Duke of Wellington
What makes your venue the Best Gastropub in New Zealand?
The Duke loves hearty food, tasty gins, and great beer. We have selected mainly local Wellington breweries with an ever-changing selection to keep our patrons on their toes! We serve up a balance of your classics, new and local drinks, whatever you fancy, we’ve got it! We pride ourselves on supporting local suppliers and offering an ever-changing selection of great food, great beer and great coffee. Oh, and we put on Quiz Night every Wednesday night to keep up a competitive quizzing spirit!
Describe the experience your customers have at your establishment – what is your food and beverage offering and why do people come back for more?
Step into The Duke of Wellington, and you'll discover more than just a typical pub experience. Good vibes are matched by a menu that ranges from bar basics to more elevated fare, and The Duke has done the hard part of matching meals with a fine wine or craft beer. Our staff has great knowledge of the menu, and the drinks list and delivery of dishes is swift. Our customers are guaranteed to be taken care of, whether it’s knowing about local or new beverages we’re serving.
Tell us how you showcase NZ produce / offerings? Does your menu change with the season and how is it locally influenced. How do you accommodate allergy and dietary requirements?
Our beverage menu predominantly features offerings from innovative local suppliers. We consistently update the selection to provide a diverse showcase of products throughout the year. The food menu is designed to align with the seasons, emphasizing the utilization of New Zealand ingredients. This ensures a dynamic culinary experience that reflects the local landscape and its seasonal variations. Additionally, we prioritize accommodating allergy and dietary requirements, offering a range of options to cater to diverse needs. Our commitment to showcasing local flavours extends beyond the beverage and food menus, creating a comprehensive and inclusive dining experience for all patrons.
What are your key points of difference and how have you managed to deliver them?
Our distinctive features include engaging quiz nights, local brewery connections, a prime location, extended hours with diverse drinks, and weekly Duke favourites. To deliver these, we offer exclusive venue takeovers for events, encouraging our community to host functions with our Chef’s creations. Wednesday quiz nights build a sense of community, and our strong ties with local breweries provide unique regional brews. The central location ensures accessibility for Wellingtonians. Opening early to late accommodates diverse schedules, while curated Duke favourites and weekly news updates keep patrons excited and informed. Our commitment to variety, community, and local partnerships distinguishes us and maintains patron engagement.
Best Known for:
Hearty food, tasty gins and great beer
Quiz night every Wednesday
Local brewery connections
Please describe your commitment to sustainability.
Our dedication to sustainability involves minimizing single-use items through the adoption of metal straws, implementing effective recycling practices, and conserving water at the bar. Additionally, we prioritize the use of whole produce, opt for filtered tap water in jugs instead of bottled water, and reduce reliance on individual bottles by ordering house spirits in reusable 10L containers.
Have you won any awards in the recent past? Tell us about them.
The Duke was recognized by Cuisine NZ in the Good Food Guide 2023/2024 as a “Cuisine Hotel Destination”. This recognition involves notable restaurants situated within hotels that are well worth your visit. Cuisine NZ provided commentary of The Duke: “Duck into this gastro pub on your way home from work, and you’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome. Good vibes are matched by a menu that ranges from bar basics to more elevated fare, and the duke has done the hard part of matching meals with a fine wine or craft beer. Cheers.”
Please describe how you create ambience.
To create a delightful ambience for our customers, we prioritize a combination of elements that engage the senses and foster a welcoming atmosphere. Firstly, we focus on a light and bright setting, using a mix of natural and artificial light to create a warm and inviting space. This enhances visibility and contributes to a positive and uplifting mood.
Our music is at an enjoyable volume, not too loud to hinder conversations but high enough to add a lively vibe. Screens are strategically placed and at an appropriate height to avoid distractions and maintain a social and enjoyable environment.
We make sure tables are spacious enough to accommodate orders without feeling cramped. Comfortable seating, a well-thought-out layout, and a general feeling of openness contribute to a stress-free environment. The goal is to create a space where guests can unwind and enjoy their time.
