Eat, Drink, Play Is Wellington's New Ten-Day Hospitality Festival

Over 100 venues will be participating by creating themed meal and drink pairings or hosting their own unique event.
Stephen Heard
Published on April 12, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a sizeable impact on restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars. In an effort to generate some buzz for the hospitality community after a challenging 12 months, Hospitality New Zealand together with Wellington NZ and Wellington City Council have launched a new festival.

Over 100 Wellington venues, including restaurants, bars and hotels will be participating in the ten-day Eat, Drink, Play festival by creating Wellington-themed meal and drink pairings or hosting their own unique event — much like month-long culinary adventure, Visa Wellington On Plate.

Food with a side of entertainment is big on the menu. Waterfront venue Coene's will unveil its The Greatest Showman-themed menu and drinks package with circus entertainment, Foxglove is presenting a whisky masterclass with live blues to match, The Tasting Room is serving up piping hot chicken wings and a fire show in its garden bar, and St John's Bar and Restaurant will kick it back to the roaring 1920s as a prohibition speakeasy — you'll need a secret password to gain entry and enjoy the evening of entertainment.

Elsewhere, Rizzo's Pizzeria is Lower Hutt will turn into a magic petting zoo for one day, complete with farmyard creatures and science entertainment, and Opera on the Menu will include a mystery performance from a multi-platinum internationally-acclaimed tenor.

Themed high tea is there, too. QT Wellington's Hippopotamus Restaurant is serving a Victorian themed afternoon sipping session across three tiers, The Arborist is dishing up a range of 'Alice in Wonderland'-inspired treats, and Flamingo Joe's will have you covered with a cocktail event for Mother's Day.

To encourage out-of-towners to visit the capital during the festival, hotel deals are another focus. They range from complimentary breakfast packages to antipasto and wine add-ons and room upgrades.

Eat, Drink, Play will run from 6–16 May, 2021. For more information and the full lineup, visit eatdrinkplay.co.nz.

Published on April 12, 2021 by Stephen Heard
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