Events at The Good Home, Auckland

About The Good Home

The Good Home Onehunga is a warm, family-friendly gastropub located at 55 Princes Street in Onehunga, Auckland. Housed in Onehunga’s category-1 heritage-listed former Carnegie Free Library (opened 1912), it blends historic character with contemporary comforts (www.theshout.co.nz) (www.nzherald.co.nz). The building’s ornate pressed-metal ceilings, cornices and columns are intact, reflecting its Andrew Carnegie–funded origins (timespanner.blogspot.com) (www.nzherald.co.nz). In the evenings the big central bar (nearly six metres long) glows beneath a portrait of Carnegie himself (www.theshout.co.nz). With several distinct zones – high tables, booths and communal tables (www.theshout.co.nz) – it seats a moderate crowd (roughly 150–200 people total) indoors and spills out into an adjoining sheltered courtyard. What makes The Good Home unique is this blend of living history and laid-back pub culture: it’s literally a “home away from home” where locals gather for relaxed meals, craft beers and occasional live entertainment (www.eventfinda.co.nz) (www.theshout.co.nz).

The venue has quickly become a Onehunga landmark since opening in early 2017 under owner Tony Woodcock. It has renovated the old library with respect for its heritage – adding a modern wooden pavilion off to one side for al fresco dining while preserving key features like Corinthian pillars and pressed-tin ceilings (www.nzherald.co.nz) (www.theshout.co.nz). Garden plants and a children’s play area make it family friendly, while its extensive beer list (13 taps and many bottles) and pub-inspired décor give it the feel of a classic Kiwi local. Reviews praise its friendly service and inventive pub fare. In other words, the Good Home blends pub staples (steaks, burgers, pizzas) with finer touches (brainy salads and brunch dishes) in an iconic historic setting (www.nzherald.co.nz). It’s the one Carnegie library turned gastropub in all of Auckland – an architectural treasure now serving craft beer and cocktails to a new generation (timespanner.blogspot.com) (www.theshout.co.nz).

Events and Programming

The Good Home hosts a mix of weeknight specials and weekend events rather than nightly live bands. Regular weekly events include a popular **Steak Night** (Monday) and **Chicken Parma Thursday** specials, plus quiz and burger deals mid-week (www.ghonehunga.co.nz) (www.ghonehunga.co.nz). On Sundays the pub runs a “Kids Eat Free” promotion after 4pm, making it a destination for families (www.ghonehunga.co.nz). Beverage specials – like Monday to Thursday happy hour (4–6pm jug and wine deals) – also draw locals (www.ghonehunga.co.nz).

In addition to food deals, The Good Home stages comedy and community events. Over the last few years it's hosted well-known New Zealand comedians: for example, shows by Dai Henwood, Paul Douglas, Brendhan Lovegrove and Ben Hurley have sold out on site (www.eventfinda.co.nz). There have also been music and bingo nights (such as a “Beats By Bingo” series in 2021) and charity quiz evenings. More casual live music – local acoustic sets or DJs – pop up from time to time, especially around long weekends. Event ticketing is usually handled online or at the door by promoters; cover charges and ticket prices vary by artist (local comedy nights might be in the mid-$20 range, while big headline acts can be more). Otherwise, spontaneous walk-ins are welcome on most nights. Check the pub’s website or local gig guides for dates, as schedules change each season.

Tickets and Booking

For normal dining and drinking nights at The Good Home, no advance tickets are needed – just turn up. The pub is open seven days a week (see hours below) and serves food and drink on a walk-in basis. However, it’s smart to book ahead if you have a large group or are coming on a busy Friday/Saturday evening. The Good Home’s website (or phone line) accepts table reservations, and you can enquire about private functions via email inquiry (www.ghonehunga.co.nz). For special events like comedy shows, tickets are usually sold in advance by the promoter (often via online ticket sites). Check event listings for “Good Home Onehunga” in the title; when tickets go on sale depends on the act, but it’s common to sell out a week or more in advance for big names. Pricing for events varies: small local acts might be $10–$25, while major acts or charity events could run $50 or more. General admission to the pub itself is free of course; you just pay for your food, drinks and any cover charge for specific shows.

Keep in mind that The Good Home is a restaurant/pub so food and drink pricing is like most midrange Auckland pubs. For example, weekday specials advertise deals like a steak or fish & chips for around NZ$20–$23 (www.ghonehunga.co.nz) (www.ghonehunga.co.nz). Regular à la carte items (burgers, pizza, mains) will typically run NZ$20–$35 each, with appetizers and sides $10–$15. Non-alcoholic drinks, wines and craft beers are all available; happy-hour offers (e.g. $8 house wine or $26 jugs) help keep costs down (www.ghonehunga.co.nz). In short, expect typical pub pricing – decent value but not super cheap – and check the weekly specials (posted online and in-store) for the best deals.

