Last weekend for Dunedin pub Gardies

Dunedin student pub The Garden Tavern, known as Gardies, will close its doors for the final time this weekend after being sold to Otago University this year.

Up to 1500 people were expected to descend on the Castle St pub this weekend, with Saturday its last day of business, the Otago Daily Times reported.

Police-funded buses would transport students from North Dunedin to the central city to minimise the disturbance to residents, Inspector Dave Campbell of Dunedin police said.

"Whatever the cost is, if it helps prevent any trouble, it will be well worth it," he said.

The popular but struggling student drinking hole was put up for sale this year, with a valuation of $1.025 million.

Otago University had no intention of running it as a pub - it last year bought another historical Dunedin pub The Bowler and turned it into lecture theatres.

- NZPA