The Little Fiddle is an Irish pub and eatery on Oxford Terrace in Christchurch's central city, known for its food and drink menu, function bookings and its own colourful, tall-tale origin story.
The pub leans into its storytelling heritage, tracing its name and character back to a legendary (and thoroughly tongue-in-cheek) history involving an Irish traveller named Arthur Shand, a fiddle-playing companion called Flossie, and a cook named Paddy O'Rourke - all woven into the identity of the bar as it stands on Oxford Terrace today.
It's set up for both casual nights out and bigger occasions, with table bookings, function bookings and gift cards all available, and it's part of the wider Fiddle Group.
On Oxford Terrace in the heart of Christchurch, The Little Fiddle is an Irish pub and eatery that trades on food, drink and a genuinely memorable backstory.
The Little Fiddle bills itself simply as an Irish Pub & Eatery, and it's built around the kind of hospitality that invites you to stay a while - whether that's a casual drink after work, a sit-down meal, or a bigger night out with friends. The pub offers its own food and drink menu, available to browse online before booking a table.
What sets The Little Fiddle apart is its own telling of how it came to be. According to the pub's own history, it traces back to 1878, when an Irishman named Arthur Shand arrived in New Zealand from Australia scouting outlets for a then-new brew called Guinness Stout. His journey - by the pub's own account - took him through Dunedin, Clyde, the Buller Gorge and Nelson before he met a talented fiddler named Flossie in Kaikoura.
Along the way, Arthur also recruited a cook, Paddy O'Rourke, convincing him to come and cook at what would become The Little Fiddle Bar. Arthur, Flossie and Paddy eventually settled in Christchurch, a city that reminded Arthur of home with its stone buildings and rose gardens. It was on the very spot where the pub stands today that Arthur and Flossie were married, and where the idea for The Little Fiddle Bar took root.
The pub's own story continues through Arthur's return to Dublin, two Irish builders sent back to start construction in Christchurch, and Arthur and Flossie's eventual return in 1908 to run the bar themselves - building a reputation for boisterous hospitality and Paddy's cooking. It's a story the pub clearly enjoys telling, and it gives The Little Fiddle a distinct identity among Christchurch's bars.
Today, The Little Fiddle operates as a full pub and eatery, with a food and drink menu available online and table bookings taken directly through the website. Beyond a regular night out, the venue also hosts functions, making it a option for group bookings and events in the central city.
Gift cards are available too, a straightforward option for anyone wanting to share the pub with friends or family.
The Little Fiddle is part of the wider Fiddle Group, which also has its own membership offering with a dedicated app for members.
Located at 132 Oxford Terrace in Christchurch's central city, The Little Fiddle keeps long hours across the week, running from 11am through to midnight Monday to Thursday, and 11am through to 3am Friday to Sunday - making it a flexible option whether you're after an early meal or a late night out.