Ex-All Black backs Otago with bar

PETER DRURY/Waikato Times

GOOD DROP: Arran Pene is ready to pull pints in his Speights Ale house.

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Looking around Hamilton's newest pub yesterday it was easy to see why its owner, former All Black Arran Pene, might be turning to the bottle.

Builders buzzed floors, electricians put the finishing touches on fittings and contractors flew in and out of his make-shift office, all looking for the final sign-off before the country's latest Speight's Ale House officially opens its doors tomorrow.

It is the biggest venture the former No8 has taken on since his rugby playing days in New Zealand and Japan and coaching at the Massey University Sport and Rugby Institute where he met his business partner, Wayne Taylor.

He has project-managed the bar's construction from start to finish and says it has been a big job but a good challenge. "You question yourself at times but you have to back yourself."

An old Otago rugby jersey signed by team-mates hangs in his office and he says the Ale House concept was built for former Otago players or those with Otago University links.

He has also had a few pointers from those former team-mates and university friends who have also gone on to set up bars.

"The key to being a good pub is to treat people like they're in your lounge and hopefully they give you the same amount of respect."

Mr Pene, who played 111 games for Otago and 15 tests for the All Blacks, will run the bar with his wife, Sonia, after acquiring the Ale House licence from Lion Breweries.

The site, which used to be Ingham Honda, on Anglesea St, is leased from John Ingham.

Mr Pene says it is a prime location for a meet and greet bar, a place where people meet up before moving on elsewhere, or after rugby matches at Waikato Stadium.

It also adds to the offering at the north end of central Hamilton where the Helm Bar opened on Ulster St in April.The Ale House has a licence from 11am until 3am but Mr Pene says the concept is not really a 3am bar.

The bar has a staff of 20.

Giveaway: The Waikato Times has five $25 Speight's Ale House vouchers to give away.

Email: business@waikatotimes.co.nz or post your entry with your contact details to: Business Editor, Private Bag 3086, Waikato Mail Centre. Winners will be drawn next Wednesday.

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