August 13, 2009

PARNELL'S GRAND OLD LADY RISES AGAIN

The Windsor Castle reopens at 144 Parnell Road

After extensive renovations and planning, the neighbourhood pub is set to make a comeback in Parnell. Revitalised and raring to go the Windsor Castle on the corner of Parnell Road and Windsor Street rises again. Daniel Wrightson of Juice TV, long time publican Nick Brooks, and local hospitality personality Bruno Baptistella bring guidance and passion to this exciting project.

As one of New Zealand's truly iconic landmark pubs, the stories the walls could tell are endless. Ask any Aucklander of a certain vintage and they will effortlessly recall memories of their times at The Windsor in Parnell.

Mike Chunn remembers the first time he crossed the threshold, “there was this out-of-towner on the stage playing a Stratocaster through a Fender Twin Reverb. His microphone was plugged into the other channel on the amp. His voice was gnarly and distorted. His guitar sang like a bird and we were all stunned. It was Hammond Gamble”. Mike's memories of the Windsor are endless “Chris Knox wading out into the crowd – standing on the tables, knocking over drinks. Pop Mechanix stunning them with their power pop. The arrival of boot boys and the Spelling Mistakes. Heavy! But most of all I remember Citizen Band, cutting their teeth in that room. Trying out new songs like Rust in My Car. Seeing how it went. It was a gas!”

The musical memories aren't the only thing that The Windsor brings to Parnell. Established in 1847, the Windsor Castle is one of the earliest surviving hotels in Auckland and is among the oldest remaining brick buildings in the region. For over 162 years the Windsor Castle has been the heart and soul of Parnell. The “local” has been resurrected and is at the ready to serve the good people of the Shire.

The Windsor Castle opens its corner doors on Wednesday August 19 th serving refreshments and sustenance seven days a week from 11am until late, with live music Wednesday to Sunday. In the kitchen, serving up Gastro pub food will be head chef Warner Gray - formerly of Squid Row and Frolic Café. A culinary maestro with a rock and roll heart, Warner will be offering great food fresh off the grill and pizza's from the wood fired oven, promising the sort of food that draws you back time and again.

The Windsor Castle brings with it the promise of great drinks, great food, great music and great people and with its younger sister and neighbour Juice Bar at the Windsor Castle opening very soon, a return to the Glory Days of the Parnell strip will be realized.

For more info contact:
Helen Wrightson
The Windsor
Ph: 0272835575