Insider’s Guide to Christchurch’s St Asaph Block

Picture this: you’ve just had a few drinks at your favourite inner-city bar after work. All of your mates are ordering an Uber home. But you? Your bed is just a smug 10-minute walk away in Christchurch’s South-East Central neighbourhood.

This side of town is becoming an increasingly attractive place to live, with an almost 50% increase in residents in the last 5 years alone – a population that will only grow with the arrival of new developments along St Asaph Street and nearby.

With great restaurants and bars, music venues (including the all-new One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha), art spaces, schools and the Ara campus in the vicinity, life in the South-East is designed for fun-seeking locals looking to embrace Christchurch Central as their backyard.

We’re so glad the old industrial warehouse at 371 St Asaph Street became the home of Space Academy in 2014. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, there’s never a dull moment here, thanks to a packed programme of live music and community events that range from poetry open mic nights and workshops to lively talks and thought-provoking debates. Whether you’re attending an event or not, Pizza Trap’s hand-stretched sourdough pizzas are reason enough to pop in for a feed with close friends or the kiddos. Everyone is welcome at Space Academy, and after just one visit, you can consider yourself part of the whānau. 

In a cute and petite room at the front of Space Academy, you’ll find local hairdresser Miki with salon scissors at the ready. Originally from Japan, Miki’s many years of experience have taken her from Tokyo to Berlin and – luckily for our locks – all the way to Christchurch. Whether you’re eight or eighty, in for a trim or a complete transformation, Miki is legendary around these parts for immaculate cuts, cheerful service and super reasonable prices. 

Born out of the earthquakes, the Darkroom opened in October 2011, establishing itself in a former factory space just a few hundred metres from Christchurch’s red zone.

 After much-loved venues were closed or reduced to rubble, Darkroom quickly filled the void, offering a small but significant stage for emerging local artists to play in front of music lovers hungry for entertainment.

 You’ll find cans of Double Brown in the fridge and a line-up of gigs that champion Christchurch and touring artists across a variety of genres, showcasing everything from punk, metal, folk, and indie to experimental noise. 

With an emphasis on collaboration and community, Moonbase is a recording studio located alongside the iconic music venue, Darkroom. Founders Jack and Kabyn, longtime musicians and techs, have built an accessible space that captures Ōtautahi’s underground music scene – ensuring the city’s creative and exciting sounds are celebrated today and for years to come.

An artist-run gallery space founded by (and next door to) Darkroom, Art Hole follows the same ethos as the music venue. The gallery empowers both local and young artists to showcase their work in an inclusive environment, with a busy calendar of exhibition openings and interactive workshops. Art Hole is also available to hire as a dance studio, meeting room, rehearsal space and more.

Students, this one has your name on it. Across the street from Space Academy, Tap Room prides itself on serving the coldest beers on tap and hosting the hottest DJs in the neighbourhood. If you’re looking for a laid-back spot to sip a pint without the frills (and exclusive student discounts), then you’ll want to bookmark this one.

Chill out on a picnic table outside and grab some loaded fries from their food trailer or head inside for free rounds of pool or let loose on the dancefloor at one of their DJ nights.

From the team behind six ounces in Merivale, Scoundrel is the newest roastery, bar and eatery to join the East, with an eclectic retro aesthetic that feels right at home on the block.

Once a repurposed mechanics workshop, this charming spot has a bit of everything at every time of the day, every day of the week. Come for great coffee and a cabinet of baked goods in the morning, famous made-from-scratch tacos available from lunch until late, and a solid line-up of wine and beer on tap.

There’s plenty of pockets to pull up a dining chair or get comfy on a vintage couch, so even when the place heaves, chances are you’ll still be able to find a nice possie. Best news: dogs are welcome too.

Located under the same roof, Rad is Scoundrel’s in-house coffee roaster (which might explain why the last coffee you had here was heavenly). With beans coming directly from the source, your daily coffee order doesn’t get much fresher than this. As well as being brewed by Scoundrel’s baristas, Rad Roasting Co offers bags of beans to take home and even provides a coffee machine repair service.

While you may be familiar with most instruments at everyday music stores, Gandharva Loka marches to a different beat. Founded in 1989 with locations in Austria, Switzerland and Germany, this world music store expanded to Christchurch in 2008, marking its first branch outside Europe. Expect to find a rare selection of instruments from all corners of the globe, from Irish flutes to Tibetian singing bowls to German caisa drums. It’s all about trying new instruments and discovering new cultures in the process. Gandharva Loka shares its space with The Lotus Heart Restaurant, a well-loved vegan and vegetarian eatery, so make sure you follow up your musical journey with a plant-based burger or hearty curry.