Smash Palace has Moved

I am still not feeling 100% so only took a shot walk around the block to catch up on what has been happening since I have been away. One thing new was that Smash Palace bar has closed its doors. The Knox Plaza still isn't complete and another rebuild is growing skywards, which can see in two of the photos.

There was a wind blowing and it was really cold. If I am feeling better tomorrow I will take a walk around the to city as I know there have been a few changes since I was last there.

Smash Palace was one of the first bars to open in post-quake Christchurch. It was only a temporary bar and now Smash Palace's owners have decided it's time to find somewhere more permanent for their bar that's been a big hit with the city's motorcycle enthusiasts.


Owner Johnny Moore says with the exterior starting to look tatty and out of place amidst the new commercial buildings along the street, it's time to move on.
"Projects like this, the notion is you move in, you populate an area, it builds around you and then you move to the next place," says Mr Moore. "That's the beauty of these gap filler things; they shouldn't be permanent."

The bar area at Smash Palace is surrounded by scaffolding covered in material (scrim), making the interior largely hidden from the street. Coloured festoons are strung above the open bar area. There is no roof. To the south-east side are potted plants, tables and chairs and his sister Rosie’s caravan selling tea, coffee and baked treats. An ex-commercial bus sits in the middle of the space, painted bright colours by local artist Tony de Latour. The bus is the bar, complete with dishwasher, fridges and tap beers. On the other side of the bus is a ramp up to a deck where you buy your drinks from. There is some seating here, too. Further into the site is more bar style seating, fires in metal drums, porta-com toilets and a certified kitchen.

For more information and and video of the closing of Smash Palace

Here is a back blip from Anzac Wanaka blipmeet and here is yesterdays blip that didn't seem to show up.