Ponsonby's cocktail bar Deadshot has announced its closing its doors. Photo / Deadshot

Another Ponsonby Rd bar to close as hospitality sector's struggles worsen

Author: Jack Marshall,
Publish Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2026, 9:11am

Deadshot, the well-loved cocktail bar on Ponsonby Rd, has announced it is to close down.

Owners Ali Walker and Heather Garland said the late-night watering hole, which once famously turned away popstar Pink, has been sold and will have its final night next weekend.

“After eight wonderful years, we have decided to sell Deadshot,” wrote Walker and Garland on social media.

“We have made this choice as our kids Eli and Otis will soon be both at school, so we want to ensure we are able to spend the family time together that we need.

“Cocktail bar hours and school hours are a tricky combination so we believe this is the right solution.”

The bar established itself as a base for hospitality workers and night owls, staying open till 2am every night.

The speakeasy cocktail bar has no menu, instead customers simply explain what kind of drink they want and the bartender will shake, stir or build a cocktail specific to the drinker’s taste.

More often than not customers would walk in and be greeted by Walker or Garland behind the bar or working the floor.

“For us, having our bars be owner-operator bars has always been non-negotiable,” the post continued.

“One of our favourite things about this industry is visiting venues and being served by the people who dreamed the place up, it’s part of the magic.

“Thank you so much for supporting our little bar for the last eight years.”

Ponsonby's cocktail bar Deadshot has announced its closing its doors. Photo / Deadshot

Neighbouring bar 39 Ponsonby said they had been “phenomenal neighbours, astounding collaborators and wonderful hosts”.

“Thank you for your guidance and support for everybody who has walked through your doors, thank you for helping us provide our hospitality and trusting us with your guests and allowing us to look after you when you were of shift. Much love and enjoy the time with your family, much deserved!”

“I will be missing it very much. Thank you for all the incredible nights, drinks and laughter!!” wrote Simon Benoit, the restaurant manager of Cazador.

While the couple are closing Deadshot, they will continue to run their bars Caretaker and Rocketman in Britomart.

Deadshot made headlines in 2018 after turning away the popstar Pink, who was on tour in New Zealand.

“Man, I’ve been to some cool bars around the world, and Deadshot on Ponsonby Rd is not one of them,” Pink wrote on Twitter.

Pop star Pink was famously turned away from Deadshot when she was on tour in New Zealand. Photo / Dia Dipasupil, Getty Images

However, staff at Deadshot said they lacked capacity to host Pink’s entourage.

“Someone from the crew came back in and asked if they could book a private space for 30 people,” a spokesperson for Deadshot told Newshub. “We couldn’t let them in due to being full already. We didn’t see Pink at all.”

The closure of Deadshot comes after a spate of hospitality venues shutting their doors.

Iconic Karangahape Rd cafe and bar Verona went into liquidation after 34 years in business and Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill announced it will close after operating since 1988.