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New Zealand opens a real-life Hobbit bar (12 Photos)

December 14, 2012 | In: Awesome, Interesting, Travel

: Located in the tourist village of Hobbiton — a town that has been open to the public since 2002 — the new pub is intended to make the visiting experiences all the more Hobbit-like. The pub manager, Russell Alexander, estimates that the release of the new Hobbit film will bring in at least 100,000 visitors over the next year. That would be quite an increase, as Hobbiton has been visited by 300,000 people over the past decade. The bar, named The Green Dragon, opened to the public in late November after New Zealand Prime Minister John Key conducted a “chain cutting” ceremony.

Located near Matamata, the Hobbit village was built in 1998 by Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema as a set for the films. But now, in preparation for the upcoming Hobbit trilogy, it has been expanded to include 44 “Hobbit Holes,” or dwellings, which feature the characteristic circular doors made famous in the movies. Hobbiton Board director and former Tourism New Zealand boss George Hickton said that in future it may be possible to convert the facility to allow for overnight stays. I, for one, think that would be an amazing time and would sign up in a heartbeat.

Tiber_Septim

seems like a pretty cool place to go
Guest

A trilogy for a book that's two thirds as long as any of the other three. Why god/peter Jackson. Why?

sithney

money, dear boy.
Kaosu

You could watch the movie and see for yourself why
Orukal

I was looking forward to the duology, but when it was announced that there would be a third from material primarily from the appendices of the Return of the King…well, I'm not as thrilled about that. Granted, most of my excitement is because of the Rankin and Bass version. I don't think a bridge between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings films is actually necessary.

Katy

I now NEED to go to New Zealand!
Wet_tosti

#8 You can drink your fancy ales,
You can drink them by the flagon,
But the only brew for the brave and true…
..Comes from the Green Dragon!
LeO

That's awesome
Mike

Visited the set last year and was told we couldn't go anywhere near the Pub, guess they were setting it up and keeping it a secret. Gutted I've just missed out on a pint at the Green Dragon, just means I'll have to go back
Sean

Its like the Hobbit house in Manila Philippines
Jess

<3 NZ, best place in the world to live ^.^

Helena

I've visited twice, and it's easily the most beautiful place I've ever been. The road to Milford Sound had me in tears, the mountains were so magnificent. I would move there in a heartbeat, if it weren't literally on the opposite side of the globe from everyone I love.

Festigio

Bret McKenzie on MTV Cribs
Gandalf the Gandalf

Just got out of this movie. AMAZING. I hope to visit this bar one day.
Wittry

Well, I must say, the movie was pretty sweet.

The 3 am Ihop was a little iffy though.

https://www.facebook.com/michael.froment Michael Froment

Am I the only one that's worried about where I'm going to park?

Robzombie

You just ride a sheep there and then let it go in the field. Everyone rides sheep in NZ

AnyoneForCoffee

So, it's an English country pub then?
Canucks_Rule

#9 #12 – saw this place when i visiited nz earlier this year.
duckfart4U

mmmmmm beer. future Chive meet-up?????
http://www.gofundme.com/1iox44 Astral207

I wanna go
Bevi

It's beautiful! I wish I worked there.
http://shayfabbro.com/2012/12/17/the-green-dragon/ The Green Dragon! | Dr. Shay West aka Dr. Shay Fabbro aka Dr. FAB!

[...] For more pictures, check out this awesome website! [...]
Bobbe

open the Hobbit Holes and I am there.
ChristophersonofGray

Seems a bit difficult to get to, unless you have a horse and cart.
http://www.humorti.me/?p=471 New Zealand opens a real-life Hobbit bar | Humor Time

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