Drinks poured at the Negroni & Spritz Bar
Guests at a long candlelit table

Events pack · 2026 · 166 Cashel St, Ōtautahi

Events pack 2026

Events with flavour. Nights with feeling.

Check your dateone business dayDownload the PDF pack2026

In this pack · tap a chapter to open or close it · or view or download the PDF pack

01WelcomeBenvenuti · the food, the rooms, the hosting
A server carrying plates of fresh pasta to a candlelit table

01Benvenuti, welcome

From a table for twenty to the whole building.

Tell us the date. We’ll handle the rest.

The food

Italian and house-made, pasta included, changing with the season.

The rooms

A Negroni & Spritz Bar on level 1. An open-kitchen restaurant on level 2.

The hosting

Hospitality learned at a grandmother’s table in Moldova, given an Italian accent: no empty glasses, no one unfed, every guest a long-lost friend. A dedicated team runs the night, from the first spritz to last drinks.

The first thing everyone asks

No venue hire fee.

You spend on food and drink, and that’s it. For exclusive use there’s a minimum spend, set by the night and the space. Sunday to Thursday, there’s usually none at all.

See the minimum spends
02The spacesTwo levels · capacities · smaller groups · the flow of the night
A bartender pouring spritzes at the Negroni & Spritz Bar

02The spaces

Two levels. One world.

Level 1

Negroni & Spritz Bar

Booths, high leaners and low tables around a lovely big bar. Sheer-draped windows, candlelight, and room for a DJ, a band and dancing.

  • Seated80 · more with hired-in furniture
  • Standing120

Level 2

The Restaurant

The theatre of Italian cooking, straight from the open kitchen. Long tables, plus a private dining area at the far end.

  • Seated90 · 120 with hired-in furniture
  • Standing120

Spaces at a glance

Every space works for every kind of night. Every event is different, so we tailor everything to you.

  • Negroni & Spritz Bar80 seated, more with hired-in furniture · 120 standing
  • The Restaurant90 seated, 120 with hired-in furniture · 120 standing
  • The whole venue165 seated · 240 standing
  • Private dining areaEither level · by arrangement
  • Group diningEither level · by arrangement
  • Private lunchesEither level · by arrangement

Smaller groups · lunches

Not a function room. A place to host.

For smaller groups, the bar or the private dining area in the Restaurant.

A curtained table set with candles, grapes and printed Bar Franco menus

Private dining area

A gorgeous table at the far end of the Restaurant, curtained off when you want it private.

Guests talking across a table in the booth

Group dining

Soak up the full buzz of the venue. We seat your group together, in the Restaurant on level 2 or the bar on level 1.

A tray of spritzes and a Negroni for a long lunch

Private lunches

Always available. A long, leisurely lunch, then afternoon drinks in town. Long, slow and very Italian.

The most-loved flow

Three chapters instead of one long sit-down.

The Negroni Bar, full

Chapter 01

In the bar

Welcome drinks and canapés in the Negroni & Spritz Bar.

A seated dinner upstairs with film projected across the curtains

Chapter 02

Upstairs

A seated dinner in the Restaurant, with the open kitchen in full swing.

A guest laughing on the dance floor

Chapter 03

Back to level 1

Dessert and dancing. While you dine, we turn the bar into a dance floor.

03FoodThree ways to feed the room · dietaries · custom menus
The grazing table

03Food · we cook like someone’s coming home

Three ways to feed the room

Pick one and its menu opens underneath. Grazing tables from 40 per person · custom menus available · all prices exclude GST.

01 · Standing

Canapés

9/11 per piece

Passed on trays. Allow 4–6 pieces per guest.

Best for cocktail functions and after-work drinks.

Open the menu↓

02 · Seated

Shared Franco

80 per person

Three courses down the middle of the table, served family-style.

Best for team dinners and long tables.

Open the menu↓

03 · The full evening

Tutto Franco

110 per person

Shared Franco, plus a chef’s-choice trio of canapés as guests arrive.

Best for end-of-year and client evenings.

