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About
Situated on Quarantine Rd opposite Mitre 10 Mega and the WOW Car Museum we are proud to be the 17th Speight's Ale House across the country! Whether its good hearty portions of southern style food or our Speight's exclusive range of award winning tap beer & extensive wine list this is the place to cater for all. With space for over 250 patrons in one of our many areas of the Restaurant, Bar or sun-drenched Garden Bar there is always a spot for everyone. The Speight's Ale House Nelson brings strong traditions of legendary southern hospitality and you'll find our great crew of staff ready to help you. With live music, sport & weekly specials keep your eye on our "What's on" page on our website
PRICE RANGE
US$4 - US$27
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
CUISINES
Bar, Pub, New Zealand, Gastropub
FEATURES
Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Dog Friendly, Family style, Gift Cards Available
Reviews (599)
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592 results
Traveller rating
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35
22
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LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
332
153
50
35
22
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago

We had our meal was going to use the entertainment book 25% discount. They refused to give us the discount. There was no signage at the restaurant to say you couldn't use this offer. We won't ever be back. Sick of people ripping us off...since covidMore

Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris Watson, Owner at Speight's Ale House, responded to this reviewResponded 1 week ago

Thanks for your feedback and apologies from us for the inconvenience using your entertainment card. We have been in contact with the company for approximately a week trying to get our discount scheme sorted with little success. Please note that this is a priority for...More

Reviewed 28 October 2023

Had a chicken salad and it had a whole thickly cut red onion through it. Who in their right mind would want to eat that much onion! Chips soggy and cold.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris Watson, Owner at Speight's Ale House, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

Thanks Mel we appreciate your feedback and bringing this to our attention. We continue to work extremely hard to provide good quality food that is delivered to all of our customers and this batch of red onions has been discharged and processes have been changed....More

Reviewed 4 October 2023

Food was over cooked and when we complained they couldn’t offer as another meal as they had run out so they offered a beer one meal they did replace the steak was totally raw when I saw the staff pointing and laughing I went an...asked if they were taking the piss the manager then said we abuse his staff and asked to leave I wii never go to there againMore

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 3 October 2023

Before wellington over cooked. Offered a ribeye and came out blue, thinking chef was taking the piss. In the end they refused us beers as we complained about he meals. Staff was young and seemed to have no customer relations, very disappointing

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 15 April 2023

Got told 'get fukd' by one of the bar staff because he tried to take our glass away and we were still using it. Not ok to speak to any customer luke that

Date of visit: March 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 10 January 2023 via mobile

Had such high expectations after a truly wonderful experience at the Speights Alehouse in Wanaka. OK we only booked on the day, so we were only able to book a late sitting. Thought that was a good sign as it meant that they were popular....When we arrived the earlier crowd was leaving and we ended up with only 4 or 5 tables of guests. First sign that things weren’t going well was that they were missing THE key ingredient of the cocktail that we wanted to drink. Staff, while reasonably friendly and attentive, were very young and not very knowledgeable. The second reason for this review was the beef Wellington. Far from medium rare, there was barely a hint of pink. The pastry was inedible and was left on the plate. Very quickly, it seems as if the staff wanted us out. So home we went. My partner paid the bill. It wasn’t until we got home that I realised that someone else’s drink had been out on our bill. I rang straight away to see what could be done about it. The person on the other end of the phone just kept repeating that she would have read out each item when he paid the bill. Endless repetition of that ‘fact’ does NOT absolve your establishment from fixing YOUR problem. Was told that she did not have authority to help me and that her manager would call back the next day. That did not happen. And we left Nelson 2 days later. So very disappointed with what I had such high hopes for. Could have forgiven any one of those things, perhaps not the well done steak, but all of them together left a bad taste in my mouth in more ways than one. The amount of the incorrect charge was not huge but it really was how it was, NOT, dealt with that smart.More

Date of visit: January 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 November 2022

I was a bit sceptical about this place, but it was a rainy day, the road to Havelock was out and I wanted some mussels. They were delicious. A bit more garlic bread would have been appreciated, but the mussels were top quality. I realised...how good when I ordered mussels at another place and they were tough and chewy. These were melt in the mouth delicious. Served quickly and efficiently as well.More

Date of visit: November 2022
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alehousenelson, Owner at Speight's Ale House, responded to this reviewResponded 14 December 2022

Thanks so much for your positive review. Look forward to your visiting again.

Reviewed 28 August 2022

I came to Speight's Alehouse to celebrate my birthday with family because it has become a favourite of mine. Once again they didn't fail to deliver! The staff were so friendly and welcoming, the food was incredible and it was no hassle that we came...in nearer to closing. Their food is the best of its kind in Nelson and in hearty sizes but not overly so. Absolutely amazing. Our waiter was very friendly, helpful and attentive.More

Date of visit: August 2022
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alehousenelson, Owner at Speight's Ale House, responded to this reviewResponded 14 December 2022

Thanks so much for you kind positive words and review. We really appreciate it and looking forward to seeing you again.

