Explore

The cinema had three band new 35mm Kineton projectors which were the top of the line at the time to deliver the best image possible. The projectors were matched with a state-of-the-art sound and seating and a lovely foyer to match and opened with the film MICHAEL COLLINS starring Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn and Julia Roberts.

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Despite its bar offering and up market decor the cinema struggled and was perhaps ‘before its time’. The cinema changed hands to the RIALTO group before being purchased and refurbished by its previous owner as THE LIDO CINEMA in Dec of 2009.

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Apt Collections might not be a name familiar to many in Hamilton, but the tides are changing as the store opened its doors for the first time in Hamilton in February. Apt Collections is born from Longbeach Apparel, a New Zealand owned company that has been operating out of Christchurch for more than 45 years. You may be more familiar with the brands they stock; womenswear labels such as Foil, Newport, Preen, Memo, Design Nation, Neris, Seeking Lola, Billie the Label, and Leila & Luca.

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At the helm of Apt Collections is Jane Coleman, the vivacious General Manager based in Christchurch, whose energy mirrors the vibrancy of the designs her brands bring to women across the globe. "We take pride in embracing bold colours and prints," says Jane. "Our goal is to make shopping a joyful experience for every woman."

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Apt Collections is a 100% Kiwi-owned business, dedicated to helping women celebrate their individuality. Jane's key piece of fashion advice? "Don’t feel pressured to wear something just because it’s ‘on trend.’ There are so many options available today. Choose a style that makes you feel confident and comfortable, so you can look great and be your best self."

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Selecting which styles to develop is a collaborative team effort. The majority of Apt's collections are designed in-house in Christchurch, where a talented design team manages everything from concept to completion. "Our team oversees every step of the process, from design and product development to manufacturing, marketing, sales, and delivery, "Jane explains. "We put a tremendous amount of research into fabric selection and fit to ensure quality across all our brands, resulting in a collection with broad appeal."

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With the arrival of the spring/summer collection, Jane is excited about the vibrant prints, bright colours, and sophisticated monotones. "Natural fibres like cotton, linen, and breathable viscose are key this season, which is perfect as the weather warms up."

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Gone are the days when brows were considered an afterthought to your beauty regimen. Nowadays, folks will pay top dollar for an Instagram-worthy brow, and there’s only one place to go if you’re looking for just that in Hamilton: Lab Brows + Body.

Tucked away down Barton Street and cosied up beside Rocket Coffee Roasters, the brightly coloured and funky patterned exterior catches your eye with a welcoming and upbeat vibe.

The action never stops at Hamilton's only bowling alley. Located on Level 2 of SkyCity Hamilton, Bowl and Social features world-class technology and bowling lanes.

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There’s also a great lineup of arcade games, air hockey and a pool table. Plus, you can order a drink and a meal from the lanes or enjoy the incredible view of the Waikato River from the deck. This indoor activity is great for family and friend groups, and perfect for the school holidays.

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They're not only known for their great bowling atmosphere, but also our delicious food and drinks! From pizzas, hot dogs, nachos and sides, you’ll find something tasty to fuel you while you bowl. And you can order from the comfort of your lane using your kiosk.

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They've also got packages for individuals and groups that give you great bang for your buck.

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Check out some of the top spots to grab delicious noodles!

Garden Place Noodle Bar
Location: 21 Worley Place, Hamilton Central
Signature dish: Hand-pulled Lamzhau beef noodles & Belt noodles with chilli sauce

Sichuan Style Restaurant
Location: 24 Collingwood Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton
Signature dish: Noodle soup with beef brisket

Saigon Noon
Location: 103 Alexandra Street, Hamilton Central
Signature dish: Noodle Soup - Pho

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Whether you are looking for a place to unwind after work or a spot to enjoy a long lunch with friends, The Mercury Room offers a unique and enjoyable experience.

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Known for their long lunch where you can enjoy a delicious platter of food for two hours, with options for a bottomless experience. They offer three different time slots: 2-4pm, 5-7pm, and 8-10pm or join one of their quiz nights and test your wits while enjoying great food and drinks.

