The tide sets the pace, the deal sets the night
Harbour Lane sits in an old chandlery two doors back from the marina: kitchen at the front, seven felt tables behind it. No machines, no screens, no bets — just cards, a short menu and people who stay late.
An old chandlery, two doors from the marina
The building spent forty years selling rope and outboard parts. We kept the hardwood floor, the roller door and the mezzanine, and put a kitchen where the counter used to be.
We seat about sixty people a night and no more. Past that the room gets loud, and a loud room is no good for cards or for conversation.
Entry is free, but the door is strictly over-18s and staff will ask for ID whenever they think it is warranted.
- Seven tables
- Felt tops, fresh decks each week, house chips that keep score and nothing else.
- A short menu
- Whatever the co-op landed that morning, plus two things that never leave the board.
- The same crew
- Four people on the floor, most of them here since the first week.
What we ask of everyone who comes in
- Entry is strictly for people aged 18 and over; ID may be asked for at the door or at a table.
- House chips keep score. They are never sold, never cashed and hold no monetary value.
- No money changes hands over a hand of cards, at the tables or anywhere else in the venue.
- There are no poker machines on site and we have no plans to install any.
- Phones stay on silent; take calls in the entry so the room stays quiet.
- We serve alcohol responsibly and will stop service to anyone who has had enough — that is not up for debate.
The room before and during service
Address, phone and hours
- Address
- 21 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
- Get in touch
- +61 2 6652 1147 · hello@playharbourlane.com
- Hours
- Wednesday to Sunday, 4pm – midnight
Off the boats, on the board by four
The menu is chalked, not printed. It follows what the co-op lands and changes several times a week, which is why we cannot promise you last Friday's fish.
By the glass we pour Hunter semillon, a couple of Orange reds and whatever local brewery has something worth pouring that month.
The kitchen closes at eleven; after that the bar keeps going with boards of cheese, prawns and bread until last call.
- On the board
- Two entrées, one main, three desserts, written up each afternoon.
- By the glass
- Twelve wines, four taps, rotated monthly.
- After eleven
- Cold boards, toasties and a short cocktail list.
Six things people ring up about
Can I play online through your site?
No. Harbour Lane is a physical venue — there is no app, no account and no online room. Everything happens on Harbour Drive, in person.
Is there money on the table?
None. Chips track points for the evening, they cannot be bought or cashed, and there is no prize pool, no rake and no wagering of any kind.
Do you have pokies?
No gaming machines at all. If that is what you are after, this is the wrong room.
Do I need to book?
For the kitchen yes, especially Friday and Saturday. For the open tables no — turn up and take a seat if one is free.
I have never played. Is that a problem?
Not at all. The learner hour on Wednesday and Thursday exists for exactly that, and it costs nothing.
Can under-18s come in with a parent?
No, not even for the kitchen. The whole venue is over-18s only.
What happens on which night
Seven tables, one rule: keep it quiet
The card room takes up the old store area: high ceiling, hardwood, one lamp over each table. People play social card games here — no stake, no prize pool, nothing riding on a hand.
House chips count points for the night. They are not sold, not cashed and not worth anything once the lights go up.
A house dealer runs the learner tables on Wednesday and Thursday. The rest of the week the tables look after themselves.
- Open tables
- Five tables run first-in, first-seated, no booking needed.
- Held tables
- Two tables can be held by phone for up to six players.
- Learners
- Wednesday and Thursday, one hour, free, sign up at the door.
How a night runs here
- 4pmDoors open, kitchen takes the first orders
- 6pmTwo learner tables start, dealer walks the rules
- 8pmRoom is at its fullest, bookings hold for fifteen minutes
- 11:30pmLast call at the bar, final hands play out
The board by the door is chalked up each afternoon. Times shift with the kitchen and with how many tables are booked, so treat it as a guide rather than a timetable.
A table out front, a seat out back
The phone is the surest way — we pick up from 2pm and we will note whether you are coming to eat, to play, or both.
Call the venue