Reviewed 16 July 2022

I go there heaps and watch sport and have meal and the food great and the staff are friendly and Nicole awesome so friendly and helpful and welcome .

Date of visit: July 2022
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alehousenelson, Owner at Speight's Ale House, responded to this reviewResponded 26 July 2022

Thank you for your kind words & 5 stars. We are delighted you enjoy your time and experience with us.

Reviewed 4 June 2022 via mobile

Flat beer, anemic chips. Guy behind the bar was too busy talking to a colleague to give customers any attention. Wine was nice though, so well done to the supplier.

Date of visit: June 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 24 November 2021

One of the best steaks i ever had . Perfectly done! Good service and a very nice ambiance. Definitely going to visit again.

Date of visit: November 2021
Helpful?
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alehousenelson, Owner at Speight's Ale House, responded to this reviewResponded 14 December 2022

Thanks so much for your review and positive feedback. Look forward to you visiting again.

Reviewed 31 October 2021

Myself and my work colleague came in for lunch after a failed attempt at fishing only to be greeted by a cheerful woman dressed as a garden fairy. The service was lovely, the meals were prompt despite it being a busy day and the food...was to delicious. Great whiskey selection too!!More

Date of visit: October 2021
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 26 October 2021 via mobile

When booking for Sunday evening of Labour Weekend the person on the phone said ‘can you come an hour earlier we like to finish early on Sunday’s’ not a good start and we should have known what kind of service was to come from that....The attitudes on the waitresses were disgusting, they didn’t want to be there, they couldn’t crack a smile if they tried and they didn’t act like their job was customer service. One of the waitresses came upstairs and someone at our table asked about a couple of drinks that had been ordered about 20 minutes earlier, her response was ‘I’m busy right now they’re probably coming you’ll have to ask someone else.’ It was still another 20 minutes or so until they arrived. The food came so far spread apart that some people had fully finished their entire meals while others were waiting to get their first plate. Desserts were ordered and when the last one came one of our guests at the table didn’t see them put the cutlery bowl down and asked the waitress if she could have a spoon, the waitress very rudely replied ‘If you open your eyes and look they’re right in front of you.’ This just isn’t the way you talk to your customers, these are just some of the rude remarks that were made through the night. I’m appalled to be a local with waitresses like this showing out of town folk what we’re like. Food was ok but not amazing, desserts were fabulous though. End of night our table bill was over $1000, but for the service we received shouldn’t have been more than $20. Won’t be coming back or recommending to any friends and family to come here, which is quite a shame as I’ve always loved coming to Speights and normally recommend to those travelling.More

Date of visit: October 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 19 October 2021

Travel to Nelson a lot, nice central location to have a quiet ale (pilsner) (or 2) and catch up with friends. Then finish off with a good meal and a free trip home. Nice friendly staff.

Date of visit: October 2021
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alehousenelson, General Manager at Speight's Ale House, responded to this reviewResponded 20 October 2021

Thank you so much for your lovely review! Heather and the team from last night will be stoked to hear of your review. We hope to see you again soon!

Reviewed 12 October 2021

Friendly enough staff but very untidy and did not give us a full break down of the menu but they did to other people. Unclean and needs a make over upstairs! Food was below average as i had the pasta and it was shop bought...penne cheap pasta and chicken cubes that were re heated. YUK! Partner had the small portion but very greasy fish and chips, clearly the oil was old and the fish was slightly burnt making it an awful dining experience. Was lovely a few years ago when opened but sadly standards have dropped. Train your staff to a profesional standard and change the chef, then i may come back.More

Date of visit: October 2021
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alehousenelson, General Manager at Speight's Ale House, responded to this reviewResponded 19 October 2021

Hi Christine, Wow! I am so sorry to here of your recent experience. To say we are disappointed is an understatement. We have definitely expressed your concerns onto the staff as this is 100% not how they are trained. If you didn't mind I would...More

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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
woodstews
7 January 2016|
Answer
Response from alehousenelson | Property representative |
Hi there, Thanks for the message. I can assure you they are hygienic and of a very high standard which meets all Food Safety requirements. Hope you enjoyed you meal with us. Kind regards, Gareth Caldwell Owner / Operator
0
Votes
woodstews
7 January 2016|
Answer
Response from alehousenelson | Property representative |
Hi there, Thanks for the message. I can assure you they are hygienic and of a very high standard which meets all Food Safety requirements. Hope you enjoyed you meal with us. Kind regards, Gareth Caldwell Owner... More
0
Votes
Roger1066
26 December 2015|
Answer
Response from alehousenelson | Property representative |
Hi Roger, Our pints are start from $7.90 for our mainstream beer, with Craft beer and cider $8.20. Cheers Gareth
0
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SPEIGHT'S ALE HOUSE, Nelson - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions about Speight's Ale House

Speight's Ale House is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4