Rebranded in recent times as The Crest Hotel, the building was taken over earlier this year by gay nightlife baron Wayne Clark, who quickly decided to return the drinking establishment to its historical title.
“It has to happen”, says Clark. “My theory is old pubs should always stay with the original name. They should never change. Whether it’s a gay pub or a straight pub, the Naval & Family name is quite quirky and suits the building itself.”
Completed in 1897, the three-storied, Victorian, Italianate style building was one of the last works by notable architect Edward Mahoney, who also designed Auckland’s Customhouse, Old Choral Hall and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Clark is the proprietor of Auckland’s most popular gay nightspot Family Bar, just across the street on K’ Rd. However, unlike its loud, drag and disco loving sister, Clark wants the Naval & Family to offer a more relaxed social environment for gay gatherings, tasty light meals and after-work drinks.
“It’s got three floors with a pub downstairs and a nightclub upstairs. It’s dominant in its position and it’s got a flag pole on the front for the rainbow flag. It just suits being a gay type of pub,” states Clark.
The Naval & Family Hotel has long been regarded by many within Auckland’s gay community as the perfect location for a local gay pub along the lines of such beloved Australian boozers as Sydney’s Oxford Hotel and The Commercial Hotel in Melbourne.
“Everyone has always said that”, laughs Clark. “I had my eye on it, but I never thought that the opportunity would come to actually grab it!”
The Naval & Family Hotel re-launches on Friday 1 August with an invitation-only opening party including a rare performance by New Zealand’s own living nightlife treasure, Carmen!
NAVAL & FAMILY GIG GUIDE AUGUST 2008
MONDAYS Open from 10am, Happy Hour from 4pm-8pm with
$4 tap beer, basic spirits and house wine, pool table
TUESDAYS Open from 10am, Happy Hour from 4pm-8pm with
$4 tap beer, basic spirits and house wine, pool table
WEDNESDAYS Open from 10am, Happy Hour from 4pm-8pm with
$4 tap beer, basic spirits and house wine, pool table
THURSDAYS Karaoke with Dig Jam from 9pm,
Happy Hour from 4pm-8pm
FRIDAYS DJ James Leuii from 10pm,
Happy Hour from 4pm-8pm
SATURDAYS DJ Samuel Holloway from 10pm,
Happy Hour from 4pm-8pm
SUNDAYS Sunday Club, Happy Hour from 5pm-9pm with
$4 pints and complimentary nibbles, pool table
PURPLE BAR GIG GUIDE AUGUST 2008
FRIDAY 1 Piano Bar with Ben Tapene from 9pm
SATURDAY 2 Flirt women’s night with DJ Dee,
$5 on the door from 10pm
www.wannaflirt.co.nz
WEDNESDAY 6 GABA @ The Naval & Family, free for members,
$10 for non-members from 5.30pm
www.gaba.org.nz
FRIDAY 8 Piano Bar with Ben Tapene from 9pm
SATURDAY 9 Mixed Up with DJs Luke James and Super Clarkee
from 10pm
THURSDAY 14 Kinks Amateur Strip Night with Sasha from 8pm
FRIDAY 15 Piano Bar with Ben Tapene from 9pm
SATURDAY 16 Flirt women’s night with DJ Dee,
$5 on the door from 10pm www.wannaflirt.co.nz
FRIDAY 22 Piano Bar with Ben Tapene from 9pm
SATURDAY 23 Mixed Up with DJs Luke James and Super Clarkee
from 10pm
SUNDAY 24 Afternoon Delight Tea Dance, 4pm-10pm
with DJs Donald Bennett, James Leuii and Raj
FRIDAY 29 Piano Bar with Ben Tapene from 9pm
The Naval & Family Hotel, 243 Karangahape Rd,
(cnr. K’ Rd & Pitt St), Auckland City
