The essence of a good pub goes well beyond what’s on the plates or poured into the glasses. It’s about how you feel when you step through the doors, and for partners Patrick Kean and Victoria Blake, the duo behind Remuera favourite The Corner, that feeling is everything. Their new venture, Water Boy, set right on the water in St Heliers, has been designed around that sense — imagined as a laid-back spot that locals and those coming from further afield can step into and instantly feel at ease.

Kean is no stranger to hospitality, not only thanks to the past decade he’s spent building The Corner, but the decades prior, watching his father’s flourishing career in the brewing industry; his grandfather’s before that, and the time he spent working in pubs and food and beverage sales thereafter. “The idea was to take everything we’ve learned so far, and create a modern seaside pub,” he tells me. “We wanted Water Boy to be relaxed, approachable, and full of energy — somewhere locals could treat as an extension of their living room.”

When it came to choosing a destination, St Heliers felt like a natural fit. This was not only down to the fact that both Kean and Blake’s families have lived in the neighbourhood for decades, but because the village feel and proximity to the water lent itself to the overall vibe the pair were seeking to cultivate. “It was an obvious choice, right on the beach, where people can stroll in after a swim or a walk with their dog, grab a drink, and feel at home,” says Kean.

The space plays perfectly into this ethos, designed by the experts at CTRL Space. The interiors lean light, bright, and breezy, opening out to the water and creating a place that’s distinctly beachside, but never precious. “The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, very much a locals’ pub by the sea,” says Kean. “You’ll see sports on the screens, groups of mates hanging out, families sharing pizzas, and neighbours dropping in after a beach walk with their dogs. We want it to feel easy, inclusive, and distinctly part of the community.” From what we’ve seen, it’s set to deliver on all fronts.

Hospitality heavyweights Benny Lee and Jono Lewington have been brought on to round out the offering — Lee leading with a drinks list that balances easy tap beers with cocktails that “feel a little bit special without being fussy” according to Kean, and Lewington (formerly of Barulho) crafting a food menu that’s approachable but quality-driven. Think oysters, pizzas, pub staples, and seasonal plates with a coastal sensibility, with the likes of smoked beef brisket bites and kingfish tiradito amongst the standouts. “Food is at the heart of what we do,” Kean explains. “We wanted [the menu] to work whether you’re coming in for a bite with friends, celebrating with a group, or grabbing something easy with the family.”

Drawing on the breezy yet elevated nature of Sydney and Melbourne’s easy-going pub culture, Water Boy is as much about community as it is about great food and drink. With a local focus and universal appeal, it’s an extension of Kean and Blake’s hospitality philosophy: to create venues that feel personal, familiar, and easy to return to — again and again.

Opening Hours:
12pm — late, Monday — Sunday

waterboystheliers.co.nz