Coastal share boards
Grilled seafood platters, antipasti boards and local produce arranged for effortless sharing between hands.
Private Events · Offline Poker · Coastal Dining
Private Events at the Cardhouse
Discover how our coastal Australian restaurant transforms for private gatherings, blending sunlit modern dining with the relaxed buzz of offline poker in the Card Lounge. Every detail is curated so your guests can move naturally from shared plates to face-to-face poker around timber tables.
Offline poker · coastal light
Host a poker-inspired celebration
Invite your guests to share curated meals, signature cocktails and relaxed social poker around timber tables in our dedicated Card Lounge. Choose from informal Texas Hold'em nights, professionally hosted poker events or easy-going card room socials guided by our team.
The Private Card Lounge experience
Reserve the Card Lounge entirely for your group and step into a sunlit poker salon shaped around conversation, etiquette and Australian hospitality.
Flexible table layouts, luxury green-felt poker tables, ceramic poker chips and hand-stitched playing cards set the scene for memorable in-person poker. Our hosts welcome every experience level, guiding mixed groups through the rhythm of social poker and Texas Hold'em with clarity and ease.
- Dedicated poker tables reserved for your event
- Flexible seating for casual card room gatherings or structured poker events
- Guided introductions to offline poker and table etiquette
- Soft ocean-toned lighting and timber details for a relaxed salon feel
Offline poker, made welcoming
Offline poker at the Cardhouse is designed for conversation-first play: no screens, no pressure, just tactile cards, ceramic chips and a shared sense of occasion.
Dining & Poker Flow
Dinner, then the Card Lounge
Plan an evening where friends and colleagues gather over cocktails, savour contemporary Australian cuisine, and flow seamlessly into lively card play under sun-faded timber beams.
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Arrival & coastal welcome
Guests are greeted with light coastal cocktails and non-alcoholic spritzes as sunlight drifts through open windows.
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Shared plates & conversation
Modern Australian dishes arrive to the table family-style, encouraging relaxed sharing before the first playing cards appear.
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Card Lounge reveal
Timber doors slide open to reveal the Poker Salon: green-felt poker tables, ceramic chips and calm, inviting lighting.
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Social poker & late-night bites
Guests move into the Card Lounge for social poker, supported by petite desserts and late-evening snacks crafted for the card room.
Editorial feature
Top 10 reasons to host an offline poker event
Inspired by lifestyle magazines, this spread captures why an evening of in-person poker, coastal dining and Card Lounge culture feels so distinct.
Offline poker · Card room culture
10
Offline poker at Kiwii Play is less about keeping score and more about the simple pleasure of gathering around a real table. Tactile cards, soft linen, the clink of ceramic chips and the scent of eucalyptus greenery create a rhythm that screens can’t replicate.
These ten reasons highlight why teams, families and friends choose our Poker Salon for private gatherings, from the warmth of face-to-face conversation to carefully curated cuisine.
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1 Authentic camaraderie
Conversations that live between the cards
Offline poker slows the evening down just enough for stories to unfold between hands, supported by attentive hosts and a softly buzzing card room.
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2 Tactile details
The feel of ceramic chips and hand-stitched cards
Ceramic poker chips, linen-dressed tables and weighty playing cards remind guests they’re in a true poker salon, not a digital space.
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3 Face-to-face connection
Reading expressions, not notifications
Guests reconnect through subtle glances, shared laughter and unhurried conversation, free from the distractions of screens.
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4 Curated cuisine
Modern Australian dishes made for the table
From grilled seafood platters to seasonal vegetables and petite desserts, every plate is designed for easy sharing around poker tables.
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5 Coastal architecture
Sunlit spaces that feel like a coastal club
Natural timber, ocean-toned textiles and open windows create an atmosphere closer to a beachside social club than a traditional casino.
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6 Table etiquette
Gentle guidance for every guest
Our team quietly introduces poker table etiquette and Texas Hold'em basics so first-time players feel as comfortable as regulars.
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7 Shared ritual
From shuffling cards to the final handshake
Offline poker rituals become touchpoints across the night, marking moments of connection and shared celebration.
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8 Flexible formats
From relaxed card room socials to hosted events
Choose a gentle social poker format, an informal Texas Hold'em evening or a professionally hosted poker event tailored to your group.
