The Redoubt Bar & Eatery Morrinsville is the realisation of a long-held dream for Jacob and Kelly Henderson, who opened the doors at the corner of Thames Street and Canada Street in the town's CBD after years of saying Morrinsville needed a good local. Having cut their teeth leasing The Redoubt in Te Awamutu and running the Matamata Redoubt since June 2006, they have brought the same formula to Thames Street: good food, good cheer and great beer.
Inside, the walls are lined with historical photos and memorabilia telling the story of Morrinsville — its happenings, heroes and villains — giving the room a comfortable 'at your mate's place' feel that welcomes families, mates and regulars alike. Jacob and Kelly welcome contributions from locals and love hearing their stories.
The ever-changing seasonal menu runs all day, with 'legend dishes' like the famous Crispy Sticky Chicken — the legendary Sticky Chicky — plus Pork Belly and classic fish and chips, and gluten-free, vegetarian and most other dietary requirements easily catered for. The thirsty can choose from New Zealand wines, fantastic tap beers including the Monteith's range and Heineken, or a cocktail from general manager Clifford Williams' personally selected list. Doors open 8.30am until late, seven days.
On the corner of Thames Street and Canada Street, right in the heart of Morrinsville's CBD, The Redoubt Bar & Eatery has one simple aim: to make your day at least that little bit better. The formula is summed up in its motto — good food, good cheer, great beer — and it works just as well for a family settling in over coffee and a meal as it does for a group of mates 'sharing a few' at the bar.
The Morrinsville premises are the newest chapter in a story Jacob and Kelly Henderson have been writing for years. After 'serving their apprenticeship' leasing The Redoubt in Te Awamutu for three years, the couple opened The Redoubt Bar & Eatery in Matamata in June 2006. For a long while they said they should 'do' a Redoubt in Morrinsville, and when the premises at 314 Thames Street came up, the dream finally became reality. Their read on the town was simple: Morrinsville needed a good local — a place to engage, celebrate, commiserate and just relax.
Step inside and it's immediately clear this is a bar and eatery that belongs to its town. Historical photos line the walls, displaying the area's local history alongside images and memorabilia that capture Morrinsville's happenings, heroes and villains. It's a living collection, too: Jacob and Kelly welcome contributions from locals and would love to hear your stories — they'll happily stop for a chat any time.
All of it feeds into the comfortable 'at your mate's place' feel the Redoubt is known for. Nothing about the room is precious; it's built for catching up, whether over breakfast, lunch, dinner or a well-poured drink.
Ask a local what to order and chances are the answer comes with a grin: the Sticky Chicky. The Crispy Sticky Chicken is the dish the Redoubt has become legendary for, and it fronts a seasonal menu of 'legend dishes' that also includes rich Pork Belly and the timeless classic, fish and chips.
The menu changes with the seasons, so there's always a reason to come back, and the full menu is available all day — breakfast through to dinner, with dessert to finish. Hearty meals are the order of the day, with gluten-free and vegetarian options on offer, and the team says most dietary requirements are easily catered for. Nobody in the family needs to miss out.
The thirsty are well looked after, too. Behind the bar you'll find a range of New Zealand wines alongside fantastic tap beers, including the Monteith's range and international favourite Heineken. Prefer something mixed? General manager Clifford Williams has personally selected the cocktail list, so there's plenty to explore beyond the taps.
The Redoubt Morrinsville looks to be 'the place' in town, and it backs that up beyond the dining room. The venue hosts events and entertainment, and offers room hire for functions and get-togethers — worth a call if you're planning something.
Doors are open from 8.30am until late, every day of the week, so whether it's the first coffee of the morning or the last round of the night, there's a seat waiting. Give the team a ring on 07 889 1254 to check what's on, or simply call in — Jacob and Kelly would love to see you.
However you arrive — hungry for the legendary Sticky Chicky, curious about the stories on the walls, or just after a relaxed drink in a room that treats you like a regular — you'll leave having had what the team calls a uniquely Redoubt experience: good cheer, good food, great beer.