When do the Duelling Pianos perform?

Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. It's a signature 1876 experience.

What are your opening hours?

Open 7 days a week from 12pm to late.

Can I book for a function or event?

Yes. 1876 hosts private functions and events. Contact 03 409 2178 or visit the website to enquire.

What is the Republic Social Club?

1876 is part of Queenstown's Republic Social Club loyalty scheme where you earn rewards across 15 local establishments.

Yes. Open from 12pm daily. Toasties are available 12pm to 3pm, and full menu from 12pm onwards.

What's your signature burger?

The 1876 Burger—double beef patty, bacon, oak lettuce, pickles, onion, cheese, burger sauce and crispy onion rings.

Can I watch live sport here?

Yes. Multiple screens show live sport throughout the pub.

1876

bar — Queenstown Central · Queenstown

About 1876

1876 is a historic pub occupying Queenstown's former courthouse building, blending heritage character with everything expected from a great modern pub. Over 130 years as a courthouse, the venue has spent the last 20 years as a welcoming gathering place for locals and visitors. The pub delivers cold beers, hearty pub classics, and a lively atmosphere that keeps people coming back. Live sport screens, regular entertainment, and a distinctive beer garden create multiple reasons to visit—whether for a relaxed lunch, catching the big game with mates, enjoying dinner with family, or staying late for live entertainment. The famous Duelling Pianos perform every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, transforming the historic courthouse into an unforgettable night venue. As part of Republic Hospitality's portfolio of 15 Queenstown establishments, 1876 benefits from a genuine community loyalty scheme and an operational network of similar venues.

1876 Queenstown: Historic Courthouse Pub with Live Pianos and Legendary Nights

1876 occupies Queenstown's historic courthouse building—a landmark that served for over 130 years before becoming a welcoming pub for the past 20. The venue blends character inherited from its heritage past with everything expected from a great modern pub: cold beers on tap, hearty pub classics, live sport, and regular entertainment that keeps people returning.

The Atmosphere

The historic courthouse shell provides immediate character—stone walls, period details, and the weight of a building that's seen Queenstown's full arc. But the vibe is contemporary: lively, welcoming, genuinely social. A beer garden offers sunny-afternoon escapes. Inside, multiple screens show live sport. The bartenders know their craft, and the kitchen takes its classics seriously.

The Entertainment

Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Duelling Pianos take over. Two musicians perform live, turning dinner into an event. It's Queenstown's signature venue for this kind of evening—the kind that generates memories and stories people retell.

The Food

The menu balances pub classics with genuine ambition. Burgers run from classic cheeseburger to a Korean Fried Chicken variant with kimchi and fermented chilli BBQ. Steaks are proper cuts—300g Sirloin, 300g Rib Eye—with your choice of sauce. Schnitzels, lasagna, fish & chips, Caesar salad—nothing revolutionary, but nothing phoned in either. Signature items like Pork Belly Bites (Korean spicy BBQ, sesame, kimchi) show the kitchen isn't resting on pub-food defaults.

Community

1876 is part of Republic Hospitality's portfolio of 15 Queenstown establishments, giving it a genuine loyalty network—the Republic Social Club lets you earn rewards across all their venues. It's not just a pub; it's part of the town's social infrastructure.

Signature items

Duelling Pianos
1876 Burger
Beer Garden
Historic Courthouse Setting
Ribeye Steak
Pork Belly Bites

Hand-Crumbed Chicken Schnitzel — Panko-crumbed chicken, chips, slaw with sauce choice
Chicken Parmigiana — Double smoked ham, vodka sauce, mozzarella
Garlic Butter Prawn Parmigiana — Grilled prawns, confit garlic & chilli butter
Caesar Salad — Cos lettuce, bacon, egg, croutons, Parmesan, dressing
Roasted Pumpkin & Kale Lasagna — Vodka sauce, crispy sage, basil pesto, Parmesan
Fish & Chips — Beer battered market fish, chips, slaw, lemon, tartare

Snacks & Shares

Garlic Bread — Classic garlic bread
Cheesy Garlic Bread — Garlic bread with melted cheese
Bowl of Chips — Chicken salt, aioli, ketchup
Southern Fried Chicken Wings — Buffalo, ranch, pickles
Potato Scallops — Chicken salt, tomato ketchup
Cheeseburger Spring Rolls — Burger sauce, pickles
Grilled Garlic Prawns — Confit garlic & chilli butter, toasted sourdough
Pork Belly Bites — Korean spicy BBQ, toasted sesame, kimchi

Toasties (12pm To 3pm)

Cheese & Tomato — Classic toastie with cheese and tomato
Ham & Cheese — Ham and cheese toastie
Beef Brisket — Pickles, mustard, cheese
Creamy Tomato Soup — Add to any toastie

Burgers (Served With Chips)

Classic Cheeseburger — Beef patty, cheese, pickles, onion, ketchup, mustard
Korean Fried Chicken — Kimchi, cheese, oak lettuce, ranch, fermented chilli BBQ
1876 Burger — Double beef patty, bacon, lettuce, pickles, onion, cheese, sauce, onion rings
Black Bean Burger — Kimchi, fermented chilli BBQ, oak lettuce

Steaks (Served With Chips & Salad)

250G Rump Steak — Choice of gravy, mushroom or pepper sauce
300G Sirloin — Choice of gravy, mushroom or pepper sauce
300G Rib Eye — Choice of gravy, mushroom or pepper sauce
Surf & Turf — Add grilled prawns with confit garlic & chilli butter

Frequently asked questions

When do the Duelling Pianos perform?: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. It's a signature 1876 experience.
What are your opening hours?: Open 7 days a week from 12pm to late.
Can I book for a function or event?: Yes. 1876 hosts private functions and events. Contact 03 409 2178 or visit the website to enquire.
What is the Republic Social Club?: 1876 is part of Queenstown's Republic Social Club loyalty scheme where you earn rewards across 15 local establishments.
Do you serve lunch?: Yes. Open from 12pm daily. Toasties are available 12pm to 3pm, and full menu from 12pm onwards.
What's your signature burger?: The 1876 Burger—double beef patty, bacon, oak lettuce, pickles, onion, cheese, burger sauce and crispy onion rings.
Can I watch live sport here?: Yes. Multiple screens show live sport throughout the pub.

Tips

{"body":"Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are popular—call 03 409 2178 to secure a table.","title":"Book ahead for Duelling Pianos nights"}
{"body":"Pork Belly Bites and Korean Fried Chicken burger show the kitchen's creativity beyond standard pub fare.","title":"Try the Korean-inspired dishes"}
{"body":"Relaxed alfresco space with cold beers—perfect for afternoon catch-ups.","title":"Visit the beer garden in sunny weather"}
{"body":"Multiple screens mean busy nights when major games are on. Come early or book a table.","title":"Arrive early for live sport events"}
{"body":"The building itself is part of the experience—130+ years of Queenstown history in every corner.","title":"Explore the historic courthouse setting"}

Good to know

{"wifi":"Contact venue for availability","family":"Family-friendly during day; lively evening atmosphere with live entertainment Thu-Sat","dietary":"Black bean burger available for vegetarians; various menu options","parking":"Central Queenstown location; street parking available","payments":"Phone: 03 409 2178 for bookings and enquiries","accessibility":"Historic courthouse building; contact venue for specific accessibility requirements"}