Directory of Sessions in New Zealand

JUMP TO:
AUCKLAND; CHRISTCHURCH; DUNEDIN; HAMILTON; HASTINGS; NELSON; PALMERSTON NORTH; TAURANGA; WELLINGTON

If any information here needs to be updated please let me know.
(A map of New Zealand is available here.)

North Island

AUCKLAND

Where: Dogs Bollix, Newton Road, Auckland City
When: Tuesdays, 8:30 pm.
Contact: Warren Payne
Also: "They also have folkie type guests on a Sunday afternoon. 4-6pm"
Updated: 21/2/2011

Where: Location: Florrie McGreals, 138 Hustmere Rd., Takapuna
When: Sunday, 13 February 2011 17:00
Email: florriemcgrals(at)windowslive.com
Phone: (09) 486 6330
Added 20/2/2011

Where: Location: Florrie McGreals, 138 Hustmere Rd., Takapuna
When: Tuesdays 7:30pm onwards
Contact: Philip Whitehead
Phone: (09) 486 6330
Note: This is in addition to the session advertised above.
Added: 7/7/2011

Where: The Bog, Parnell Road, Parnell
When: Sundays, 7:00 pm
Notes: Nomially Irish session but a good variety of music, tunes and songs.
Added 18/11/2008

Where: The Clare Inn, Dominion Road, Mount Eden
When: Mondays, 7:30 pm
Notes: Mostly tunes - Irish trad, excellent music
Added 18/11/2009

Where: 99a McEntee Road, Waitakere, Waitakere City
When: Sundays, 5:00 - 8:00 pm.
Who: Trevor Sommers
Email: tsommers(at)ihug.co.nz
Notes: Singers, musicians, listeners, drinkers welcome.
Updated: 2/6/2007

Where: The Thirsty Dog
When: First and third Monday of each month, around 8:30 pm.
Notes: Eclectic mix of contemporary acoustic music mixed with old hits, jazz standards and the odd traditional tune.
Updated 7/6/2009

HAMILTON

Where: Biddy Mulligans Victoria Street
When: Third Sunday of the month 5.00 - 8.00 ish
Contact: Noel Armstrong 856 4589
Email: noel(at)nicklin.co.nz
Who: All welcome
What: "This a Trad. session, tunes, singing and if we're cold enough occasionally some spontaneous dancing. All welcome."
Updated: 29/10/2004

Where: Powerhouse Cafe/Restaurant, Karapiro Village (5 minutes out of Cambridge).
When: First Friday of each month, 6:30 - 9:30 pm.
Contact: Wendy Anderson or Brian Mitchell
Phone: (07) 843-4121
Email: farail(at)xtra.co.nz" or kilts(at)xtra.co.nz
Added: 20/2/2011

TAURANGA

Where: The Kingsley Jones Bar, Marine Parade
When: First Tuesday of each month at 8.00pm
Contact: Trevor Sommers (TSommers(at)tgc.school.nz)
What: Songs and Tunes led by REEL McCOY on Irish pipes, banjo, accordion etc - mainly Celtic
Updated: 16/10/2004

HASTINGS

Where: Rose & Shamrock, Napier Road, Havelock North
When: TWednesday evening, 8:00 pm.
Contact: Keith Gosney
Phone: 06 876 5867
Email: klgosney(at)xtra.co.nz
Updated: 30/8/2010

PALMERSTON NORTH

Where: Celtic Inn
When:Tuesday nights
What: "'Tis a very smokey joint, so be warned."
Contact: Duncan Davidson and PaulTurner (Phone numbers unknown)
Updated: 20/12/02

WELLINGTON

Where: Kitty O'Sheas (Courtney Place)
When: Monday Nights, from about 8:30 pm
What: "Led by fiddle and flute, it's for advanced players......all tune-jockeys welcome. Though beginners might be more comfortable listening."
Contacts: Pat Higgins (Phone 388 4190), Ruairidh Morrison (Phone 389 0870)
Updated: 4/4/04

Where: Welsh Dragon Bar (The ex-Victorian-style toilet block at the bottom of Courtenay Place)
When: Tuesday, 8:00 pm
What: Singing Session
More: "A session, but with opportunity for presentation numbers unaccompanied singing, at least 50% to be chorus songs (or refrain or reprise etc, stuff everyone can join in with) emphasis on traditional, but that doesn't preclude more recent songs that stand up to being sung in this way there is scope for groups to lead songs and arrange a bit, expect everyone to join in if there's a chorus."
Contact: David Barnes (david.barnes(at)xtra.co.nz)
Added: 17/10/2009

South Island

NELSON

Where: The Free House, Collingwood Street
When: Every Wednesday, 8:00 pm
Contact: Bob Bloody Bickerton
Email: mail(at)bickerton.co.nz
Added: 17/10/2009

CHRISTCHURCH

Where: The Bog, Cashel Sreet
Phone: 03 379 7141
When: Tuesdays, 8:00 pm.
What: Tunes and songs. Beginners/Medium. Lead by Tom Greg and a hard core of about 5, who sit on stage; others sit in the front. Electric bass and vocals through the house PA system. Free beer for musicians.
Updated: 28/7/03

Where: Pomeroy's, 30 Kilmore Street
Phone: 03 365 1523
Email: lbolster(at)jadeworld.com
When: Alternate Tuesdays, 8:00 pm. (Ring to confirm.)
What: Acoustic. Advanced Tunes. Not normally any songs. "Where the guns go."
Updated: 23/11/2006

Where: Rose and Thistle, Papanui rd, Christchurch (near Northlands mall)
When: Every Wednesday night
Who: Russell Gillies
Phone: 03 9807541
Email russell(at)selectsound.co.nz
Added: 20/4/2011

DUNEDIN

Where: The Inch Bar, near the "Gardens Corner"
When: First Sunday of each month, from 4:00 pm until about 6:00 pm
What: Celtic tunes. Suitable for experienced players.
Contact: Marcus Turner (Phone 03 476 1330)
Email: mturner(at)nhnz.tv
Updated 29/10/2004

Where: Dicey O'Riley's Pub, High Street, Dunedin
When: Every Friday, 5:30 pm.
What: Beginners' session: tunes and the odd song
Contact: Mike Moroney, Ph 03 471 0242
Updated: 29/10/2004

Directory of Open Mic Sessions in New Zealand

Sessions where singers can turn up and perform.

North Island

AUCKLAND

Where: Grand Central, 126 Ponsonby Road, Auckland City
When: Mondays
Who: Bex (Sound by Eddie Gadger)
Updated: 20/11/2006

Where: Diablo, Ponsonby Road
When: Tuesdays
Who: Nick Hohepa
Updated: 20/11/2006

Where: Clare Inn, Dominion Road
Who: Rick Topp
What: Emphasis on songwriting.
Updated: 20/11/2006