Woodside Bar, Dining and Functions is a community-focused hospitality destination located on Ronwood Avenue in Manukau, South Auckland. Owned by the Wiri Licensing Trust (WLT), the venue draws its name from the nineteenth-century farming settlement of Woodside that once flourished along Great South Road before being renamed Wiri. Today, Woodside offers a welcoming atmosphere designed for modern Kiwi dining, casual catch-ups, and group gatherings.
The venue operates as a licensed tavern featuring spacious indoor dining, craft drinks, a family-friendly kids menu, and dedicated function facilities. Woodside serves as an active local hub, hosting weekly community events including trivia quiz nights, live music performances, and the Unity at Woodside social run club.
Whether dropping by for lunch, meeting colleagues for after-work drinks, or booking a private celebration, guests will find a relaxed environment centered on classic Kiwi hospitality in the heart of Manukau Central.
Located on Ronwood Avenue in South Auckland, Woodside Bar, Dining and Functions provides a lively, welcoming hub for dining, drinks, and gatherings. Owned by the community-oriented Wiri Licensing Trust, Woodside blends contemporary tavern hospitality with deep local roots that stretch back to the earliest European settlement in the area.
The Woodside name pays tribute to the historic 1850s farming settlement established by Robert Coxhead along the Great South Road. In 1859, the Half-way House hotel opened on Woodside Farm, transforming the area into a bustling coaching stop complete with stables, a school, churches, and stores. While the village later took the name Wiri—honouring 19th-century Te Ākitai chief Ihaka Takaanini and his son Te Wirihana Takaanini—before becoming Manukau Central, the historic name survives proudly at Woodside.
Today, the modern venue carries forward that legacy of welcoming travellers and neighbours under one roof. Guests are greeted by spacious dining zones, relaxed bar seating, and dedicated function spaces suitable for everything from corporate functions to milestone celebrations.
At the table, Woodside focuses on approachable Kiwi cuisine designed to please diverse tastes. The kitchen features seasonal offerings such as its popular Winter Warmers selection alongside rotating Chef’s Specials that highlight fresh flavors. Families are well accommodated with a dedicated kids menu, making the dining room equally suited for weekday lunches, family dinners, or weekend get-togethers.
Behind the bar, Woodside pours an extensive beverage lineup. Patrons can choose from local and international wines, house-mixed cocktails, non-alcoholic refreshments, and draught beers. For sports nights and social groups, sharable beer jugs and beverage towers remain popular centerpieces across the bar tables.
Beyond dining, Woodside maintains a bustling calendar of weekly activities. Every Tuesday evening, locals gather for a lively pub quiz night featuring friendly competition and prizes. On Wednesdays, the venue hosts the Unity at Woodside Run Club—a free community walking and running session welcoming all fitness levels, pram walkers, and dogs, followed by discounted kai and spot prizes back at the tavern.
Live entertainment and weekend performances regularly bring acoustic sets and local artists to the stage. With ample nearby parking on Ronwood Avenue and generous opening hours across the week, Woodside remains an enduring social anchor in Manukau Central.