Events and Programming
Errick’s is no longer operating as an event venue. The owner confirmed that the Crawford Street venue closed effective 5 May 2026 after the business entered liquidation proceedings. A June 2026 commercial listing described the premises as a former brewery and function venue available for a new occupant. Future event listings using the Errick’s name should therefore be treated as cancelled, moved or outdated unless a new operator formally announces otherwise.
The most complete verifiable event history begins in late 2023, when Errick’s opened in a converted industrial building near the Exchange and The Oval. Its public programme combined local and touring music with comedy, cabaret, dance, family entertainment, youth showcases, private functions, festivals, markets and community fundraising. The venue’s own promotional material described live music, cabaret and comedy as core strands, while licensing records show repeated evening music events and private functions.
There is no confirmed evidence that Errick’s operated under that name during 2021 or 2022. Council records show the premises appearing publicly as Errick’s in November 2023, when a special licence was issued for its soft opening on 10 November. The venue also held a Summer Thieves album-tour event in early December 2023, followed by private celebrations, a wedding and a line-dancing event in the next few months.
During 2024, the programme broadened considerably. Events included the Garden Groove day party, with house and drum-and-bass selectors; a Saint Patrick’s drum-and-bass programme; an SP:MC DJ appearance; the Spirit of Mixology cocktail festival; Dunedin Fringe performances; Thursday Jams; youth and student band competitions; private balls; and an alcohol-free Dunedin Youth Council event. A sold-out all-ages show in September featured 16 youth bands from around Dunedin, showing that the room was used for emerging musicians as well as nightlife and touring acts.
The 2025 programme included a particularly wide range of artists and formats. The Dunedin Arts Festival used Errick’s for staged readings, contemporary music, classical guitar, folk and alternative music. Named performers and productions included Matt Joe Gow, Braden Southee, The Veils, Li’l Chuck and The Eastern, although The Eastern performance was cancelled while Li’l Chuck continued as a free gig. Other documented bookings included Reb Fountain, The Jordan Luck Band, Corrella, Ash Grunwald, Damage Effect, The Doors Live Tribute, The Dead Circus, Hot Potato Band and Magic Men Australia.
Non-concert uses included the Vintage Roundup clothing and collectables market, the Salmond College Ball, a psychic-medium show, painting and wine sessions, fundraising events, science talks, private company functions and weddings. This mixture explains Errick’s position in the local scene: it was not a specialist rock club, theatre or nightclub, but a flexible mid-sized room able to change from a standing gig to a seated talk, market, ball or private celebration.
Several 2026 events were announced before the closure. The advertised calendar included Runway Revival on 30 April, Kiwi Kids performances, Playlunch, Kath Bee, Alexandr Misko, Magic Men Australia, an Afrikaans comedy show, Clubtopia and Greg Johnson. Runway Revival was listed as a completed event, while later listings for Playlunch, Alexandr Misko, the Kiwi Kids shows, Magic Men, Clubtopia, Greg Johnson and The Veils were marked cancelled or unavailable. No verified Errick’s programme beyond those cancelled listings has been found.
Tickets and Booking
Errick’s did not have one fixed ticket price because each promoter set its own structure. Documented prices provide a useful historical guide: Dunedin Fringe shows ranged from about $20 to $35; Dunedin Arts Festival events at the venue ranged from free admission to approximately $25–$59; a psychic-medium show offered general admission around $70 and a pensioner rate around $60; and the 2025 Vintage Roundup charged a $2 entry fee. Some recurring community and student events were free or koha-based.
Ticket sales were normally handled by the individual promoter, with general admission the dominant arrangement. The Arts Festival listings identified the venue as general admission, and many music events were promoted as standing shows rather than reserved-seat performances. Prices, age limits, door times, refunds and booking fees varied by event. There is no current Errick’s box office because the venue closed in May 2026.
For popular shows, the safest historical approach was to buy as soon as a promoter announced the event, particularly for limited-capacity festivals, youth showcases and touring acts. Several events were sold out or later closed to sales. Buyers should not rely on old listings now: a date may remain visible in search results even after the event has been cancelled or the venue has ceased trading. ticketfairy.com
About Errick’s Venue Dunedin
Errick’s was a privately developed live music and event venue at 218 Crawford Street, with a connected Princes Street space and car park at 649 Princes Street. It was created by members of the Oxley-Lobo and Lobo families to address what they described as a shortage of functional mid-sized music venues in Dunedin. The owners also had hospitality and live-music experience through other local businesses and festivals.
The building had previously operated as the New New New brewery. Later property information described it as a restored circa-1870s horse stable retaining exposed brickwork and timber roof trusses. That history gave the venue its industrial character: high ceilings, large open floor areas, loading access and a visual contrast between old masonry and contemporary bars, lighting and production equipment.
