Fortune Favours pub closing with ‘heavy hearts’

Wednesday, 27 August 2025

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Wellington brewery Fortune Favours has announced with “heavy hearts” its Leeds St brew bar is closing permanently on August 31.

In 2016, Shannon Thorpe quit his job as sales and marketing manager of Good George Brewing in Auckland to open his own brewery in one of the capital's most vibrant laneways.

The pub in the renovated Barber & Co building opened the following year.

Its closure was announced on Facebook on Wednesday.

The cost of living crisis had proven too difficult to navigate, the post said.

“We’re 20% down on last year, which was already 25% down on the year before. This is not sustainable.

“We’ve loved our 8 years here, and during this time we’ve poured our hearts into over 500 unique beers (including New Zealand’s strongest one), sponsored some of our favourite teams and events, and created an inclusive space we’re proud to have shared with our community and customers.

“Without your support, Fortune Favours would not be the brand that it is, and we cannot thank you enough.”

The post said the brewery had endured many highs and lows, including “rescuing our fermenter from Wellington Police, creating the Rare Beer Challenge and raising over $30,000 for Rare Disorders NZ and most recently, being the top praised beer at Beervana with our Wairarapa IPA”.

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