Northcote Tavern

Can a tavern be more than just a place for a pint? The Northcote Tavern, right here on Queen Street, proves it can be. It’s a place where history, family, and community intertwine. The Northcote Tavern has stood as a landmark on the North Shore since the 1800s. A pub has existed on this very spot since the 1850s. The modern Northcote Tavern is truly a family affair. For the last 30 years, the Milne family has poured their heart and soul into this place. Brewery veteran Billy Milne, his wife Kim, and their daughters Angela and Sarah have made the Northcote Tavern a local institution. Billy’s journey to the Northcote Tavern began with Lion Breweries. After managing pubs for Lion around New Zealand for over a decade, he arrived at the Northcote Tavern in January 1989. A few years later, Lion decided to sell its pubs. Billy and Kim seized the opportunity to buy the tavern. The rest, as they say, is history. Now, with Billy taking a step back, Kim, along with Angela and Sarah, manages the day-to-day operations. They’ve adapted to the evolving pub landscape. The Northcote Tavern remains a place for drinks and camaraderie. But it’s also a hub for sport, food, family, and community. The Northcote Tavern even has its own fishing club, a tradition spanning decades. Another testament to the tavern’s evolution is Point Espresso, housed in the former bottle store. Here, you can find excellent coffee, treats, and non-alcoholic beverages. The tavern’s history stretches back to the late 1850s when Philip Callan, an Irishman from County Cork, built the first hotel on this site. Callan acquired land around Stokes Point, the original name for Northcote Point. He built the first wharf and a brickworks. He used bricks from his brickworks to construct a one-story brick hotel. Callan ran it with a publican’s bush license, costing five pounds a year with no restrictions. This first hotel was known as “The North Auckland Hotel” and later as the “Ferry Hotel”. A condition of operating the hotel required Callan to maintain a boat for passenger transport, running multiple times a day. Despite being a pioneer, Callan faced financial hardship and was declared bankrupt in the 1870s. He lost the license to operate the hotel. After a fire destroyed the original building, a two-story hotel was built in 1884, resembling the structure we see today. A new wing was added in 1936 when Mrs. Myers of Campbell Ehrenfried Brewery, later Lion Breweries, purchased the property. The Northcote Tavern, much like the community it serves, has adapted and evolved through time. Yet, it retains its historic charm. It remains a vital part of the Northcote Point story.