Hello… New Zealand! Christchurch is where we are tonight, and since the earthquakes of 2010/2011, the entire city nightlife has disappeared. Imagine Sydney’s CBD, Kings Cross, and Darling Harbour decimated and fenced off because of an earthquake. That is the equivalent of what has happened here. The former city is rebuilding, and pretty much if you wanted to go for a dance, you have to make do with DJs playing at local bars or go out in the suburbs. It is quite sad.

Anyway, I asked a foreign backpacker where the place to be is at on a Thursday night. “The Rimming Bull”, he proclaims! I’m sure in proper English that meant “The Running Bull”, which is, coincidentally is across the street from where we rented our hotel. So much win! Let’s check it out!

Crowd 11:30PM

Thursdays @ The Running Bull, Riccarton, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Assessment Time: 11:10PM – 12:45AM
Opening Hours: Open during the day as a restaurant / Grill – 12:45AM
Lockout: Unknown, but there was one a lockout at 12:30 when I checked
Address: 1 Riccarton Road, Riccatron, Christchurch City, Canterbury, New Zealand. Map: http://g.co/maps/njtg8
Venue Website: http://www.runningbull.co.nz
Event Website: http://www.facebook.com/TheRunningBullBar
Promoter Website: Self Promoted by the venue
Occurrence: Every Thursday. DJ events also available on Fridays and Saturdays here
Outside Line: 2 people in front but we were in within seconds. We had to use our passports to be accepted entry. The drivers licenses were not accepted. 
Dress Code / Door Policy: Boys are pretty casual, with a handful with collared shirts with jeans. Girls in most part did wear their going out dresses and heels for a dance here. It is encouraged for guys to wear collared shirts and to not smell like B.O, and for girls to wear dresses. (According to the facebook page anyway)
Entry Fee / Cover Charge: Free all night.
Guestlist: None
Inside: Walk into the bar / dining area where tables and stools are aplenty. Bar is at the back opposite wall. This are has about 4-8 tables. To your left are some lounge spaces for 10 or so people. On the right is the “dance room” is how it is best described. It really is just a walled off room from the rest of the bar, where you can walk in and suddenly you are in a rectangular box to hold maybe 100 or so people where there are lights and a podium.
Cloak Room: None
Bar Prices / Line: Didn’t drink.
Bathroom Facilities: Pretty clean.
Eviction Count: None spotted
DJs: Sole DJ tonight. No song repeats thank god.
Music Style: Mostly Top 40, RnB and probably after 12:15ish the reggae / some other esoteric music was put on. Total mood killer, but it was apparently approaching closing time so that was how it was done.
Crowd: A mix of Christchurch locals and backpackers such as Marty and I, with the Irishman and his friends as well. But definitely a majority would be locals. Ages varied but mostly we are dealing with a young crowd – teenagers, low 20’s.

Ratio: Pretty even ratio through the night and it held its ground.
Entertainment: No extra entertainment.
Atmosphere: In the room itself there was barely enough people to get “lost” in the crowd, but it was definitely dark enough to be able to dance on your own without having too many eyes look at you. The volume isn’t as loud as proper clubs so you were able to have a chat as well, but still you could dance on your own if needed. Surprisingly it was pretty damn warm in here though! A lot of times throughout the night I had to come out for a bit of a cool down and breather, so take it easy on the dancing would be my advice here. The bar is quite the oppposite where its bright and pretty friendly. It’s not hot either and there are TV screens around so you can catch up on the latest Cricket scores. If you don’t like cricket, then suck it up. It’s bustling at the bar and people are pretty open for a chat.
Video: Very short music sample and walkthrough

YouTube Preview Image

Arrivederci
Left at closing time, which was 12:45!! Holy shit, that was early. An abrupt ending.

Final Thoughts & Recommendation
I would say this is more of a bar to have drinks and a good dance afterwards. It’s suited for anyone who wants to come for a drink or just dance, as the two areas are almost separated from each other, so you don’t get too disturbed by the loud music. If you aren’t into the modern day music or young crowd, it would be better to try Fox and the Ferret down a few blocks  (I don’t think there is much dancing there, just a live band with a small area to dance).

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