Accessible to visitors who:







- The venue's main entrance provides step-free access and is at least 0.81 metres wide, featuring automatic doors that can be opened with one hand.
- The reception area and all internal entrances, passageways, and doorways are easy to navigate for visitors using mobility aids, maintaining a minimum width of 0.81 metres.
- The main dining area ensures ample navigation room with pathways between tables at least 0.8 metres wide, and tabletops are positioned at a height of at least 0.7 metres from the floor.
- The service counter is accessible for wheelchair users, with a height between 1.2 and 1.3 metres and a minimum width of 0.9 metres, and the card payment device is easily accessible.
- Evacuation routes are accessible to people who use wheelchairs, powerchairs, mobility scooters, or walking aids.

- The venue has an accessible, gender-neutral restroom, with clear labels indicating its location.
- The restroom door can be opened, locked, and unlocked using one hand, and can be unlocked by staff in an emergency.
- The restroom interior is accessible to people using manual wheelchairs or powerchairs, meeting the minimum dimensions of 2 metres x 1.6 metres.
- Grabrails are available and easily accessible to a person seated on the toilet, with handwashing, paper towel drying facilities, and the bathroom mirror all within easy reach and at an appropriate height for wheelchair users.


- Designated and clearly-marked accessible parking spaces are available on the street, located within 50 metres of the main entrance.
- The parking area is well-lit at night, with no steps, curbs, or obstructions separating the parking space from the venue's nearest exit.
- There is insufficient room for people to transfer to their wheelchairs, powerchairs, or mobility scooters by both the driver and passenger car doors.
- The parking space is not part of a larger parking structure and is not covered or sheltered, with no designated drop-off and pick-up points available.
- A safe footpath leads to the venue's main entrance.
- The pathway leading to the main entrance does not have tactile ground surface indicators.
- A raised platform used for live music and dining near the main entrance may pose a tripping hazard for those with limited or low vision, so caution is advised.
- Events are held in environments suitable for visitors with blindness or low vision, featuring even, non-slip flooring and unobstructed pathways.
- Clear directions, signs, and maps are available to guide visitors through the venue.
- The venue notifies visitors when their order is ready via text or SMS notification.
- Events are held in environments suitable for visitors who are deaf or experience limited hearing, with clearly displayed signs or graphics.
- Emergency alert systems produce both audio and visual warnings, such as an alarm and flashing lights, and evacuation plans take into consideration individuals with deafness or limited hearing.
- Music is played through a speaker system during operating hours at a volume generally louder than 85 decibels, although staff can control the volume.
- If events feature video, no subtitles or closed captions are available.
- The venue offers quiet hours for neurodiverse visitors on Monday and Tuesday from 6pm - 8pm.
- A designated breakout room or quiet space is available onsite for visitors who require it.
- Indoor venue temperatures are adjustable, and the space can be temperature-controlled in response to sudden weather shifts.
- Visitors can easily remove themselves from events if they experience sensory overload or discomfort, and staff are able to intervene quickly if audiovisual systems project distressing content.
- The venue does not have areas with strong scents or fragrances, and a range of safe sensory experiences or stimuli are available.
- All service animals are welcome on the premises.
- Service animals can enter all the same spaces in which their owners are welcome.
Venue accessibility summary
The Barrel Room offers a largely accessible experience with step-free access throughout, including its main entrance, internal pathways, and dining areas. The venue provides a dedicated accessible, gender-neutral restroom and caters to neurodiverse visitors with quiet hours and a breakout space. While there are some limitations regarding accessible parking transfer space, lack of tactile ground indicators, and no video captions, staff are comprehensively trained to assist visitors with diverse needs.
Visitor experience





