Originally published in Waikato Times, Saturday 22 November 2025.
By Katie Hunter.
The new hospitality faces at the regional theatre, from left: Jonathan Knapp, Alex Hudson, Mat Pedley and John Moughan. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Hamilton’s newest culinary offerings are preparing to step into the spotlight — and some of them have already taken centre stage.
Five distinct eateries and bars are set to open in the Waikato Regional Theatre precinct, with two already open to the public. Visitors can already get a bite to eat before washing it down with a drink at the newly opened Hamilton Hotel and revamped Wonder Horse bar.
Hamilton Hotel owner Mat Pedley, who is also behind popular local eatery Mr Pickles, said it was a “phenomenal” feeling to be opening in the new theatre.
He described the venue as “French meets New York bistro” inspired. The interior was designed by local firm Designwell, and features plush banquettes, large windows looking onto the street front and oak detailing.
The Public Bar & Bistro is now open at the Waikato Regional Theatre precinct. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Designwell conjured the bistro’s look. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Upon entering the restaurant, which is named after the original hotel where the theatre now stands, patrons are greeted by the main dining room, which is fronted by a bar and further down, an open kitchen with coal and wood grills. Tucked around the corner is a private dining room, which will also be used to host large bookings and events.
“For us, it was always about doing something different and cool and it's about doing great things with great people in Hamilton,” Pedley said.
“People say things like ‘it's so Melbourne’ or ‘it's so New York’ or whatever, but that's kind of all of our venues, and I guess that makes it Hamilton.”
A view that’s set to become a feature of inner city dining. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
A view that’s been under wraps for some time. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Detailing in the bistro. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Whether people were coming to the theatre to see a show, in town for a conference, on a date, or just looking to get a drink, he said Hamilton Hotel could accommodate everyone.
Asked what experience he wanted his guest to have, he replied: “We're in the business of creating memories, and experiences for our guests. So that's what it's about.”
Hamilton Hotel’s bistro is now getting the final touches put to both the menu and the interior — an element Pedley enjoys.
Wonder Horse owner Alex Hudson has brought a number of elements to the popular bar’s new location. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
“It really tests stress, patience, ability to communicate, willingness to communicate. I think restaurants are ... in my view, they're never ever finished.”
Unlike Hamilton Hotel, Wonder Horse cocktail bar is not so new, nor is it immediately noticeable from the street. To get into the cocktail venue, patrons must first go through deli-style sandwich shop Four Daughters - an ode to the original Wonder Horse’s inconspicuous entrance down an alleyway.
Owner Alex Hudson described the theatre precinct as a “generational build”. While it had not fully sunk in yet, when he looked back in a decade it would feel special to have been a part of, he said.
But after spending 13 years at the original Wonder Horse venue, the move to the theatre precinct had been somewhat bittersweet.
The entranceway just off the street. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
“It's the first bar I ever owned, and the first bar that I have closed.”
There are hints of the old venue woven into the new space, such as the long slab of swamp kauri timber which served as the bar top.
“I picked that up before we opened Wonder Horse and it's obviously a beautiful piece of timber and it felt like probably the heart of that bar so bringing that across was important.”
It had been important to Hudson to capture the mood of the original, but to be “at least aesthetically a bit different”.
Ready for diners. PHOTO: Christel Yardley / WAIKATO TIMES.
Features included lights retrofitted from an old naval ship, solid black walnut wood table tops and louvres hiding the bar away from the main street.
The result was a cosier speakeasy-style venue, which Hudson was excited for patrons to rediscover in their own time.
“We just made sure it still felt hidden — if anything more hidden — so lots of our regulars get to rediscover it or find it again.”
He added that the purpose of opening up eateries and bars in the precinct was to support the local hospitality scene to thrive.
All of the staff from the original Wonder Horse had moved to the venue, and Hudson had been able to expand the team.
“That allows us to train more people to add to the pool of experience in the city and then also to be able to provide more hours [and] more pathways for those people.”
And did the two hospitality bosses have plans to attend any upcoming shows at the theatre?
“Honestly, all of my emotional and mental capacity has been on doing this,” Hudson admitted. He was hoping to see Teeks, which will be the first show at the new theatre.
And for Pedley?
“All of them, yeah, absolutely, every single one,” he said.
“The group of people that have put the effort into this, it's just insane.”