Where is the Imperial Hotel & Rocker Box Bar located?

The venue is located in the Thames town centre at 476 Pollen Street, Thames 3500.

Does the bar screen live sports?

Yes, the Rocker Box Bar features live Sky Sports with one big screen and over four flat screens.

What time does the bar and restaurant open?

The bar opens at 9:00 AM Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM on Monday, and 11:00 AM on Sunday.

Is the kitchen open every day?

The kitchen is closed on Mondays, but operates Tuesday through Sunday with food options and daily specials.

Are there entertainment events hosted during the weekend?

Yes, the bar hosts Friday happy hours from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturday DJ or jukebox nights.

Is Wi-Fi available on the premises?

Yes, fast and free Wi-Fi is provided for guests throughout the property.

Does the venue offer function spaces?

Yes, the venue offers free venue hire options for events and functions.

The Rocker Box Bar/Imperial Hotel

bar — Thames · Thames

About The Rocker Box Bar/Imperial Hotel

Imperial Hotel & Rocker Box Bar is a classic community establishment situated right on Pollen Street in the town centre of Thames. Combining historic town hospitality with convenient accommodation and a lively pub scene, it serves as a central hub for locals and travellers exploring the Coromandel area.

The on-site Rocker Box Bar & Restaurant offers comfortable casual dining, bar snacks, and a full range of beverages throughout the week. Guests can drop in for hearty pub staples like tempura-battered fish and chips, pizzas, and pies, or settle in to watch live sports across multiple screens in an unpretentious, friendly setting. Upstairs and alongside the bar, the hotel provides straightforward accommodation options, ranging from budget single rooms to full family suites.

Pollen Street Hospitality: Inside Thames’ Imperial Hotel & Rocker Box Bar

Located right in the heart of Thames on Pollen Street, the Imperial Hotel and its accompanying Rocker Box Bar stand as a classic fixture of Coromandel town life. Whether you are passing through on a coastal road trip, stopping in for an affordable place to sleep, or meeting friends for a drink after work, this historic venue delivers down-to-earth hospitality without fuss.

A Hub for Sports, Sips, and Entertainment

At the core of the hotel’s social life is the Rocker Box Bar & Restaurant. Designed for casual visits throughout the day and lively evenings, the venue is equipped with a major viewing setup that sports fans appreciate. With one big screen and four additional flat screens broadcasting live Sky Sports, it is a prime local destination for taking in rugby, league, and other televised fixtures over a cold drink.

The entertainment calendar picks up steadily towards the end of the week. Friday nights feature popular happy hours from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, while Saturdays bring in regular DJ sessions and jukebox nights that carry the energy into the early morning hours.

Comfort Bites and Daily Specials

The kitchen keeps things accessible with an honest menu of classic pub favourites, bar baskets, and savoury bakery goods. Patrons can grab sharing platters like loaded potato wedges with sour cream and sweet chilli, deep-fried chicken wings tossed with barbecue sauce, or a vegetarian basket filled with samosas and mini spring rolls.

For larger appetites, tempura-battered fish and chips and hearty Chicago-style crust pizzas form the backbone of the dinner trade. Local tradition is also honoured with a lineup of Dad's pies and gourmet sausage rolls, featuring flavours like beef and cracked pepper, spinach and feta, and butter chicken with steak. To top it off, rotating daily specials give regulars something different each night—from Tuesday chicken fettuccine and Wednesday scotch fillet steaks to Friday burger deals and Saturday pork ribs.

Staying in the Heart of Thames

Beyond the bar and dining area, the Imperial Hotel offers budget-conscious travellers central Thames accommodation. Rooms range from basic single and queen non-ensuite options to full family ensuite rooms, providing a practical base for exploring the surrounding Coromandel ranges and historic gold-mining heritage.

With free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the venue, straightforward online booking, and free venue hire options for private events and gatherings, the Imperial Hotel and Rocker Box Bar continues to serve its community as a welcoming, versatile meeting ground.

Signature items

Fish ‘n’ Chips
Deep Fried Chicken Wings
Vege Basket
Wedges
Dad’s Mince Pie
Chicago Meat Lover Pizza

Dad’s Butter Chicken and Steak Pie — Flaky pastry pie filled with butter chicken and steak, served with tomato sauce.
Dad’s Cheese Pie — Classic savoury cheese pie served with tomato sauce.
Dad’s Mince Pie — Traditional minced meat pie served with tomato sauce.
Dads’ Pie Beef and Cracked Pepper Sausage Roll — Beef and cracked black pepper sausage roll served with tomato sauce.
Dads’ Pie Spinach and Feta Sausage Roll — Spinach and feta vegetarian sausage roll served with tomato sauce.

Weekly Specials

Chicken Fettuccine — Tuesday food special.
Scotch Fillet — Wednesday food special.
Pork Ribs Special — Saturday food special.
Daily Burgers — Friday burger special.
Daily Salads — Sunday salad special.

Bakery & Pastries

Almond Croissant — Baked almond croissant pastry.

Pub Classics & Bites

Chicken Nuggets — 7 pieces of nuggets served with fries and tomato sauce.
Curly Fries — Crispy seasoned curly fries served with tomato sauce.
Deep Fried Chicken Wings 8pcs — Eight deep-fried chicken wings served with BBQ sauce.
Fish ‘n’ Chips — Two tempura-battered fish fillets served with fries and sauces.
Fries — Straight-cut fries served with tomato sauce.
Vege Basket — Mini spring rolls and samosas served with fries and sweet chilli sauce.
Wedges — Seasoned potato wedges served with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Imperial Hotel & Rocker Box Bar located?: The venue is located in the Thames town centre at 476 Pollen Street, Thames 3500.
Does the bar screen live sports?: Yes, the Rocker Box Bar features live Sky Sports with one big screen and over four flat screens.
What time does the bar and restaurant open?: The bar opens at 9:00 AM Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM on Monday, and 11:00 AM on Sunday.
Is the kitchen open every day?: The kitchen is closed on Mondays, but operates Tuesday through Sunday with food options and daily specials.
Are there entertainment events hosted during the weekend?: Yes, the bar hosts Friday happy hours from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturday DJ or jukebox nights.
Is Wi-Fi available on the premises?: Yes, fast and free Wi-Fi is provided for guests throughout the property.
Does the venue offer function spaces?: Yes, the venue offers free venue hire options for events and functions.

Tips

{"body":"Check the daily specials board before ordering, ranging from Tuesday pasta to Friday burgers and Saturday ribs.","title":"Time your visit for the specials"}
{"body":"If you are after a casual drink, stop in between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM on Friday for their scheduled happy hour.","title":"Catch the Friday happy hour"}
{"body":"While the bar opens on Mondays, the kitchen is closed, so plan ahead if you intend to dine.","title":"Note Monday kitchen hours"}

Good to know

{"wifi":"Fast and free Wi-Fi provided throughout the venue.","family":"Family ensuite room options available for accommodation.","dietary":"Vegetarian basket and gluten-crust pizza options available on the menu."}