This weekend is stacked. Friday night, Flames on Esk lights up the city centre from 6pm with fire, flow, juggling, and magic — free for the whole family — before King Leo & Son bring their Gather You In Tour to RIFF for an incredible night of blues and soul, and Jetset kick off at Waxy's from 9pm. Saturday, the Silly Drunken Bastards are baaaaack at RIFF with Hoodaki and GOAT for Rock and Roll Madness, Bad Horsie take the stage at Speight's from 8:30pm, and the Pop Icons Party takes over Waxy's from 9:30pm with Jetset. Sunday, Hollie Longman celebrates World Day of Music at The Ave from 2pm, and the FIFA World Cup continues all weekend at Emberz. Here's your full guide to the weekend. 🎶
Friday, June 19
City Centre
Niche Laneway Bar 🍸✨ Kick off the weekend at Niche! Social Hour runs 4pm–6pm — crafted cocktails, tasty bites, and relaxed vibes in the heart of the city. Book your table or walk in 🚶 📞 0800 84 86 88 📍 Ground floor, The Langlands Hotel, Don Street.
Two Doors Down 🎶✨ Live in the Lobby — Friday evenings at Two Doors Down. Social Hour runs 5:00pm–6:00pm with discounted drinks and the perfect start-of-weekend atmosphere 🍹 📍 Don Street, below The Langlands Hotel.
360 Bar 🍺✨ Head upstairs for drinks and views from 4pm till late. Now pouring Panhead Rat Rod Hazy IPA on tap — juicy, fruity, tropical hop character with notes of citrus, pineapple, and stone fruit. 📍 Don Street, 7th Floor, The Langlands Hotel.
Waxy's Irish Pub 🎸🍻 Jetset kicking off at Waxy's from 9pm till late! Round up the crew and keep the weekend rolling. 📍 90 Dee Street.
Arts & Culture
🔥✨ Flames on Esk Prepare to be mesmerised by a fiery display! Flames on Esk lights up the city centre with fire & flow, juggling & magic, music & lights, and hot food & drinks. Family friendly fun — free entry! 📅 Friday June 19 | 🕕 6pm–8:30pm 📍 Esk Street, Invercargill.
🎭🌹 Operatunity — Waltz of My Heart A stunning operatic performance not to be missed at the Civic Theatre. 📅 Friday June 19 | 🕙 11:00am 🎟 $37–$42 | Book at patronbase.com 📍 Civic Theatre, 88 Tay Street, Invercargill 📞 03 211 1777 | 📧 [email protected]
🎨✨Riversdale Arts — Mixed Media Exhibition Running all weekend and beyond! A wonderful showcase of mixed media art. 📅 June 19–27 | 🕙 11am–4pm daily 🎟 General $10 | Seasons $12 | High school & under FREE 🔗 riversdalearts.co.nz | Facebook
Suburbs
Newfield Tavern
❄️🎤 Cold Nights, Hot Vocals — Semi Finals: 'The Heatwave'!
The competition is heating up! Amazing local talent battling it out for a place in the grand final. Cash prizes up for grabs, free entry. Kicks off from 7:30pm after Spin the Wheel. Whether you're competing or cheering from the crowd — it's set to be a cracker of a night!
📍 315 Centre Street, Invercargill.
RIFF – Live Entertainment Venue 🎶🔥 King Leo & Son — The Gather You In Tour, with special guests Wilson Blackley & Oscar LaDell! An incredible night of blues and soul at RIFF. Limited tickets available — grab yours now before they're gone. 🚪 Doors 8pm | 🎶 Show 8:30pm | 🎟 $15+bf at undertheradar.co.nz 📍 33 Preston Street, Invercargill.
Emberz Restaurant & Bar ⚽🏆 FIFA World Cup 2026 live on the big screen! Switzerland v Bosnia-Herzegovina 7am | Canada v Qatar 10am | Mexico v Korea 1pm 🍳 All You Can Eat Breakfast 6am–10am, $34pp. Bar open from 11am till late. 📍 Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill.
Saturday, June 20
City Centre
Niche Laneway Bar 🍸✨ Social Hour 4pm–6pm at Niche — crafted cocktails, tasty bites, and great vibes. Book your table or walk in 🚶 📞 0800 84 86 88 📍 Ground floor, The Langlands Hotel, Don Street.
