The Free House Pub

Stopped in for a few pints on Friday evening. What a hidden gem it is! The craft beers we tried were all lovely, the atmosphere great and the radiator style garden heating added a steam punk feel! Will be returning the next time we are in Nelson.

Well this place is a must on our visits to Nelson over the years. If you are a craft beer of real ale fan then this is one of the great places to visit. Lots of craft beers on tap and my favorite the good old Hand Pumps or beer engines, of which they have two. We had the local on site brew, a superb example of an English Dark Mild, as a pom well done guys. This place is well supported by a good cross section of ages and has a fantastic atmosphere and very friendly.

This has to be the coolest mellow hang in Nelson. Great indoor or outdoor seating. We sat inside on a cool evening. Someone was playing piano all evening...couldn't tell if he was a customer or a paid performer. Only knock is the beers are a bit pricey, but they're pretty darn good. Cask options.

Great pub, always about a dozen beers on tap, friendly staff and an amazing policy of allowing outside food to be brought in. They even do the washing up. The Indian cafe over the road will even deliver here.nThere's plenty of outdoor seating, their own brewery, and a small selection of food cooked on site. Their hot chips are excellent. The covered area even has central heating.

My parents recommended this place after they found it on their tour of New Zealand and it's awesome. Great choice of beers, very friendly staff and a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. Dog friendly too and you can bring your own food. Board games are available and the log burner adds plenty of warmth on cold days. Went twice in my short stay in Nelson and will definitely be back when I'm next in town.