Open the menu↓
Crostini with prosciutto, passed on a tray
  • Formatstanding, passed on trays
  • Allow4–6 pieces per guest, or leave it to the chef
  • Adda grazing table, from 40 per person

Bites

9 each

  • Goats cheese croquettes, chilli honey V
  • Seasonal arancini, pickled chilli, parsley mayonnaise V · GFA · DFA
  • Nonna’s meatballs, tomato sugo, parmesan, basil GFA · DFA
  • Market fish crudo, orange, Sicilian olive, lemon oil GF · DF
  • Oysters, seasonal mignonette GF · DF
  • Potatoes, parsley mayonnaise GF · DF
  • Caprese skewer, bocconcini, tomato V · GF · DFA
  • Melon, prosciutto GF · DF

Focaccia sliders

11 each

  • Mortadella, smoked provolone, rocket, sugo, balsamic onions DFA · GFA
  • Marinated eggplant, smoked provolone, rocket, sugo, balsamic onions V · DFA · GFA
  • Crostini, whipped ricotta, pickled tomatoes V

Piadini

11 each

  • Whipped ricotta, pesto, peperonata V · VA · GFA
  • White anchovy, gremolata DF · GFA
  • Prosciutto, stracciatella, rocket, balsamic glaze DFA · GFA

Grazing table

40 per person

  • Or a set amount, 1,000 minimum · 1,500 · 2,000
Plates shared down the table
  • Formatseated, served family-style
  • Coursesto start · mains · dolci
  • Dietariesvegetarian and dairy-free swaps built in

To start

  • Focaccia
  • Antipasto misto, cured meats, marinated olives, roasted peppers, pickled onions GF · DF
  • Stracciatella, peperonata, fig and pistachio agrodolce contains nuts

Mains

  • Pork ragù lasagne, rocket salad GFA · DFA
    or seasonal risotto
  • Porchetta, cannellini purée, gremolata GFA · DFA · VA
    or eggplant involtini, dairy-free ricotta
  • Patate arrosto, parsley mayo GF · DF
  • Fennel and citrus salad, mint, chilli GF · DF · V

Dolci

  • Tiramisu
  • Strawberry sorbet DF · V
Guests gathering around a candlelit long table
  • On arrivala chef’s-choice trio of canapés
  • At the tablethe Shared Franco menu
  • Formatstanding to start, then seated

On arrival

  • A chef’s-choice trio from the canapés list, passed as guests arrive

At the table

  • Focaccia · Antipasto misto · Stracciatella, peperonata, fig and pistachio agrodolce
  • Pork ragù lasagne · Porchetta · Patate arrosto · Fennel and citrus salad

To finish

  • Tiramisu · Strawberry sorbet

Vegetarian and dairy-free swaps are built in. All prices exclude GST.

A grazing table of cured meats, cheeses, fruit and flowers

Dietaries · custom menus

No one goes hungry at Bar Franco.

Every dietary

Coeliac, vegan, allergies: all of them. Send the list with guest names alongside your final numbers. Each guest gets their own labelled plate and a check-in from the team.

Custom menus

For food and drinks. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll build it. Anything we order in specially is charged in full, for the whole amount ordered.

Served to share

For groups, everything is served to share and arranged ahead, so everyone eats together and the night flows. Food isn’t ordered on the night.

The little things

Pasta, arancini, meatballs or pizza for little ones. Leftovers packed to take home. Printed menus with your logo or a custom heading.

V vegetarian · VA vegan available · GF gluten free · GFA gluten free available · DF dairy free · DFA dairy free available

Nuts in the stracciatella (pistachio agrodolce) · egg in the parsley mayo, left out on request · gluten-free swaps are confirmed with the kitchen before service.

04DrinksCharged on consumption · the bar list
A tray of Negronis carried through the bar

04Drinks · charged on consumption

It starts with a Negroni.

Two Italian reds from the list: a Nebbiolo and an organic Chianti

On consumption

You pay for what’s poured. No packages, no subsidised drinks, and no BYO.

The bar tab

Choose 6 wines, 6 cocktails, 4 beers and 4 non-alcoholic drinks. Spirits and mixers are your call.

Cash bar, too

Run a tab with a limit, a cash bar, or both. We keep you posted on the spend all night.

Welcome drink

Required for 30 guests or more, so no one queues at the bar. The Aperol Spritz rarely loses.

Make it yours

A house cocktail renamed after you, an Aperol or champagne tower, or bubbles poured and waiting.

Pick your tab from here

The bar list

Choose 6 wines, 6 cocktails, 4 beers and 4 non-alcoholic drinks. Spirits and mixers are your call. Charged on consumption. Eight wines pour by the glass on the night; the rest are bottle-only, made for the table.

