Heyday
In a city full of quality brewpubs, Heyday’s mint green exterior stands out. While a brew ferments away next door, you can relax in a fresh, friendly pastel atmosphere.
Tasty craft beer and hearty comfort food — that’s enough for a good evening out. Fortune Favours adds a distinctive personality and a buzzing atmosphere into the mix.
Look out for a huge wooden tarot hand reaching into Leeds Street. It holds the Fortune Favours sign above the brewpub’s entrance. It’s also the first hint at the team’s commitment to creativity. The fortune teller’s hand is a reference to the idea of ‘fortune’, a theme also seen in various beer names.
Inside, character and charm are evident in every detail. The high-stud, mottled green ceilings, exposed pipes, and dynamic colour scheme make the space bold and inviting. At the bar, 15 rotating taps pour everything from crisp lagers to bold seasonal brews, including top-seller, The Wellingtonian NZIPA.
Expect a rotating menu of inventive brews and tasty pub-style eats. In-house food truck Soul Fixins provides burgers, sandwiches, and soul bowls. Customers can also grab something from neighbouring Pizza Pomodoro or Gorilla Burger. Add a flight of beers or book a tour to taste the latest creations. “Fortune Favours has an energy. It’s loud and lively with the buzz of conversation. It’s one of the best spots in the city to sink into a brew and watch the world go by,” says founder Shannon Thorpe.
Anna Briggs
The brewing process is on display from many tables in the bar. Having customers so nearby is an advantage, according to Shannon. It acts as a research and development hub. “We can take an idea and within five weeks have a new beer on tap, getting real-time feedback from our customers.”
Shannon left the corporate world to chase the dream of crafting beer with soul. Alongside head brewer Dale Cooper they’ve grown the brand to supply over 500 locations nationwide. “There were moments of real doubt, but belief and the energy of the people around me kept me pushing forward. The name says it all, Fortune really does favour the bold.”
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