Captain Cook and Dive Bar’s grave is soon to welcome new occupants. The building, which has been up for lease since 2022, will soon be occupied by a venue called ‘Dropkicks’, set to be open this September. Musos and students rejoice, something fucking great just happened.
The venue's website reports that the project was formed due to an “overwhelming need for an affordable live music & entertainment venue in North Dunedin.” Best thing about it? The venue promises “to offer our venue FREE of charge for any live music event.”
Dropkicks will be open for events only in 2024, yet will have regular opening hours in 2025. The venue has its opening night on the 14th of September, and an international guest (who is soon to be announced) will be appearing on Saturday, August 5th. They say on their website: “The Dunedin city culture is something that has suffered over the past few years and we are here to do our part, to bring our city back to its former glory!”
For the uncultured among you who don’t know where we’re talking about, the venue will be at 354 Great King St in the building above Sal's pizza. According to Dropkicks’s Instagram page, the venue is “brought to you by the good people who run other venues you love <3 @erricksvenue and @ombrellos.” Erricks opened last year with the same kaupapa of reviving Dunedin’s music scene, most recently hosting the Uni band comp Dig the Gig.
A public notice issued by the DCC has been posted on the door of the venue, asking the public to have their say on the issuing of the venue’s alcohol licencing. The notice says that the “applicant seeks the licence on the following hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00am to 3:00am on the following day.” Objections to the issuing of the licence close on Wednesday, August 21st.
Speaking to the announcement of the venue, diehard Dunedin Sound fan Jordan told Critic Te Ārohi that, “I think it’s really good that there’s another safe space for students to be involved in the music scene.” You can follow the venue on Instagram at @dropkicksdunedin and check out their website for more details.