Civil and Naval Bar & Eatery — Restaurant in Banks Peninsula Community

Review of a Funky Little Bar in Lyttelton, Christchurch’s Edgy Cousin

Lyttelton: a pocket-sized bohemian haven just outside Christchurch, with its port-town charm and enough character to rival a soap opera. Nestled among its cool cafés, indie shops, and nautical history, you’ll find this bar—a spot so funky it could give Parliament a run for its money. Here’s why it’s worth stopping by:

The Vibe:

• Funky & Friendly: Imagine a room full of hipsters, artists, and people so trendy they probably iron their jeans ironically. But don’t worry if you’re not wearing the right bucket hat—you’ll still feel welcome. Even this self-described “old bugger” fit right in. • Good-Looking Crowd: It’s not just a bar; it’s practically a live art exhibition of Christchurch’s most photogenic rebels.

The Music:

• Cool DJ Alert: When we visited, there was a DJ spinning tracks cooler than the breeze off the harbour. The music wasn’t just background noise—it set the tone for the night, effortlessly blending into the bar’s laid-back-yet-buzzing atmosphere.

The Drinks:

• Nice Beers on Tap: They’ve got a solid selection of beers, perfect for sipping as you absorb the vibes and wonder why your wardrobe lacks skinny jeans.

The People:

• Trendsetters Galore: This is the kind of place where people don’t just follow trends—they start them. But despite their edgy style, they’re friendly and welcoming, proving that “cool” doesn’t have to mean “cold.”

Why We Love It:

• Made to Feel Welcome: Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, the staff and patrons have that rare ability to make you feel like you belong—even if you’re not part of the leather-jacket crowd. • Repeat Appeal: We’ve been back a few times, and it’s never disappointed. Consistently cool, consistently fun.

So, if you’re ever in Lyttelton and looking for a spot that perfectly balances trendy and chill, this bar is a must-visit. Just don’t be surprised if you leave feeling inspired to buy a new hat.

What...

Went for dinner following the google reviews - well it wasn’t up to scratch.

On the positive side… Ambiance is lovely, very alternative hipster chic… for a drink and a bowl of chips, it would have been a five stars potentially. The service was nice enough, good lighting and decoration, warm and great to have a fireplace, 90’s rock music...

However the food is really overpriced and uninteresting… trying to be Spanish inspired without any bold flavours. We had 4 dishes, all were disappointing. The “vegetables” dish was a large carrot, cut in half, boiled, dusting of goat cheese and a sprinkle of micro greens, for $16. Seriously ? Both “Ajillo” dishes were just average, swimming in oily broth with a bit of garlic without any herbs of flair, served with white braid… The prawns were your standard frozen fair, mussels potentially fresh and a bit better, the white mushrooms in quarter and 3 cherry tomatoes just absolutely boring and bland. The Mac and cheese just tasteless, not cheesy enough, and the 6 jalapeño slices didn’t redeem the dish. Overall felt very amateurish and uninspiring…

2 glasses of wine - nice enough - over $120. Would not recommend...

After a few months on the down and out, I went into this establishment looking for a change of pace. Hoping to find some good and/or positive vibes, I ordered a vodka Red Bull, short glass no ice. The bartender look at me like I was wrong. Firstly, I've worked in "hospitality" before, the customer is ALWAYS right; Secondly, maybe if he had spend more time tidying up his mop of a hair cut he would have less time to scowl at someones drink order. Another staff member was wearing slippers and it made me VERY uncomfortable.

The chips I ordered redeemed the situation. Perfect grease to carbs ratio. not sure why I didn't get tomato sauce, not about this garlic mayo stuff. Second drink order I decided to go for something slightly more inline with what the rest of the patrons (if you can call them that) were ordering. One of the creatively name beers on the taps. INSTANT regret. Bar keep had to discard three full glasses of head before he got a full glass in front me.

Must have been a pretty strong brew because after finishing it my mood changed an everything seemed a little bit better.

Spewed in the taxi on the way home, might be back again

5...