A tray of cocktails from the bar

Aperitivo

  • Aperol Spritz – Aperol, Prosecco, Soda23
  • Campari Spritz – Campari, Prosecco, Soda23
  • Limoncello Spritz – Santa Marta Limoncello, Prosecco, Soda23
  • Hugo Spritz – Fiorente Elderflower, Prosecco, Soda23
  • Classic Negroni – Campari, Rosso Vermouth, Bulldog Gin24
  • Negroni Sbagliato – Campari, Rosso Vermouth, Prosecco23
  • Cherry Negroni – Campari, Cherry, Rosso Vermouth, Bulldog Gin25
  • Americano – Campari, Rosso Vermouth, Soda24
  • Amaretto Sour – Disaronno, Wild Turkey Bourbon, Egg White, Lemon25
  • Franco Margarita – Espolon Tequila, Grand Marnier, Lemon24
  • Espresso Martini – Skyy Vodka, Tia Maria, Espresso25
  • Boulevardier – Campari, Rosso Vermouth, Wild Turkey Bourbon26
  • Olio Martini: Dry or Dirty – Vodka or Gin, Vermouth, Olives25

Birra

  • Peroni – Tap15
  • Peroni – 0%12
  • BRB Pilsner15
  • Menabrea Bionda17
  • Menabrea Zero Zero17

Non-alc

Sanpellegrino Italian sparkling

  • Limonata15
  • Aranciata15
  • Aranciata Rossa15
  • Pompelmo15

Vino spumante

per bottle

  • Tallero Prosecco Extra Dry – Veneto90
  • Ferrari Brut Trento DOC – Trentino140
  • Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV – Champagne165

Vino bianco

per bottle

  • Mezzacorona Castel Firmian Sauvignon Blanc – Trentino95
  • Fantini Primo Malvasia Chardonnay – Abruzzo85
  • Vigneti Romio Pinot Grigio – Friuli95
  • Vesevo Beneventano Falanghina IGT – Campania90
  • Pipoli Bianco Basilicata IGT – Basilicata110
  • Mahi Sauvignon Blanc 2025 – Marlborough85
  • Dog Point Chardonnay 2023 – Marlborough120

Vino rosato

per bottle

  • Fattoria di Basciano Rosato – Toscana90

Vino rosso

per bottle

  • Renzo Masi Chianti Cornioletta – Toscana95
  • Fantini Montepulciano – Abruzzo90
  • Vigneti Romio Organic Sangiovese Rubicone – Emilia-Romagna85
  • Sallier de la Tour Syrah – Sicilia95
  • Atzei Saragat Cannonau di Sardegna – Sardegna100
  • Ascheri Langhe Nebbiolo San Giacomo – Piemonte110
  • Vanita Primitivo di Manduria DOP – Puglia93
  • Fattoria di Basciano Chianti Rufina Riserva – Toscana107
  • Dicey Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2022 – Central Otago110
05PricingMinimum spends · what’s included · deposits
A long candlelit table set for a private event

05Pricing · all prices exclude GST

Minimum spends

Friday and Saturday nights

  • Negroni & Spritz Barfrom 4,000
  • The Restaurantfrom 7,500
  • The whole venuefrom 15,000

Any other time

  • Sunday to Thursday, any spaceusually none
  • Private luncheson request

How it works

The host covers the minimum spend through food and a bar tab, arranged ahead. Once it’s met, the bar switches to cash.

Drinks bought at the public bar beforehand don’t count. November and December are the dearest months, and your proposal gives the exact figure.

No venue hire fee, and all of this

The room is yours.

Included

  • Set-up and pack-down
  • A dedicated team: one server per 10 guests, plus a manager
  • Candlelight, low lighting and olive branches
  • Personalised menus, with your logo if you like
  • Your décor, name cards and seating plan, set out by us
  • Projector, screen and handheld microphone
  • Our sound system, for your playlist, DJ or band

Extras

  • Cakeage50
  • Security for 18ths and 21stsat cost
  • Linen hire25 a cloth
  • Grazing tablefrom 40 pp
  • Bigger AV set-upsquoted

Security is quoted in your proposal. Bigger AV goes through our AV partner. Linen is hired in for you.

Deposits and payments

Securing your date

We pencil your date in while you decide. It goes to whoever confirms first.

To confirm

A non-refundable deposit, taken off your drinks bill.

  • Minimum spend under 7,000500 + GST
  • 7,000 to 10,0001,000 + GST
  • Over 10,0001,500 + GST

If plans change

Full terms are in our Venue Hire Agreement.