Seating and Layout

The venue’s layout centers on the original library building with an added side pavilion. Inside, the main bar faces the street with backlit shelving and stools. Behind the bar and through a passthrough are dining areas. The interior mixes high communal tables and bar leaners with standard dining tables and banquettes – plenty of booth seating lines the walls (www.theshout.co.nz). To one side there’s a small children’s play corner with toys, and beyond that the large wooden pavilion extension offers more tables under cover. Outdoor seating also wraps around the building, including tables under umbrellas for sunny days.

Acoustics here can get lively: the tin ceilings and hard wood floors make the space sound bright and energetic, so it’s best suited to a bustling pub vibe. If you want to chat quietly, try sitting in a corner booth away from the bar area. In general, “best seats” depend on your taste: window tables have more light and a view of the street, while booths offer coziness. The pavilion extension catches more daylight and breeze (good for summer). Note that there are no reserved “VIP” sections – all seating is first-come unless you’ve booked a function space. Remember that big events (like comedy nights) may mix standing and seated areas, especially near the stage setup.

Getting There and Parking

The Good Home’s address is **55 Princes Street, Onehunga, Auckland 1061** (www.waze.com). It’s a short walk off the southwestern motorway loop (State Highway 20) and right in the heart of historic Onehunga village. If you’re walking or biking, the Onehunga foreshore park is a 5–10 minute stroll north along Portage Road.

For public transport, it’s on several bus routes. Buses from central Auckland (for example, routes 32 and 33 on Dominion Road/Gt. South Road, or local routes on Onehunga Mall) stop just a block away. Onehunga train station (on the Onehunga line) is about a 10–15 minute walk north on Selwyn/Sedley Streets. You could get off at Onehunga Station and walk down George Street to Princes if coming from Britomart or the Manukau trains.

Parking on-site is limited, but there are options nearby. Street parking is available along Princes Street and adjacent side roads; meters apply on weekends, while some free 2-hour roadside spots exist mid-week. The larger public car park at Onehunga Mall (off Captains Road, about 5 minutes’ walk north) is convenient and offers free parking for a couple of hours. Dress Smart (the outlet mall on the edge of Onehunga) and local shops also have paid lots if you’re staying longer. Rideshare (Uber/Zoomy, taxis) can drop you at the door on Princes St. One note: on very busy nights you may have to park a block away and walk – give yourself 10 extra minutes if driving during peak times.

Inside the Venue

Expect an inviting, family pub atmosphere inside. As you step in, the décor balances new and old: modern black-white-gold color accents alongside the restored dark wood floors and columns (www.theshout.co.nz). There’s soft lighting and a mix of seating zones so the space doesn’t feel like one big dining hall. Staff here are typically friendly and welcoming – many reviews note a “homey” vibe – and service is full-table (order at the bar to start, but waitstaff will pour your drinks and bring meals to the table). For connectivity, The Good Home offers free Wi-Fi to guests, and cell reception is generally good (tablets and phones work for mobile apps and navigation).

The kitchen is open 11 am through late every day (closing last mains around 9–10 pm on weeknights, later on weekends). A recent menu highlights fun pub dishes and comfort food: you’ll find seafood platters, gourmet burgers, bangers & mash, as well as adventurous specials (for example, fries topped with blue cheese) and brunch items like a black rice porridge (www.nzherald.co.nz). The bar stocks local craft beers, domestic lagers and boutique wines; there are 13 draught taps and a fridge of bottles, plus a cocktail menu. Non-drinkers and youth will be happy that soft drinks, juices and mocktails are available too.

Facilities: restrooms are at the rear (including an accessible toilet). Coat hooks are provided, but there is no formal cloakroom or charge for stowing small bags. The venue is child- and dog-friendly: highchairs are on hand, and pups on leash are allowed at outdoor tables (www.tripadvisor.com.au). Weekly events sometimes draw crowds, so on busy nights expect a lively, noisy environment with music or TVs – if you prefer a quieter outing consider timing your visit for a weekday or early dinner. As with any pub, doors open mid-morning and get busier after 5 pm; if you have specific seating needs (tables for a group, for example), grab an early reservation.

Nearby Amenities

The Good Home sits in a small commercial area of Onehunga, so there are several eateries and shops within walking distance. Directly around the corner on Onehunga Mall (a handful of shops north and south) you’ll find local cafes and takeaways – for example, a bakery sandwich shop, a Thai restaurant and a couple of fast-food outlets. Onehunga Mall itself is a mini-strip centre with a Countdown supermarket, KFC, Domino’s Pizza and ethnic groceries (10 minutes on foot). For more dining options, the Dress Smart shopping centre (with chain cafes and a food court) is about a 5- to 7-minute drive north on Portage Road. If you arrive early, nearby Onehunga Bay Reserve offers boardwalks and a harbour-view playground – a nice pre- or post-meal stroll.