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Garden Place Noodle Bar not only has noodles in its name, but it also makes them by hand, from scratch, and thumps them into shape right in front of your eyes.

.HELLO ROSIE - 9A Casabella Lane

The food caravan with a cult following in the BOP grew up and turned into a bricks and mortar eatery in Casabella Lane. Hello Rosie will defy what you think vegan food is and should be, with a cabinet of the most tempting sweet treats and a menu packed with all-time favourites like their macn cheese bites or the Rosie burger, a vegan twist on a Big Mac.

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THE VEGAN BUFFET - 645 Victoria St

This vegan institution in Hamilton, which was once on Ward Street, recently moved to Victoria Street. While still 100% vegan it is no longer a buffet, but perhaps changing location and the name would be too much for this secret local eatery. Fresh, healthy and delicious dishes at a reasonable price along with the friendly service are what have kept The Vegan Buffet a cult favourite.

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BEEJI DHABA - 587 Victoria St

Serving authentic North Indian dishes made from fresh ingredients, Beji Dhaba’s extensive menu is 100% vegetarian, with many being vegan. Dhabas in India are

traditional roadside stalls or restaurants serving heartyfare for travellers and truck drivers, so the menu has a big focus on famous North Indian street food.

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ANN FERN - 9 Knox St

This small espresso shop in the foyer of South Bloc offices has an array of toasties, soup, and sweet treats (all with vegan options).

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BÁNH MÌ CÀPHÊ - Riverbank Lane, 298 Victoria St

This trendy Vietnamese joint that spills out onto Victoria on the River offers a complete vegan menu. You’ll find rice paper and spring rolls along with their famous Bánh Mi

in two flavours, not to mention salad, noodles, curry and pudding.

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BAMBOO SWEETS - Casabella Lane

One of the new kids on the block (or down the lane), but well worth seeking out for their boutique handmade chocolates.

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THEOBROMA CHOCOLATE LOUNGE - Bryce Street entrance, Centre Place

From hot chocolates to handmade chocolates, every sweet tooth is satisfied.

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GONG CHA - 11 Worley Place

Forget bubble tea, you need to try bubble waffles! Direct from Hong Kong, a rich warm waffle is wrapped around ice-cream and decadent toppings.

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LA PROMESSE BAKE HOUSE - 5 Ward Street
For the best sweet pastries in town.

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CREAM - 14 Garden Place
For truly tempting treats, from doughnuts and cinnamon rolls to decadent slices.

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KOPI, RIVERBANK LANE - 298 Victoria Street
Not just great coffee, apparently the brownie is the best in town.

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LE RENDEZ-VOUS - 113 Alexandra Street

Didn't make it to the Paris Olympics? No problem, Le Rendez-Vous have a crépe-load of tempting French treats.

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DOT & WINNIES - 127 Alexandra Street
Yoyo, listen up, Dot and Winnies make the best melting moments in town.

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SNOWTOWN - 104 Alexandra Street
Dessert like you have never tasted it. But why wait until dessert time. They're open from noon Tuesday to Sunday.

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MARKYLES CAFÉ - Hood Street
For the best custard squares around.

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RAZZLE DAZZLE CAKES - 148 Ward Street
Sometimes the answer is cupcakes.

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As Hamilton’s first mini putt bar, it offers a unique twist on traditional golfing, inviting guests to enjoy themed courses while sipping on creative cocktails and local craft beers.

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Tipsy Putt features nine movie-themed holes, each designed to immerse players in a playful and engaging environment. From a “Jurassic Park” obstacle with a mini T-Rex to a “Wizard of Oz” section bursting with colour, the imaginative designs enhance the golfing experience. With plans to add another nine holes, the excitement is set to grow even more.

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There are ample food and beverage options available at "The Club House" bar, including burgers, pizzas, and loaded snacks. The drinks menu is equally enticing, featuring specialty cocktails, five tap beers, wines, RTD's and non-alcoholic choices, catering to all preferences.

