About Lava Bar The
Lava Bar The (often just called "Lava Bar") was a bar-and-grill nightclub in central Rotorua, located at 1286 Arawa Street (www.kiwistrippers.co.nz). It opened in 2008 (www.kiwiaddresshistory.com) and became an iconic local venue, attached to the Base Rotorua (formerly Hot Rocks/HOT backpacker hostel) (publocation.co.nz). The Lava Bar was promoted as Rotorua’s “No#1 party bar” (www.kiwistrippers.co.nz), featuring loud dance music, vibrant lava‐themed lighting, and rock-inspired décor to echo the thermal energy of the region. Open seven nights a week (www.kiwistrippers.co.nz), it proved especially popular with backpackers and young travellers. The venue was known for lively crowds and late-night hours, making it long one of Rotorua’s hottest nightlife spots. (Note: Lava Bar permanently closed in the mid-2020s (wanderlog.com).)
Events and Programming
In its heyday, Lava Bar hosted a mix of live-music events, DJ club nights, and themed parties. Weekends often brought dedicated club nights staffed by local and visiting DJs spinning electronic, hip-hop or reggae tunes. The venue also occasionally featured touring acts – for example, in March 2019 Lava Bar hosted the “Light It Up – NZ Tour” featuring R&B artists Richie Cattell and Darnell Wilson (www.ticketfairy.com). The calendar frequently included special events like tribal theme nights, foam parties, quiz or karaoke nights, and cultural showcases tied to Rotorua’s Maori heritage or backpacker culture. Cover charges varied by event; some nights had only a modest entry fee (or none), while larger concerts sold tickets and often featured all-ages audiences (Lava Bar’s events have been listed on New Zealand ticket platforms (www.ticketfairy.com)). Overall, the schedule was busy – the bar prided itself on “Party 7 nights a week!” (www.kiwistrippers.co.nz), so guests could usually find an event any night of the week.
Tickets and Booking
For most club nights, tickets weren’t needed – you could just arrive before peak time and pay any cover at the door. Regular Friday/Saturday DJ nights often had free or low-cost entry for early arrivals. By contrast, the bigger rock or R&B concerts usually required advance tickets. These were typically sold online or through local promoters; for instance, the Ticket Fairy platform handled events there in past seasons (www.ticketfairy.com). When ticketing was used, prices were generally affordable (often in the NZ$10–$30 range depending on the act). There isn’t an on-site box office – instead organisers used New Zealand ticket sites or the venue’s social‐media channels. In practice, the best strategy for a popular show was to reserve online or phone ahead, and then arrive well before start time to secure a spot early on the dance floor.
Seating and Layout
Inside Lava Bar, the layout prioritized dancing and mingling over formal seating. The main space was a single long room: a central dance floor faced a stage/DJ booth at one end, and a full-length bar ran along a side wall. There were a few high tables and bench seats around the edges, but no fixed or tiered seating – most patrons stood or danced. This open-plan design meant most spots had a good view of the music area, though round tables near the back offered a slightly quieter dining zone. A unique feature was a small outdoor deck (at the Bay of Plenty-facing side of the venue) where patrons could step out for fresh air or a smoke (blacklabelbarbecue.co.nz). While there was no formal VIP section, guests could stake out vantage points near the stage or on the elevated deck for the best sightlines. The sound system was reportedly “state-of-the-art” (publocation.co.nz), and the room’s acoustics were tuned for live performances – so even from the far end you could feel the bass pounding, though near the door could be a bit loud for conversation.
Getting There and Parking
Lava Bar is centrally located at 1286 Arawa Street, between Fenton St and Haupapa St in downtown Rotorua (www.kiwistrippers.co.nz). By car, take the main roads into the CBD and look for metered parking on Arawa and nearby streets. Council parking machines use a pay-by-plate system: most street spaces cost about NZ$2 per hour, monitored Monday–Friday from 9am–5pm and Saturday to noon (parking outside these hours is free) (www.rotoruanz.com). For longer stays, the multi-story public car park at 1222 Pukuatua Street is convenient – it opens daily 6am–11pm and offers the first hour free, then about $1 per hour after that (www.rotoruanz.com). Two mobility parking bays are provided on each local street for disabled access (www.rotoruanz.com). If you prefer public transport, Rotorua’s Cityride buses (Baybus) all radiate from the central Arawa Street hub, right near Lava Bar (www.rotoruanz.com). Simply catch any Cityride route that lists “Arawa” or “CBD” – they all stop at the downtown attractor. Taxis and ride-share drop-offs can pull up on Arawa Street or neighbouring roads. Many nearby hotels and hostels (including Base Rotorua upstairs) are within easy walking distance, so you can often stroll to the bar from local accommodations.
