The Institution

They have a nice ambiance with a view of the street below. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, they have a small but good selection of beer.

Very small bar in New Regent St almost opposite ’The Last Word’ I really liked this place and went twice in 3 days (they were closed on Monday). Only a few beers on tap (and not that many bottles in the fridge either) but good quality and interesting. It’s very small so 10 people upstairs make the place seem full and noisy. The music playing the times I was there was indie/alternative stuff (e.g. some swampy nu-metal on Sunday night, ’The Tallest Man on Earth’ on Tuesday). Great beer, attentive informative staff and a really nice vibe. You can sit outside and watch the trams go by as well! Highly recommended.

Just super cozy place near center of christchurch. 5 taps serving crafts from mainly new zealand. Around 40 different bottles (nz, usa and some other). Definitely place to have beer while in christchurch.

This review could be riddled with the phrase ’for such a small place’ because it is a bar that is short on space but big on charm. It is split level with the bar and some seating upstairs and more seating and the toilets down stairs. There is a good array of bottled beers from New Zealand breweries, predominantly south island, and local, live and lovely on the tap selection. In fact the night Mrs Jimthechap and I were there there were two new beers on - one having its debut and the other on very limited release. This place will become better and better, but right now it has all the elements I enjoy. It is small and it is interesting and my dearest hope is that it becomes the institution that the name suggests it is now.