‘Thirsty Dog’ has recently been sold and is under new management, who are giving this place a radical facelift! This pub has high visibility on the corner of K Rd & Howe Street, so can naturally pull the punters. The pub has a stage geared for bands to perform; so there is now many daily live events happening here! Apparently, they also now have pub food, not just fries or nachos, so I need to pop-in and try. They stock a full bar with some craft beers, cocktails, shots, spirits, house wine… whatever you want to drink really. You can smoke outside too, if needed. Lively local pub that looks after the whole community!
Jaylena P.
Rating des Ortes: 4 San Francisco, CA
Stopped here for a quick hello with a friend who knows Simon. Very welcoming, friendly person he is. You can tell right away he cares for his customers and his bar. It was early in the day so definitively not ready for a full on session but a cold cider was perfect. The bar is massive with prime corner real estate! Plenty of seating at the bar, tables just behind along with benches running along the windows. If it were my local, I would be there on Sundays just to people watch and pass a few pints. There is also a chef in the kitchen, with a menu broadcast on chalkboard above the bar. Live music and other fun activities await weekly. Another plus to this bar is that there is a genuine Italian espresso machine. The brand escapes me, but it is one of only two in all of New Zealand! He said it makes a mean espresso and for someone who loves coffee this is an invitation to return.
Hannah B.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Auckland, New Zealand
This is my partner’s fail-safe go-to-after-work pub. He loves it because it is exactly what K’ Road is all about: unique, friendly and just the right amount of grimy. He says it’s because it reminds him of the pubs in our hometown in the UK and I don’t think he’s wrong. I’ve only met up with him a few times in here but I too think it’s a great little place. The staff are always really friendly, there’s a great selection of beer(including their home brewed lager) at a reasonable price and there’s always been ample seating during after work hours. They’ve also got a really varied selection of live music and events on every week so there’s enough to keep you entertained(the pub quiz in particular is usually a winner). I’ve not eaten in here but the food on the menu always looks really intriguing. They’ve got a really wide selection of vegetarian and vegan food and things that are just a little out of the ordinary.
Hannah J V.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Portland, OR
My roller derby team has used The Thirsty Dog as a venue for years — from birthday parties to after-parties, movie screenings to quiz nights, The Thirsty has welcomed us with open arms and been extremely generous when it comes to its hireage charges. I have a lot of time for Simon and the team and would recommend the Thirsty as a great place to hold a gig or fundraiser. My favourite spot in the place is the pokey little back area — it’s a great spot to tuck yourself away after a hard night of roller skating(and drinking) and is dark enough to hide running make up and fresh bruises.
Jon T.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Auckland, New Zealand
I’ve been to all sorts of things at the Thirsty Dog, and it says a lot for the space that none of them have felt particularly out of place. From watching a Celtic game at 8 am in the morning, to listening to free verse poetry, to getting a bloody nose watching Missing Teeth play, the Thirsty Dog has provided a more then apt background. They have a nice large selection of drinks, including a self microbrewed lager and ale, as well as the classics, and they aren’t too overpriced — although there’s no five dollar specials here. They also do a lot of food — I’ve never indulged myself, but I did watch a big burly shaven headed Scottish guy devour a big breakfast and drown a pint in about 3 minutes, and it looked like he enjoyed it. They have a loyalty club that gives you five percent back off every drink you buy — so if you buy 20, you get a free one. Doesn’t sound too bad to me !
Eddie D.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Auckland, New Zealand
The Thirsty Dog does very well at straddling boundaries. If you want a quiet afternoon beer, and maybe some food, then this is the place. And if you want a rowdy live punk show later on, then this is the place for that too. They have a regular folk club thing on Sunday afternoons, so it’s not all shouty raucous stuff. The live music is an essential part of the Thirsty Dog, with something happening several times a week. Plus, the staff are friendly and easy going. I’ve dealt with them not only as a customer but also as a gig organiser, and they were totally accommodating and helpful. Recommended.
Linda Jane K.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Auckland, New Zealand
I’ve been to a couple of gigs here and it’s a great place to enjoy some music on a Sunday afternoon or rock out on a Saturday night. The low stage means you can get up close to the action but never be far away from the bar. They’ve got their own branded beer and ciders so give them a whirl. The staff are great and also obliging when you need a piece of chalk to update the live music chalkboard out the front. The only downside to this place is it can be hard to find the toilet, and even harder to get there safely after a few drinks! The ladies’ restroom is out the back and down some stairs and, depending on the night, through a crowd of smokers loitering outside. For a nice venue, this aspect does make it seem just that little bit shabbier, which is unfortunate because it is otherwise a great place.