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It has been 60 years and it’s still going strong. The Kelvin Hotel might not have been the flashest establishment in town, but it has played host to many famous people over the years.
During the royal visit in Invercargill on March 19, 1971, the Kelvin hosted a civic lunch for the Queen, Prince Philip and their children, Charles, Prince of Wales (the future King) and Princess Anne.
Roy Orbison also stayed there and quite possibly the Rolling Stones, but that story hasn't ever been quite confirmed.
One of the first four businesses opened when the Invercargill Licensing Trust was established in 1944, its current location is actually not the original building.
“While it would never win any design awards, it fulfilled its purpose. The Kelvin relocated to a new building in 1965, where it proudly remains today. Meanwhile, the original building is used by the Southland Power Boat Club and still stands strong along the Oreti River,” ILT communications manager Emma Hunter said.
The second hotel officially opened on Jan 25,1965, and at the time was the first multi story building in the city.
“We think the Southland Times would have been at least two stories but the Kelvin may have been the highest at the time at six floors,” she said.
Another fun fact was in 1964 when black and white television service became available in New Zealand, the ILT board ordered them for the Kelvin Hotel and also donated TV’s to the local rest homes.
“Before the sixth floor was a conference and event space it was considered to be the “place to be” in town. It was called Highlights and was fine dining at the time.”
Jo-Anne Harris became the executive manager back in 2020 and has worked for the ILT since starting part-time at the city’s first night club Lasers back in the 1990s. She’s been with the company ever since.
whatsoninvers.nz founder Mike Sanford has also worked at the Kelvin Hotel back in the day…..I spent a couple of my younger years balancing a day job as a sales rep while moonlighting at the Kelvin Hotel. It was a bustling hub, and I worked at Molly O’Grady’s House Bar & Restaurant, a place full of character, camaraderie, and the occasional interesting guest.
At Mollys, I mostly worked in the house bar on Friday and Saturday nights—back when live bands played every weekend. Occasionally, I covered the graveyard shift, worked as a wine steward, and filled in for dinner breaks in the bottle shop and old public bar. That bar had a real old-school feel—regulars at their usual spots, cold beers flowing, and plenty of banter.
One of my routines in the public bar was closing time. Ten minutes before the final call, I’d start cleaning up and give the jukebox a proper send-off. Without fail, I’d queue up Lay All Your Love on Me—the extended mix—by ABBA. The unmistakable beat filled the room as I wiped down the counters, marking the end of another night.
Working at the Kelvin meant meeting interesting people. Guests from all over stayed at the hotel, and many dined at Molleys, bringing stories and personalities. One memorable visitor was Dave Purt from Wynns Oils & Lubricants—easygoing and a natural fit for the hospitality crowd.
But it wasn’t just the customers that made it special—it was the team. We had a great crew, and once the shift ended, the real fun began. Staff drinks were legendary—laughs, stories, and that unbeatable sense of mateship.
Looking back, those were some of the best times. The Kelvin Hotel and Molly O’Grady’s were more than just a job—they were part of Invercargill’s nightlife. For those of us behind the bar, pouring drinks and playing DJ on the jukebox, it was an era we won’t forget.