio and rocket.
• Spaghetti Carbonara — Tossed with field mushroom, wild rocket, crispy bacon, and formaggio.
• Butcher’s Cut — Today’s steak cut served with cowboy butter, chips, slaw, and jus.
• Massaman Lamb Shank — Slow-cooked lamb shank with aromatic pea pulao and a crisp pappadum cigar.
• Texas BBQ Pork Ribs — Tender ribs glazed in barbecue sauce, accompanied by slaw and potato wedges.
• White Wine Green Lipped Mussels — Steamed with lime leaf, lobster bisque, chilli, herbs, and served with jalapeño cheddar bread.
• Charred Broccoli Half — Served on parsnip mash with bell pepper chimichurri, edamame salsa, and chilli oil.

Pizza

• Margherita Pizza — Twelve-inch base with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomato, and basil.
• The Works Pizza — Twelve-inch base topped with bacon, salami, chorizo, chicken, mushroom, and BBQ sauce.
• Philly Cheese Steak Pizza — Twelve-inch base with slow-roasted brisket, caramelised onion, green capsicum, formaggio, and aioli.
• Slice of Seoul Pizza — Twelve-inch base with gochujang chicken, garlic, red capsicum, spring onion, and coriander.
• Truffle Fungi Pizza — Twelve-inch base with portobello and Swiss brown mushrooms, truffle aioli, rocket, and charred leek pesto.

Sides

• Fries — Served with aioli.
• Mac n’ Cheese — Baked cheesy pasta side.
• Crispy Potato Skins — Served with truffle aioli.
• Buttered Bok Choy — Tossed in lemon burnt butter and topped with crispy shallots.
• Nutmeg + Paprika Spiced Pumpkin — Finished with charred leek pesto.

Dessert

• Pistachio Cheesecake — Served with dark chocolate ganache.
• Warm Toffee Pudding — Accompanied by apple compote, white chocolate, walnut crumb, and vanilla ice cream.
• Ice Cream Nachos — Waffle chips served with three ice creams, cherries, whipped cream, and warm caramel.
• Sorbet Trio — Three refreshing scoops of daily sorbet selections.

Platters

• Merchant Platter — Prawn wontons, fried chicken, kransky bites, shiitake gyoza, onion pakora, warmed olives, and jalapeño cheddar bread.

Cocktails

• Tiramisu Espresso Martini — Baileys, crème de cacao, sugar syrup, and fresh espresso.
• Long Island Iced Tea — Vodka, gin, tequila, rum, triple sec, citrus, lemonade, and Coca-Cola.
• Sweet Peach — Gin, peach schnapps, peach, and cranberry.
• Pornstar Martini — Vanilla vodka, Malibu, passionfruit, lime, and prosecco.
• Rosebud — Vanilla vodka, cranberry, pineapple, passionfruit, lime, and aquafaba.
• Mango Sensation — Mango vodka, sour apple, apple, mango, and lime.
• Kiwi As — Vodka, kiwifruit, apple, and lime.
• Chilli Margarita — El Jimador Blanco, triple sec, lime, and agave.
• East Side — Gin, lime, sugar, mint, and cucumber.
• Peach Yuzu Margarita — El Jimador Reposado, peach, cranberry, lime, and yuzu.
• Elderflower Spritz — Botanist gin, elderflower, prosecco, soda, mint, and lime.
• Lemon Drop Spritz — Limoncello, Lemsecco Lemon, lemon, and soda.
• Aperol Spritz — Aperol, prosecco, soda, and fresh orange.

Hand-Held

• OG Cheeseburger — Wagyu beef, lettuce, onion relish, cheese, pickles, and burger sauce, served with fries.
• Fried Chook Burger — Crispy chicken, bacon, pickles, tomato, lettuce, and chipotle aioli, served with fries.
• Big Boy Bhaji Burger — Spiced potato patty, onion bhaji, lettuce, mint raita, and date-tamarind chutney, served with fries.

