Events and Programming
There are no regular events at the former Laundry venue at 240 Cuba Street. The original bar and gig space has closed, been stripped out and is now advertised as a blank commercial tenancy. Laundry’s name has nevertheless returned through occasional pop-up events, particularly DJ-led parties and festival collaborations. The most substantial recent revival was Laundry Comeback Weekend in May 2026, held at Afters on Dixon Street rather than at the former Cuba Street address. The advertised Saturday programme ran from 8pm to 3am, featured Empress, Lord Woo, OnlyPhans and Dr Bazz, and was promoted as an 18-plus event with tickets listed at NZ$40.
Laundry also returned as a pop-up partner during the 2026 CubaDupa programme at Wellington Seamarket on Cuba Street. That outdoor yard party was built around DJs, roaming performers, craft beer, seafood and a large sound system, with a line-up including Ezzy, Halo, Footspa, Communicate, Byte Size, Dr Bazz, OnlyPhans, Empress, Banana Ed, Lord Woo and Mystori. The festival listing described the temporary venue as wheelchair accessible, although it also warned of uneven ground.
Recent Laundry-branded activity shows that the project’s identity is now more portable than site-specific. In 2024, Laundry was associated with a Newtown Festival after-party at a temporary venue on Constable Street, featuring Laundry DJs, Redbird Junior, Benthamism and Snake Oil. In 2025, the brand appeared in a CubaDupa back-alley or yard-party setting. These events suggest a continuing preference for informal, theatrical, late-afternoon or late-night gatherings rather than conventional seated concerts.
When the Cuba Street venue was operating, its programming covered live bands, house and techno nights, boogie, drum and bass, disco, Latin music, themed parties, guest DJs, album launches, private dance events and festival side-programmes. Recurring formats included Latin fiesta nights with mariachi and salsa, regular DJ sets, boogie nights and late-night dance sessions. On Fridays and Saturdays, staff reportedly cleared dining furniture to create a dancefloor, lowered the blinds and added haze and laser lighting.
Archived 2021 listings show the breadth of the final period. They include Rinse & Repeat, a house-music night; Housing Project takeovers with Marcos Alonso, Seraphim and Jon Helix; a Max Maxwell album-remix launch; private invite-only dance parties; a Sensonauts event mixing house, bass and jungle; and Pick-n-Mix, a fancy-dress party moving from downtempo house and Afro House into deep tech. A December 2021 event was advertised as running from 7pm to 3am and required vaccine-pass checks under the traffic-light system.
The surviving event record does not provide a complete list of every performance from 2021 to 2026. It does, however, establish a clear booking pattern: local selectors, independent promoters, genre-blending electronic music, inclusive or costume-led parties, occasional international dance artists and community-focused festival collaborations. No verified permanent reopening or regular 2027 programme has been announced as of 17 September 2026.
Tickets and Booking
Because Laundry is no longer a permanent venue, there is no standing box office, venue ticket window or regular on-site ticket policy. Tickets for Laundry-branded revivals are sold on an event-by-event basis by the promoter or host venue. The May 2026 comeback event was listed as an 18-plus night, with a NZ$40 price shown for the Saturday programme. Older archived events demonstrate a lower historical range: some nights were free before a stated time, some charged around NZ$10 at the door, and other ticketed parties advertised advance prices around NZ$25 with higher door prices around NZ$30.
For future Laundry pop-ups, check the exact event listing rather than relying on old information about 240 Cuba Street. Confirm the host address, age restriction, door time, ticket release stage, refund terms and whether the event is general admission. A Laundry-branded event may now take place in a nightclub, festival yard, temporary warehouse or another bar, so the layout and access arrangements can change significantly from one event to the next.
Popular revival events are likely to reward early buying. Laundry’s strongest historical nights combined a recognisable local crowd with limited capacity, and several archived events used guest lists, private invitations or limited numbers. Arriving early is also sensible where a programme begins as a social or dining event and changes into a dancefloor later in the night.
