Gig Guide
Massive weekend ahead. Friday it's the Stags v Northland final regular-season home game at Rugby Park followed by the ILT Fireworks Spectacular — Newfield's running a Stags Bus (6:15pm). For a different Friday, dust off the formal wear for the ILT Murihiku Art Awards 2026 Gala Opening at He Waka Tuia (6:30pm, free entry, $20K prize pool). Two karaoke nights on too — chilled sing-alongs at Newfield, or Waikiwi's Old School October Karaoke Comp Round 1 with a $500 cash prize on the line. Saturday goes arts, Highland and German all at once — AMplify 2026 takes over Invercargill Central (10am–4:30pm, free), OKTOBERFEST AT THE AVE kicks off 3pm with live music from Tunes with T + Kaytlin Tomlins, and Ascot Park hosts A Night Out for Hospice Southland with Steve Williams (5:30pm). Live music across town: Brad Clarkson at Speight's Friday, METS at The Ave, EUPHORIA Saturday at Speight's, DJ Phil at The Shack. And Sunday — the Great Pub Cash Giveaway finale hits Waikiwi with the $5,000 GRAND PRIZE DRAW between 3–5pm. Must be in the bar to win. Here's your weekend. 🎶
🏉🎆 Sport + Spectacle: Stags v Northland + ILT Fireworks
🎨🌸 Saturday Daytime: AMplify 2026 — Arts Expo Takes Over Invercargill Central
Arts Murihiku x Invercargill Central x Great South present AMplify 2026 — Arts Expo Styled 🎨🌸 Invercargill Central takes over with artists, makers and performers for one day only. Wander through, meet the people behind the art, watch creativity in action and maybe find something original to take home. Look out for: 🐛 Real framed insects 👗 One-of-a-kind wearable art made from rescued clothing ✏️ Interactive graphite frottage (have a go yourself) 🗿 Oamaru stone sculpture + handcrafted pieces 🖼️ Life casting, photography, painting, illustration, resin art, and Southland-inspired natural world pieces Free, family-friendly, right in the heart of the city. Presented by Arts Murihiku in partnership with Invercargill Central, Great South and Invercargill City Council. 📅 Saturday 3 October | 🕒 10am–4:30pm | 🎫 FREE 📍 Invercargill Central, 39 Esk Street, Invercargill.
🏌️🌸 Saturday: A Night Out for Hospice Southland with Steve Williams
Cruise4Care presents A Night Out for Hospice Southland with Steve Williams 🏌️🎤 An inspiring evening with New Zealand's Caddie Legend — Steve Williams, one of the world's most recognised professional golf caddies (Tiger Woods, Adam Scott). Outside golf, Steve won two New Zealand speedway championships. Expect personal stories, insights, a Q&A session, and a live auction with exclusive items and experiences. Premium hospitality — all proceeds support Hospice Southland. 📅 Saturday 3 October | 🕒 5:30pm 📍 Ascot Park Hotel, Tay Street, Invercargill.
Thursday, 1 October
City Centre
Level One Craft, Cocktails & Dining 🍸✨ Happy Hour 5–7pm — cocktails, small plates, that Level One vibe. Level One Restaurant open from 5:30pm (Mon–Sat), and craft beers on tap in the bar from 4:30pm. 📅 Thursday 1 October 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Editor's Cut Sports Bar 🥗🥗 Weekly Specials this week — Buffalo Chicken Wings & Fish Cakes. Open daily from 11am. All the sport on the big screens. 📅 Thursday 1 October 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Waxy's Irish Pub 🍮🍀 Half Price Desserts every Thursday — available all day. Cake, cheesecake, ice cream sundae — treat yourself. Book a table or drop in. 📅 Thursday 1 October | 🍴 See the menu 📍 90 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Retreat Restaurant & Bar 🍽️✨ Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. 📞 03 217 1234 | Book a table 📍 Ground floor, Distinction Hotel Invercargill, 3 Esk Street West.
Suburbs
Waikiwi Tavern 🥩🐂 Meat Raffles 6pm and Bruno the Bull 9pm till late. Grab your mates, saddle up, and see how long you can hang on. 📅 Thursday 1 October 📍 181 North Road, Invercargill.
