Kope Turf Bar is a neighbourhood bar at 7 James Street in central Whakatāne, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, with a 4.7 Google rating.
Turf bars take their name from New Zealand's racing tradition — many began as pub counters where the town followed the horses, and the big meetings still shape their calendar. Away from those days, a good one is simply a locals' local: an honest pour, a comfortable chair and conversation that comes easily. The unwritten rule is to leave the regulars' corner alone until you're a familiar face yourself, though a couple of quiet visits usually earn a nod from behind the bar. For visitors, a weekday afternoon is when a small-town bar shows its true character.
On James Street, in the heart of Whakatāne, Kope Turf Bar keeps that easygoing tradition going.