- The venue can be reached by public transport, with the closest bus stop located within 200 metres of the main entrance.
- The main entrance is situated along the dining stretch in downtown Tauranga, providing step-free access.
- Visitors approaching from The Strand should be aware of a raised platform used for live music and dining, which may pose a tripping hazard for those with limited or low vision.
- The reception area is easy to navigate for visitors using wheelchairs, powerchairs, mobility scooters, or walking aids.
- Designated drop-off and pick-up points or loading zones are not available.
- Music is played through a speaker system during operating hours at a volume generally louder than 85 decibels, though staff are able to control the music volume.
- The venue does not have areas with strong scents or fragrances.
- Quiet hours for neurodiverse visitors are offered on Monday and Tuesday from 6pm - 8pm.
- A designated breakout room or quiet space is available onsite for visitors who require it.
- The temperature of all indoor venues can be adjusted and controlled, including creating a temperature-controlled space in the event of a heatwave, cold snap, or sudden shift in temperature.
- Staff are able to intervene quickly if audiovisual systems project sound or graphics that may induce seizures or be distressing to visitors.
- A range of safe sensory experiences or stimuli are available for visitors.
- The venue hosts events or provides forms of entertainment, such as live music, quiz nights, and sports viewing.
- Information about the dates, times, and nature of these events is provided ahead of time via the venue's Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Access Page.
- Events are held in environments suitable for visitors with blindness or low vision (even, non-slip flooring, unobstructed pathways), for those who are deaf or experience limited hearing (clearly displayed signs or graphics), and for neurodiverse visitors.
- Visitors can easily remove themselves from events if they experience sensory overload or discomfort.
- In the event of an emergency, all visitors can be notified quickly and clearly through emergency alert systems that produce both audio and visual warnings (e.g., an alarm and flashing lights).
- Evacuation plans consider individuals with deafness or limited hearing, and evacuation routes are accessible to people using mobility aids, with staff able to help if needed.
- If events feature video, no subtitles or closed captions are available.
- All staff have received workplace education and training on accessibility and inclusion for visitors.
- Staff are available to assist visitors who do not communicate verbally, as well as those with blindness or low vision, intellectual disabilities, or acquired brain injuries.
- Staff are available to help visitors who may require assistance during the checkout or payment process.
- There is a feedback mechanism in place for visitors to raise concerns about accessibility or to provide suggestions.
- Staff are able to intervene quickly if audiovisual systems project sound or graphics that may induce seizures or be distressing to visitors.













Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Access
- The venue's main entrance provides step-free access and is at least 0.81 metres wide with automatic doors.
- All internal passageways and doorways are at least 0.81 metres wide and easy to navigate for mobility aids.
- The main dining area features ample room for navigation with at least 0.8-metre wide pathways between tables.
- The service counter is accessible to wheelchair users, and the card payment device is easily reachable.
Accessible Parking
- Designated accessible parking is available on the street within 50 metres of the main entrance.
- The car park is well-lit with no steps or obstructions from parking to the exit.
- There is insufficient room for transfer by driver and passenger car doors at the accessible parking spaces.
- No designated drop-off and pick-up points are provided.
Accessible Restrooms
- The venue has a clearly labelled, accessible, and gender-neutral restroom.
- The restroom door can be opened, locked, and unlocked with one hand, and can be emergency-unlocked by staff.
- The interior is wheelchair accessible with grabrails, meeting required dimensions of 2 metres x 1.6 metres.
- Handwashing, drying facilities, and mirrors are at appropriate heights for wheelchair users.
Blindness & Low Vision
- A safe footpath leads to the main entrance, however, tactile ground surface indicators are not present.
- A raised platform near the main entrance may pose a tripping hazard.
- Clear directions and signs guide visitors, and staff are available to provide assistance.
- Event environments feature even, non-slip flooring and unobstructed pathways.
Deafness & Limited Hearing
- The venue uses text or SMS notifications for order collection.
- Events are suitable for visitors with deafness or limited hearing, with clearly displayed signs or graphics.
- Emergency alert systems provide both audio and visual warnings, and evacuation plans consider individuals with deafness or limited hearing.
- Music volume is generally louder than 85 decibels, and video content does not include subtitles or captions.
Neurodiverse Support
- Quiet hours are offered on Monday and Tuesday from 6pm - 8pm.
- A designated breakout room or quiet space is available onsite.
- Indoor venue temperatures are adjustable, and staff can intervene if audiovisual systems are distressing.
- The venue is free of strong scents and offers a range of safe sensory experiences.
Service Animals
- All service animals are welcome on the premises.
- Service animals can enter all spaces accessible to their owners.