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Restaurant

The Victoria Free House

779 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand

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Find The Victoria Free House

779 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand

Directions ↗
+64 21 225 3537
HoursMonday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Victoria Free House

Hearty British pub staples meet local craft pours in the center of Christchurch. A reliable staple for dinner before curtain call at the Town Hall, the kitchen sends out bangers and mash, weekly curries, and scotch eggs without missing a beat. Locals often steer first-timers toward the Cassels on tap and a side of golden onion rings. The room stays lively with rugby on the telly, while weekend live music anchors the crowd upstairs and down. Pints arrive in proper imperial measures alongside plates of beer-battered fish and Sunday roasts.

  • British Pub Comforts: Kitchen standards include bangers and mash, scratch-made scotch eggs, and rotating curries served alongside crisp onion rings.
  • Local Craft & Hand-Pulled Ales: Taps pour local heavyweight Cassels and hand-pulled ales in proper full-sized pints.
  • Live Music & Pre-Show Energy: A lively room hosting weekend live sets, televised rugby matches, and quick dinner service for theatergoers.
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What's On at The Victoria Free House

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

Why Choose The Victoria Free House

Why diners choose The Victoria Free House for pre-show dinners, British pub classics, and weekend gatherings.

  • Reliable Pre-Show Dining

    Conveniently located near the Christchurch Town Hall and Isaac Theatre, diners can count on swift service to enjoy a relaxed meal before curtain call.

    Good spot for a pre-show dinner. It was a big night for shows and for dining out in Chch and The Victoria Free House was busy, including a couple of pretty big tables to serve. We were impressed with the prompt service we received.

    Glenys Barr

  • Unflustered Service Before Showtime

    Even during peak show nights when the pub is packed, the team handles orders smoothly so patrons head to performances right on time.

    The staff took this all in their stride, and provided great service. The bangers and mash proved to be a tasty and filling meal.

    Simon Drain

  • Warm, Familiar Hospitality

    A cozy, traditional pub interior and genuine, attentive staff give guests the feeling of being a welcomed regular on their very first visit.

    as soon as we opened the door, Shiv made us feel right at home, and was set on helping me find the right beer for me.

    Matika Sykes

  • Comforting Welcome for Travelers

    Solo patrons and out-of-town visitors find an instantly reassuring environment with friendly, thoughtful team members.

    staffs were so kind that i could relieved and enjoyed my night!

    H H

  • Classic British Pub Comforts

    Authentic British staples like bangers and mash, scotch eggs, and Sunday roasts are complemented by hand-pulled ales and craft pints.

    This is a quintessential British pub, but better with local craft beers and delicious Euro-Kiwi inspired food.

    Harvey Tyler

  • Lively Weekend Entertainment

    Weekend evenings feature vibrant live acoustic sets and band performances that elevate regular pints and catch-ups with friends.

    The live music really completed the evening with a great atmosphere!

    Charlotte S

Hearty comfort classics crafted for an authentic British pub experience

  • Bangers and Mash

    The bangers and mash were superb!

    David Kahl

  • Fish and Chips

    Fish and chips and Fish taco - ohh and a side of their amazing onion rings. Food was flavourful and filling

    Glenys Barr

  • Curry of the Week

    My husband and I love the calamari and the curry of the week.

    Abbey Hands

  • Sunday Roast

    Fortunately, it was a Sunday, so we had the roast meal which was outstanding.

    Gerry O'Dea

Other favorites

Starters, sides, and lighter options to accompany your pint

  • Onion Rings

    onion rings were one of the best we've had

    Josiah Choi

  • Scotch Egg

    The scotch egg was well worth the wait

    Josiah Choi

  • Ceasar Salad

    The sirloin and Ceasar salad were to die for.

    Jessica

  • Pâté

    gluten free toast available for the pâté

    Shaila

Beyond the menu

Attentive hosting and thoughtful service touches at The Victoria Free House

  • Tailored Craft Beer Guidance

    Bar staff take the time to personally guide guests through local taps, ensuring visitors and solo patrons find a pour tailored to their tastes.

  • Attentive Return Recognition

    Guests returning over a weekend are greeted and welcomed back by name and face like established regulars.

  • Thoughtful Gluten-Free Accommodations

    The kitchen accommodates dietary requirements by offering gluten-free toast pairings alongside house specialties like pâté.

  • Paced Pre-Show Dining Flow

    On heavy event evenings with full bookings, the front-of-house team maintains swift dining timing so patrons comfortably make curtain calls at the Town Hall and Isaac Theatre.

Before you head over

Practical tips for planning your visit, dining before a show, and timing live entertainment

  • Book in Advance for Busy Evenings

    The pub fills up quickly on Sunday nights and show evenings, so reserve a table ahead of time to avoid being turned away or asked to move.

  • Plan Ahead for Pre-Show Dining

    If you are catching a performance at the Isaac Theatre or Town Hall, the kitchen serves promptly even during peak hours, making it an efficient dinner stop.

  • Time Your Visit for Weekend Live Music

    Visit on Friday or Sunday evenings if you want to pair British pub fare and craft pints with live music and acoustic sets.

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