About Laundry
Laundry was a small, hybrid hospitality and music venue in Te Aro, best known for its former premises at 240 Cuba Street near Abel Smith Street. It began in the early 2010s when three friends converted an old dry cleaner or laundromat into a lounge-bar for food, drinks, friends and live music. Contemporary accounts describe the founders as tradesmen rather than experienced hospitality operators, with the space developing organically into a café, bar, restaurant, nightclub, community hangout and informal speakeasy.
The business was distinctive because it resisted a single identity. It could function as a casual restaurant in the early evening, a cocktail bar later on, a live-music room during a gig and a small club after midnight. Its audience included artists, musicians, hospitality workers, alternative-radio listeners, local DJs, students and regulars who preferred Upper Cuba Street to the larger Courtenay Place nightlife circuit.
The name reflected the building’s earlier use as a laundromat or dry-cleaning premises. Rather than hiding that history, the operators made it part of the venue’s visual language. The result was described in contemporary coverage as a grungy, welcoming interior mixing 1960s styling, junk-shop objects, kitsch decoration and repurposed character. A caravan kitchen in the rear courtyard became one of the venue’s most recognisable features.
Laundry closed after the operators’ lease ended or approached its end in June 2022. A contemporary public announcement said the nine-year lease was due to finish in mid-June and that the team was looking for another permanent or one-off location. Later commentary linked the closure to rent increases and the difficulty of sustaining a late-night venue in the post-pandemic city. Some retrospective listings give a later final-trading date, but the contemporaneous closure announcement and subsequent reporting make clear that the Cuba Street business did not continue as a normal permanent venue.
Capacity, Seating and Layout
No authoritative operating capacity, room-by-room dimensions or approved concert configuration for Laundry has been published in the surviving venue information. Visitors should therefore avoid treating third-party capacity figures as definitive. The former premises were intimate rather than arena-sized, with a dining area that could be rearranged for dancing and a small rear courtyard. Archived descriptions consistently present Laundry as a compact bar and club, not a seated theatre.
A current commercial description of the emptied premises gives an internal floor area of approximately 123 square metres and a rear courtyard of approximately 35 square metres. That description refers to the stripped-out tenancy, not the former event fit-out, and should not be read as a published audience capacity. The same listing records three toilets, including one accessible facility.
Historically, the best viewing position depended on the event. For a live band, standing near the middle of the room would have offered a balanced view and sound picture. For DJ nights, the centre of the dancefloor would have provided the fullest atmosphere, while the edges and courtyard were better for conversation. Dining furniture occupied the room earlier in the evening but was removed or rearranged for late-night programming. There were no verified fixed stalls, balcony, reserved premium section or formal VIP seating arrangement.
Architecture, Design and Technical Character
Laundry’s architectural importance came less from a grand heritage interior than from its adaptive reuse of an ordinary former service premises. The operators transformed a laundromat or dry cleaner into a deliberately informal social venue, retaining the sense of a narrow, practical street-level building while adding eclectic furniture, bright decorative objects, a bar, dining area and rear courtyard. Its charm came from the mismatch between the building’s utilitarian past and the lively food-and-music programme inside.
Technical details were not published in the form of a full venue specification or production rider. Archived event material does identify an in-house Tub’s Audio sound system, and event coverage repeatedly refers to haze, lasers, a DJ booth and a room capable of changing from dining space to dancefloor. The 2026 comeback listing promoted a “great sound system”, but it was hosted at a different venue and should not be treated as evidence about the former Cuba Street installation.
There is no verified public information about the former venue’s amplifier inventory, loudspeaker models, mixing-console specification, stage dimensions, rigging points, lighting plot, video system, power supply, dressing rooms, loading access or production staffing. Artists and promoters should not assume that the former Laundry equipment remains at 240 Cuba Street or is available for future pop-ups.
Getting There and Parking
The former Laundry address was 240 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington, close to the Abel Smith Street intersection. Cuba Street is a central, walkable entertainment precinct with cafés, bars, restaurants, shops and nearby performance spaces. The former venue is no longer an event destination, so this address should only be used for historical orientation or for visiting a future business occupying the tenancy.