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The store is manager Sharyn Cawood’s fifth op shop after creating four stores in the past for Hospice Waikato. The Op Shop for Breast Cancer has been running since Covid.

Clinical researcher Jenni Scarlet, (“who we’re doing all of this for,” says Cawood), called Cawood during Covid, and said a new charity store would be helpful for funding clinical trials.

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One of the great benefits of the central city is the vast number of experiences on offer and there is no better one than the annual central city progressive dinner.

This exciting event is the opportunity for the public to enjoy the traditional progressive dinner model with a vibrant and exciting twist in the big city. With five restaurants on offer – each providing a meal course with a matching drink – this is a fantastic way to enjoy some of the central city’s best restaurants all in one evening.

One of the joys in exploring a city is finding spaces and places that appear off the main streets, often characterised as laneways.

Casabella Lane and Racquet Lane were described in my last column but Hamilton’s central city boasts two others that are also worthy of exploration: Bucks Way also off Barton St, and Riverbank Lane off Victoria St.Bucks Way is a laneway between Barton and Victoria streets alongside the Wilson’s car park, which is also home to the food truck markets on a Friday night.Bucks Way has a tenancy that is famous in the central city – Rocket Coffee.

Find out what's on in the central city in July!

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The Comedy Zone at Skycity Hamilton will host the best comedians from New Zealand and the rest of the world every single month starting this July!

Big 2 hour show on a Friday night featuring the best in professional comedy. The stars of 7Days, Taskmaster, The New Zealand Comedy Gala, Spelling Bee to name a fewWe kick off in July featuring international TV, Movie and Comedy star Josh Thomson.Josh has been a mainstay on local comedy shows like 7Days, Have You Been Paying Attention, was the regular comedian on The Project and was the champion of Season 3 of TaskMaster NZ. As an actor he’s appeared internationally in Prime’s The Office Australia, Netflix’s The New Legends Of Monkey, NBC’s Young Rock and local hits Good Grief, Creamerie, Wellington Paranormal, Educators, Time Bandits and the Emmy winning INSiDE.

Joining Josh will be 2024 Billy T Award winner, Lana Walters!Lana Walters is a comedian and writer whose standup has been called 'masterful mum comedy'. She has appeared on TV shows like 7 Days, The Project, The Comedy gala and The Great Comedy debate.Comedy Zone will be hosted each month by most recognisable hairy face in NZ Comedy, Ben Hurley.

Tickets from just $39 (+ $4.28 booking fee).

Step into the magical world of CATS – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical phenomenon!

Inspired by T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Hamilton Operatic Society’s production will dazzle audiences with a spellbinding fusion of music, dance, and poetry.On one extraordinary night each year, the Jellicle cats gather for the Jellicle Ball. Under the watchful eye of their wise leader, Old Deuteronomy, one special cat will be chosen to ascend to the Heaviside Layer—and be reborn into a new Jellicle life.Don’t miss your chance to experience the show that has captivated the world. CATS – a night of magic, mystery, and unforgettable music awaits.

Sat 9th August 2.00pm show will have sign language interpreters at the front of the auditorium.

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Dates: 26th July - 9th August

Produced by: Hamilton Operatic Society

Get ready to celebrate Bastille Day in style at SkyCity Hamilton! Join us a night filled with French flair and festivities.

Indulge in a delicious dinner inspired by French cuisine, followed by a spectacular show featuring live music, Cabaret entertainment, and more!

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions of France. Book your tickets now and join us for a night to remember at SkyCity Hamilton.

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Step into a world of wonder with Illusionist Anthony Street, in a thrilling magic show crafted to captivate audiences of all ages! Anthony, renowned as the creator and star of the world-famous Celtic Illusion, brings his unique blend of breathtaking illusions, mind-bending magic, and boundless charisma to the stage. Prepare to be amazed as he conjures impossible feats before your eyes, blending traditional magic with modern spectacle, creating an experience that’s both heart-pounding and heartwarming.

