Denise Vincent says the former RSA building on St Hill St was too good an opportunity to pass up. Photo / Stuart Munro
Denise Vincent says the former RSA building on St Hill St was too good an opportunity to pass up. Photo / Stuart Munro
The Barracks might be the newest joint in town but in its name there's a nod to what came before.
The old Wanganui RSA building on St Hill St has been given an overhaul as it prepares to open as a bar and function centre this weekend.
Former All Black Sir Michael Jones cut the ribbon at The Barracks during the Wanganui Rugby Awards. Photo / Stuart Munro
The RSA movedout of the building earlier this year after its amalgamation with the Cosmopolitan Club and subsequent relocation to Club Metro on Ridgway St.
Owner Denise Vincent decided to call it The Barracks to retain "an army theme".
"We just thought it would be nice to keep it going as a bar of some description," she said.
Within The Barracks is Duke Bar, a sports bar in what was the main part of the old RSA, while the building also houses the Bunker Bar for functions such as 21sts, Remington Bar and Restaurant and the Ammo Room which is tailored to work conferences and meetings.
The bar was officially opened at the Wanganui Rugby Awards last weekend with guest and former All Black Sir Michael Jones cutting the ribbon.
The Barracks will officially open to the public from lunchtime on Friday with Whiskey Mama playing live in the evening.
