Do you know of a bar/cafe/whatever that’s motorcycle themed or very welcoming to motorcyclists? tell us about it.
I’m thinking proper cafe’s etc, not a bike shop that happens to have a cafe attached to it.
Do you know of a bar/cafe/whatever that’s motorcycle themed or very welcoming to motorcyclists? tell us about it.
I’m thinking proper cafe’s etc, not a bike shop that happens to have a cafe attached to it.
The Bannockburn Hotel in Bannockburn by Cromwell is owned by author Tim Hanna who has written several biographies on famous NZ motorcyclists. The hotel is also base camp for the excellent ‘Bike Week at Bannockburn’ event each year.
https://www.facebook.com/BannockburnHotel
http://bikeweeknz.com
Browny’s Brewery Cafe & Motorcycle Museum is in Katikati.
I intend to use this as an excuse for a ride over summer to check it out.
https://www.facebook.com/brownyscafe
York Street Mechanics in Newmarket, Auckland has a tasty selection of bikes scattered around the cafe which changes regularly.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/York-Street-Mechanics/159105500855993
Unfortunately York Street Cafe is now closed
Chequered Flag cafe in Rangitata on State Highway 1, halfway between Ashburton and Timaru is owned by bikers and pictures on their website indicate it’s a popular bike venue in the weekends.
http://www.chequeredflagnz.com/
The Nikau Caves cafe isn’t motorcycle themed but is a nice ride to get there, especially if you are an adventure rider as it’s 500 metres off the Raglan to Port Waikato ride. Once there there’s plenty of grass area and some big outside tables to relax at, and you can do a tour through the caves it’s named after.
http://nikaucave.co.nz/
Crank’s Cafe in Hunterville, on Bruce Street (Going north, the first left after the petrol station, going south, the first right after the petrol station). It has a few old bikes and gear on display, great fish’n’chips, and a friendly chat. http://goo.gl/maps/q79Eo
The bike Shed, otherwise known as the Okoroire Pub is a popular weekend destination for a ride. Okoroire is 5-10 km’s out of Putaruru on SH1, turn off SH1 at the service station and follow the road and signs. Riders come from all over the Waikato, Rotorua and from Tauranga.
A few year ago the publican built an extension to the back of the pub with large french doors and big bi-fold windows facing the carpark so that riders could easily get in and out and sit inside and see the bikes in the carpark while enjoying a proper kiwi pub lunch.
http://www.thebikeshed.net.nz
Obviously Puhoi Pub, another one I have found is the Kaiaua Pub (on the Hunua Ranges East Coast Loop) has parking around the back yard with bits of tile on the grass for bike stands. It’s nice as you don’t have to worry about your bike being played with out the front where you can’t see. If you ever go there just drive around the right hand side, around the owners house and then there is an opening in the fence for bikes to go through. If you are riding solo like me most of the time you can sit there and talk to your bike over a beer.
Lanonna Italian Bakery in Kaiwaka on SH1 makes the meanest Butter Chicken Pies. It’s a nice large bakery with a good range of quality looking food plus has tables to sit down inside or outside if you prefer to not to worry about dropping pie crumbs and like staring at your bike. There is also heaps of parking space out front – enough for a good size motorcycle gang – of adventurers!
In the Manuwatu there is a “motorcycle retreat” at the Black Dog Tavern and has camping space for tents and bikes. It has a kitchen, bar, bull ride, and a heap of cool things to look at inside.
An absolute cool place to stop if your tired or want a feed or share a beer with other riders that come through. Oh and ask Helen (the owner) about MAX1. Cool bike