Hennessy's Irish Bar

About Hennessy's Irish Bar

Hennessy's Irish Bar is a long-standing pub situated in the heart of Rotorua on Tutanekai Street. Following an earthquake-prone building assessment, the venue was completely rebuilt in 2016 into an authentic Irish-style pub featuring spacious booths, private tables, and dedicated function spaces for gatherings of all sizes.

Renowned across the country, Hennessy's has earned recognition as New Zealand's Top Guinness Bar, serving freshly poured pints alongside an extensive craft and tap beer line-up. The kitchen focuses on hearty pub classics, traditional Irish stews, burgers, seafood, and comforting house-made desserts prepared fresh on-site.

Equipped with numerous large screens—including a central 70-inch display for major sporting fixtures—Hennessy's blends sports coverage, community atmosphere, and classic hospitality, catering to locals, tour parties, and visitors seven days a week.

Hennessy's Irish Bar: Award-Winning Pints and Hearty Hospitality in Rotorua

Located along Tutanekai Street in central Rotorua, Hennessy's Irish Bar has built a lasting reputation as a premier gathering place for both locals and travelers exploring the geothermal region. Rebuilt from the ground up in 2016 following earthquake-prone structural assessments, the pub was purposefully reconstructed in the grand Irish tavern tradition. Inside, comfortable timber-lined interiors, deep booths, and quiet corner tables create an inviting, unpretentious environment suited for solo travellers, working lunches, and large social parties alike.

Hennessy's holds notable sporting and community lore. The establishment served as a central hub during major historic rugby campaigns, including welcoming the Barmy Army during the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour and hosting players and supporters throughout the 2011 Rugby World Cup. A lively sports-watching venue today, the pub is fitted with multiple television setups, anchored by a 70-inch screen screening live domestic and international matches across rugby, football, and more.

The Pint and the Pub Grub

Central to the bar's acclaim is its draught program. Hennessy's has earned official national recognition as New Zealand's Top Guinness Bar, pouring stout with meticulous attention to temperature, head, and presentation. Beyond Guinness and Kilkenny, the tap banks feature regional craft brews and New Zealand staples such as Panhead Supercharger, Emerson's, Stella Artois, Tokyo Dry, and Mac's ciders.

From the kitchen, the culinary focus rests squarely on substantial, scratch-made comfort fare. Renowned across town for its creamy seafood chowder packed with fresh New Zealand seafood, the venue also leans heavily into traditional Irish comfort cooking. Highlights include prime beef braised in stout for the Beef & Guinness pie, braised lamb shanks resting in red wine gravy, and bangers served over buttery mash.

Comfort Food and Communal Spaces

Those looking for quick casual dining can choose from extensive burger and sandwich selections, including tempura-battered dory fish burgers, gourmet veggie patties, and steak sandwiches, alongside loaded seasoned wedges and nachos. Fresh salads dressed with regional ingredients cater to lighter palates, while the all-day Ulster fry up offers breakfast staples right through the evening.

Desserts remain a point of pride, prepared entirely on the premises. Guests regularly seek out Granny Malone's bread and butter pudding—baked with sultanas and blueberries—alongside rich slices of house-made Bailey's cheesecake.

For private gatherings, Hennessy's includes a dedicated function space accommodating groups of 30 to 40 people for birthdays, corporate get-togethers, and family events, backed by flexible catering options ranging from set menus and platters to custom buffets.

Signature items

• Creamy Seafood Chowder
• Beef & Guinness Pie
• Guinness on Tap
• NZ Lamb Cottage Pie
• Granny Malone's Bread & Butter Pudding
• Bailey's Cheesecake

Menu

Salads

• Smoked Salmon Salad — South Island salmon and fresh garden salad dressed with white wine sauce.
• Shrimp Salad — Hot or cold shrimps and fresh garden salad with Thousand Island dressing.
• NZ Lamb Salad — Warm rosemary marinated lamb on garden salad with Tzatziki, feta, and olives.
• Cajun Chicken Salad — Tender chicken breast with Cajun sauce on garden salad with mango tomato salsa.
• Salad of the Day — Seasonal vegetables made fresh to order.

Desserts

• Granny Malone's Bread & Butter Pudding — Traditional recipe with sultanas and blueberries, served with cream.
• Bailey's Cheesecake — House-recipe Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur cheesecake served with whipped cream.
• Ice-cream Sundae — Vanilla bean ice cream with chocolate, strawberry, or caramel sauce and whipped cream.
• Chocolate Fudge Cake — Warm chocolate fudge cake with fudge sauce and whipped cream.
• Belgium Waffles — Two Belgium waffles served with ice cream, fruit, whipped cream, and fruit coulis.

Starters

• Garlic Bread — French bread grilled with garlic infused butter.
• Soup of the Day — Homemade with fresh NZ produce, served with garlic bread.
• Creamy Seafood Chowder — Hennessy's homemade chowder with fresh NZ seafood and vegetables, served with toasted bread.
• Classic Shrimp Cocktail — Shrimps on a bed of lettuce served with Thousand Island dressing.

Kids Meals

• Chicken Nuggets — Served with golden fries.
• Mini Beef Burger — Beef burger with melted cheese and golden fries.
• Bacon & Cheesy Toasted Soldiers — Toasted soldiers with bacon and melted cheese.

