The Birdcage was originally known as the Rob Roy Hotel, a wooden building erected in 1865, making it one of Auckland’s most historic taverns. The current building was constructed on the same site in 1885,.Back in the day patrons could reach the hotel by road or water, as it originally sat on the Freemans Bay shoreline. The reclamation of the old bay was completed in 1901, and Victoria Park was created on most of the resulting flat area. The building is now owned by NZTA, who in 2010, famously moved all 740 tonnes, 40 metres in a painstaking process to make way for the Victoria Park tunnel project.
The tavern today is a designated heritage building and is regarded as being one of Aucklands top Gastro pubs. Beautifully restored to its former glory as a neighbourhood tavern under the stewardship of publican Phil Houston, it is a popular functions venue with a large north facing beer garden, serving excellent pub meals complemented by a great selection of NZ craft beers and wines, conveniently located within walking distance from Aucklands Sky Tower, Wynyard Quarter and Ponsonby Rd. The pub offers great deals including an , $19.5 pizzas every Tuesday, $1.5 chicken wings every Wednesday, $25 Burger Thursday with a free drink & $25 Friday Fish 'n' Chips with a free drink. It also offers great events including a weekly pub quiz on Tuesdays that is free to enter and has some great prizes to win and UFC viewing parties for the big UFC events. These events are usually busy so booking is strongly recommended. The pub also offers an excellent After Work Happy Hour with beers from $8 & Wines, Gins & Cocktails from $10, 4pm - 6.30pm Tuesday - Friday.
