A Local Legend Since 1863
The Halswell has been a local legend in Christchurch since 1863 from its earliest days as a sod hut with a thatched roof and dirt floor.
Today we are still the city’s all-day go-to spot offering pub classics, a great range of beverages, indoor and outdoor spaces to relax, live entertainment and a welcoming environment for families with the kids enjoying the fully-fenced playground and furry friends welcome too.
What you can expect at The Halswell
There’s something for everyone at The Halswell.
Come in early for a hearty breakfast or settle in for a relaxed lunch, a delicious dinner or a craft beer or premium wine in our restaurant or enjoy the sunshine outside.
We offer simple, classic dishes with a focus on house-made produce. Think croquettes, hand-stretched pizza and delicious hash browns, with all ingredients locally sourced as much as possible. Our premium meats are sourced from well-known Halswell Butchery & Delicatessen.
Feast on hearty mains such as slow-cooked lamb shoulder, share plates for grazing, or sweet treats to finish. Kids are well catered for, so the whole family can enjoy a meal together.
Grab a table in our restaurant, hang out in the lively main bar, or soak up the sun outdoors. Pair it all with a crisp tap beer, a glass of your favourite wine, or a perfectly mixed cocktail.
Relax, eat, drink, and enjoy.
Catch all the live sporting action on our 14 big screens or have a flutter at our TAB station.
A Historic Puc with a Fresh New Look
The Halswell has undergone several major transformations over the years, most recently undergoing a complete renovation which began in 2024. After closing for three months, our venue re-opened in May 2025 with a new function room, a new bar, an extension to our outdoor area and the construction of a playground for the kids.
Over 160 Years of Halswell History
It all began in 1863, when Mary and William Craythorne set up a humble alehouse on this site on the corner of Halswell Road and Nicholls Road, a simple wooden structure with a thatched roof and a dirt floor.
Locals would enjoy William’s handcrafted ale, brewed from a recipe he brought from his native England. It was soon known as Mother Craythorne’s Pub, and attracted weary travellers, local settlers, and anyone in need of good company and a hearty pint.
The pub has been delighting locals with their food and beverages for more than 150 years. Graeme Penny’s ‘A Short History of Halswell’ tells us that William Craythorne brewed a draught ale from a recipe he brought with him from England.
William and Mary Crayrthorne will always remain part of The Halswell’s story. They are buried in the St Mary’s Church graveyard across the road.
In 1871, after the Craythornes had retired, the business was bought in 1871 by Tom Mullins who replaced the rustic hut with a grand two-storey hotel known as The Halswell Junction Hotel.
For more than 80 years, it served the local community. Sadly in 1954 a fire virtually destroyed the hotel.
In 2001, Brian and Ina Hall bought the pub and restored it with 12 ensuite guest rooms added, as well as a boardroom for corporate functions. The Halls re-named the pub Craythorne’s Hotel, as it had been known for 150 years before.
In 2013, the hotel celebrated 150 years of operation.
The hotel was put up for sale in April 2019. The Halls sold the hotel to The Oxford Group, which operated the hotel under its current name.
In 2025, Australian Venue Co acquired Original Sin, Fat Eddie’s, Kong, The Bog, Bealey Quarter, and Craythornes (The Halswell) in The Oxford Group’s hospitality stable.
In 2025, as we head towards our 163rd year, The Halswell is proud of its place as a pioneer of such a wonderful community.
Come in soon and enjoy a fascinating past and an exciting present.
Proudly Pouring for the Halswell Community
At The Halswell we are proud to be an active and engaged member of our local community which has experienced significant growth in the past few years.
We support several local sporting clubs, including rugby, bowls and softball. We regularly welcome participants and those involved in running all these sports. As a proud community member, we feel it’s important to give back.
At The Halswell, we understand the power and strength of community. We know pubs are not just buildings, they are about connection; they’re about the people who visit and the stories they tell.
Our pub is a meeting place to meet old friends and make new ones. It’s a place where stories can be shared over a delicious meal or a beer, wine or cocktail. And it’s a place where families can enjoy a welcoming and fun environment.
We love seeing our venue being enjoyed by all our visitors.