For events using the former site or the surrounding Cuba Street area, public transport was generally the simplest option. The nearest central bus connections are around Manners Street and Cuba Street, with additional services along Taranaki Street, Willis Street and Courtenay Place. From the Wellington railway station, the area is walkable for visitors comfortable with a central-city walk, or reachable by a short bus connection. Check the current stop information on the day because Wellington bus routes and stop locations can change.
Nearby parking has included the Cuba Street car park at 151 Cuba Street. Published 2026 rates list casual parking from NZ$6, a 12-hour maximum from NZ$30, weekday night rates from NZ$5 and weekend rates from NZ$5, although charges can change. The entrance is via Cuba Street into Swan Lane. Street parking in the immediate Cuba Street area is limited, and the former venue’s frontage was not a dedicated event drop-off zone.
For a future Laundry pop-up, use the address printed on that event’s ticket rather than navigating to 240 Cuba Street. A rideshare or taxi should be directed to the host venue’s legal street entrance, especially where an event occupies an uneven outdoor yard or a pedestrianised section of Cuba Street.
Inside the Venue and Visitor Experience
Archived visitor accounts consistently praise Laundry’s quirky atmosphere, friendly staff, burgers, craft beer, cocktails and vegetarian or vegan options. The food was served from the bar and rear caravan kitchen, with menus described as Southern, Creole, Mexican and soul-food influenced. Reviewers particularly mentioned burgers, vegan burgers, tacos, margaritas and the informal transition from dinner to dancing.
The same reviews provide useful cautions. Some visitors found the venue dark, crowded or increasingly noisy as the night progressed. One archived review complained that contactless payment was not available at the time. These comments relate to the former business and should not be assumed to apply to the host venues used for Laundry’s later pop-ups.
There is no verified current information about coat check, merchandise, Wi-Fi, phone charging, formal security procedures or a permanent bag policy. Historical event listings show that entry rules varied: some nights required identification, some used guest lists, some had limited capacity, and pandemic-era events required scanning or vaccine-pass checks. Expect the host venue’s rules to control each new event.
Accessibility and Inclusive Facilities
Information about accessibility at the former operating venue is incomplete. The current description of 240 Cuba Street records an accessible toilet, but it does not establish the full route from pavement to entrance, door widths, internal circulation, accessible viewing space, hearing support or the suitability of the former dancefloor for mobility devices. There is also no verified venue-specific statement confirming step-free entry or reserved accessible seating during Laundry’s original operation.
The 2026 CubaDupa Laundry pop-up was explicitly described as wheelchair accessible but warned that the outdoor surface was uneven. That is useful for festival visitors but cannot be transferred to a nightclub, warehouse or other venue used for a separate Laundry event. Visitors who need step-free access, an accessible toilet, seating, a support person or a quieter entry should confirm those details against the individual event information before purchasing.
Laundry’s programming history did include consent-focused and community-minded parties. A 2021 private event described consent as a central expectation, allowed expressive dress and framed the night around respectful participation. That provides evidence of an inclusive event ethos, but each promoter remains responsible for publishing and enforcing current safety, conduct and access policies.
Nearby Amenities
The former site sits within Upper Cuba Street and Te Aro, one of Wellington’s densest areas for cafés, casual restaurants, bars, independent shops and late-night food. Visitors attending a future event in the same precinct can generally plan to eat or have a drink within walking distance, but opening hours vary sharply by day and season. Allow extra time on festival weekends, when Cuba Street may include temporary stages, road restrictions or pedestrian diversions.
Hotels and serviced accommodation are spread through Te Aro and the central city. The railway station, waterfront, Te Papa and Courtenay Place are all within a practical central-city journey. After late events, pre-arrange a rideshare or taxi if you are travelling beyond the central area, and remember that public transport frequency can reduce overnight. The former Laundry venue itself should not be treated as a late-night meeting point.
What Makes Laundry Special
Laundry mattered because it joined several parts of Wellington’s cultural life that are often kept separate. It was a neighbourhood bar, a casual restaurant, a small club, a live-music room and a gathering point for people working in hospitality and the arts. Its programme could move from burgers and conversation to Latin dancing, disco, house, bass music or drum and bass without requiring a change of venue.
