'Sad but celebratory’: Beloved Gypsy Tea Room pours its final drinks

After more than two decades of pouring pints, sharing stories and becoming a second home to generations of Grey Lynn locals, the beloved Gypsy Tea Room has closed its doors for the final time.

The Grey Lynn institution went out with a bang, with regulars crowding the bar and surrounding footpath while Kiwi music legends performed.

Owner Brett Simeti said the closure was “very sad” after a fight to save the bar was joined by loyal supporters.

He believed some were so passionate that, in an act of protest, one threw a rock through the window days before the keys were handed over to building owner Barfoot & Thompson.

Barfoot & Thompson director Stephen Barfoot said the company recognised the strength of feeling around Gypsy Tea Room’s closure and understood people were sad to see a much-loved local business close.

Crowds packed the bar and spilled down the street for its final send-off on Sunday, August 16, with regulars returning from across its more than 20-year history.

The beloved Richmond Rd bar poured its final drinks this week before closing for good.

Th’ Dudes’ Peter Urlich and Fat Freddy’s Drop’s MC Slave played for several hours as the farewell turned into a celebration.

“It just went off big time,” Simeti said.

The night was “sad but celebratory”, with former regulars travelling from across Auckland to say goodbye.

“It was a really good send-off.

“A lot of people [are] carrying us heavily in their hearts.”

Th’ Dudes’ Peter Urlich is a major supporter of Gypsy Tea Room and played during the venue's final night. Photo / Corey Fleming

Before the final party, Simeti said the final weeks had been about getting the Gypsy Tea Room “to the finish line” and making sure his workers were okay.

Asked whether he had thought about moving to a new location, he said he needed time to recover after a challenging few months.

“Now it’s time to take a breath and reset.”

Simeti thanked the many locals who fought alongside him to keep the bar alive after Barfoot & Thompson brought an end to the lease because of development plans.

“A lot of people fought a good fight on my behalf, beyond any expectations for them to do so, and that’ll never ever be forgotten by me.”

Owner Brett Simeti says he “wouldn’t swap” his more than 20 years at the Gypsy Tea Room for anything. Photo / Annaleise Shortland

In June, Grey Lynn and Westmere residents threatened to boycott Barfoot & Thompson and take their future property sales elsewhere over the looming closure.

At a packed community meeting, supporters vowed to “protest with their pockets”, arguing the bar’s departure would cost jobs, damage a cherished local institution and erase a piece of Auckland hospitality history.

In a statement today, Barfoot said he had great respect for what the Gypsy Tea Room team created.

The company also cared deeply about the Grey Lynn community. It had worked hard to find a way for the bar to remain part of the building’s future, which included offering another street-front tenancy in the completed development.

“Ultimately, they chose not to take up those options and made the decision to close at this location.

“Our focus now is on getting on with the redevelopment, protecting the character of the building and making a positive contribution to the village for the long term.”

After more than 20 years behind the bar, Simeti said he wouldn’t swap it for anything.

“To have had an impact on people’s lives to the extent that we’ve had, that’s probably as satisfying as you can get.”

The bar had gone out with a bang in more ways than one. Simeti said someone threw a rock through the vacant building’s window at the weekend.

He assumed it happened on Saturday, before the keys were handed over on Monday.

A rock was thrown through a Gypsy Tea Room window after its closure.

Simeti believed the damage was a protest against Barfoot & Thompson, rather than the Gypsy Tea Room.

Police said they had no record of the incident.

In June, Barfoot told the Herald that after a year of engaging with the owners, going “above and beyond” with communication a typical tenant could expect, the real estate agency was looking to move forward.

“Our position has been communicated clearly and fully, particularly with the affected tenant over an extended period of 12 months.

“This includes attempts to find a workable solution that met their needs and several different potential design plans.”

Barfoot said he would have “welcomed” the opportunity for Gypsy Tea Room to remain part of the building.

Asked for a final message to Barfoot & Thompson, Simeti was brief.

“They have to live with their decisions.”

Rachel Maher is the education correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. She also covers other topics such as Auckland issues, crime and local government. She started at the Herald as a breaking news journalist in 2022, before joining the Auckland team this year.