13 Wyndham Street,
Auckland Central
Auckland,
1010

(09) 336 1265

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There are plenty of Irish bars like this one around the world: Guinness logos everywhere; one or two Irish proverbs written in chalk and changed every other week; an Irish stew on the menu; and a local fiddle band playing from time to time. The Muddy Farmer is not much different.

The bar tender confessed that the memorabilia—and everything that makes this bar what it is—was brought over from Ireland, and was most likely bought as a kit, sent over in containers and assembled here.

The result: instant Irish pub with a little bit of authenticity (at least it wasn’t made in China or Taiwan) but no organic feel to it.

This particular kit (something is between an old train carriage and the inside of an old bank in the USA’s Wild West period) went for dark wood tones; a couple of stone walls; a hearth; and lots of strategically placed mugs and beer barrels.

According to advertising material, the Muddy Farmer is divided into four areas: the brewery, the shop, the Cottage and the Snug—all of them celebrating a different part of Irish pub culture. It’s a bit Disneyland really.

Its reputation rests on the laurels of its St Patrick’s Day celebrations when the Muddy Farmer closes the adjacent street, puts a marquee up and decorates everything green. It is possibly the most popular of St Patrick’s place for a drink-a-thon in Auckland.

On our visit on Friday evening, this place is packed to the brim with suits; mostly men on what appears to be a race to beer induced coma.

The Muddy Farmer advertises Wednesday night Texas Hold ‘Em competitions and the menu is hardy and filling.

There is no rugby, but the atmosphere is that same bloke-chumminess with lots of loud boisterous tables.

We order a steak on focaccia bread which arrives promptly, tastes passably (though quite forgettable) and is served with minimum fuss. Much like the bar really.

As a standard Irish pub, the Muddy Farmer is a little bit above average given its large size, excellent central location and friendly staff.

Yet given its generic Irish bar feel, it is not incredibly endearing and I wouldn’t choose it as more than just a place for a few post-office drinks while in the neighbourhood.