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Wellington bar Crumpet to close after more than a decade

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

The popular Manners St bar, Crumpet, will close its doors at the end of the month. (File photo)
The popular Manners St bar, Crumpet, will close its doors at the end of the month. (File photo)

Wellington bar Crumpet, tucked into the historic Opera House building on Manners Street, will be closing soon.

The bar will close at the end of the month, with a social media post stating its last day of trading will be March 28.

The small bar is commonly called Wellington’s best kept secret, selling cocktails as well as bite-sized breads - including a popular tomato and buffalo mozzarella crumpet.

Crumpet has been operating next to the Opera House for the past 14 years.

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Crumpet bartender Jonathan Beresford crafts a cocktail. (file)
Crumpet bartender Jonathan Beresford crafts a cocktail. (file)

So far this year Wellington hospitality has lost Underworld Tavern, Leuven Belgian Beer Cafe, Spruce Goose, and the Chocolate Fish Cafe; it’s gained Lucky 8 on Courtenay Place, a new cafe in the soon-to-be opened Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library; Hotel Catalina and Puku Pies and Kai on Grey St.

An Instagram post stated Crumpet had opened in March 2012, with staff having watched dear friendships and relationships blossom over its decade of operation.

“We have had wild encounters with people from all walks of life, from across the world and had many wonderful conversations.

“Crumpet has given us life long friendships and memories. The kind you take with you through life and people you call family.”

The decision to close the bar came about due to multiple factors, including issues with the Opera House building and the bar’s lease.

However, this also gave staff the capacity to focus on new aspirations and career paths and build a next chapter, the post stated.

“Thank you so much Pōneke for letting us be part of the landscape. We’ve been blessed to have shared the journey with this wonderful community.”