Historic Dunedin Student Pub Takes On Fresh Image
February 14 2005: Dunedin’s icon student pub the Captain Cook has completed a major upgrade as part of its programme to
revamp the historic tavern.
Four young ex Otago University students, all from Queenstown, purchased the lease of the high profile 140-year-old
property in May last year. They signalled at the time that they would be making improvements and upgrading facilities.
One large bar, combining the previous main bar and the smaller adjacent TAB bar, has been created providing a spacious
and more workable area.
“The new bar will mean we can provide a better service for everyone and there will be a much better flow,” says co-owner
Richard McLeod. “There is a much warmer atmosphere and with the extra space we will now have a DJ operating downstairs
as well as upstairs four nights a week.”
“Cook locals will certainly notice an improvement and we have more plans in the pipeline to provide further changes.”
The Captain Cook is close to the main university campus on the corner of Great King and Albany streets and is one of the
country’s best known student pubs, selling more than 120,000 jugs of beer a year.
Mr McLeod says they open their new facilities on Wednesday February 16 in time for the Otago University student
orientation week.
Orientation will feature celebrated Cook events including the Cookathon on Wednesday February 23 which is always a
strong drawcard, followed by the Bavarian Beerfest on Friday February 25. A new addition to the O-week line up is The
Captain Cook Campus Queen which will also feature on February 25.
ENDS