Warriors themed pub set for Kingsland
Exclusive: Sports bar part of multi-million investment
The Warriors have found the location for their themed pub, which they hope will become the best sports bar in New Zealand.
The club has bought the Holy Hop bar in Kingsland, which they will refurbish and refit, with an estimated opening date of August or September. The location was previously the site of the Neighbourhood bar, which was established in 2011, before Holy Hop.
The branded pub is part of a strategy to diversify revenue streams, after the Covid period highlighted their massive reliance on NRL funding.
It’s a bold move. The club has also bought the building which houses a Domino’s outlet, a restaurant and a motorcycle accessories dealership (techmoto).
The Weekend Herald understands the NRL franchise — through owners Autex — have spent close to $10 million on the venture.
“Autex has purchased the entire building as a freehold investment,” Warriors chief executive Cameron George told the Weekend Herald. “There are multiple tenants, and the hospitality component is one part of the strategy. It’s a business opportunity, as well as an investment.”
The Warriors were advised of the opportunity by Lion Breweries, a club partner.
George said the Kingsland location didn’t mean the Warriors were planning to play more often at Eden Park.
“No, not at all. This is purely a business decision, a business venture. It is not your leagues club scenario [in Australia], where they are attached to the footy ground, and this has got nothing to do with our playing future.
“If we opened a retail shop, we don’t have to open it in Penrose. You open it where you feel it provides you the best opportunity for a greater return. We had the chance to not only buy the business but also the building so it made sense.”
George emphasised all sports fans would be welcome.
“If the Blues are on, we’ll be supporting the Blues.”
The club has partnered with Joe Jakicevich, who has been in the liquor and hospitality industry for more than four decades. His family own Glengarry’s, while Jakicevich is the owner and managing director of Hancocks, a major importer and distributor of beer, wine and spirits.
Jakicevich, a long-time family friend of Warriors owner Mark Robinson and a former Glenora Bears junior, is a co-investor in the new bar and will run the operation, which he estimates will need 30-40 staff.
He has taken inspiration from sports bars visited in the United States.
“You need very good visuals, with a minimum of two screens from wherever you are sitting,” said Jakicevich. “You want a great drinks mix and interesting food options, without being a gourmet restaurant. There are a lot of places that don’t do great food. And you want staff that enjoy sport.”
Having Robinson as the building landlord had swayed his decision to get involved financially, after he had been advising the Warriors on their potential venture.
The bar closed yesterday, with interior refurbishment to start next week. George is optimistic it will be a hit, commercially and as a destination.
“There is a gap in the market for us,” said George. “We believe we can bring a lot of content and have the opportunity to create the best sports bar in New Zealand.
“Ever since Covid, we really want to stand on our own two feet, and this is a big step in that direction.”