Panhead Tory Street brings the Upper Hutt brewery's hot-rod spirit into central Wellington with a simple promise of beer, burgers and more. The Te Aro bar opens from noon every day and accepts reservations, but it still feels designed for an easy drop-in: a tasting tray and a few snacks can be enough, or the visit can expand into a full meal. The food is substantial and built to meet the tap list on equal terms, making this a genuine pub dining option rather than a drinks room with token accompaniments.
Burgers sit at the centre of that offer. The V6 combines a smashed beef patty with cheddar, gherkins and Panhead sauce, while the V12 adds brisket, bacon, onion chutney, tomato relish and truffle oil. Smoked pulled pork and slow-cooked brisket each have their own burger, and the chicken version uses buttermilk chicken with guacamole and aioli. A portobello mushroom and halloumi burger provides a meat-free choice, gluten-free buns can be requested across the range, and every burger arrives with fries.
The share plates draw on pub favourites but avoid feeling interchangeable. Truffle polenta chips come with beetroot hummus, chimichurri and balsamic; brisket spring rolls are paired with chipotle mayonnaise; and smoked chicken wings can take either buffalo or barbecue sauce. There are vegan corn chips with guacamole and smoked bean nachos, plus heartier loaded fries. Diners wanting a plated main can move to sirloin steak, chicken parmigiana, beer-battered fish and chips or slow-cooked beef cheeks with mash, beans and jus.
Beer remains the point of distinction. The taps carry Panhead's core range, including Port Road Pilsner, Quickchange XPA, Supercharger APA, Road Hog NZIPA and Blacktop Oat Stout, while a changing group of limited releases explores sour, hazy, lager and stronger pale ale styles. A four-beer tasting tray offers a practical way to compare them before settling on a glass. With that breadth on tap and a food menu calibrated for sharing, Panhead Tory Street suits both committed craft-beer drinkers and groups who primarily want a relaxed central-city meal.
Address: 1 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
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