Cabana Live Music Venue - Venue for hire
Availability
Hastings, Hawke’s Bay, music venue.
The iconic Cabana in Napier has always been the home of live music in Hawke’s Bay. Raised from the rubble of the 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake, the Cabana – then called the Empire Hotel – was designed in Spanish Mission/Art Deco style by leading architects Finch and Westorholm. It was the first Napier hotel to be rebuilt after the quake, carrying on a tradition that has seen a hotel standing on the site for 150 years. In 1955 the Empire became Hotel Cabana and with bands playing regularly the Cabana struck a chord, and it developed into one of New Zealand’s finest rock venues.
The Cabana is the kiwi version of the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Fans say: “it was kind of like being in a time warp – in the best possible way of course. It was crowded, it was very hot and everyone was having a great time.”
Most of New Zealand’s top entertainers have been on stage at some time in their careers. Midge Marsden, New Zealand’s King of the Blues, called the Cabana “New Zealand’s finest rock ‘n’ roll finishing school”.
The venue today showcases a huge variety of local and touring talent, and is available to clubs and groups of all ages.
The venue is FREE to bands. Private parties pay $200 plus GST to hire security, gear, and a soundman if required.
There is a bar.
Stage Dimensions:
4.5m deep x 5.5m wide
Green Room:
Small Area at side of stage for performers, includes toilet and basin.
Gear & Lights available. Enquire for details.
Facilities
- Licensed
- Onsite parking
- Sound system
- Stage
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Napier City

Beautifully preserved 1930s architecture is Napier’s special point of difference.
A national disaster resulted in Napier becoming one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. On the morning of February 3rd 1931 a massive earthquake – 7.9 on the Richter scale – rocked Hawke’s Bay for more than three minutes. Nearly 260 lives were lost and the vast majority of buildings in the commercial centre of Napier were destroyed, either by the quake itself or the fires that followed.
Rebuilding began almost immediately, and much of it was completed in two years. New buildings reflected the architectural styles of the times – Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco. Local architect Louis Hay, an admirer of the great Frank Lloyd Wright, had his chance to shine. Maori motifs were employed to give the city a unique New Zealand character – for example, the ASB bank on the corner of Hastings and Emerson Streets features Maori koru and zigzags.
Napier is one of Hawke’s Bay’s “twin cities” and has a great range of accommodation and activities.
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