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9 Team building
New ways for teams to connect
Face-to-face poker encourages collaboration, light-hearted strategy and shared storytelling that continues back at the office.
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10 A break from screens
Leaning fully into the moment
An evening in the Card Lounge offers a rare chance to disconnect from devices and reconnect with the simple joy of gathering in person.
Bespoke styling & atmosphere
A coastal palette for every private event
Bespoke styling at Kiwii Play leans into linen-draped tables, eucalyptus greenery and a sunlit palette of warm sand, pale eucalyptus and muted ocean blue. Our team can tailor each private event with small, thoughtful details that echo the Card Lounge and its offline poker spirit.
- Hand-drawn card suit graphics on menus and place cards
- Ceramic tableware and soft napery in ocean and terracotta tones
- Candles and soft lighting that transition naturally from dinner to poker
- Subtle card room accents: card-suit markers, table labels and suit-coloured tags
Team building & corporate gatherings
Offline poker for thoughtful team connection
Bring your team together in a setting that balances collaborative play, table etiquette and relaxed conversation, framed by coastal Australian architecture.
Offline poker encourages colleagues to sit side by side, share strategies and read each other's style. Our hosted poker evenings can be tailored for teams who have never played before, with simple Texas Hold'em formats, clear guidance and a focus on shared enjoyment rather than competition.
Why teams choose the Card Lounge
- In-person poker formats that bring departments together
- Seating plans designed to mix teams and encourage conversation
- Guided introductions to card room etiquette and social play
- Shared menus and pacing tailored to your meeting schedule
Ideas for your corporate event
- Afternoon strategy session followed by dinner and poker
- Client appreciation evenings with a hosted card lounge
- End-of-project celebrations with curated cocktails and Texas Hold'em
- Leadership offsites with card room storytelling and reflection
The Poker Salon Journal: real gatherings
Our Poker Salon Journal captures real stories from private events in the Card Lounge: teams discovering new sides of each other, birthday groups learning Texas Hold'em together, and families who now gather annually around their favourite poker tables.
Each article explores a different aspect of card room culture, from the quiet art of shuffling to the etiquette of welcoming new players to the table.
Read the Poker Salon JournalFrequently asked questions
Private poker events: your questions answered
Clear information about table sizes, custom menus, event timing, Texas Hold'em formats, accessibility and etiquette for mixed-experience groups.
How many guests can the Card Lounge host for a private event?
We can configure the Card Lounge for intimate groups or larger gatherings, with flexible poker table layouts and additional dining space in the restaurant. When you enquire, share a guide to your guest numbers and we will recommend a layout that balances comfort, movement and card room atmosphere.
Can our group include guests who have never played poker before?
Yes. Many of our private poker nights include first-time players. Our team provides a friendly overview of offline poker, explains Texas Hold'em in clear steps and supports guests around the table so everyone feels confident and included.
What does poker table etiquette look like at the Cardhouse?
Our etiquette focuses on warmth and clarity: taking turns, keeping cards visible on the felt, treating chips and cards with care, and ensuring that conversation remains welcoming for every guest. Hosts are present to gently guide etiquette throughout the evening.
Can we customise menus and timings for our private event?
Absolutely. We will work with you to design a dining and poker flow that suits your celebration, from arrival drinks and shared plates to the start time for the first Texas Hold'em hand. Menus can be tailored to dietary needs and the style of your gathering.
Is the venue accessible?
We are committed to making the Cardhouse welcoming and accessible. Please let us know any mobility, hearing or visual considerations so we can recommend the most comfortable tables, seating arrangements and pacing for your event.
How far in advance should we book a private poker event?
Availability varies with the season, but we recommend reaching out as early as possible, especially for weekends and end-of-year dates. Our team can also assist with shorter lead times where the calendar allows.
Get in touch to book
Design your Cardhouse gathering
Share a few details about your private event and our team will respond promptly with tailored options, recommended formats and sample poker menus.
How we can help
- Matching your group to the right offline poker format
- Designing a dining and Card Lounge flow
- Recommending table layouts and timings
- Coordinating bespoke styling and menus
Prefer to talk?
Use the form or reach out via our main contact page and we will arrange a time to walk through your ideas.
Visit Contact Us page