The Keg Room
The Keg Room is a friendly and fun gastropub in suburban Hamilton, where strangers become friends, and friends become family. Owned and operated by Mel and her partner Andy, this dynamic duo manage front-of-house and the kitchen and have been welcoming patrons since 2013.
We caught up with Mel to find out more about her business.
Why do you own and run a gastro pub?
I love my job, but it’s been a rocky ten years for The Keg Room. Disaster struck in 2017, and our pub was burnt to the ground on Christmas Day. It would have been easy to shut up shop, but instead, our community of locals rallied around and supported us. We ran pop-up events and opened a beer hatch through a window while the rebuild was happening. That experience helped us stay flexible through COVID-19 and enabled us to devise innovative ways to serve our regulars. For me, it’s all about our customers. It’s in our veins. The Keg Room is where strangers become friends, and friends become family. It’s important to me to create a space where people can connect…we all crave human connection.
“It’s all about the people, getting to know people, the creation of friends.”
Who comes to The Keg Room and why?
Our customers are looking for somewhere relaxed and comfortable, where they can have a casual, delicious meal and a tasty drink. We have families, groups of friends, and retirees all coming in to have a lovely evening. We can have a group of ladies enjoying Aperol Spritz cocktails in one corner and a young family enjoying spaghetti from the kids’ menu in the other, all co-existing. Locals love bringing their dogs along, too, and we were the first pub in New Zealand to create a food menu specifically designed for four-legged friends. After all, they are family as well.
What made you enter into this competition?
We are so excited about the marketing opportunity this competition brings. We want to introduce new people to our business and to remind others that we are here. It’s also given us the opportunity to take a moment and reflect on our offering. Are we where we need to be? What areas can we improve on? This is a great way to enforce self-reflection. We also want to inspire our team by highlighting our strengths and remembering why we do what we do.
Why should someone vote for you to be New Zealand’s Best Gastro Pub?
What makes our pub special is how friendly and welcoming we are. I treat the pub as an extension of my living room – everyone is welcome. We strive to make real connections with everyone who steps through the door; that’s when you become one of the family and that’s reflected in our menu. We serve good, honest pub food.
“There are no strangers, only friends you have not yet met.”
What’s special about your menu?
Our menu is traditional pub fare. We serve classics like bangers and mash or fish and chips. It’s delicious, filling and family-friendly. Take the pork ribs. They’re served with slaw, fries, and smoky BBQ sauce. You won’t find any edible flowers on your plate here.
What is your favourite meal on the menu at the moment?
I love the wood-fired pizzas. The Buffalo Chicken with capsicum and Franks Hot Sauce is just the perfect combo. Team that up with a nice glass of Pinot Gris, and you have the perfect summer meal.
The Keg got you all inspired? Enter your business now! Entries are open until 31 January, 2024