Frankton Arm Tavern

bar — Frankton · Queenstown

About Frankton Arm Tavern

The Frankton Arm Tavern - known locally as the FAT - sits on the lakefront of the Frankton Arm in Queenstown, describing itself as the best known, unknown pub in town. It's home to the biggest beer garden in Queenstown, sheltered with a large outside open fire, making it a perfect spot by the lake to chat away the afternoon with friends.

The food is simple, honest pub grub, best paired with a Speights, a classic Guinness, or craft beers from Macs, Emerson's and Panhead. The menu runs from sharing plates and pub classics like the Kiwi Beef Burger and BBQ ribs, through to steaks, casual bites, a kids menu and desserts, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options marked throughout.

As a sports bar, the Frankton Arm Tavern features 14 screens constantly playing the latest sport, alongside darts, TAB, a pool table and pokies. The venue hosts a Monday Quiz Night, runs a courtesy shuttle, and is part of the Republic Social Club loyalty scheme, earning rewards across Queenstown's Republic Hospitality venues. Functions and events can also be booked.

Frankton Arm Tavern: Queenstown's Best Known, Unknown Pub

On the lakefront of the Frankton Arm in Queenstown, the Frankton Arm Tavern - known to regulars as the FAT - describes itself as the best known, unknown pub in town. Tucked away in Frankton with a truly remarkable view, it's a kiwi classic where locals come to play, home to the biggest beer garden in Queenstown, sheltered with a large outside open fire.

Honest Pub Food and a Proper Beer List

The food is exactly what you'd expect from a good local pub - simple, honest, and not too pricey. The menu runs from sharing plates like loaded fries and a full sharing platter of ribs, samosas and wings, through to pub classics including the Kiwi Beef Burger, BBQ ribs, and beer battered fish and chips with the option to upgrade to blue cod. Steaks, casual bites like a brisket sandwich and seafood chowder, a kids menu, and desserts like the Frankton Sundae round out the offering, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options marked throughout.

A Genuine Sports Bar

The Frankton Arm Tavern doubles as a sports bar, with 14 screens constantly playing the latest action, alongside darts, TAB, a pool table and pokies. It's a space built for catching the game with friends, whatever's on.

Weekly Events and Rewards

The tavern runs a Monday Quiz Night and a courtesy shuttle for guests, and is part of Queenstown's Republic Social Club loyalty scheme, letting regulars earn rewards for catching up with mates at any Republic Hospitality venue. The FAT also hosts functions and events, with staff on hand to help plan celebrations for groups.

Visiting the Frankton Arm Tavern

The Frankton Arm Tavern is open Sunday to Friday from 11am to 11pm, and Saturday from 11am to midnight, at 14 Yewlett Crescent, Frankton, Queenstown. Whether it's a pint by the lake, the game on one of 14 screens, or a group booking for a function, the Frankton Arm Tavern positions itself as the genuine local's local.

Signature items

  • Kiwi Beef Burger
  • BBQ Ribs
  • Ribeye Steak 220g
  • Seafood Chowder
  • Sharing Platter
  • Beer Battered Fish & Chips

Menu

Kids

  • Kid's Pizza — Mini cheese and tomato pizza with ham and pineapple or pepperoni
  • Fish & Chips — Battered fish served with fries and tomato sauce
  • Chicken Nuggets & Chips — Golden chicken nuggets served with fries and tomato sauce
  • Spaghetti Bolognese — An all-time classic
  • Bangers & Mash — Local pork sausages served on cheesy mash with gravy

Steaks

  • Ribeye Steak 220g — Cooked to your preference, mushroom sauce, fries and salad; add fried egg or onion rings
  • Sirloin Steak 200g — Cooked to your preference, mushroom sauce, fries and salad; add fried egg or onion rings

Sharing

  • Garlic Loaf — Served with creamy garlic and herb butter (vegetarian)
  • Cheesy Garlic Loaf — Served with creamy garlic and herb butter (vegetarian)
  • Fries — With tomato sauce and aioli (vegan)
  • Poutine — Fries topped with cheese and gravy (vegetarian)
  • Cheesy Bacon Fries — Fries topped with bacon and melted cheese
  • Loaded Fries — Fries topped with brisket, bacon, melted cheese and gravy
  • Hummus Plate — Served with a selection of bread and veggies (gluten free option, vegan)
  • Chicken Wings — Served with southern seasoning or house-made BBQ sauce
  • Southern Fried Chicken Bites — Served with aioli or BBQ sauce
  • Sharing Platter — BBQ ribs, samosas, southern fried chicken bites, spring rolls, chicken wings and fries
  • Veggie Sharing Platter — Selection of hummus and breads with spring rolls, samosas and falafel (vegan)

