When CTRL Space is in charge of a fit-out, you know the venue is going to be slick, and Full Time Sports Bar & Eatery — a lively new spot in Kingsland dedicated to showcasing sport (and turning out delicious fare), certainly delivers on the design front. But there’s more to this vibrant new venue than meets the eye.
A collaborative venture between Mark Robinson, owner of the One New Zealand Warriors and Autex Acoustics, and Joe Jakicevich of Hancocks, Full Time was imagined as a vibrant community hub for sports fans in the heart of Kingsland — a place where fans, fanatics, friends, and families can come together to celebrate their passion for sport. “Full Time isn’t just a place to watch games; it’s a high-end, community-friendly sports hub that’s been missing in the area,” said Danielle Dodds, Marketing Director for the One New Zealand Warriors.
“[Full Time] promises to combine quality service with a premium dining experience. With cocktails on tap, table service, and a well-curated menu, the offerings are designed to complement the action on the screens,” Dodds continues, “Our aim is to be known for the highest quality service and an unmatched sporting atmosphere.”
On first impressions, it seems the elevated sports bar is meetings it’s mark. The experts at CTRL Space have transformed the ex-gastro pub into a light, slick, and contemporary space that still feels homely and welcoming, “We wanted to create a place that fused an incredibly designed space with table service and a high end twist on your favourite food. But more importantly, we wanted a vibe that felt accommodating for everyone,” Cameron George, One New Zealand Warriors CEO, tells me, continuing, “a place for the whole family that is classy, but still appeals to the sports nuts.”
As such, when approaching the sprawling venue’s design, CTRL Space’s focus fell on both technology — with a series of large-scale curved displays and high-end acoustics — and striking a careful balance between sophistication and the sense of familiarity and innate casualness which Kiwis are drawn to. “We’ve set out to deliver a new sport-focused venue which is progressive while still maintaining a sense of localism and integrity,” Sam Griffin, Creative Director for CTRL Space, tells me.
Griffin and his team turned to natural materials commonly found in New Zealand architecture for the venue’s interior, incorporated in tasteful combinations and applications. Full swing doors open out onto a sprawling courtyard, affording the venue an easy indoor-outdoor flow, with timber slatted exterior banquettes, finished with plush upholstery, proving contemporary yet comfortable exterior seating.
Unsurprisingly, given the venue’s modus operandi, screens adorn many of the walls — both inside and out, although each has been approached with careful consideration, woven into the overall design seamlessly, “We’ve integrated state of the art audio visual systems for a premium viewing experience, complemented by visually striking interior and patio spaces constructed using a range of industrial, natural and technical materials,” says Griffin.
In keeping with the sports theme, carefully curated decor incorporates compelling yet subtle displays of sporting paraphernalia, set amongst sleek, contemporary details — from a deeply-hued colour palette to the clever use of concrete throughout the venue, imbuing the space with both a casualness and sophistication not often afforded to sports-focussed establishments. “Sport and sports-fandom is a huge part of our country’s culture,” says Griffin, “We wanted to create an environment that could be enjoyed by the vast numbers of passionate Warriors and sports fans who will come to enjoy the hospitality of Full Time — a space that can become a celebration of sport (win or lose) and a hub for the sports-loving community to connect.”
Outside of the exceptional design, Full Time boasts a menu sure to surprise and delight those expecting traditional pub fare. At the helm in Full Time’s kitchen is head chef Sani Simei, a master of his craft with decades of experience — including his recent tenure at lauded vineyard, Mudbrick, on Waiheke Island. His innovative, modern bistro menu reimagines classic dishes with modern twists — from 40-hour slow cooked brisket to the fresh flavours of ceviche, with a focus on fresh ingredients and food-from-scratch.
Menu highlights run the gamut from light and fresh to hearty and wholesome — with Japanese confit salmon fillet with charcoal gravlax, heirloom salsa and courgette puree sitting alongside chicken wings with a host of delectable coatings, and the ‘Middle Third’ burger — a wagyu beef number served with jack cheese, bacon, and a creamy porcini mushroom sauce. There are also a number of delicious desserts to satisfy sweet cravings, with a particularly pleasant-sounding Fijian-style pineapple pie, paired with freshly grated coconut and vanilla ice cream.
The drinks menu is a far-cry from the usual sports bar and pub beverage offering, too — with a number of tasty cocktails available on tap — from espresso martinis to clarified margaritas, as well as all of the usual suspects on the beer front, an extensive whisky offering, an array of gins, and a wine list largely focused on local, New Zealand producers.
Open seven days a week, from 11am until late, Full Time is set to become a vibrant social hub with an always-lively vibe, bringing the best of sporting entertainment to central Auckland. And, whether you’re a die-hard sporting fanatic, or simply seeking a new watering hole that offers something outside of the ordinary, this new destination should definitely be on your radar.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday — 11.00am until Late
Full Time Sports Bar & Eatery
498 New North Road
Kingsland
Auckland
