Located on the corner of St Aubyn Street and Egmont Street, the Lion Tavern opened for business on 6 August 1970. It was described as catering for the "discerning drinker" with the private and lounge bars offering "comfort and privacy." The public bar on the ground floor was designed to cater for 90 patrons.
The building was designed by a team of architects from New Zealand Breweries and cost $190,000. It was built by Jones & Sandford Ltd.
Later, Bond & Bond converted part of the Lion Tavern into a retail outlet. The building was demolished in 2002 to make way for the construction of the Waterfront Hotel.
It was the third 'hotel' on the site, replacing the Grosvenor which had burnt to the ground in 1959. The Grosvenor (built in 1902-03) had replaced the Commonwealth Hotel (1901) which had only lasted a year before being destroyed in a fierce blaze.
Related items:
Old site new angle (Taranaki Herald 13 June 1970)
New Lion Tavern (Daily News 6 August 1970)
Site Was Once an Imposing Landmark (Daily News 6 August 1970)
Lit up at the flick of a switch (North Taranaki Weekender 10 June 1990)
Group at the Lion Tavern (31 May 1974). Collection of Puke Ariki.
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