Matakana Valley Road,
Matakana
Auckland,


(09) 422 9770

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4 out of 5 stars

There are so many stuffed animals on the walls of the Matakana House Bar & Bistro that you could come along on your own, and you just couldn’t feel lonely. They mainly seem to be local species, including a couple of huge marlin, but I’m pretty sure the jaguar’s head is not from around these parts.

Of course, we’re not from around these parts either, but the welcome from the Matakana locals on a busy Friday night is just fine. A few of them actually did leave the bar when we walked in, but apparently they were just trying to avoid another particularly difficult local who was also eyeing up a cold end-of-the-week Speight’s.

Matakana House has only been operating as a pub since 1995 – it was used as a boarding house previously – but it’s got the welcoming country pub thing totally nailed. The old-school wallpaper and wooden paneling is something an interior designer would charge lots for in Ponsonby’s chic bars. The simple bistro menu promises the world from a deep fryer - and other healthier fare like steaks and salad – and there are B/W pictures of local timber workers, and the 1950 Northland rugby team proudly displaying the Ranfurly Shield. On the telly Juice TV is playing with the sound down, and there’s an alternative soundtrack of Billy Idol and Bon Jovi.

After the drive from Auckland, a pint of Speight’s Summit and a gin and tonic is just the ticket, and we quickly see why the place did well in the recent Speight’s Best Party competition. The outdoor deck is slowly filling up with punters here to watch the NPC footie on the big screen, and a few diners have already moved onto brandy snaps or banana fritters. Come back on a Saturday afternoon, and the Astroturf garden bar will be full as well.

We’ve got to kick on for dinner across the road, but wander back to the pub after a meal for a nightcap. A few locals are now dancing to Talking Heads, there’s not a cocktail list in sight, and the forest full of stuffed animals looking down know there’s nothing stopping it from being a very good night.