Southland Tavern 🍺✨ Happy Hour 5–6pm. Good times, cold brews, great company. Live sport on the big screen. Ask about this week's Weekly Special. 📅 Thursday 1 October | 🕔 Happy Hour 5–6pm 📍 Cnr Elles Road & McQuarrie Street, Invercargill.
The Ave – Sports Bar 🏉📺 NPC action Thursday–Sunday on the big screens. Kick off the long weekend of rugby here — all the fixtures, all the atmosphere. 📅 Thursday 1 October 📍 57 Avenal Street, Invercargill.
The Saucy Chef — Social Club & Eatery 🍷🕯️ Where Windsor unwinds — the social lounge inside The Saucy Chef. Wines by the glass or bottle, premium spirits and signature serves, shared platters, luxe seating and outdoor lounge. Open from 4:30pm. 📞 03 217 1980 📍 Cnr St Andrew & Sydney Streets, Invercargill.
Friday, 2 October
City Centre
Level One Craft, Cocktails & Dining 🍸🍽️ $9 Sips & Bites Friday! Cocktails and small plates for $9 each, 5–7pm — plus Happy Hour. Restaurant open from 5:30pm, craft beer bar from 4:30pm. 📅 Friday 2 October 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Editor's Cut Sports Bar 🏉📺 Stags v Northland LIVE on the big screen from 7:10pm! Join before and after the game for drinks and nibbles. Weekly specials — Buffalo Chicken Wings & Fish Cakes. Open daily from 11am. 📅 Friday 2 October | 🕒 Kick-off 7:10pm 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
He Waka Tuia 🎨🏆 Gala Opening Night: ILT Murihiku Art Awards 2026 — first look at the 2026 exhibition + awards ceremony from a $20,000 prize pool. Every artwork available for purchase. FREE entry, formal dress code. RSVP essential. 📅 Friday 2 October | 🕒 6:30pm 📧 [email protected] | 📞 03 211 8408 📍 42 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Waxy's Irish Pub 🎸🍀 Waxy's on a Friday — where the weekend starts. Cold pours, Irish craic, live music into the evening. 📅 Friday 2 October | 🍴 See the menu 📍 90 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Speight's Ale House 🎸🍺 Brad Clarkson — acoustic live from 9pm. Grab your mates, sink a few cold ones and settle in for the night. 📅 Friday 2 October | 🕒 9pm 📍 38 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Retreat Restaurant & Bar 🍽️❄️ Come in from the cold — cosy dining, warm service, and a menu built for winter appetites. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 📞 03 217 1234 | Book a table 📍 Ground floor, Distinction Hotel Invercargill, 3 Esk Street West.
Suburbs
Newfield Tavern 🚌🎤🎡 Big Friday at the Newfield — Stags Bus + Spin the Wheel + Karaoke! 🚌🏉 STAGS BUS to the game — leaves Newfield 6:15pm, drops you at Rugby Park for the game + ILT Fireworks Spectacular, and brings you back to the pub afterwards. Come down for a drink beforehand, jump on the bus, enjoy a night of rugby + fireworks. GO THE STAGS! 🎡 SPIN THE WHEEL from 7pm — cash up, try your luck. 🎤 KARAOKE from 7:30pm with You're The Voice Karaoke — open mic, so pick your favourite song and get up there! Grab your mates, have a few drinks and come have a sing. 📅 Friday 2 October 📍 315 Centre Street, Invercargill.
Southland Tavern 🥩🍺 Friday Meat Raffles from 5pm + Happy Hour 5–6pm. Live sport on the big screen all weekend. 📅 Friday 2 October 📍 Cnr Elles Road & McQuarrie Street, Invercargill.
The Ave – Sports Bar 🥩🎸 Big Friday at The Ave! 🥩 Meat Raffles from 5pm (Handle Club, multiple prizes!) 🎸 LIVE MUSIC from METS — tunes to kick off the weekend 🏉 Plus NPC Rugby live on the big screens all night 📅 Friday 2 October 📍 57 Avenal Street, Invercargill.
Waikiwi Tavern 🍺✨ Happy Hour 5–7pm — kick off the weekend Waikiwi-style. 📅 Friday 2 October | 🕔 5–7pm 📍 181 North Road, Invercargill.