Capacity figures varied because the venue was marketed for different layouts and because its licensing position changed over time. Promotional material described the main venue as holding 300 people. Dunedin’s business-events guide listed 300 for cocktail functions, 250 theatre-style, 240 banquet-style and 120 classroom-style. Early reporting described a planned 500-capacity venue, but noted that the operating capacity was initially 300 while further consents were pursued. Licensing records later referred to a general maximum occupancy of 120 under temporary authority, with special licences allowing larger event capacities; one 2024 event was capped at 300.
The wider premises measured approximately 668 square metres according to the 2026 commercial listing. The identified areas included a 299-square-metre open-plan ground floor, a 50-square-metre bar and amenities area, a 37-square-metre mezzanine office or kitchenette, and 127 square metres of storage. A side loading bay, dual-level loading access and an adjoining two-level chiller were also recorded. These figures describe the building rather than a guaranteed event-floor capacity.
Seating and Layout
Errick’s was primarily a flexible, general-admission venue rather than a fixed-seat auditorium. Standing concert layouts used the open floor in front of the stage, while seated concerts, talks and festival performances could be arranged in theatre style. The business-events guide listed a 250-person theatre configuration and a 240-person banquet configuration, but no permanent seat map or numbered seating plan was published.
The main space featured a 10-metre ceiling, exposed beams, a large bar, drive-in access and second-storey viewing platforms. The Princes Street room was a smaller industrial-style space with its own bar and courtyard access, and could be hired separately or combined with the main venue. The outdoor courtyard connected the event areas and was also used for food service and informal gathering.
For standing music, the clearest view was generally near the centre line of the floor, while the second-storey platforms offered an elevated perspective when available to the public. For seated performances, sightlines depended on the promoter’s temporary arrangement. Because the building was a converted industrial space with high ceilings, the sound experience could change substantially between a busy standing gig, a sparsely attended acoustic show and a heavily furnished private function.
Production, Sound and Lighting
Errick’s published a detailed in-house production inventory. The front-of-house system used an Adamson S-Series PA with S10P loudspeakers, four S119 subwoofers and QSC K12.2 delay speakers. Mixing was built around a Midas M32 console with DL32 stage box, supported by four FMX12 foldback monitors and two eight-channel sub-snakes.
The microphone package included Shure SM58 and SM57 microphones, a Beta 58A, Sennheiser e835 and e845 microphones, a TM58 and an Audix OM3. Direct-injection equipment included Behringer Ultra-DI units and Chord active DI boxes. The stated inventory suggests the venue could handle standard rock, pop, electronic and spoken-word requirements without every promoter bringing a complete audio system.
Lighting was described as an eight-fixture SlimPAR Pro H package. The standard stage measured 6 metres by 4 metres and stood approximately 800 millimetres high. Backline included a Fender Deluxe amplifier, Roland Jazz Chorus 120, an Ampeg SVT Pro 3 with Fender Bassman 410H cabinet, a keyboard stand and stool, and a 1980s four-piece Tama Swingstar drum kit. Musicians were expected to supply some items, including a kick pedal, cymbals and snare.
Getting There and Parking
The former gig entrance was at 218 Crawford Street, while the Princes Street entrance and car park were at 649 Princes Street. Event information directed giggoers to the large arched Crawford Street door in the brick building. The site could also be approached through the courtyard from the Princes Street car park.
The venue advertised free on-site parking at 649 Princes Street on a first-come, first-served basis. The 2026 property listing also confirmed off-street parking and dual access through Crawford Street and the rear courtyard. No guaranteed parking space should be assumed for a future operator, however, because the site is now a former venue and the property configuration may change.
Public transport access was relatively straightforward because Princes Street is one of Dunedin’s main bus corridors between South Dunedin and the central city. The nearest practical reference point was The Oval, with bus stops on Princes Street and the central Bus Hub on Great King Street providing connections across the Orbus network. Timetables and routes change, so visitors attending a future event at the address should check the current service pattern rather than rely on old event information.
Taxis and rideshare vehicles could reach the Crawford Street or Princes Street frontage, subject to normal road restrictions. No dedicated rideshare pick-up bay was published. For late-night travel, booking a taxi or rideshare before leaving was the more reliable option because evening bus frequencies can be lower than daytime services.
Inside the Venue
When operating, Errick’s offered a bar with alcoholic, low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. The courtyard food truck served bar snacks during gigs, while private functions could use tailored drinks service and bring in outside catering. The Princes Street side also operated as a cafe and smaller event space.
Doors were usually advertised as opening about an hour before the advertised performance time, allowing guests to buy food or drinks before the artist came on. Set times varied by promoter and act. Visitors generally entered through security, proceeded to the bar or performance floor, and used a general-admission arrangement unless a particular event specified seating.