From larger-than-life illusions to mind tricks that will leave you questioning reality, Anthony’s show is packed with surprises and interactive moments. Watch as the audiencebecomes part of the magic, as you gasp in disbelief, and everyone shares in the laughter, suspense, and pure joy that Anthony brings to every performance. Don’t miss the chance to see this truly wonderful spectacle this July and August across New Zealand!

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An exhibition by Alberta Harmer, Edward Riwai, and Darren Wise.

He rangi tā matawhāiti, he rangi tā matawhānui

A person with narrow vision has a restricted horizon; a person with wide vision has plentiful opportunities.

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Find out what's on in the central city in June!

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After selling out over 100 shows across the world, the team from 'Silent Discos in Incredible Places' is now coming to Aotearoa New Zealand.

As international promoters, they have thrown parties and held silent discos in, well, some pretty incredible places! Come along and be part of the global phenomenon right here in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

Expect three epic DJs playing all your favourite 80s tunes in the stunning, illuminated surroundings of Te Whare Taonga like you've never seen it before.

100's of like-minded 80's fans singing their hearts out whilst wearing state of the art LED headphones where you can select between 3 different channels of music.

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22nd August 2025 - First session 6.30pm to 9pm, Second session 9.30pm to 12am

This is strictly a 18+ event. Valid photographic I.D. may be requested on entry. Please take it as a compliment if you're asked to prove your age!

There will be a fully stocked bar on site for the entire event.

Tickets from $55.44

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Monthly Open Late sessions.

Instead of closing at 5pm, Te Whare Taonga will be open until 9pm so that you can enjoy the exhibitions after-hours.

With drinks and nibbles available to purchase from our bar, you can get in the groove with a DJ or live music. Each month we'll have a new floor talk or panel discussion to get ideas sparking as you check out the galleries.Come by and make a night of it with Open Late at the Museum!

Schedule

Wednesday 28th May: Dive into Ripples with Sasha from He Koniahi Story Circle.

Wednesday 25th June: A Matariki spectacular featuring a panel discussion on Toi Maaori.

Wednesday 30th July: Winter chill special.

Wednesday 27th August: The insider's guide to the National Contemporary Art Award.

Free entry.

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Based on Lloyd Kaufman’s cult film and winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical, with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by David Bryan. The Toxic Avenger is a charming love story and laugh-out-loud musical that has it all: an unlikely hero, his beautiful girlfriend, a corrupt New Jersey mayor (Courteney Mayall) and two guys who play… well, everyone else … bullies, mobsters, old ladies and stiletto-wearing back up singers.
Enter Melvin Ferd the Third (Alex Pelham Waerea), an aspiring earth scientist. Who wants to clean up Tromaville, the most polluted town in New Jersey (just off Exit 13B on the Turnpike). Foiled by the mayor’s bullies, (Bailey Lindsey and Marangai Wainohu-Savage)

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Peppa Pig is back touring New Zealand for the first time since 2018 in her oink tastic stage show, Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out LIVE! Prepare to sing and dance with colourful scarecrows, feed the penguins, build big sandcastles, and even swim in the sea! Packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles, Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out LIVE! guarantees giggles and snorts for all Peppa fans and is a perfect introduction to theatre.

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Join Professor Penfold in his race against time to create a fantastical solution to the city’s rubbish problem!

With an impatient mayor breathing down his neck, an enthusiastic but clumsy nephew causing havoc in the lab, what more could possibly go wrong for the professor?

The Perfectly Peculiar Practice of Professor Penfold is a wonderfully wacky, and joyful experience for people of all ages – kids and parents alike!

Written by Scott Granville and Courteney Mayall

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1st July -Saturday, 5thJuly, 10:30 am & 1 pm (10:30 am only on Sat 5^thJuly)

For the first time ever, the All Blacks face France in Hamilton. Let’s make FMG Stadium a fortress! Get your tickets now before they’re gone.

The battle ends here. The final Test of the Lipovitan-D Series against France is more than just a game—it’s a statement.

For the first time ever, the All Blacks face France in Hamilton, so don’t miss the chance to witness history.

Wear the black jersey. Bring the noise. Make FMG Stadium Waikato a fortress.

Tickets from just $40.

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