Two Doors Down 🍹✨ Social Hour 5:00pm–6:00pm — discounted drinks, great vibes. 📍 Don Street, below The Langlands Hotel.
Speight's Ale House 🎸🍻 Bad Horsie live from 8:30pm! Good music, good food, good company. Good on ya mate. 📍 38 Dee Street.
Waxy's Irish Pub 🎶🎉 Pop Icons Party — Jetset live from 9:30pm till late! A night of all the best pop hits from across the decades. Plus the launch of the new Canadian Club Lemon Crush 🍋 Free entry | R18 | Best dressed 📍 90 Dee Street.
Ascot Sports Bar 🎸🍻 El Scratcho live from 9pm! 📍 Ascot Sports Bar, Invercargill.
Arts & Culture
🎨✨ Riversdale Arts — Mixed Media Exhibition 📅 11am–4pm | General $10 | Seasons $12 | High school & under FREE 🔗 riversdalearts.co.nz
Suburbs
RIFF – Live Entertainment Venue 🎸🔥 Silly Drunken Bastards are baaaaack! After a long absence, the Bastards return for one very special night of loud, fast, unapologetic punk rock. Joining them are fellow local heroes Hoodaki and GOAT. Still loud. Still reckless. Still Bastards. See you in the pit. 3 live bands | 🚪 Doors 8pm | 🎟 $10 / $5 students & unwaged | Door sales only 📍 33 Preston Street, Invercargill.
Waikiwi Tavern 🎶✨ S&M — Sadie Wech & Matt Murray live at The Kiwi from 8pm–1am! Free entry. 📍 181 North Road, Invercargill.
Emberz Restaurant & Bar ⚽🏆 FIFA World Cup 2026 live on the big screen! USA v Australia 7am | Scotland v Morocco 10am | Brazil v Haiti 12:30pm | Türkiye v Paraguay 3pm 🍳 All You Can Eat Breakfast 6am–10am, $34pp. Bar open from 11am till late. 📍 Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill.
Sunday, June 21
City Centre
Two Doors Down 🍹✨ Social Hour — discounted drinks and great vibes. 📍 Don Street, below The Langlands Hotel.
Arts & Culture
🎨✨ Riversdale Arts — Mixed Media Exhibition 📅 11am–4pm | General $10 | Seasons $12 | High school & under FREE 🔗 riversdalearts.co.nz
Suburbs
The Ave – Sports Bar 🎶🌍 World Day of Music at The Ave! Hollie Longman performs live from 2pm–5pm to celebrate World Day of Music 🎵 Free entry. 📍 57 Avenal Street, Invercargill.
Emberz Restaurant & Bar ⚽🏆 FIFA World Cup 2026 live on the big screen all day! Germany v Cote d'Ivoire 8am | Ecuador v Curacao 12pm | Tunisia v Japan 4pm 🍳 All You Can Eat Breakfast 6am–10am, $34pp. Bar open from 11am till late. 📍 Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill.
Coming Up 📅
Waxy's Irish Pub 🧠 Quiz Night — every Wednesday from 7pm. Free entry, Waxy's vouchers up for grabs. Book via waxys.co.nz or 03 214 0313. 🎉 Hospo Night — Tuesday June 23. Quiz 7pm, DJ 9pm, Farm Yard dress-up, R18. Bookings essential. 📍 90 Dee Street.
Speight's Ale House 🕵️ Murder Mystery Night — Cruise Ship Edition! Saturday June 27. A murder has occurred aboard our luxury cruise ship... and it's up to you to solve it. Props, clues, and suspects all provided. Dress-ups encouraged. Nibbles included. 🎟 $40 per person | 📞 Book: 03 214 5333 | Spaces limited — don't miss the boat! 📍 38 Dee Street.
Newfield Tavern ❄️🎤 Cold Nights, Hot Vocals — Grand Final 'The Hottest Night of Winter': Friday June 26 🏆 Free entry, cash prizes, 7:30pm. 📍 315 Centre Street, Invercargill.
The Langlands Hotel 🥂 Long Lunch — Saturday June 27 🎭 Bastille Day Event — Saturday July 18 📍 Don Street, Invercargill.
Got an event or gig happening around Invercargill & Southland? 📩 Send details to [email protected] and get in front of the largest audience in Invercargill & Southland 🎉