Hotels are not in this immediate block, but there are accommodations a short drive away. Onehunga’s Howard Technical Secondary School area has a backpacker hostel, and a couple of motels line the approach roads. For more options, Auckland Airport hotels (Ibis styles, Sudima, Novotel) are about 7 km east (roughly a 10-minute drive via the motorway). Downtown Auckland and the CBD are around 15–20 minutes’ drive north on State Highway 20 and 16 if you need bigger hotels, but traffic can add time. In public transport terms, it’s often simpler to stay near Onehunga Station or Manukau and just train in.

What Makes This Venue Special

The Good Home’s personality mainly comes from its setting. It’s not every day you get to eat burgers under the same roof that once sheltered book lovers in 1912. As a heritage building, it’s a true Onehunga landmark – in fact one of only about a dozen Carnegie-funded libraries left nationwide, and the only one in Auckland (timespanner.blogspot.com). That unique history is foregrounded in the decor: Carnegie’s portrait hangs behind the bar, and the owners proudly kept the columns, high ceilings and woodwork (timespanner.blogspot.com) (www.nzherald.co.nz). Architecturally it’s a showpiece of cement and Corinthian columns up front and pressed metal ceilings in the old reading room. Yet inside it feels thoroughly 21st-century: roomy, well-lit and bustling with pub life.

Culturally, the Good Home has injected new energy into Onehunga. Once a quiet town centre, this corner is now business from lunch through dinner. Locals say it’s helped “keep themselves local” by offering a reason to hang out in the neighbourhood rather than drive to the city. Weekend brunches and after-work drinks there are common. The combination of heritage and innovation – pub grub with a hint of restaurant savvy, a kids’ playground plus craft beers – makes it attractive to many demographics. In short, it’s special because it honors the past (category-1 history, Carnegie legacy) while serving the present (comfort, community, creativity). It’s both a living museum and a lively pub, which is a win for Onehunga.

Visitor Tips and Information

Bring ID: Since The Good Home is a licensed pub, NZ law requires anyone drinking alcohol to show photo ID. Carry your driver’s licence or passport. Anyone who looks under 25 should definitely be ready to prove age. Staff may ask, especially on busy nights.

Dress Code & Bags: The vibe is casual – jeans, tees, sundresses and the like are all fine. It’s a pub/restaurant atmosphere, so no formal attire is needed. There is no coat check; coats or rain jackets can be hung on provided hooks. For safety, bags larger than a small backpack might be searched if entering during a special event, but for regular business you can carry handbags or backpacks freely. Photography is allowed for personal use (no professional equipment without permission). Smoking is banned inside (NZ law) – there are outdoor ashtrays if needed.

Accessibility: The Good Home strives to be inclusive. The ground-floor entrance from Princes Street is step-free (there’s a slight ramp at the door), and wheelchair users can navigate most of the pub space. One or two tables are reserved for disabled seating. Restrooms include an accessible-toilet. If you have specific needs (like assistance on entry), calling ahead can ensure staff are ready to help. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout for those using text or maps.

Arrival Strategy: The pub gets busiest Friday and Saturday nights from 6–10 pm. If you need a quiet table, coming just after opening (11–12 pm) or on a Monday/Tuesday evening is recommended. On event nights (especially comedy gigs), arrive early to get good seats; doors often open an hour before showtime. If driving at peak, allow 5–10 minutes extra to park. It’s sensible to check the latest schedule online or call if there’s any doubt about special hours (for example, closing may be earlier on holiday Sundays).

Payment and Tipping: All major bank cards and contactless payments are accepted. New Zealand has a modest tipping culture (5–10% for outstanding service is appreciated but not expected). If dining as a large party, check if a gratuity or service fee is included in any bill.

Behaviour: The Good Home is family-friendly but still a pub. Playful or loud behaviour is tolerated in moderation – after all, it’s a bar – but aggressive or abusive conduct will not be. Staff are attentive to safety; on event nights there may be a doorstaff checking tickets or IDs. Keep hand-held kids within sight of guardians (the play area is for supervised children). The pub atmosphere is lively but not wild; most visitors find it relaxed and welcoming rather than a rowdy nightclub.

COVID and Health Policies: (As of 2025) The Good Home generally follows local guidelines. Masking is optional; hand sanitizer is provided. If health restrictions change (special events might impose seating limits, etc.), check the pub’s announcements. But under normal conditions it operates like any Auckland hospitality venue with full service.