-WELCOME TO THE FIND- 

Friends. Food. Art. Tunes. Booze. 

We are working hard to pull off a new bar in under 2 weeks.  

This project was inspired by a road trip and a somewhat famous man named Bill Murray.   

The Find comes from our quest to start over again. We know we cant replace what was lost, we can only look at today as the first day in 18-years-to-come. So we took a weekend to drive across New Zealand, find a couple items, get some books, meet some amazing people and get inspired. We even found a couple of rugs really tie the room together. 

Opening Friday June 28, 2013.  

Teapot Amnesty

The World Bar is happy to announce its Teapot Amnesty Program (TAP).  

It was all inspired by a cup of tea. That awkward moment when you go over to a friends house and they break out that the vaguely familiar white teapot. The one that looks just a little too much like it belongs behind The World Bar. 

Fear not, there is no longer a need to call the authorities, get into a kung-fu battle or arrest the suspect. Next week we will be announcing a location that you are able to drop off the questionable merchandise, no questions asked. So tell your "shadier" friends that they no long need to hide their thefted white china or hang their head in shame, hope is only a week away. 

This is your last chance before we cooperate with the New Zealand Teapot Task Force (NZTTF) . Dont say we didnt warn you. 

Thank You

This is Joe. Joe is a Chef at the World Bar Diner and a part time American Apparel model. Joe was on vacation when this whole thing went down, he immediately sent us this, which brightened our sooty day. This picture is our little way of saying thank you.  

Over the past week we have had an outstanding response from the following businesses and individuals. We are proud to say that all of our staff have been placed into loving homes. Thousands have wished us well via Facebook, instagram and on the street, but we would like to give a special thank you to the following:

Queenstown Fire Brigade

Everyone at BNZ Business 

Shotover Canyon Swing  

Quest

Stray Travel

Nooks & Scotty

Surreal  

Tim & the team of magicians at Fluid  

Johnny Barr's  

Habebes  

Altitude  

Charlie Carter

Lakes Environmental  

Ron & Betty

Dave Boyd

Remarkable Audio  

Crossfit Queenstown

Elle from the Airport Cafe  

Skybar

Barmuda  

Bardeaux

Nomads  

Queenstown Gym

AJ Hacket

Dave at Lion Nathan  

Amber from Hancock's 

Kiwi Experience

Red Bull

Coca Cola

Danny from Digital 7

Everyone else who has helped or will continue to support us in the long road to our rebuild. Also to those who reached out to try and fit our staff into their already tight little teams. There really are too many to list. 

The Stage

Well this little corner certainly was my favourite part of the venue.

The World Bar stage. It was small, a bit pokey and awkwardly shaped, as well as probably being only about 25cm high back in the original days of our live music scene.

It's intended purpose wasn't even to be a stage. Hence the staircase that used to run down into the middle of it! (Which was pretty good for rocking guitar solos we found.) However, things had to change for us to progress. And boy how it did. I won't allude to how we made things change just yet  but thanks to some hard work and some out there ideas, everything drastically improved. 

We've had some legends play on that wee stage, filled with character. From the original weekly gig of The Cartel/Mojo/Pistol Knights to the greats such as The Hilltop Hoods, Ahori Buzz, Sola Rosa, Homebrew Crew and DJ Yoda to name but a few. We have been truly blessed. 

It won't end here. WIth fresh ideas and a lot learned from the old joint, we're promising to increase your live music experience in the future. We want to make it more gig friendly on many fronts so we can continue to attract some epic acts to Queenstown. Live music may be on hold for the moment, but it's not leaving. We promise. 

A little before and after imagery below. That night someone really did set the stage on fire. 

G

The Stage, Monday 20th and 4 days later, Friday 24th May

The Plan

A fire happened. 

It burned our, bar, meeting place, music venue, movie theater, community room restaurant and clubhouse. Not to mention a shit load of nice, and some less-than-nice, liquor. 

We all saw it, that massive huge cloud. As the flames grew larger, our hopes of recovery diminished but our plans grew. Now we are working harder, drinking less and dreaming more than ever. As we've said before, Queenstown's community outreach has been huge, and it has helped us envision a future. A future back in this amazing community we all call home. 

Oh did you see the one about the horse that walked into a bar?

We will be back. It starts today.

Friday Events. By Gary.

If you didn't hear, see, or smell the destruction, The World Bar was hit with one of the biggest commercial fires that Queenstown has ever seen. It took our beloved venue after 16 years of much hard work, love, lovemaking, break ups, break dancing, live music and often forgotten good times. But before we get sentimental, let's take you back to before shit really hit the fan….

Most Fridays have that air of relief— a calm before the weekend storm. An excitement perhaps? Our's somewhat started with a storm and had relatively little calm. 

We were all in good spirits, planning for what ought to be an incredible winter season when a certain smell permeated through the building. It's a tricky smell to describe, but it's a smell you know that 1) doesn't smell good and 2) you shouldn't be smelling. We check the kitchen. Its all ok but our two little master chefs say staff from downstairs ran up and grabbed our fire extinguisher. Not the best news but it happened a few days earlier and all turned out okay. Then 30 seconds later the fire alarm sounds. Thank god it wasn't 1am and 220 people were having the time of their lives!

Trying to describe what was going on to our legendary Nepalese cleaner with limited English proved interesting but the universal art of, "point and shout" worked a treat. She calmly grabbed her scarf, jacket and glasses before cruising out with us. Savvy move. I look back just as the Back Bar and kitchen were getting smoky, but at least the kitchen boys cut our gas supply. Heroes.

Out front of the bar for almost the last time (sob), I meet the manager from downstairs who was upset but holding strong. The poor girl battled the blaze like a machine but it was too late. Through the front doors you could see flames lapping up out of the fryer. That was when we realize the downstairs chef isn’t out. Surely he will appear shortly through the bar.. No sign. Still… no sign. Bloody hell. Luckily the fire hadn't reached upstairs yet, just smoke. I run back in and there he is at the bottom of the stairs cursing and seemingly happy with his location 10 meters from the fire. A few choice words and he's slowly lumbering out of the bar.

The fire engine and crew do an epic job racing to the scene despite several false alarms and drills they've responded to throughout the recent remodel of the building. They're unloading fast but it feels like a lifetime to get water into the building.  But any time is a long time to watch your pride and joy disappear.

It's strangely voyeuristic seeing fire grow and decimate all in its path, a destructive light spreading.

Smoke begins to pour out the front. A crowd is growing. Friends arrive. Staff race to town as word spreads. Waves of emotion are inevitable but the overwhelming love and support from literally hundreds of amazing people is consuming. Seeing your staff mortified at their work place going up in flames really is gut wrenching. It was their labour of love too and they are proud to have worked there.

We all know how this ended. We're down but we're not out. We're already planning the stages of our revival. So keep your eyes peeled. We may appear when and where you least expect.