Hot Drinks

• Coffee — Americano, cappuccino, espresso, flat white, latte, long black, macchiato, mochaccino, or piccolo.
• Pure Leaf Tea — Selection includes English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Peppermint, Green, Chamomile, Jasmine, or Lemon.
• Hot Drinks With Kick — Warming concoctions: Baileys Hot Chocolate, Baileys Irish Cream, or classic Irish Coffee.

Zero Alcohol

• Lyre’s Zero-Alcohol Cocktails — Non-alcoholic cocktails: Pineapple Margarita, Paloma, Strawberry Mojito, or Pink Gin Gimlet.
• Lyre’s 0% RTDs — Ready-to-drink options: Classico, Amalfi Spritz, Gin + Tonic, or Pink London Spritz.
• Beer 0% — Zero-alcohol bottled lagers including Heineken 0.0% and Export Gold 0.0%.
• Refreshers — Voyage water, Coca-Cola range, Schweppes, Red Bull, Fuze iced tea, juices, and smoothies.

Smalls + Shareables

• Cheesy Garlic Pizza Bread — Rosemary and garlic or caramelised onion; optional no-gluten-added base available.
• Merchant Baked Jalapeño + Cheddar Bread — Served with whipped butter.
• Onion + Fennel Seed Pakora — Served with date and tamarind chutney.
• Spiced Lamb Gözleme — Turkish flatbread served with garlic yoghurt and sumac onion.
• Buttermilk Fried Chicken — Accompanied by chilli jam and spring onion, with optional bao bun add-ons.
• Chicken Wings — Choice of buffalo or gochujang sauce, served with house ranch and pickles.
• Mustard Kransky Bites — Served with Louisiana remoulade.
• Merchant Nachos — Pulled beef brisket, chipotle peppers, corn chips, cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños.
• 12 Spice Salt + Sichuan Pepper Squid — Crispy spiced squid served with sesame aioli.
• Shiitake Gyoza Dumplings — Five dumplings served with coriander ponzu.
• Prawn Scallion Wontons — Five wontons dressed with jalapeño mayo and kaffir lime oil.

Frequently asked questions

Where is The Merchant Pub Co. located?

The venue is located at Westfield Albany, 219 Don McKinnon Drive, Albany, Auckland.

Does The Merchant Pub Co. broadcast live sports?

Yes, live sports including All Blacks rugby and major sporting events are screened live and loud on big screens.

Can I book The Merchant for private functions or corporate events?

Yes, the venue accommodates everything from small table gatherings to full venue takeovers, featuring flexible spaces, two bars, outdoor areas, and audio-visual screens.

Are gluten-free or vegetarian meal options available?

Yes, the menu includes dedicated vegetarian selections as well as options to swap pizza bases and burger buns for no-gluten-added alternatives.

Is there entertainment on weekends?

Yes, Friday Live features live music from 9:00 pm, alongside regular sports screenings throughout the week.

Does the pub offer dedicated meals for children?

Yes, a full kids menu is available, featuring meals such as fried chicken, fish and chips, cheeseburgers, and pizza, each accompanied by a regular soft drink.

Tips

• {"body":"Head down for major sporting fixtures and rugby matches, where games are broadcast across the venue's big screens.","title":"Catch Live Sports Loud and Clear"}
• {"body":"Plan your weekend visit around Friday evenings when live entertainment kicks off from 9:00 pm.","title":"Friday Live Nights"}
• {"body":"Take advantage of the spacious outdoor courtyard for sunny afternoon pints or casual group gatherings.","title":"Courtyard Drinks"}

Good to know

• {"wifi":"Free WiFi available every day for guests.","family":"Kids menu available featuring classic mains with a soft drink included.","dietary":"Vegetarian and no-gluten-added pizza bases and burger buns available; kitchen handles common allergens.","payments":"A 2% surcharge applies to credit card and contactless payments."}