They’re found in our most far-flung corners. Where man has gone, soon after, there followed an Irish pub. But one Kiwi company has made it their mission to take them even further — to your backyard.
“There’s a major problem when you see this; you’re going to want one.” That’s Earl Meek. The Waiheke character is never one to shy away from a beer and a good yarn.
So what better man to own his own Little Pub – a beautifully recreated Irish bar perched in his Waiheke garden?
“It’s so authentic. It makes you feel like you are in an Irish pub. The amazing thing is you wouldn’t believe that you could feel so good in such a small space,” he said.
Meek is proud to admit there have been a few big nights in his backyard bar. He can comfortably fit about 15 people in there, and most of the time, the generous host avoids pouring the Guinness as everyone else is keen to play publican.
But it’s the detail that makes the space spectacular. The stained woodwork speaks of a well-loved bar. Wallpaper has been stained to mimic nicotine exposure, and all along the roof, antiques nod to the country on the opposite side of the world.
If there was ever a way to travel to Ireland while never leaving your garden – this is it.
But it’s not Meek’s vision that created his happy place. That honour goes to a team in Christchurch.
The Little Pub makers
Gary Altenburg and his partners had been behind pub fit-outs for many in the South Island for years. Business was booming, and then Covid swung in unannounced.
“No pubs were open during Covid. So what happens when there are no pubs open? Everyone’s drinking at home. Put the two together, and you have a little pub in your backyard,” said Little Pub co-owner Breiana Bennetts.
They started constructing O’Loughlin’s – an ode to Altenburg’s Irish father-in-law, Terry.
The backyard pub stood out with its blue exterior (the colours of County Clare) and Guinness branding on the walls. The reaction from anyone who stepped through its doors told them there was something here, so production began.
Now, they’ve made 40 Little Pubs. Most fit within the English and Irish pub motifs, but others have also been custom themes.
The details
After a gruelling first build that took 180 days, the team has refined the process. A pub can take around four weeks from start to finish, although the finish is very important.
“It’s all about the detail, so the attention to solid timber, the attention to the fabrics, the paint finishes right down to the ageing of all the interior nicotine stains. It’s all part of that look,” said Altenburg.
They employ a team of collectors nationwide to gather the many smaller knick-knacks.
“We set a not negotiable, which is to make it authentic. So, in a world where everything seems plasticised and mass-produced, we want to focus on the top end.”
The personal
“That fiddle is my father’s. My relations brought it out from Ireland and gave it to me,” said Meek as he lovingly looked along the walls.
Black-and-white family pictures paint the story of his own Irish history: the big family, the many siblings, and his father, Thomas Meeke – the man he named it all after.
“He’d be so proud of this.”
For Meek, this is a place to honour his father and teach the next generation about those who came before them. It’s a living photo album that doubles as a place to enjoy a beverage.
“I’ve sort of come to the conclusion that it’s very important that the grandchildren know who their family is and where they came from,” he said.
“I think all this has brought it home to us to make sure we can pass it all on.”
It’s a surprisingly personal touch that Altenburg has now seen in lots of pubs they’ve built.
“We’ve started building a number of these pubs, which have become a homage to people who have passed, whether that be husbands, sons, daughters,” said Altenburg.
“And we take them on a journey of personalisation around the brand and the name of their pub.”
Six60
None are more personal than the miniature replica of 660 Castle Street — the home of Kiwi music legends Six60.
“When I was approached to see whether we could build something along those lines – the answer was yes,” said Altenburg.
The Little Pub team meticulously re-recreated the founding flat and aged it to look like the original.
Then it was taken on the road, making sure the “Little Flat” was as much a part of the band as its members. The flat went everywhere, from far-flung islands like Great Barrier and Stewart to small towns.
“No one else around the world was touring around with their digs on the back of a trailer.”
The pubs are under 30 square meters, so they do not need consent to be installed — this means the team in Christchurch can put all the final touches in place onsite and then ship them to the buyer.
“When it’s ready, we just literally pick it up,” said Bennetts.
“Everything is on the walls, and we put it on a truck, send it up the country, drop it in and plug it in.”
Then it’s just a matter of waiting for the beer to get cold.
“Grab a drink from the fridge, and you’re good to go.”
