There'll be tears in the beers of the working-class regulars at The Duke of Marlborough Tavern tonight as the Russell pub closes its doors for the last time.
The tavern, not to be mistaken for the nearby Duke of Marlborough Hotel, has been the preferred watering hole of Russell's working men and women for almost three decades.
Dwindling clientele as the town becomes more white collar means the tavern will close for good tonight. However, property owner Terry Ewbank has promised a "much nicer" place would re-open there in July. He said the tavern would be renovated while it was closed and he was negotiating with several parties, including current licensee Bruce Wilson, so that another drinking establishment could be run from the site.
The new place would still be able to host concerts the tavern has become known for - virtually anybody who is anybody in New Zealand music has played there - but it will be up to the new licensee to decide if there would be regular concerts.
It would also be up to the new licensee to decide what dress code to impose for patrons.
Tavern regular Jeremy Nodder thinks the closure spells the end of public bars in Russell, with the nearest alternatives in Kawakawa and Opua - a ferry ride and drive away.
Mr Nodder has been drinking there for 18 years and yesterday popped in for a couple of beers while still in his work overalls before heading home.
Asked where he would drink when the tavern shut, he said he would now "have to go home" to imbibe.
"I'm a public bar boy and without a public bar I've got nowhere to go. We (the town's tradesmen) come here for a few beers after work and it ain't the same in the clubs. "This is the place to be for me ... but not any more," Mr Nodder said.
"Ten to 15 years ago this place was buzzing after work with 50 people here or more. Now you're lucky if there's a dozen."
And that is the problem. Mr Wilson was disappointed with the closure but said the tavern was no longer viable. He has held the licence for five years and has seen his clientele numbers steadily falling.
The place can hold its own in the summer - with more than 1000 people attending some of the concerts - but during winter the pub was almost deserted.
"This summer wasn't very good this year and that doesn't leave any fat in the bank for winter."
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