The venue’s industrial styling was softened by a courtyard, bar areas, warm interior lighting and the connected accommodation. Property and visitor descriptions repeatedly highlighted the combination of exposed brick, open space, unusual lighting and a more homely atmosphere than a large arena.
Accessibility and Inclusive Facilities
Errick’s accessibility information recorded step-free public access through the main entrance, with no public stairs required to reach the venue. The entrance door could open to 980 millimetres with one leaf or 1,470 millimetres with both leaves, although a slight lip was present at the threshold. Seats could be removed or rearranged for wheelchair users.
The venue had two gender-neutral bathrooms, reachable from either the bar or performance space. One accessible bathroom measured approximately 2,060 millimetres by 2,060 millimetres, with accessible-height fittings and an L-shaped grab rail. Service dogs were welcome. No reserved accessible car parks were identified.
No formal ADA certification was published; ADA is a United States framework and does not describe New Zealand venue compliance. The documented features are therefore best understood as practical accessibility information rather than a legal certification. The low lighting and moving LED strip reported in the bathrooms may matter to visitors with sensory or visual needs.
Nearby Amenities
Errick’s was close to Dunedin’s Exchange, Princes Street, Crawford Street and Octagon areas, where visitors could find cafes, restaurants, bars and hotels within the central city. The venue’s own cafe, courtyard food truck and bar often reduced the need to travel before a show, but full dinner options were available elsewhere along Princes Street and around the Exchange.
For a former event night, arriving 45–60 minutes before the advertised start would have allowed time to park, find the correct entrance, pass through security and order food or drinks. This was especially useful for general-admission shows, where arriving early improved the chance of a clear view near the front or centre of the room.
What Made Errick’s Special
Errick’s mattered because it attempted to fill a specific gap in Ōtepoti: a privately run, mid-sized room large enough for touring acts but flexible enough for local bands, youth events, community festivals and private functions. Dunedin has a strong live-music identity, but several historic venues had closed or changed use. Errick’s was presented as part of an effort to rebuild the city’s live-music infrastructure rather than simply operate as another bar.
The building’s character was central to the experience. A former brewery and restored horse stable, it combined exposed brick and timber roof structure with an elevated viewing platform, drive-in loading access, a substantial production system and a courtyard. That made it feel more like a converted warehouse than a conventional theatre, while its technical inventory gave touring and local acts a practical production base.
Visitor feedback was mixed but often positive. An online review aggregation recorded a 4.5 rating from 22 reviews, with comments describing the atmosphere as energetic but homely and praising event organisation, staff helpfulness and the unusual space. A later anecdotal comment alleged technical problems, poor toilets and expensive bar service. That criticism was not independently verified and should be read alongside, rather than treated as a replacement for, the broader review record.
The venue’s cultural contribution was visible in its support for youth bands, emerging artists, festival programming, free community performances and fundraising events. No publicly verified economic-impact study quantified jobs, visitor spending or supplier benefits, but the event record shows Errick’s functioning as a recurring platform for local performers, touring acts, hospitality workers, promoters and community organisations until its closure.
Visitor Tips and Information
Because Errick’s has closed, there are no current door rules, age restrictions, ticket sales or event-day facilities to rely on. During its operating period, the venue described itself as licensed and supervised, and stated that under-18s had to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Individual event conditions could still vary, particularly for alcohol-free, all-ages, restricted or 18-plus programmes.
There was no universal bag policy, photography rule or dress code published in the sources reviewed. Dress requirements were event-specific: for example, Clubtopia advertised a glitter and disco theme, while concerts generally operated as ordinary casual live-music events. Visitors should not assume that an old event’s rules apply to a new operator or future use of the building.
The most important practical mistake to avoid now is buying a ticket for an old Errick’s listing without checking whether the event was cancelled, relocated or refunded. Several 2026 listings were explicitly marked cancelled after the closure, and the building was subsequently marketed for lease. There is currently no confirmed Errick’s programme to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Errick’s Venue Dunedin still open?
No. The operator confirmed that Errick’s and another Dunedin venue closed effective 5 May 2026. A commercial property listing published in June 2026 described the Crawford Street premises as previously used as a brewery and function venue and available for a new occupant. No verified reopening under the Errick’s name has been identified.
Where was Errick’s Venue located?
The main gig entrance was at 218 Crawford Street, Dunedin 9016. The connected Princes Street side, cafe and car park were at 649 Princes Street. Event information directed concertgoers to the large arched door on Crawford Street, while the courtyard and parking were reached from Princes Street. These addresses describe the former venue, not a current operating business.
What kind of events did Errick’s host?
Errick’s hosted touring concerts, local band nights, electronic music, comedy, cabaret, dance, family shows, festival events, staged readings, markets, balls, weddings, corporate functions and community fundraisers. Its programme included both standing general-admission gigs and seated cultural events. The venue was designed to change configuration rather than serve only one specialist audience.
