Micky Finn's — Restaurant in Christchurch

First time going to town since last 2024, and an absolute atrocity thanks to the security staff at Mickey Finn's on Saturday night.

Wanted to play pool with friends at Mickey Finn's and was denied entry. The man at the door asked me to sober up, singling me out of the group of 7 I was with. I waited outside for 10 minutes then joined the line to come back in, was yet again denied entry, but had a different conversation.

Me: “hello”

Bouncer: “How Many have you had tonight” (the expected question at the door)

Me: “I had a couple, then headed to ‘The Bog’ for drink before coming here”

Bouncer: “You can't come in man. Unless you have cash? $20?” (Unexpected and dodgy)

Me: “No I don't, but I was going to get cash out for pool games”,

Bouncer: “Na, you need to sober up, aight?” (dodgy)

I was denied entry because I was honest about my one beer at The Bog, and that I was not going to give the security guard any money. I was provided entry and joined my mates upstairs after joining the Rockpool line (I was not comfortable interacting with the extortionist security guard), then another bouncer followed me upstairs and removed from the premises for ‘intoxication’ and singled out as not worthy of entry.

I requested a discussion with the Mickey Finn’s Bar Manager, Olivia (At this point I had been waiting for 1 hour to join my friends). She was eventually able to meet with me and talk over the situation but highlighted the Saturday in question as her first major shift as bar manager (Olivia was great as she didn't shut down the civil conversation). Olivia asked me to rejoin the entry line and discuss the previous conversations with security staff and herself in order for me to gain a final opinion. While in the entry line, I was singled out by security, removed from the main line, and asked to leave, with security citing the Trespass Act 1980 as their platform to remove me.

The Trespass Act gives powers to the occupier of private places, which in my perspective, was the bar manager.

Overall, I'm absolutely disappointed with this experience. Not only was I asked by security to provide money for entry (despite the 'intoxication' I had), but every guard seemed to act like this type of exchange was normal. I hope The Rockpool group looks into this dodgy behaviour from those representing their organisation.

I managed to snap a photo of the extortionist security guard during another cash exchange, so if management wants to see...

Decided to walk up the stairs and check out this place as Rockpool didn't answer their phone and when we attended they were booked out. ...and happy about that.

The Micky Finn's staff were really nice, offered any table to choose from and were quick to seat us. A minute or so to check the menu, then drink orders taken, meal orders taken as drinks delivered to table. Great chit chat with staff and spoke about the restaurant being new. Then the food came out.. I ordered the Beef Cheek Curry and it has been the most flavoursome meal in the week we have been in Christchurch. Wife had the Pad Thai and ordered the Pork Belly as well. Servings where great value vs cost. (My Beef Cheeks are in a bowl, so actually larger than the picture shows) Son was delighted...

Heading into an old watering-hole, it was great to see twenty-years on this place is still operating even after the earthquakes! Unfortunately, the bar staff let this place down. We were a group of six, told to sit anywhere we like and service would come to our table. The place wasn't busy so after twenty minutes one our team approached the bar and asked to be served. Fifteen minutes later we were still not served even after catching the attention of the waitress who nodded at us then walked in the opposite direction to talk to her friends at another table! Thirty-five minutes and no service.... we left bitterly disappointed and not in a...