Desserts

  • The Frankton Sundae — Vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and choice of chocolate, berry or caramel syrup; add brownie
  • Chocolate Brownie — Warm chocolate brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and choice of chocolate, berry or caramel syrup
  • Salted Caramel Cheese Cake — Salted caramel cheesecake with toasted almond shavings and caramel drizzle

Casual Bites

  • Caesar Salad — Cos lettuce, crispy bacon, croutons, parmesan shavings, egg and dressing (gluten free option); add chicken
  • Roast Pumpkin Salad — Pumpkin, red onion, feta, roast pepitas, mesclun, balsamic reduction (no gluten added); add chicken or halloumi
  • The Frankton Wrap — Southern fried chicken, slaw, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and sweet chilli, served with fries; swap chicken for halloumi
  • Brisket Sandwich — Slow cooked brisket, lettuce, slaw, swiss cheese, pickles, chipotle mayo on a Tuscan roll, served with fries
  • BLT Sandwich — Crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, aioli on a Tuscan roll, served with fries
  • Pasta of the Day — Ask your server for today's special; add garlic bread
  • Chicken Fillet Roll — Freshly baked baguette, whole egg mayo, lettuce, crispy fried chicken and cheese
  • Meat Feast Pizza — Beef, streaky bacon, salami and chorizo topped with house-made BBQ sauce (gluten free option); add fries
  • Margherita Pizza — Buffalo mozzarella, freshly sliced tomato and basil (gluten free option); add fries
  • Seafood Chowder — A medley of seafood in a creamy broth with a side of garlic bread
  • Fish Tacos — Three beer battered fish tacos, pico de gallo, slaw, sour cream and mild salsa

Pub Classics

  • Kiwi Beef Burger — House-made patty with bacon, egg, cheese, beetroot, lettuce, tomato, relish and aioli, served with fries (gluten free option)
  • Classic Beef Burger — House-made patty, lettuce, tomato, tomato relish and aioli, served with fries (gluten free option)
  • Southern Fried Chicken Burger — Southern fried chicken, cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce, served with fries
  • Vegan Burger — Brown rice and mushroom patty on a turmeric bun with red onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, vegan mayo and tomato chutney, served with fries (vegan, gluten free option)
  • Southern Fried Chicken — With mushroom sauce and streaky bacon, served with mash and sauteed greens or fries and slaw
  • BBQ Ribs — Pork ribs coated in house-made BBQ sauce, served with fries and slaw (gluten free option); extra ribs available
  • Beer Battered Fish & Chips — Crispy battered market fish, fries, salad, tartare sauce and lemon; upgrade to blue cod; also available as a medium portion

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Frankton Arm Tavern located?
At 14 Yewlett Crescent, Frankton, Queenstown.
What are the opening hours?
Sunday to Friday 11am-11pm, Saturday 11am-midnight.
Is there live sport?
Yes, the tavern has 14 screens constantly playing the latest sporting action.
Is there a quiz night?
Yes, every Monday.
Does the tavern offer a courtesy shuttle?
Yes, a courtesy shuttle is available.
Does the menu cater for dietary requirements?
Yes, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are marked, though fries are cooked in the same oil as gluten products - speak to staff about allergies.
Can I book a function or event?
Yes, the tavern hosts functions and events for groups.

Tips

  • {"body":"A regular weekly event at the tavern.","title":"Join Monday Quiz Night"}
  • {"body":"Available for guests visiting the tavern.","title":"Use the courtesy shuttle"}
  • {"body":"Earn rewards across Queenstown's Republic Hospitality venues.","title":"Sign up for the Republic Social Club"}
  • {"body":"The biggest beer garden in Queenstown, with a sheltered outdoor open fire.","title":"Grab a spot in the beer garden"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"Kids menu available","dietary":"Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options marked; fries cooked in same oil as gluten products - speak to staff about allergies"}