Warning: The video contains nudity which may offend some people
By Dave Goosselink
It's the end of an era for two Dunedin landmarks; Carisbrook is preparing for its final All Blacks test tomorrow, while the kegs are almost dry at student pub The Gardies.
Nightline understands the bar is closing its doors tonight after selling out to Otago University in March.
It has been a popular student hangout for decades, but fans of The Gardies tavern are getting in their last drinks before the bar shuts up shop.
“I miss it already; it's going to be sad to see it go. It's just the starting off point for a good night out,” says Gardies fan Lindsey Horne.
“Anything goes at Gardies – even dancing on the tables, nude rugby, like anything goes,” says another fan, Harriet Leadbetter.
Nudity has been a big chapter in the bar's history; members of tomorrow's nude rugby team feeling right at home during a final training session in the garden bar.
“It's like putting on your Sunday hat you know; it's something we'll always do. Had some pretty good times here with my kit off,” says nude rugby player Bradley Gosney.
They don't think other bars will welcome their antics with the same open arms.
“You know, it's been part of our life and it's been a part of fathers and people before us life, and you know it's a big tragedy to lose it, especially to who we're losing it to,” Gosney says.
They are losing it to Otago University – who paid a rumoured $1.7 million for the property.
That killed a plan by a trio of students, who were keen to find a group of young investors to save the pub.
“University came in and got the chequebook out pretty quickly and signed it all away,” says Jilted Bar owner Blake Luff.
The university hasn't decided what it will do with the building, but Mr Luff believes they had ulterior motives.
“I think they might have this wee sort of thing that if they close all the pubs that students are going to stop drinking, and it's going to take all their issues away, but whether that actually works or not – we don't really know.”
Long-time patrons have been making the most of the final days, and remembering the good times.
“You've got a lot of old staff here, you've got a lot of off-duty cops, you've got a lot of everything actually,” says Gardies owner Pete Innes-Jones. “We've had all sorts coming through the last few days, it's quite nice – I mean it’s an iconic old boozer.”
One group – known as The Cutters – have shared Friday lunches at The Gardies for 20 years.
“When my first born come out of Queen Mary, came straight out of Queen Mary and we came here for lunch on Friday – as you do,” says Phil Clark.
“You know, it's all about your mates and sharing good times,” says Ralph Davies. “You know, the glitzy bars and cocktails are not what it's all about, it's about being able to have a good time.”
The Gardies was due to close after tomorrow's big game, but word on the grapevine is the bar will now be closing its doors for good at midnight tonight.
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