The Saucy Chef — Social Club & Eatery 🍷✨ Kick off your Friday early — the social lounge doors open 3pm. Wines by the glass or bottle, premium spirits, small plates, and that luxe lounge feel. Where Windsor unwinds. 📞 03 217 1980 📍 Cnr St Andrew & Sydney Streets, Invercargill.
Saturday, 3 October
City Centre
Invercargill Central — AMplify 2026 Arts Expo 🎨🌸 The city's mall becomes a gallery for the day! Wearable art, insect frames, Oamaru stone, life casting, photography, resin art, interactive graphite frottage — all showcased across Invercargill Central. Meet the artists, watch creativity in action, take something original home. Free, family-friendly. See feature callout above. 📅 Saturday 3 October | 🕒 10am–4:30pm | 🎫 FREE 📍 39 Esk Street, Invercargill.
Level One Craft, Cocktails & Dining 🍸✨ Happy Hour 5–7pm to kick off Saturday night. Restaurant open from 5:30pm, craft beer bar from 4:30pm. 📅 Saturday 3 October 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Editor's Cut Sports Bar 🏉📺 Big sport Saturday — on the big screens all day. Weekly specials — Buffalo Chicken Wings & Fish Cakes. Open daily from 11am. 📅 Saturday 3 October 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Waxy's Irish Pub 🎸🍀 Waxy's on a Saturday — proper Irish energy. Live music into the evening. 📅 Saturday 3 October | 🍴 See the menu 📍 90 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Speight's Ale House 🎸🔥 EUPHORIA live at Speight's from 8:30pm! Big Saturday night sounds — cold pours, great tunes, good company. 📅 Saturday 3 October | 🕒 8:30pm 📍 38 Dee Street, Invercargill.
The Shack 🎧🔥 DJ PHIL on the decks this Saturday! The Shack going off — grab your crew and get down. 📅 Saturday 3 October 📍 77 Don Street, Invercargill.
The Loney 🎧🍻 Saturday night at The Loney. Cold pours, good crowd, late-night vibes. 📅 Saturday 3 October 📍 28 Leet Street, Invercargill.
Retreat Restaurant & Bar 🍽️🥂 Saturday night dinner, sorted — Retreat's got the atmosphere, the menu, and the wine list to match. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 📞 03 217 1234 | Book a table 📍 Ground floor, Distinction Hotel Invercargill, 3 Esk Street West.
Suburbs
Ascot Park Hotel presents A Night Out for Hospice Southland with Steve Williams 🏌️🌸 Steve Williams — NZ Caddie Legend & 2x NZ Speedway Champion — live and in person. Inspiring stories, Q&A, plus a premium live auction with exclusive items. All proceeds to Hospice Southland. See feature callout above. 📅 Saturday 3 October | 🕒 5:30pm 📍 Ascot Park Hotel, Tay Street, Invercargill.
Southland Tavern 🧠🍻 Sip & Play Pictorial Quiz — starts 1pm, free entry. Then Happy Hour 5–6pm and live sport all afternoon and evening on the big screen. 📅 Saturday 3 October 📍 Cnr Elles Road & McQuarrie Street, Invercargill.
The Ave – Sports Bar 🍺🥖 OKTOBERFEST AT THE AVE — from 3pm! German steins, food, and plenty of Prost. LIVE MUSIC with Tunes with T + Kaytlin Tomlins 3pm–7pm. Dressing up highly encouraged! Plus NPC Rugby + NRL live on the big screens all afternoon and evening. 📅 Saturday 3 October | 🕒 From 3pm 📍 57 Avenal Street, Invercargill.
The Saucy Chef — Social Club & Eatery 🍷🕯️ Saturday at the social lounge — doors from 3pm. Luxe seating, outdoor lounge, shared platters and signature serves. The Windsor go-to for a relaxed drink and a proper catch-up. 📞 03 217 1980 📍 Cnr St Andrew & Sydney Streets, Invercargill.