Inside the Venue
Expect a casual, energetic atmosphere once you step inside Lava Bar. The entry was staffed by bouncers checking ID, so you’ll be asked for photo ID to prove age (wanderlog.com). After that, you enter an airy club space with neon/red lighting and music blasting. A coat rack was usually available near the door for jackets and bags. The large bar serves both alcoholic drinks and a full food menu. In fact, Lava Bar doubled as a grill, offering bar food like hand-cut fries and house-special burgers (lunchtime.co.nz). (Regulars mentioned items like the “CHUR BURGER” with beef, bacon and onion rings (lunchtime.co.nz).) Kiwi beef steaks and local craft beers were also on offer – one reviewer even praised “awesome kai” (excellent food) and speedy service when dining there (www.kiwistrippers.co.nz). Take note: the venue had free Wi-Fi from the hostel network and limited cellphone coverage, so signal could be patchy during peak events. Facilities included restrooms at the back, and a small area by the entrance for merchandise or promotions. Overall, Lava Bar felt friendly and informal: expect people in T-shirts and jeans (no tie required), with lively music and friendly locals inviting you to dance. Just keep track of your belongings in the crowds, and you’ll have a safe, fun night out at what was once Rotorua’s premier party bar.
Nearby Amenities
When planning a night at Lava Bar, you’ll find plenty of convenience steps away. The venue is literally part of a hostel/hotel complex (Base Rotorua/Hot Rocks Backpackers) (publocation.co.nz), so visitors often stay right above the bar. Other nearby lodgings include the Arawa Park Hotel (next door) and larger hotels like the Holiday Inn and Pullman on adjacent streets. For food before or after the show, downtown Rotorua offers a variety of options. Just around the corner on Fenton Street are casual eateries serving pizza, Asian and Pacific cuisines, and the Social Club gastropub. Closer still is Black Label Barbecue (the Lava Bar’s successor on the same address), which offers American BBQ fare. CaféWolf or Ritual Café on Pukuatua Street are popular pre-show coffee stops. The inner city also has grocers and bottle shops if you need provisions. Since the area is flat and safe to walk, many patrons wander the CBD’s restaurants and bars before lining up. After your time at Lava Bar, late-night taxis and rideshares are usually available on Fenton Avenue or outside the Pullman – just allow 10–15 minutes for pickup on a busy Saturday night.
What Makes This Venue Special
Lava Bar’s uniqueness came from the mix of its setting and spirit. As a hostel-linked nightclub, it blended Rotorua’s Kiwi pub culture with an international party vibe. It was one of few spots downtown offering non-stop music and dancing – in a town known for geothermal parks, Lava Bar brought a different kind of heat with nightly live entertainment. Local party legends include spontaneous foam parties, “mozzie nights” (mosh pit evenings), and impromptu jam sessions on stage. Because it catered to backpackers and branches of the adventure tourism crowd, stories of wild Kiwi meet-ups and global backpacker friendships abound. Architecturally, the simple warehouse-like space (with its lava-lamp colors and rocky wall textures) gave the bar its name and ambience. It’s also remembered for dinners: food critic Pete from Rotorua enthused about the juicy steak cafés, saying “awesome kai” (great food) and friendly service (www.kiwistrippers.co.nz). In short, Lava Bar mattered in Rotorua’s scene because it was the go-to place for unfiltered fun and communal vibes. (By 2023, the Lava Bar name was retired – its place and team now operate under the Black Label BBQ restaurant on Arawa St (wanderlog.com) – but many local patrons and travellers still recall Lava Bar’s legendary nights fondly.)
Visitor Tips and Information
Plan your visit wisely to make the most of Lava Bar’s lively hours. Bring a valid photo ID (passport or NZ driver’s licence) – it’s mandatory to get through the door (wanderlog.com). Arrive early, especially on Friday/Saturday: popular nights can get queues or fill up by 10pm. If you want a spot near the stage or on the dance floor, coming before 9:30pm is wise. The dress code is casual-smart: many Kiwis wear jeans, sneakers or clean shoes (no shorts or singlets if it can be avoided) (datescloud.com). Professional photographers or large bags may be asked to check their items – only personal belongings and pocket items are normally allowed. Don’t attempt to sneak in food or alcohol from outside; the venue has its own kitchen and bar, and outside drinks aren’t permitted. Wallet note: the bar accepts card and EFTPOS, but it’s NZ custom to “shout” rounds of drinks when among friends. Smoking is only allowed on the outdoor deck (as required by law), so plan to step outside for a cigarette. Remember, unlike dive bars, tipping isn’t expected in New Zealand – prompt ordering and polite "kia ora" or "thank you" will go a long way. Lastly, if you have mobility needs, Lava Bar’s floor is flat with a ramped entrance, so wheelchairs can enter (www.kiwiaddresshistory.com) (though old venues sometimes have narrow doorways, so feel free to call ahead if in doubt). By keeping these tips in mind – ID, timing, casual attire and good manners – you’ll fit right in and enjoy what was Rotorua’s one-of-a-kind party bar.
