Nelson Tasman will surprise you with venues that range from the classy, to the quirky, to the downright funky. Where ever you are in the region, there should be a unforgettable night (and maybe some crazy dancing) within reach.
Location: Nelson
Fast becoming the go to bar for music heads in Nelson City. With it’s wildly popular open mic night on Thursdays, and regular bands across the weekend, there’s plenty of good music to be found. This is not a big bar, but somehow there’s always room, along with craft and international beers, local wines and the best tacos and chilli bowls in town.
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Location: Tākaka
The coolest little country bar you’ve ever seen. This small but pumping venue is uncompromising in its commitment to good times – from heavy beats to bar bands. The menu is simple but superb, and an indoor/outdoor flow fits those long Golden Bay nights.
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Location: Nelson City
Formerly the Nelson School of Music, NCMA has a calendar brimming with music events of every kind. From their very popular and cooly casual Live Lounge on Friday evenings, to lunch time concerts and full blown classical experiences in New Zealand’s largest wooden heritage auditorium, NCMA has a lot to offer music lovers.
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Location: Richmond
The pet project of local music fan Geoff Sherlock, Room Twenty5 is a crazy cross between the ultimate music man cave and a dreamer’s band room. 80 fans max in 100 square metres – that’s the kind of cool intimacy to expect at gigs from a surprising array of legit artists from James Reid to Greg Johnson.
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Location: Nelson
This historic building over the water on Nelson’s Rocks Road has witnessed countless gigs from local, national and international bands over many years. With a gorgeous and large deck over the water and a room that can fit over 200 patrons, this is a major venue in Nelson’s music scene. Ah, smell the wood…
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Location: Nelson
Run during the day as Nelson’s largest al fresco café, Deville hides it’s dark gothic heart well. With a tex mex-influenced menu that is as wildly popular as ever, evenings often open up to progressive outer space funk, heavy techno beats, travelling indie rock to twisted disco.
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Location: Māpua
Purpose-built as a music and theatre venue, this fantastic room hosts a variety of music events—from solo artists to 10-piece bands, stand-up comedians to one-act plays—throughout the year.
The Playhouse is a popular wedding and event venue within stunning landscaped gardens.
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Location: Nelson City
East Street has been making veges sexy since 2010. As music lovers, they also make room for their favourite bands and DJs with cool beats and kiwi artists coming through town.
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Location: Onekaka, Golden Bay
An institution on New Zealand’s gig circuit – The Mussel Inn is the must-do of every music fan in the top of the South Island. Build lovingly by Andrew and Jane, and run unapologetically as an oasis from an unnecessarily modern world, the Mussel Inn’s rustic room has seen the best of NZ music at one time or another. It’s a bit cosier in winter, but summer is long…as is the gig list.
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