Did Errick’s host Dunedin Fringe events?
Yes. Documented Fringe programming included Tune in a Bucket, Renegade Cabaret and Eclectique!, covering musical comedy, cabaret, circus, dance and LGBTQ+ performance. The venue’s accessible entrance and flexible seating were specifically described in the Fringe venue information. The listed prices for those shows ranged from approximately $20 to $35.
What was Errick’s maximum capacity?
The answer depended on the layout and licence. Promotional material described the main venue as holding 300 people, while Dunedin’s business-events guide listed 250 theatre-style, 300 cocktail and 240 banquet capacity. Earlier reporting discussed a possible 500-person future capacity, but licensing records also recorded a temporary general occupancy limit of 120 at one stage. Special licences could permit larger events.
Was Errick’s a seated theatre?
No permanent auditorium seating or numbered seat map was published. Errick’s was mainly a flexible, general-admission event room. Promoters could arrange theatre seating for talks, classical concerts or staged work, while music and electronic events commonly used a standing floor. The business-events guide recorded a theatre-style capacity of 250, but seating was temporary rather than fixed.
Did Errick’s have a balcony or viewing platform?
Yes. Venue-hire information described second-storey viewing platforms overlooking the main event space. Their availability to the public could depend on the event layout, crowd management and promoter arrangements. The platforms were one of the venue’s more distinctive viewing features, particularly for standing events, although no permanent public seating policy was published.
What sound system did Errick’s use?
The published system included an Adamson S-Series PA, four S119 subwoofers, QSC K12.2 delay speakers, a Midas M32 console with DL32 stage box, four FMX12 foldbacks and two eight-channel sub-snakes. The microphone package included Shure, Sennheiser and Audix models. The system was intended to support live bands, electronic music, spoken-word events and touring production.
What stage size did Errick’s have?
The listed in-house stage measured 6 metres wide by 4 metres deep and stood about 800 millimetres high. Backline included several guitar, keyboard and bass amplification options plus a four-piece Tama drum kit. Musicians still needed to confirm event-specific requirements because some items, including a kick pedal, cymbals and snare, were listed as bring-your-own equipment.
Was Errick’s wheelchair accessible?
Historical venue information described step-free access through the main entrance, with no public stairs needed. The entrance could open to 980 millimetres with one door leaf or 1,470 millimetres with both. Seats could be moved for wheelchair users, and one gender-neutral bathroom measured approximately 2,060 by 2,060 millimetres with accessible fittings and an L-shaped rail.
Did Errick’s have accessible parking?
The venue advertised free on-site parking at 649 Princes Street, but the accessibility information stated that no specifically reserved accessible parks were provided. Visitors with mobility needs could use the step-free courtyard approach, but the threshold had a slight lip. Because the premises has since changed status, any future operator would need to confirm current parking and access arrangements.
Could under-18s attend Errick’s concerts?
The venue stated that it was a licensed, supervised venue and that under-18s had to be accompanied at all times by a parent or legal guardian. Event organisers could impose different conditions, including all-ages, alcohol-free or 18-plus restrictions. The September 2024 youth event was advertised as alcohol-free, illustrating how conditions could change according to the programme.
Did Errick’s serve food and drinks?
Yes, during its operating period. The venue described a courtyard food truck serving bar snacks during gigs, plus a bar offering alcoholic, low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. The Princes Street side also operated as a cafe and smaller event space. Private-hire customers could arrange drinks service and bring in outside catering, subject to the event agreement.
Was parking free at Errick’s?
The venue advertised free parking at 649 Princes Street on a first-come, first-served basis. This was a venue-specific offer during the operating period and should not be assumed to continue after closure. The subsequent commercial listing confirmed off-street parking at the property but did not guarantee public event parking for a future tenant.
How could visitors reach Errick’s by bus?
The venue was near Princes Street and The Oval, on a major Dunedin bus corridor linking South Dunedin with the central city. Visitors could also connect through the central Bus Hub on Great King Street and walk south towards the Crawford Street area. Routes and timetables change, so historical event directions should not be used as current travel instructions.
Why was Errick’s important to Dunedin’s music scene?
Errick’s was created to provide a mid-sized room between small bars and major theatres or stadium spaces. It offered local bands, touring acts, youth musicians, festival producers and community groups a flexible venue with in-house production, staging, backline and a courtyard. Its closure removed one of the newer spaces built specifically around Dunedin’s live-music recovery.
What happened to 2026 Errick’s events?
Some early-2026 events were listed before the closure, including Runway Revival. Later listings for Playlunch, Alexandr Misko, the Kiwi Kids concerts, Magic Men Australia, The Veils, Clubtopia and Greg Johnson were subsequently marked cancelled or unavailable. Ticket holders were directed through the relevant event organisers for refund information. No replacement programme under the Errick’s name is currently verified.
