Big weekend across Invercargill and Southland. Saturday's the headliner — Game 1 of the Bledisloe Cup (All Blacks v Wallabies, 7:10pm) live and loud across Waikiwi, Editor's Cut, Southland Tavern and The Ave. Saturday daytime goes Highland — the Southern Highland Showdown takes over Ascot Park from 10:30am (free entry, family-friendly). Friday kicks off with live music everywhere: The Company at Southland Tavern 7pm, Peti at Speight's 7–10pm, GET FOLKed acoustic open mic at RIFF 7pm, All Night Long at Waxy's from 9pm, and Waikiwi's Old School October Karaoke Comp Round 2 (70s themed, $500 cash prize on the line) from 9:30pm. Saturday night keeps the music going — El Scratcho at Newfield 8:30pm, Brass Knuckles at Speight's 8:30pm, Bandit at Waxy's 9:30pm, plus Chill House with DJ Nihilism at Level One from 7pm. Clock off with Level One's $9 Sips & Bites Friday Happy Hour (5–7pm). Sunday's the wind-down — Kids Dine Free at Waxy's, 9Ball Pool at Eastern Suburbs, Free Pool at Southland Tavern. Here's your weekend.
Saturday Daytime: Southern Highland Showdown at Ascot Park
Ascot Park Hotel presents the SOUTHERN HIGHLAND SHOWDOWN 2026 Where Tradition Meets Rivalry. A full day of Highland tradition, rivalry, entertainment and events at the Ascot Park Hotel grounds. Bring the family, soak up the atmosphere, experience a big day celebrating all things Highland. FREE ENTRY, events all day. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕥 From 10:30am | 🎫 FREE 🌐 shsoct.nz 📍 Ascot Park Hotel grounds, Racecourse Road, Invercargill.
Saturday Night: Bledisloe Cup — All Blacks v Wallabies
All Blacks v Wallabies — Game 1 of the Bledisloe Cup. Classic Trans-Tasman rugby, Saturday night. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕒 7:10pm kick-off 📺 Live and loud at venues across town — Waikiwi Tavern, Editor's Cut Sports Bar, The Ave, Southland Tavern and more.
Friday: Old School October Karaoke — Round 2 (70s Themed)
Waikiwi Tavern — Old School October Karaoke Comp, Round 2 70s themed this week — bonus points for a song from the decade. Second qualifying round of the comp. Registration from 8:30pm, karaoke kicks off at 9:30pm. Limited entries, so get in quick to secure your spot for a shot at the Grand Final and the $500 cash first prize. 📅 Friday 9 October | 🕣 Registration 8:30pm | 🕤 Karaoke 9:30pm 📍 181 North Road, Invercargill.
Friday, 9 October
City Centre
Level One Craft, Cocktails & Dining $9 Sips & Bites from 5–7pm — clock off and ease into the weekend with cocktails and small plates for just $9. Plus Happy Hour 5–7pm. Restaurant open from 5:30pm, craft beer bar from 4:30pm. 📅 Friday 9 October | 🕔 5–7pm 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Editor's Cut Sports Bar Sport on the big screens. Open daily from 11am. 📅 Friday 9 October 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Waxy's Irish Pub All Night Long live from 9pm till late. Cold pours, Irish craic, big Friday sounds. 📅 Friday 9 October | 🕘 9pm–late | 🍴 See the menu 📍 90 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Speight's Ale House Peti live from 7pm till 10pm. Grab your mates, sink a few cold ones and catch Peti doing his thing. 📅 Friday 9 October | 🕖 7pm–10pm 📍 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 Friday night at the Newfield. Open for a cold one, a feed and a catch-up. 📅 Friday 9 October 📍 315 Centre Street, Invercargill.
Southland Tavern THE COMPANY live from 7pm! Plus Friday Meat Raffles from 5pm and Happy Hour 5–6pm. Bring your mates, grab a drink, enjoy top live music and good times. 📅 Friday 9 October | 🕖 Live music 7pm 📍 Cnr Elles Road & McQuarrie Street, Invercargill.
The Ave – Sports Bar Friday Meat Raffles from 5pm — multiple prizes to win! (Handle Club). 📅 Friday 9 October 📍 57 Avenal Street, Invercargill.
Waikiwi Tavern Old School October Karaoke Comp — Round 2 (70s themed!) Registration 8:30pm, karaoke 9:30pm. $500 cash prize on the line in the Grand Final. See feature callout above. 📅 Friday 9 October | 🕤 From 9:30pm 📍 181 North Road, Invercargill.
