Queen of Jackson is a craft beer bar and eatery at 181 Jackson Street, Petone, in the heart of Lower Hutt's main shopping and hospitality strip. The venue has operated since 2014 and takes its design cues from East London street style, with large comfortable booths and long leaners set up for groups to sit and socialise.
Drinks are central to the offer. The bar runs 14 taps with a rotating craft beer selection showcasing New Zealand breweries, which the venue describes as the only rotating craft beer line-up in the Hutt Valley. Alongside that sit extensive wine and cocktail lists and a broad range of mocktails and low-alcohol options, plus dessert cocktails and nightcap liqueurs to finish a meal. The food is an internationally influenced sharing plates menu, which lends itself naturally to groups eating together rather than plated individual courses.
Rooftop garden bar. Upstairs, reached by the staircase, is a rooftop garden bar that has become a recognised part of the Petone skyline. It has its own bar and its own 14 taps, and is built for Wellington weather with heated seating for cold days and a roof that opens up when the sun is out. The space is given a themed transformation each year. Queen of Jackson explicitly promotes the rooftop as suitable for functions.
The venue opens from 11:30am and is closed on Mondays, with a regular Wednesday cocktail session between 5pm and 8pm. Bookings are described as essential.
For MICE and corporate use, Queen of Jackson works well for informal team functions, after-work drinks, client hosting and end-of-year celebrations, particularly for organisations based in Petone and the Hutt Valley. The sharing-plates format, the separate rooftop space and the depth of the beverage list are the main draws for group bookings. Confirm capacity, exclusive-use options and any function packages directly with the venue when planning.
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