Sunday, 4 October
City Centre
Editor's Cut Sports Bar 🏉📺 Sunday sport at Editor's Cut. Weekly specials — Buffalo Chicken Wings & Fish Cakes. Open daily from 11am. 📅 Sunday 4 October 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Waxy's Irish Pub 👨👧🍀 Kids Dine Free every Sunday — family Sundays at Waxy's. Bring the whole crew. (T's & C's apply) 📅 Sunday 4 October | 🍴 See the menu 📍 90 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Retreat Restaurant & Bar 🍳✨ Sunday breakfast, brunch, and beyond — Retreat's kitchen runs all day, from morning coffee and eggs to a proper Sunday sit-down. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. 📞 03 217 1234 | Book a table 📍 Ground floor, Distinction Hotel Invercargill, 3 Esk Street West.
Suburbs
Waikiwi Tavern 💰🎉 $5,000 GRAND PRIZE DRAW today — between 3–5pm! The Great Pub Cash Giveaway finale. Must be in the bar to win. Entries still open right up until the draw. See feature callout above. 📅 Sunday 4 October | 🕒 Draw 3–5pm 📍 181 North Road, Invercargill.
Newfield Tavern 🍺✨ Sunday at the Newfield. Open for a wind-down beer and a bite. 📅 Sunday 4 October 📍 315 Centre Street, Invercargill.
Eastern Suburbs Tavern 🎱🍺 9Ball Pool Comp + Killer Pool — every Sunday from 2pm. Bring your A-game (or just your mates) and settle in for an afternoon on the felt. 📅 Sunday 4 October | 🕑 From 2pm 📍 61 Glengarry Crescent, Invercargill.
Southland Tavern 🎱🍻 Sunday Session — Happy Hour and FREE POOL from 1–3pm. The gentle way to close out the weekend. Live sport on the big screen too. 📅 Sunday 4 October 📍 Cnr Elles Road & McQuarrie Street, Invercargill.
The Ave – Sports Bar 🎯🏉 Big Bot Sunday — plus NPC action wraps up on the big screens! All the Sunday fixtures, sport all afternoon. See ya there. 📅 Sunday 4 October 📍 57 Avenal Street, Invercargill.
The Saucy Chef — Social Club & Eatery 🍷🕯️ Sunday wind-down at the social lounge — doors from 4:30pm. A quiet drink, small plates, and that "close out the weekend properly" vibe. 📞 03 217 1980 📍 Cnr St Andrew & Sydney Streets, Invercargill.
Coming Up 📅
Waxy's Irish Pub 🧠 Quiz Night — every Wednesday from 7pm. Free entry. Book via waxys.co.nz or 03 214 0313. 📍 90 Dee Street.
Editor's Cut Sports Bar presents Che Fu & The Kratez — DOUBLE PASS GIVEAWAY! 🎤🎫 Follow Editor's Cut on socials for your chance to score a double pass to the show. Post Che Fu show, head to Editor's Cut for the RNB & Hip-Hop Night — Wednesday from the Civic Theatre. 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street.
Editor's Cut Sports Bar 🎧🔥 RNB & HIP-HOP NIGHT — Wednesday, post Che Fu show at the Civic Theatre. Late-night vibes. 📅 Wednesday | 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street.
Level One Craft, Cocktails & Dining 🎧🌴 Chill House Music with DJ Nihilism — from 7pm till late. Kelvin's monthly electronic music night. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕒 7pm–late | 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street.
Kelvin Hotel 🧒🍳 Kids Free Breakfast these school holidays! Complimentary breakfast for children under 12 when staying with a full-paying adult. Family rooms available. Book direct with Kelvin Hotel. 📍 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Eastern Suburbs Tavern — LABOUR WEEKEND SUNDAY SESH! 🎸✨ Sunday 25 October from 4pm — an afternoon of great music, good vibes and plenty of fun. 🎵 Live music from Brendan Mason 🎱 Killer Pool 🥗 Nibbles 🍻 Happy Hour 🎫 Probably a cheeky raffle or two Bring your mates, settle in and enjoy the long weekend at Eastern Suburbs. 📅 Sunday 25 October | 🕒 From 4pm 📍 61 Glengarry Crescent, Invercargill.
Save the Date 📌
Got an event or gig happening around Invercargill & Southland? 📩 For pricing options, email [email protected] and get in front of the largest audience in Invercargill & Southland 🎉