About Emporium Brewing
Emporium Brewing is a family brewery on Beach Road, about a 10-minute walk from central Kaikōura. Paul and Laura Finney ran a homebrew shop in Christchurch before moving to Kaikōura in August 2016 to brew their own beer, and they opened just weeks before that year's big earthquake. The building came with an existing mini golf course, which is still part of the fun.
The bar pours 12 beers and 3 ciders on tap, and the range changes often: pale ales, IPAs, Belgian styles, barrel-aged stouts, sours and crisp lagers. A tasting tray lets you sample several, and you can fill a rigger or pick up 330ml bottles to take home. Wine and soft drinks are there for anyone not drinking beer, and the kitchen serves burgers and bar snacks at lunch.
What sets Emporium apart is everything around the bar. The 18-hole, Kaikōura-themed mini golf course suits all ages, and adults can watch from the sunny courtyard while kids play. There are two escape rooms for groups and wet days, cornhole outside and board games indoors, and the brewery hosts birthday parties and events. Children need to stay supervised in the bar, since it is a licensed premises.
It is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10am–6pm and Friday 10am–9pm, and closed Tuesday and Wednesday outside New Zealand school holidays, when it opens seven days. Lavendyl Lavender Farm is about 10 minutes' drive away, so a lavender garden visit and a late lunch here fit together well.
What to do
- Try a tasting tray from 12 beers and 3 ciders on tap
- Play the 18-hole Kaikōura-themed mini golf course
- Book one of the two escape rooms
- Have a burger lunch in the sunny courtyard
- Fill a rigger or buy bottles to take home
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round; seven days a week during New Zealand school holidays
- Hours
- 2026: Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun 10am–6pm; Fri 10am–9pm; closed Tue–Wed except during NZ school holidays (open 7 days)
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Tips for your visit
- Check the day before you go: it is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays outside school holidays.
- Fridays run late, until 9pm.
- Kids must be supervised in the bar area; the mini golf keeps them busy nearby.
- Escape rooms are booked in advance; plan a designated driver if adults are tasting.
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavendyl Lavender Farm · about 10 minutes away
Lavendyl Lavender Farm is about 10 minutes' drive away, so pair a morning in its gardens with lunch and mini golf here.
Getting there
Questions
Is Emporium Brewing family friendly?
Yes. The mini golf course is for all ages, though children must be supervised in the licensed bar area.
When is Emporium Brewing closed?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except during New Zealand school holidays when it opens seven days.
Does Emporium serve food?
Yes, burgers and bar snacks at lunch.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Kaikōura, New Zealand
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
