Burgers & the works
A proper two-handed burger situation. Build your own, or let the Chook & Oink do the talking.
Kitchen 12–8:30pm, 7 days
Closing time flexes with the seasons — if you're travelling, give us a bell.
Kitchen opens at midday
Otematata · Waitaki Lakes
Right by the Waitaki Lakes
The best pub in Otematata. Also the only one — but we'd still win. Nobody leaves hungry; we won't allow it.
- Open
- Bar 11:30am 'til late
Kitchen 12–8:30pm, 7 days
Closing time flexes with the seasons — if you're travelling, give us a bell. - Find us
- 2736 Otematata–Kurow Road
Otematata 9412
Get directions - Call
- 03 438 7899
Opt 1 Bar · Opt 2 Accommodation - Best Dam Cam
- Watch it live
See what the weather's doing before you drive.
Stay with us
Don't drive. Stay the night.
Self-contained apartments, classic pub rooms and holiday homes — all a short walk from the bar. Have the second bottle, stay for the band, and let somebody else worry about the drive.
Locally owned and serviced, golf course next door, lakes all around.
The weekly rituals
8 reasons your week just got a lot better
Good food. Cold drinks. Questionable life choices.
- Monday — Taco 'Bout Monday $20 Taco & fries combo. Good tacos. Cold beer. Zero regrets.
- Tuesday — Tight Ass Tuesday $22 Fish & chips. Being tight has never tasted better.
- Wednesday — Wings Wednesday $1 Wings, a buck each. Big wings. Bigger reasons to be here.
- Thursday — Thrifty Thursday $1 Crispy dumplings, a buck each. Good dumplings. Bad excuses.
- Friday — Thank F#%K It's Friday 4–7pm Three-hour happy hour. Come for the beers. Stay for the mistakes.
- Sunday — Super Sundays $5 Roast meat sammies. Sundays were made for bad decisions.
Proper pub tucker
Generous feeds that fill the plate, not empty the wallet
Roll in hungry. We'll handle the rest.
Stonegrill
Served sizzling on a 400° stone — a feed and a show in one. Cook it exactly how you like it.
Cold beer on tap
Speight's, Emerson's, Guinness and a wine list that punches above its weight.
You won't get this anywhere near here
Dinner that arrives still cooking
400°Volcanic stone, at your table
Prime aged rump, merino lamb, venison medallions, sirloin — brought out searing and finished exactly to your liking.
Worth the drive
Smack in the middle of the South Island's best scenery
Alps 2 Ocean riders, bikers, fishos, car clubs and the lake crowd all end up here. Next to the golf course, ten minutes from the dam, and a long way from anywhere that isn't beautiful.
Room for up to 300, and the three things you forgot
Birthdays, weddings, work do's, club trips, fundraisers. Take your pick of the spot — the restaurant, a meeting room, the community centre, or the marquee. You bring the people and the reason.
Talk to us →Our mobile bar comes to you
Anywhere across Waitaki, Mackenzie and Central Otago. Cocktails, cold beers, and a tidy wine list. BYO your own liquor, or let us run the whole show.
Bring the bar →2736 Otematata–Kurow Road
Otematata 9412. Open daily from 11:30am, kitchen from midday to 8:30pm. If you're travelling a distance, give us a bell first — the hours flex with the seasons.
How to get here →