The venue also represented the vulnerability of small nightlife businesses. Its closure followed the pressures of COVID-era disruption, rising costs and lease uncertainty, while wider reporting on Cuba Street documented independent businesses being forced out by rent increases and difficult trading conditions. The precise financial contribution of Laundry has not been published, but its role in employing hospitality staff, commissioning DJs and performers, attracting late-night visitors and giving local promoters a small room was evident from the programme and contemporary commentary.
The current pop-up model preserves part of that legacy. Rather than pretending that the old room still exists, Laundry events now borrow other spaces and rebuild the atmosphere through DJs, performers, food, outdoor courtyards, costumes, loud sound and a loose community feel. That makes Laundry less a conventional venue in 2026 than a recognisable Wellington nightlife brand with a history attached to one former Cuba Street address.
Visitor Tips and Information
Do not travel to 240 Cuba Street expecting a regular Laundry bar or concert venue.
Check the exact host address for every Laundry-branded event.
Expect general admission and standing-room formats unless the event says otherwise.
Bring valid photo identification for 18-plus nightlife events.
Wear comfortable footwear for dancefloors, temporary yards and uneven festival surfaces.
Travel light because coat-check and storage arrangements are not consistently documented.
Arrive early if you want dinner, a less crowded room or a good position near the dancefloor.
Do not assume that the former Laundry sound, lighting or accessibility facilities are present at a new host venue.
Follow each promoter’s rules on photography, costumes, consent, bags, re-entry, alcohol and prohibited items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laundry in Wellington still open?
No. The permanent Laundry bar and music venue at 240 Cuba Street is closed. The tenancy has since been stripped out and marketed for a new business. The Laundry name has reappeared through occasional pop-up events and festival collaborations, but those are hosted at other locations and should not be confused with a reopened Cuba Street venue.
Where was Laundry Wellington located?
Laundry was at 240 Cuba Street in Te Aro, near Abel Smith Street in central Wellington. Some older listings show 242 Cuba Street, reflecting inconsistent address recording around the corner frontage. For historical purposes, 240 Cuba Street is the clearest address used in later commercial and event records. Future Laundry-branded events may be somewhere else entirely.
Are there any Laundry events in Wellington in 2026?
Yes, but not at the former venue. Laundry appeared in the 2026 CubaDupa programme at Wellington Seamarket, and Laundry Comeback Weekend was advertised at Afters on Dixon Street in May 2026. As of 17 September 2026, no verified permanent reopening or later regular 2026 series has been identified. Event details, access and ticket prices vary by host venue.
What was Laundry Comeback Weekend?
Laundry Comeback Weekend was a two-night revival presented at Afters in May 2026. The Saturday programme ran from 8pm to 3am, was listed for people aged 18 and over, and featured Empress, Lord Woo, OnlyPhans and Dr Bazz. It was a temporary event rather than a reopening of the Cuba Street premises, so visitors needed to attend 38 Dixon Street instead.
What music did Laundry usually book?
Laundry’s historical programme leaned towards DJs and dance music but was not limited to one genre. Its records include house, techno, boogie, Afro House, deep tech, disco, drum and bass, jungle, bass music, Latin nights, live bands and album launches. The venue was especially known for small-scale local promoter nights, guest selectors, themed parties and genre-blending late-night sets.
Did Laundry host live bands?
Yes. Laundry was described as both a live-music venue and a dance venue. It hosted local performers, launch parties and occasional band or artist events alongside its more frequent DJ programming. The room’s flexible furniture arrangement allowed it to operate as a dining space early in the evening and a standing performance or dancefloor environment later on.
What was the usual Laundry ticket price?
Historical prices varied by promoter and event. Archived listings show free entry before a stated time, approximately NZ$10 door entry for some nights, and advance prices around NZ$25 with higher door prices around NZ$30 for other parties. The 2026 comeback event listed NZ$40 for its Saturday night. These are reference ranges only, not a current permanent venue price list.
Was Laundry an all-ages venue?
