New Zealand Venue Co has purchased The Morningside Tavern and neighbouring event space, Glasshouse in Auckland, adding to its hospitality portfolio.

NZ Venue Co. (NZVC), which also owns and operates Saint Alice, Dr Rudi’s, St Johns, Dirty Little Secret and Concrete Bar, will now have 13 venues within its portfolio: four in Auckland and nine in the capital.

NZVC has been operating venues since 2018, when it acquired Dr Rudi’s as its first venue in Auckland.

NZVC says that The Morningside Tavern and Glasshouse will continue to operate as usual following completion of the sale, with all team members invited to maintain their positions and previous owner Rod Ballenden staying on to manage events at the Glasshouse.

Both venues opened in 2018 under the development of the Morningside precinct and quickly became local favourites – Morningside Tavern as a family friendly watering hole and Glasshouse as one of Auckland’s premier wedding and event locations.

CEO of NZVC, Paul Waterson, said the acquisition reflects the group’s strong track record of operating venues and its confidence in the country’s hospitality outlook. “We always look to invest in venues which have a special connection with their customers. Morningside Tavern and Glasshouse have very strong relationships within their community, which reflects the way our existing venues operate. It will be a great fit.

“We’re excited to keep growing in Auckland and to work with Rod on the next chapter of these venues.”