The Empire Est 1950 is a bar and restaurant on Jackson Street in Petone, blending modern and traditional styles to create a unique dining atmosphere. The venue has built a following around its themed weekly nights, offering something different to visit for on nearly every day of the week, from ribs and steak to schnitzel and a Sunday roast.
The team, made up of chefs, bartenders and servers, aims to deliver an unforgettable dining experience alongside exceptional service. Beyond regular dining, The Empire also hosts private events like birthdays, anniversaries and corporate functions in its private function room, along with catering services for those looking to host something more customised.
The Empire also runs a weekly quiz night and offers kids eat free all day on Sundays, making it a popular option for families as well as regulars looking for their favourite themed night out.
On Jackson Street in Petone, The Empire Est 1950 has built its reputation on giving regulars a reason to come back on any night of the week. The bar and restaurant blends modern and traditional styles into a single space, aiming to deliver an unforgettable dining experience backed by a team of chefs, bartenders and servers focused on great food, good drinks and exceptional service.
What sets The Empire apart is its lineup of weekly "Empire Rituals" — a different themed special running most nights of the week. Mondays bring Ribs Night, with a full 1kg of ribs served alongside fries and creamy coleslaw. Tuesdays shift gears with an Early Set Menu Night, offering diners a choice of two or three courses across entrée, main and dessert. Wednesdays are Steak Night, pairing a grilled steak with fries, green salad and jus, and doubling as the venue's weekly "Believe It or Not" Quiz Night for anyone wanting to test their trivia knowledge over dinner.
Thursday is Schnitzy Night, with a choice of marinated crumbed beef or chicken schnitzel served with creamy coleslaw, gravy and homestyle fries. On Fridays, The Empire offers free snacks between 3pm and 5pm — sausage and fries — a casual way to kick off the weekend. Saturdays lean into a more relaxed "weekend mode," while Sundays bring a classic Sunday Roast, with a choice of ham or beef roast served with fries or creamy mash, steamed vegetables, house-made Yorkshire pudding and homestyle gravy.
Sundays at The Empire aren't just about the roast — kids eat free all day, with a free kids' meal available for children under 10 (one per couple's meal, terms and conditions apply). It's a detail that makes the venue a practical choice for family outings, not just a spot for a night out with friends.
Beyond its regular dining and drinks offering, The Empire operates a private function room suited to birthdays, meetings and special celebrations, right inside the restaurant. The team also offers broader private events and catering services, working with guests to create a customised experience for occasions like anniversaries and corporate events.
The Empire's identity draws on the idea of blending modern and traditional styles into one atmosphere — a space that works equally well for a casual weeknight meal, a themed dinner out, or a bigger celebration booked into the private function room. This mix is reflected in a menu built around pub-style classics: ribs, steak, schnitzel and a proper Sunday roast, executed with enough care to have become the anchor of each themed night.
The Empire Est 1950 is open seven days a week: Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 10am to 11pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10am to midnight. The venue is located at 175 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt, and can be reached by phone or email, or via its Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on upcoming events.