Wellington party strip has a new bar, aiming for a new vibe

Saturday, 23 November 2024

Many businesses worry if a Golden Mile revamp goes ahead next year, the construction could hit them hard.

Courtenay Place’s newest pub has dogs and free pizza on Fridays ‒ and an owner determined to find his own niche.

BL3 is the latest bar to open on Wellington’s main party strip, with owner Cody Halton saying he wants his pub to stand out among the late-night crowd with a more relaxed atmosphere.

As Halton’s five-month old puppy Brutus chills in the corner, the owner tells The Post that he decided to name his bar after his postcode in his home town of Bolton, Greater Manchester.

This will be Halton’s first foray into owning his own venue. He has years of experience working the ins-and-outs of Wellington’s hospitality scene, having managed bars Dakota and Rubix.

Alongside being dog-friendly, BL3 would be handing out free slices of pizza on Friday to customers ‒ ways to make the venue stand out, he said.

“I want it to be like a really relaxed local spot.”

BL3 owner Cody Halton with his dog Brutus. Halton says he is excited to take on Courtenay Place and bring a different style of eatery to the area.

The bar will be joined soon by Courtenay Place stalwart Establishment, to be renamed Establishment 2.0 by new owner Mike Drummond who was hoping to open in December.

Halton said his opening weekend was good, with “heaps” of people showing up from all around the UK as well as numerous friends and regulars.

“You always have a little bit of nerves … Like, is this going to work? But this weekend has shone a positive light on it.“

BL3 is a British-style pub that has a relaxed vibe, owner Cody Halton says.

Some positivity will be needed. With Wellington’s hospitality industry seeing popular eateries like Concord bite the dust this year, you’d need courage to open your own bar.

Halton said it felt right when he saw the venue, although he said he was aware of the state Wellington hospitality was in.

“I walked in and instantly was like, ‘Yes, this is going to be mine’. The last few months I've just been working on it, preparing, getting licences, redesigning the place.

“I’m super nervous. But nerves are good … I’m nervously confident.”

The bar would bring something different to the usual Courtenay Place vibe, which was mostly late night party-style venues.

With comfy couches, a rooftop area, and an outside spot, Halton said he wanted the place to be a fun venue for people to hang out, especially during summer.

“I see this as being more of a relaxed venue.”

The pub will be open 2pm to 2am Monday to Thursday, and then 12pm to 2am Friday to Sunday.

While some bar owners have been fighting for a return to a 4am finish, Halton said he was happy closing at 2am.

“You get the most out of the daytime and the night time without getting into the really late-night crowd.”