‘Wouldn’t have been the same’: last minute law change helps 20-year Friday Christchurch pub ritual
John Gilchrist had been refreshing the news all day Thursday.
The 78-year-old and his mate Peter Tinker have been coming to Christchurch’s Pomeroy’s Pub in Christchurch every Friday for more than 20 years — a couple of pints, a chat and the crossword, which they admit to sometimes cheating on.
Good Friday threatened to break their annual streak - they wouldn’t have come if they had to get a meal.
“When the Government passed it, I thought, great — and then it still hadn’t been ratified,” Gilchrist said. “I was waiting for someone, somewhere, to sign something.”
When Royal Assent finally came through on Thursday, he knew they were on.
“We could’ve still come in here and had a burger and chips, but it wouldn’t be the same, would it?”
The pair settled into their usual spot on Friday, with the Press crossword in hand, and ordered their first round. For Gilchrist, it was exactly as it should be.
“We’re so pleased, and for us and the pub too. We’ve been coming here for over 20 years, so we feel like family.”
The scene at Pomeroy’s reflected a city quietly celebrating a law change that, until Thursday, had made Good Friday trading a minefield for hospitality venues.
Under the old rules, on-licensed premises could only serve alcohol to customers who were dining — meaning bars had to turn away anyone who just wanted a drink, or get into increasingly awkward conversations about what counted as a substantial meal.
Pomeroy’s manager Andi Hickey said Friday had been a breath of fresh air.
“It removes the need for really awkward chats with customers about what defines a meal and how much people have to eat.”
Hickey said the pub had three front-of-house staff and a chef on leave for Good Friday — and that wasn’t changing.
“Holidays are really important. But for the staff that really need the money, it’s a great day to work when it’s time and a half and a day in lieu.”
Outside in the sun, Cass Clapshaw and Tyler Price had strolled in for a beer and some pork crackling on their day off — which under the old rules, wouldn’t have been allowed.
“In this country, a lot of people aren’t religious anymore — so it’s a little weird that those rules applied to everyone. But I think it’s a good change.”
Alex Willis and Finn Richards grew up going to a Catholic boys’ school in Auckland — Good Friday meant church, not the pub. Living in Christchurch now, Friday looked a little different.
They’d ordered chips when they arrived, not realising that under the old rules, they might’ve been turned away.
“We didn’t really know the details,” Willis said. “We just came in for a beer. But the news is great.”
Back inside, Gilchrist was onto his second pint. Tinker had a non-alcoholic on the go. The crossword was nearly done.
Hickey said the mood at Pomeroy’s had been like that all day — people happy to simply sit, drink and be together without the awkward conversation at the bar.
“People are really excited to just come in and relax and have a drink together,” she said. “It’s been great.”
Hickey said holidays remained important, to give staff time off, and for those who wanted to spend them with family, for religious reasons or otherwise.
“But some people want to choose to come together as part of a community and share a drink. It’s more about giving people choice.”
Comment (3)