Pub Classics

• Fish & Chips — Tempura battered NZ Dory served with fries, garden salad, lemon, and tartare sauce.
• Seafood Basket — Crumbed scallops, calamari rings, battered mussels, crabsticks, and Dory fish with fries and tartare.
• Scotch Fillet — 250g Prime NZ Beef with mushroom sauce or garlic butter, served with mash and peas or salad and fries.
• Beef & Guinness Pie — Prime NZ beef braised in Guinness and vegetables in rich gravy, topped with mash and cheese.
• Lamb Shanks — NZ lamb shanks braised in red wine gravy with honey and herbs, served with creamy mash and peas.
• NZ Lamb Cottage Pie — Traditional Irish stew with tender NZ lamb and vegetables, topped with mash and cheese.
• Lasagne — Classic beef lasagne served with salad and fries.
• Lambs Fry & Bacon — Sauteed liver with bacon, onions, red wine and mushroom gravy, creamy mash, and toast.
• Ulster Fry Up — Smoked crispy bacon, fried eggs, tomato, sausages, hash browns, black pudding, and toast.
• Chicken Fettuccini — Fresh tri-coloured pasta with chicken and creamy fettuccine sauce, topped with Parmesan.
• Vegetarian Fettuccini — Tri-coloured pasta with sauteed vegetables and garlic pesto wine sauce, topped with Parmesan.
• Bangers & Mash — Traditional beef sausages served with creamy mash, peas, and homemade beef gravy.

Sides & Extras

• Piece of Fish — Extra portion of fish.
• Side Salad — Fresh garden salad.
• Egg — Fried or cooked egg.
• Cheese — Extra cheese.
• Onions or Sauces — Side of cooked onions or sauce.
• Bread & Butter — Sliced bread with butter.
• Mushrooms or Bacon — Side portion of cooked mushrooms or bacon.
• Black Pudding — Traditional black pudding slice.
• Mashed Potato — Side of creamy mashed potato.
• Gravy — Homemade gravy.
• Avocado — Fresh sliced avocado.
• Sour Cream — Side of sour cream.

Sunday Special

• Roast Pork or Beef - 2 Course — Sunday roast followed by homemade bread & butter pudding or Bailey's cheesecake.

Burgers & Sandwiches

• BLAT — Smoked crispy bacon, lettuce, avocado mayonnaise, and tomato on toasted white bread.
• Veggie Burger — Gourmet veggie pattie with lettuce, beetroot, tomato relish, cheese, fresh tomato, and vegan mayonnaise.
• Steak Burger — Sirloin steak with onion jam, salad greens, aioli, and BBQ sauce.
• Fish Burger — Fresh NZ Dory in a tempura batter, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and tartare sauce.
• Open Grilled Chicken Sandwich — Tender chicken breast on toasted focaccia with cranberry, aioli, salad, brie, and avocado.
• Beef Burger — Homemade 200g beef pattie with cheese, bacon, beetroot, mayonnaise, salad, and sweet chili sauce.
• Chicken Burger — Chicken, cheese, lettuce, fresh tomato, bacon, and aioli.
• NY Pulled Pork Roll — Pulled pork in Cuban sauce on a crusty roll with grilled cheese.
• Lamb Burger — Lamb pattie, lettuce, beetroot, tomato relish, fresh tomato, cheese, aioli, and mint jelly.

Light Meals & Snacks

• Seasoned Potato Wedges — Seasoned potato wedges served with sour cream.
• Loaded Wedges — Seasoned wedges with crispy smoked bacon, melted cheese, and sour cream.
• Fries — Golden fries served with smokey BBQ sauce and tomato sauce.
• Beef Nachos — Toasted corn chips with mild spicy beef and bean mix, melted cheese, and sour cream.
• Vegetarian Nachos — Toasted corn chips with melted cheese, Hennessy's tomato salsa, beans, and sour cream.
• Loaded Fries — Golden fries topped with crispy smoked bacon, melted cheese, and sour cream.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Hennessy's Irish Bar located?

Hennessy's is located at 1210 Tutanekai Street in central Rotorua.

What are the opening hours?

The bar is open seven days a week from 11:00 am until late.

Do they offer gluten-free and vegetarian meal options?

Yes, the menu includes dedicated vegetarian dishes (such as veggie burgers and vegetarian fettuccine) as well as gluten-free salads and steak options.

Are children welcome at the pub?

Yes, families are welcome and there is a dedicated kids' menu featuring chicken nuggets, mini burgers, and cheesy toast soldiers.

Can I watch live sport at Hennessy's?

Yes, Hennessy's features multiple large television screens throughout the venue, including a 70-inch screen showing live matches and replays.

Does the venue have private function facilities?

Yes, there is a dedicated private function room catering for groups of 30 to 40 people, with catering options available.

Tips

• {"body":"Make sure to order a pint on tap; Hennessy's was awarded New Zealand's Top Guinness Bar.","title":"Guinness Lovers"}
• {"body":"Sunday roasts run from 12 noon with two courses; advance booking is recommended.","title":"Sunday Roasts"}
• {"body":"Arrive early on match days to secure a booth near the central 70-inch screen.","title":"Catching the Game"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Dedicated children's menu available for younger guests.","dietary":"Vegetarian and gluten-free choices marked throughout the menu.","payments":"No surcharge applied on public holidays."}