ABOUT THE WOOLSTON CLUB
The Woolston Club is a multi-functional entertainment centre. A sporting platform for everything from bowls to boxing, a music venue for Christchurch’s artists and bands, an entertainment complex for shows from across Australasia, a place to dine with family and friends in the Whitford’s café, bar and restaurant, and a conference centre with over 10 different function rooms for private hire.
FACILITIES
WHITFORD'S CAFE AND RESTAURANT
Our Whitford’s restaurant serves up delicious meals in a cosy family dining environment, open Wednesday - Sunday from 11am with our bistro and café selections. Our Roast Carvery is on Friday , Saturday and Sunday from 6pm. The Whitford’s café is open every day from 11am, serving freshly made cabinet food and barista coffee. It’s the perfect spot to catch up with friends at lunch in our cosy bar or if the weathers nice, in our outdoor seating area overlooking our child friendly play area.
WHITFORD'S BAR
The Whitford’s bar is the heart of the club, where our members and guests socialise and catch up. From theme nights to pub quizzes, poker nights, wargamers, and housie, there’s always something going on. We also have shows and performances taking place in the club, from artists across Australasia! We’ve got pool tables in the bar, a gaming area and full service TAB.
FUNCTION & EVENT ROOM HIRE
The club sits on top of approximately 6 hectares of beautiful landscaped grounds and award winning gardens, and with 10 different function spaces available for hire, suiting groups of 10 up to 400 people, it’s the perfect venue for your special event, be it your wedding day, a party or your company’s training conference. Our room prices are some of the most competitive in Christchurch and room hire includes setting up the room to your exact requirements, from theatre style seating to banquet dinners. We can offer tailored bar and catering packages, and we provide dedicated wait and bar staff for your event. From board and meeting rooms, to our sporting pavilion, to our huge sports bar we’ve got the right space, and the best people, to make your event perfect.
SPORTING FACILITIES
The Woolston Club overlooks Garrick Park, where our local football, cricket, and touch rugby teams play throughout the year. Our Sporting Pavilion provides a great spot to cheer on teams and if the weather permits, maybe even put on a sausage sizzle! As a member of the club you can take advantage of our sporting grounds and facilities, in the summer you can be out on our petanque and quoits courts, and for winter, relax in our snooker, billiards and 9 ball room and enjoy our competition standard pool tables. You could also join one of our 14 sub sections to socialise with friends and perhaps pick up a new hobby. We’ve got groups for all sorts of interests, from cards and pool to gardening and travel – everyone is welcome to join in!
ADVANTAGES OF BEING A MEMBER
Anyone is welcome at the club, you don’t have to be a member to dine here, to enjoy the weekly entertainment, or to even book an event here in one of our many function rooms, but membership does have its benefits!
As a member of the Woolston Club you are entitled to:
- Purchase and consume alcohol within the club
- Instant discounts on all food and beverage purchases
- Weekly members draws and promotions
- Access to all the clubs facilities and sporting grounds
- Receive discounts on room hire for your private functions or events
- Reciprocal visiting rights for all other member clubs of Clubs New Zealand
- Enter members only draws and promotions
CLUB HISTORY
Back in 1953, The Woolston Working Men’s Club was first proposed at a community meeting in Woolston, and the first committee members were elected.
22nd December 1956 saw the official opening of the original Club building, known as “Ward 8” (now known as the Kellaway Bar) The Mayor of Christchurch, Mr R.M. McFarlane CMGM, cut the ribbon!
In 1974 the Courtyard Bar & Restaurant was opened (now known as the Whitford’s Bar)
Now more than sixty years on, the Club stands on 18 acres of award winning landscaped gardens and sport grounds. The Club is not only home to its strong membership but also boasts a proud history in the eastern suburbs as a sporting and community leisure centre.
HOW TO JOIN
The club office is open from 11am-4pm Tuesday to Sunday if you need assistance joining.
Join Now
The club membership year runs from 1st September to 31st August
CLUB RULES
A full set of Club rules can be purchased for $3.00 at reception or viewed on the Club’s website here. However, in general terms, all Club members and their guests are expected to conduct themselves with decorum and behave in a fashion that does not adversely affect any other member. In the case that a person commits an offense under the Club rules they may be ejected from the Club for a period of time by the Club’s judicial system.
Any Club Board Member, the General Manager or Duty Manager has the authority to take custody of a membership card. In the case where there is an incident you must write to the General Manager, President or Vice President - stating what happened, your name and membership number, so that the complaint can be dealt with via the correct procedures within 72 hours of incident.
SERVICE OF ALCOHOL
The Woolston Club operates under a “club liquor license”.
A Club License authorises the Woolston Club to sell and supply alcohol for consumption on the premise to:
- Current financial members
- Signed in guests
- Members of affiliated social clubs
For special events where members may not be present at private functions, speak to us about getting a special license so your guests can freely purchase alcohol at the club.
SIGNING IN GUESTS
You must sign in your guests at the guest memeber sign-in stations in order for them to become an authorised guest and therefore eligible to be served alcohol. Our friendly bar staff will ask to sight your membership card/app QR when serving alcohol or introducing guests. Please don’t be offended if you are continually asked to produce your membership card/app QR at the bar as it is a condition of the license to sell and supply alcohol.
Any member of staff or the Board may ask to see your membership card/app QR at any time and, in compliance with the Club rules it must be produced on request. Under a Club License you are responsible for the conduct of your guests and once signed in, your guest should remain within your vicinity whilst at the Club.
CARDS
Membership cards/app QR are required to be sighted at the point of sale. 5% of each individual members transaction will be accrued as Loyalty Points.
DRESS CODE
The Woolston Club has the following dress code:
- No singlets
- No dirty or soiled work boots
- No offensive slogans
- Dirty or ripped/torn clothing
- Neat and tidy attire is required at all times
