Pequeño first opened its doors in march 2002. With its decor mainly sourced in spain it gave Dunedin its first “European style... hard to find... upmarket bar.” Dunedin now had something similar to those venues usually found down the backstreets of London, Madrid or Melbourne.

But it is not the first time this location had been used as a watering hole. The famous Savoy building has been operating in Dunedin since the early 1900’s. The space had been used for many years for Caretakers storage.

However earlier in the century a caldestine group of jazz and liquor enthusiasts enjoyed some famous parties in the room which then was simply called the Stables. Clues from the rooms original use as a stable still remains.

The premisis was no doubt unlicensed which probably led to its popularity. Food was sent down to the revelers via a dumb-waiter from the Savoy upstairs. There are some interesting tales to be heard from those who are still around to remember.