RIFF — GET FOLKed An evening of acoustic music in open mic format. Doors 6:30pm, music from 7pm. All welcome. 📅 Friday 9 October | 🚪 Doors 6:30pm | 🎸 Music 7pm | 🎫 $5 entry 📍 33 Preston Street, 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. 📞 03 217 1980 📍 Cnr St Andrew & Sydney Streets, Invercargill.
Saturday, 10 October
City Centre
Level One Craft, Cocktails & Dining Happy Hour 5–7pm — selected drinks at happy hour prices. Then settle in from 7pm for Chill House Music with DJ Nihilism (see feature below). Restaurant open from 5:30pm, craft beer bar from 4:30pm. 📅 Saturday 10 October 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Editor's Cut Sports Bar Big sport Saturday on the big screens — All Blacks v Wallabies LIVE from 7:10pm. Weekly specials, open daily from 11am. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕒 Kick-off 7:10pm 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street, Invercargill.
Waxy's Irish Pub Bandit live from 9:30pm till late. Proper Irish energy, cold pours, big Saturday night. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕤 9:30pm–late | 🍴 See the menu 📍 90 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Speight's Ale House Brass Knuckles live from 8:30pm — big Saturday night sounds. Cold pours, good company. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕣 8:30pm 📍 38 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Retreat Restaurant & Bar Saturday night dinner, sorted — Retreat's got the atmosphere, the menu, and the wine list to match. 📞 03 217 1234 | Book a table 📍 Ground floor, Distinction Hotel Invercargill, 3 Esk Street West.
Suburbs
Ascot Park Hotel — SOUTHERN HIGHLAND SHOWDOWN Full day of Highland tradition, rivalry, entertainment and events on the Ascot grounds. Free entry, family-friendly. See feature callout above. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕥 From 10:30am 📍 Ascot Park Hotel grounds, Racecourse Road, Invercargill.
Newfield Tavern EL SCRATCHO live from 8:30pm till late! Saturday night plans — sorted. Round up the crew for a massive night of live music, cold drinks and good times. Don't sit at home — get down early and make a night of it. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕣 8:30pm–late 📍 315 Centre Street, Invercargill.
Waikiwi Tavern Bledisloe Cup — All Blacks v Wallabies LIVE and loud across the TVs from 7:10pm. First game of the series. Book your table now. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕒 7:10pm 📍 181 North Road, Invercargill.
Southland Tavern Sip & Play Pictorial Quiz — starts 1pm, free entry. Then Happy Hour 5–6pm and the Bledisloe Cup live on the big screen from 7:10pm. 📅 Saturday 10 October 📍 Cnr Elles Road & McQuarrie Street, Invercargill.
The Ave – Sports Bar Big sport Saturday — All Blacks v Wallabies live from 7:10pm on the big screens. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕒 7:10pm 📍 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. 📞 03 217 1980 📍 Cnr St Andrew & Sydney Streets, Invercargill.
Saturday Night: Chill House Music with DJ Nihilism
Level One Craft, Cocktails & Dining Settle in and unwind with chilled house sounds from DJ Nihilism from 7pm. Kelvin's monthly electronic music night. 📅 Saturday 10 October | 🕒 From 7pm 📍 Kelvin Hotel, 20 Kelvin Street.
Sunday, 11 October
City Centre
Editor's Cut Sports Bar Sunday sport at Editor's Cut. Open daily from 11am. 📅 Sunday 11 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 11 October | 🍴 See the menu 📍 90 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Retreat Restaurant & Bar Sunday breakfast, brunch, and beyond — Retreat's kitchen runs all day. 📞 03 217 1234 | Book a table 📍 Ground floor, Distinction Hotel Invercargill, 3 Esk Street West.
Suburbs
Newfield Tavern Sunday at the Newfield. Open for a wind-down beer and a bite. 📅 Sunday 11 October 📍 315 Centre Street, Invercargill.
Eastern Suburbs Tavern 9Ball Pool Comp + Killer Pool — every Sunday from 2pm. Bring your A-game. 📅 Sunday 11 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. 📅 Sunday 11 October 📍 Cnr Elles Road & McQuarrie Street, Invercargill.
The Ave – Sports Bar Big Bot Sunday — every Sunday at The Ave. Sport on the big screens all afternoon. 📅 Sunday 11 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, close out the weekend properly. 📞 03 217 1980 📍 Cnr St Andrew & Sydney Streets, Invercargill.