  • 30+ days outwe keep the deposit
  • 14–30 days out50% of the minimum spend
  • Under 14 days100% of the minimum spend

5 days before

Final numbers and dietaries are due, and we invoice your food on those numbers. Late additions are welcome; numbers can’t go down.

On the night

Drinks are settled at the end of the night, or invoiced after the event, less your deposit.

06How it worksSeven steps, from first email to last drinks
A glass of wine poured at the table

06From first email to last drinks

How it works

  1. 01

    Tell us about the night

    The date, how many, seated or standing, and a rough budget. If it’s a milestone, say so.

  2. 02

    We call, then propose

    A quick chat first. Then the right space, your minimum spend and menu ideas in writing, with your date pencilled in.

  3. 03

    Come in

    Any day from 3:30pm, for a drink on us and a walk through both levels.

  4. 04

    Lock it in

    A deposit secures the date. First to confirm gets it.

  5. 05

    Shape the details

    A few weeks out, one simple checklist: food, drinks, numbers, dietaries, timings, music, AV, décor and cake.

  6. 06

    Sign off your runsheet

    Final numbers and dietaries are due five days out, and we invoice your food then.

  7. 07

    We host. You stay.

    From the first spritz to last drinks, our team runs the night so you can be in the room.

Start here · send us the date and the numbers

Emailevents@barfranco.nzCall021 221 1307
07Good to knowPlanning notes · house rules
The Restaurant set with long tables for an event

07Good to know

Planning notes

Access

Someone’s on site from 3:30pm every day. Decorations, flowers and cake arrive from 3:30pm on the day. Earlier set-up or suppliers by arrangement.

Decorations

Balloons, flowers, signage, banners and photo booths are all welcome. Vinyl stickers must peel off cleanly. Sharing plates leave little room for big centrepieces.

Cake

Cakeage is $50, and our chefs slice and serve it on platters (allow about 30 minutes). Bring your own candles. There’s no fridge space the day before.

Music

Our playlist, your Spotify over Bluetooth, or a DJ, duo or band on our sound system.

AV

A handheld mic, projector and screen, at no charge (there’s no TV). Bring a laptop and HDMI cable, or send the file ahead. Bigger set-ups go through our AV partner.

Getting here

166 Cashel Street, The Crossing. Take the lift near H&M and KOOKAÏ, or the stairs. The Crossing carpark is right there. On request, we’ll sign the lift and greet guests at the door.

House rules

The fine print

18ths and 21sts

We host them, a little differently. A security guard is required, charged at cost. Over-18s wear wristbands, which you supply, and ID is checked at the door.

Children

Under-18s are welcome at private events, with a parent or legal guardian beside them.

Timings

Last drinks at 11:30pm, doors close at midnight. Until then, the night is yours.

Christmas

We keep it Italian. December books out fast, so enquire early. We’re closed from 23 December to 5 January.

GST

All prices exclude GST.

08Friends of FrancoSuppliers we love · places to stay nearby

08Suppliers we love

Friends of Franco

Bring your own, or lean on the people we already work with.

  • FlowersA Little Bit Floral · Tholsie & Co
  • CakesFull Time Tart
  • Live musicVintage Blue
  • BackdropsBlank Space Events
  • AVShipleys
  • SecurityOctober Protection
  • Stay nearbyBreakFree on Cashel · The Observatory · Crowne Plaza

Ti aspettiamo, we’re waiting for you

Send us the date and the numbers.

Jenna’s in Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Can’t reach her? Ana-Maria will come straight back to you.

Jenna or Ana-Maria replies within one business day with availability, a proposal and the events pack. Your date is pencilled in while you decide, and the deposit comes off your drinks bill.

A long table at the end of the night, candles still burning

Jenna · Events Manager

Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Email events@barfranco.nz
Call 021 221 1307

Ana-Maria · Owner

Any other day, or if Jenna’s away

Email anamaria@barfranco.nz

Find us

166 Cashel Street, The Crossing, Christchurch. Lift near H&M and KOOKAÏ.

Come in

Any day from 3:30pm, for a drink on us and a walk through both levels.

View the PDF pack

Bar Franco · Events pack 2026 · (upstairs) The Crossing, 166 Cashel St, Ōtautahi · all prices exclude GST

It’s currently…

Opening at 4pm

in Ōtautahi

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