The Performing Arts

The Court Theatre is the home of the best professional theater company in New Zealand. For the time being it has had to vacate its Arts Centre premises and has temporarily relocated to an old grain store in Addington, where it has created a purpose-built theatre, box office, and bar. Shows range from Shakespeare to contemporary American and British theater to the best New Zealand plays.

The Club & Bar Scene

The most visible evidence of Christchurch nightlife is now in the suburbs of Merivale, Riccarton, and Ferrymead.

In Merivale, Aikmans, hums on Thursday through Saturday nights, and it has a fabulous outdoor courtyard with fireplace and leather sofas. Adjacent JDV, Aikmans Road has a gorgeous little martini bar that rocks until late, especially on Thursday nights; and No. 4, 4 Mansfield Ave., generally attracts a wide age group looking for a good time—and in Merivale that tends to mean a clubby-style bar with free-flowing alcohol and lots of beautiful people doing things they might regret in the morning.

In Ferrymead, Ferry Speight’s Ale House, is a popular brew-bar that draws a mixed crowd. They have big-screen TVs for watching major sporting events. There is also a Speight’s Ale House. Winnie Bagoes at Ferrymead is another popular night spot.

Movies

Currently, a number of the city’s movie theaters are closed because of earthquake damage. But there are still regular sessions at the eight-theater Readings Complex at the Palms in Shirley; and at the Hoyts Cinemas at Westfield Riccarton and Northlands Malls.