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Puppies is a bar and music venue that promises a new and radical approach to live music. There's a long list of unique live bands and DJs performing at weekends, and occasional weekday gigs too.
As well as being a bar and music venue, Puppies also offers a record store.
Overview
| Price Range | $ – Thrifty: < $7 [wine] / < $5 [beer] |
|---|---|
| Ambience | Lively |
| Noise level | Pumping |
| Licence | This venue is licenced |
Products and specialities
Bar, Music venue, Record store, Live music, Late nights
Hours
- MonClosed
- TuesClosed
- WedClosed
- Thurs -
- Fri -
- Sat -
- SunClosed
- Holidays -
Reviews
Run by New Zealand indie music guru Ian "Blink" Jorgensen, Puppies – in the former site of Happy, on corner Tory and Vivian Sts – is the best place to check out up-and-coming local bands. There’s a gig – sometimes two – on most nights, and admission tends to be free after midnight, making it a great place to end a night out. If you’re lucky, there might be karaoke.
At a capacity of somewhere around one hundred and fifty, Puppies isn't the biggest live music venue. It is however, one of the best spots in Wellington to check out great bands and electronic acts with smaller followings. The sound system is immaculate, drinks are affordable, and the entertainment is always colourful and engaging. All round good times.
Puppies is reliable for a good night out filled with music and friends. Follow the noise on Tory St. rather than signs, as there aren't really any for Puppies-- that's part of the charm. Come to watch local favorites (or, sometimes not so local) on stage, or get in free after midnight when the DJs come out. Specials like the Dana Scully (an aptly named fiery ginger beer) and plenty of couches in the back will keep you going into the wee hours of the night.
Puppies is a regular haunt of mine. Some people might recognize it occupies the space that used to hold Happy. It is the place to see and hear smaller (but great) acts, both local and international. There is a litter of couches in one corner, and a few tables beside that, but otherwise there is plenty of room for standing and/or dancing, a feature whose absence was often lamented in Happy. Entry is free after 12, which is great for those just down to boogie to some cranking tunes. The drinks are cheap and the quirky specials well worth looking out for. The staff are friendly, too!
This live music venue is taking everything that's wrong with live music in NZ and turning it on it's head. Firstly all set times are listed and strictly adhered, meaning you won't get that "oh my god it's 1am" panic when you are still standing around on a school night waiting for your favourite band. There are always two parts to each gig, pre midnight which is paid and after midnight is free. And the drinks are cheap. Win, win, win!
