Napier winery right to shut concert bar - police

Church Road winery. Photo / Supplied

Police have backed a Hawke's Bay winery's call to close its bar during a rowdy concert headlined by rock legends Joe Cocker and George Thorogood.

Napier's Church Road winery shut down its bar on Saturday night due to highly drunk concertgoers.

"There were a lot of very drunk people and this was apparent right from the start. There was also a lot of aggression amongst certain sectors of the crowd...," Senior Sergeant Sarah Stewart said.

Police grew concerned by the number of highly intoxicated people among the crowd soon after the concert kicked off about 4pm, and made their first arrest at 6.30pm.

Ms Stewart said several angry patrons abused and threatened police and the winery management when the bar closed.

Police evicted 16 people from the grounds for drunkenness and eight people were arrested for charges including disorderly behaviour, fighting and assault.

One concertgoer had to be taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital to recover from drunkenness, she said.

Security guards also removed several highly intoxicated people from the grounds and other drunk people were taken home by friends and partners, she said.

Police and the Napier City Council both supported the winery's decision to close the bar.

"We urge anyone attending these types of events to watch their alcohol consumption and drink sensibly. We want everyone to have a good time, but don't overdo it," she said.

Cocker performed songs from his new album Hard Knocks and was supported by George `Bad to the Bone' Thorogood and his band The Destroyers.

- NZPA