In just two years The Free House has been judged ‘Best Pub in Nelson’, by Lonely Planet, been written up in Rough Guide and in a Japanese backpackers guide to New Zealand. They must have some divine connection as, in April, the Dutch Reformed Church-turned-pub with a difference was also awarded popular ‘supreme winner’ by Nelsonians in their local Wild Tomato DineOut Awards – ironic, considering they allow people to bring their own food.
On a Friday night leaning on the bar you can see everyone from ex-bikies to clusters of elderly grannies, all happily enjoying the friendly community atmosphere. It’s a favourite haunt with locals after work and on Thursday nights the local Jamaican community arrive on force to play dominos.
It all started in April 2009 when owners Eelco Boswijk, a Kiwi, and his English business partner Mic Dover were working up a mean thirst for craft beers but there were just none to be found in Nelson.
“We were hoping someone would do craft beers, but no-one did, so we decided we have to either do it ourselves or shut up,” says Boswijk.
They set up in a former church, complete with stained glass windows and an ideal outdoor garden. Kitchen space was short and while Nelson booms during summer, restaurants can struggle during winter, so Boswijk says they came up with the unique idea of allowing patrons to BYO food.
“There are a whole bunch of great locally-owned restaurants in Nelson so it seemed pointless to compete, we decided to work with them and share the pie a little bit, that’s the philosophy behind it.”
Naturally they have a basic board menu to comply with their licence, but patrons bring everything from Indian curries, usually purchased across the road, to home-packed picnic baskets filled with cheese, fruits, bread and dips to enjoy in the garden. A local pizzeria can deliver pizzas within 20 minutes of ordering over the bar.
The Jamaicans have even been known to bring their own barbecue and cook jerk chicken and pork, offering other patrons the odd scotch bonnet pepper just for entertainment.
It’s a real family atmosphere - The Free House supplies the picnic rugs, plates, cutlery and napkins, all washed up for free.
That does come at a cost, but Boswijk says they didn’t launch the concept to make money.
“I think this is more socially-driven than get rich driven. When we make a decision it’s not necessarily financially-driven, but to add something to the atmosphere and enhance it, and that’s something people like.”
They’re adding small outdoor tables and have just expanded the garden planting edible plants, like grapes, limes, mandarins, passionfruit, feijoa, cranberries and fig trees so people can eventually pick fresh produce for free to accompany their food.
And most importantly for its co-founders, The Free House now boasts 10 bright beer taps and three beer engines - some of the best craft beer in Nelson.