Not consistently. Dining and early-evening operation could differ from late-night club events, but many archived parties were restricted to people aged 18 and over or required identification at the door. The 2026 comeback event was explicitly 18-plus. Always read the age rule for the specific event, particularly when a Laundry pop-up is part of a wider festival with mixed-age programming.
Did Laundry have seated concerts?
There is no evidence of a formal seated concert layout. Laundry functioned mainly as a bar, dining room, live-music space and standing dance venue. Tables and chairs could be present earlier in the night and removed or rearranged when the room became a dancefloor. Visitors seeking a seat should not assume one will be available at a future pop-up.
What was Laundry’s capacity?
No authoritative public operating capacity has been located. A current property description gives approximately 123 square metres inside and a 35-square-metre rear courtyard, but those measurements describe the stripped-out tenancy rather than a certified audience limit. Because capacity depends on furniture, stage, exits, licensing and event type, a precise number should not be inferred from the floor area.
Did Laundry have an outdoor area?
Yes. The former venue was known for a rear courtyard, including a caravan kitchen and outdoor seating or chill-out space. The courtyard was useful when the main room became crowded or noisy. Later Laundry pop-ups have also used temporary outdoor yards, but those spaces belong to the host festival or venue and can have different surfaces, weather exposure and accessibility arrangements.
Was the former Laundry venue wheelchair accessible?
The available evidence is incomplete. The current commercial listing for 240 Cuba Street identifies an accessible toilet, but it does not confirm the former venue’s entrance route, internal circulation, dancefloor access or accessible viewing arrangements. The 2026 CubaDupa pop-up was marked wheelchair accessible with uneven ground. Do not transfer that information to another Laundry event without checking its host venue.
Did Laundry have a coat check?
A formal coat check or locker service is not reliably documented. Archived visitor information indicates that patrons generally kept coats with them or used informal hooks or seating, with storage not guaranteed. For a future Laundry event, travel light and check the host venue’s policy. Temporary festival yards and small clubs may have no secure place for bags or outerwear.
Could people buy food at Laundry?
Yes, when the original venue was operating. Food included burgers, tacos, vegetarian and vegan dishes, cocktails, craft beer and Southern or Creole-influenced soul food. A rear caravan kitchen was part of the venue’s character. Future Laundry pop-ups may include food vendors or partner kitchens, but the old menu, caravan and dining service are not currently operating at 240 Cuba Street.
What was Laundry’s atmosphere like?
Visitor accounts describe a quirky, friendly and eclectic room that could feel relaxed at dinner and lively after midnight. Reviewers praised the food, drinks, staff and music, while some noted that the room became dark, crowded or noisy later in the evening. That contrast was central to Laundry’s identity: it was deliberately informal rather than a polished, single-purpose concert hall.
Why did Laundry close?
The operators’ 2022 announcement said their nine-year lease was ending and that securing a new lease was uncertain. Later reporting connected the closure with rent increases and the wider financial pressure on Wellington nightlife after COVID-19. The operators expressed interest in finding another permanent or one-off location, but no replacement permanent Laundry venue has been verified.
Is the old Laundry building heritage-listed?
The available venue records describe a former laundromat or dry-cleaning space, but they do not establish that the specific 240 Cuba Street tenancy has a separate heritage listing. Cuba Street as a wider precinct has recognised historic and social character, which helps explain why the building’s informal adaptive reuse felt part of the street’s identity. The present tenancy is being offered as a new fit-out opportunity.
How should I get to a Laundry pop-up?
Use the host address printed for that event. Do not navigate automatically to 240 Cuba Street. For central Wellington events, buses serving Manners Street, Cuba Street, Willis Street or Courtenay Place are often useful, while the railway station is walkable from Te Aro. Allow extra time for CubaDupa or other street festivals because road closures and pedestrian diversions may apply.
What should I bring to a Laundry event?
Bring your ticket or booking confirmation, valid photo identification where required, a charged phone and only essential belongings. Comfortable shoes are sensible because most Laundry-style events are standing or dancing events. For outdoor pop-ups, bring weather-appropriate clothing. Do not assume re-entry, bag storage, seating, accessible facilities, food service or a coat check unless the individual event confirms them.
