What are the opening hours?

Wednesday 12pm - 8:30pm Thursday 12pm - 8:30pm Friday 12pm - 8:30pm Saturday 12pm - 8:30pm Sunday 12pm - 8:30pm

Criterion Hotel

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Criterion Hotel

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A modern bar & eatery nestled inside the iconic flagship building of Oamaru’s historic heritage precinct—where classic charm meets contemporary flavour.
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Vegan and Vegetarian Options

28/10/2026

🎃👻 THIS HALLOWEEN, THE CRITERION HAS A DARKER SIDE… 👻🎃

Step back into 1877 at the historic Criterion Hotel, Oamaru… where the walls hold secrets, the hallways whisper stories, and not every guest has checked out. 🕯️

They say unexplained footsteps echo through empty corridors late at night. Mysterious chills creep through the heritage rooms. And sometimes, the voices of long-gone patrons can still be heard…

This Halloween, the legends come alive. 💀

🍻 Craft brews
🍸 Killer cocktails
🕸️ Historic vibes
👻 A night you won’t forget…

Dare to spend Halloween at one of Oamaru’s most haunted hotels?

📍 Criterion Hotel, Oamaru
🦇 Gather your crew. Bring your courage. Enter if you dare…

Some stories never die. This Halloween, come and hear ours. 🎃

25/10/2026

👻 SOMETHING SPOOKY IS BREWING AT THE CRITERION… 🥂🕸️

They say the old walls of the Criterion Hotel have stories to tell… 🕯️

This Halloween, even the ghosts are coming out for a drink! 👻🍸

Our spooky bartender is ready to serve up some wickedly good cocktails, hauntingly good vibes and a little Halloween mischief! 🦇

🎃 HALLOWEEN AT THE CRITERION HOTEL
📍 Oamaru

Come for the spirits… stay for the BOO-ze! 🥃👻

Dare to join us on 30th October? 💀

23/10/2026

🎃 HALLOWEEN WEEKEND KICK-OFF AT THE CRITERION! 🎃

Beat the Saturday crowd and start your Halloween weekend early at the historic Criterion Hotel Bar & Eatery!

🗓 When: Friday, 30th October
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – Late
📍 Where: Criterion Hotel Bar & Eatery, Oamaru

🏆 $150 BEST DRESSED COSTUME CONTEST
Get your best, spookiest, or most creative outfit ready!

👤 Guest Judge: Oamaru’s very own legend — Martin Robot-Man Horspool

🔥 Entry is free! Bring your crew, dress up, and dive into a Victorian haunted night.

23/10/2026

🎉 GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎉

A huge thank you to everyone who entered, commented, and showed support! We are super excited to announce our lucky winner...

🥁 Congratulations to Laura Campbell-Cowan 🥳✨

You are our giveaway winner! Please send us a direct message (DM) to claim your prize! 🎁📩

Thank you again to everyone for participating—stay tuned for more exciting giveaways soon! 🙌

19/10/2026

🎉 GIVEAWAY TIME AT THE CRITERION HOTEL! 🎉

🍽️ WIN A DELICIOUS ROAST DINNER FOR TWO! 🍽️

We’re spreading a little love here at the historic Criterion Hotel, Oamaru, and giving one lucky winner the chance to enjoy a beautiful roast dinner for TWO, on us! ❤️

Think tender roast meat, golden potatoes, fresh vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and rich, delicious gravy! 😍

🎁 HOW TO ENTER:

👍 LIKE this post
❤️ FOLLOW our page
💬 COMMENT below who you’d bring along for dinner!

✨ BONUS: Share this post with your friends to spread the word!

🏆 ONE LUCKY WINNER will be randomly selected and announced right here on our page!

📅 Winner announced: Friday - 23/10/2026

📍 Criterion Hotel, Oamaru

Good food, great company and a little bit of luck! 🍀

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE! ❤️

02/10/2026

🇮🇳 INDIAN NIGHT AT CRITERION— Saturday 3rd October!

Tables are filling up fast 👀🔥
If you haven’t booked your spot for our Chef’s Discovery, now’s the time!

🍽️ Chef’s Discovery — $69pp
⏰ 5-8pm

Don’t leave it until tomorrow — book now before we’re fully booked! ❤️

30/09/2026

🇮🇳 Indian Night returns to the Criterion Hotel
Saturday 3rd October | Chef’s Experience — $69 per person

We’re delighted to welcome you back for another evening celebrating the flavours, warmth and traditions of Indian cuisine.

This time, our chefs have created a new menu to take you from vibrant street-food favourites to rich, aromatic curries, finishing with a little royal indulgence. ✨

Simply let us know whether you prefer Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian, and leave the delicious details to us.

Whether you’ve joined us before or are visiting for the first time, we’d love to welcome you. Gather your friends, settle in, and enjoy an evening of good food and warm hospitality.

🍽️ Explore the menu below.
📩 To book, please message us with your guest numbers, vegetarian or non-vegetarian preferences, and any dietary requirements.

📍 Criterion Hotel, Oamaru

We look forward to sharing another special evening with you.

21/08/2026

🎉 Giveaway Winner Announcement! 🎉

A massive thank you to everyone who participated and shared the love with us! We were blown away by all the incredible support.

Drumroll, please... 🥁

Huge congratulations to Jasmine Buckingham You are our official giveaway winner! 🎉✨

Please contact us to claim your prize and book your table so we can get everything ready for your visit.

To everyone who entered: stay tuned, because we'll have plenty more exciting treats and giveaways coming your way very soon!

Cheers,
Criterion Hotel

20/08/2026

🎬 Criterion Hotel on the World Stage!

We’re excited to share that Netflix’s upcoming series East of Eden was filmed right here in Oamaru’s beautiful Victorian Precinct — with Criterion Hotel featured as one of the filming locations!

In January 2025, our historic precinct was transformed into a film set, with horses, period costumes, cameras and an incredible production crew bringing another era to life around the Criterion.

It was fantastic to see our heritage building become part of such a major international production, and we can’t wait to spot the Criterion and familiar Oamaru streets when the series reaches screens worldwide.

A proud moment for Criterion Hotel, Oamaru and our Victorian Precinct. 🎥🏛️

Keep an eye out — you might recognise more than a few familiar places!

17/06/2026

🌮🇲🇽 MEXICAN NIGHT AT CRITERION HOTEL 🇲🇽🌮

This Saturday, we’re bringing the vibrant flavours of Mexico to Oamaru.

Enjoy Loaded Nachos, Soft Shell Tacos, Burrito Bowls, Quesadillas, Mexican Fried Chicken, Churros and more, all served fresh and packed with flavour.

🕔 Dinner from 5:00 PM till late
📍 Criterion Hotel, Oamaru

Grab your friends, enjoy a drink, and make a night of it.

Good Food. Great Company. Memorable Nights.

Address

3 Tyne Street
Oamaru
9400

Opening Hours

Wednesday	12pm - 8:30pm
Thursday	12pm - 8:30pm
Friday	12pm - 8:30pm
Saturday	12pm - 8:30pm
Sunday	12pm - 8:30pm

Website

http://www.criterionoamaru.co.nz/

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