The Cabana

The legendary Cabana in Napier is being given a new lease on life as an entertainment venue, thanks to a collective of Napier personalities.

The Cabana, attached to Napier's first Art Deco hotel, became a New Zealand icon during the heyday of touring bands in the 1970s, '80s and '90s.

The group of seven want the Cabana to once again become a home for local and national music. But, they say, the era of the "seven days a week booze barn" is over. Instead, a more salubrious atmosphere prevails, with the venue available to clubs and groups of all ages.

The Cabana is steeped in history and has "music in the walls". As Midge Marsden, New Zealand's King of the Blues, said: "The Cabana was New Zealand's finest rock 'n' roll finishing school!"

Cabana team member Lee Pritchard's recent book "Hotel Cabana Thru the Decades" immortalised its story, capturing memories of the place from an impressive line-up of New Zealand's top entertainers, all of whom graced the stage at the Cabana at some point in their careers.