Auckland's Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill has announced it will cease operating next month, bringing an end to 38 years of service.
One of Auckland’s popular dining spots, Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill, is set to close its doors next month.
Since it opened in downtown Auckland back in 1988, Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill has been an icon of the local hospitality market. Its closure is said to be due to lower sales and ever-increasing costs.
In a statement, owners Good Group Hospitality said increased cost was the cause, despite the restaurant trading well prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns.
“However, since Covid, lower sales and ever-increasing costs have meant operating the restaurant is no longer commercially viable, so the decision was made not to renew the lease and close the business,” the statement outlined.
Good Group Hospitality confirmed that the lease on Habourside’s sister restaurant, Botswana Butchery Auckland, had been renewed. Both restaurants are located in the prominent Ferry Building along Quay Street.
Good Group Hospitality said this was a very difficult decision to reach, and that Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill was an iconic restaurant with an enormous history, and it was very proud of what it has represented to Auckland over nearly four decades.
The group also urged that this decision would not impact any of its other outlets in Auckland or Queenstown.
Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill was acquired by Good Group Hospitality back in 2013 and has maintained a loyal customer following throughout its operation.
The past few years have seen several of Auckland’s high-profile establishments close their doors. These have included SPQR and Sidart in Ponsonby, Homeland and Pilkington’s in Auckland Central, and recently De Fontein in Mission Bay.
Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill said it looked forward to welcoming customers in its final weeks, and thanked them for their support over the years.
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