The city's popular Dance-O-Mat is back

After a $45,000 revamp, Christchurch's popular Dance-o-Mat is open for a boogie at its new central city site.

The coin-operated dance floor was located at a vacant site next to the Isaac Theatre Royal on Gloucester Street since 2014 but was relocated to 211 Manchester Street to make way for construction of the Court Theatre and Performing Arts Precinct. 

Created in 2012 as a short-term experimental project, the popularity of the Dance-O-Mat with both locals and visitors led to it becoming a cherished fixture in the city.

Having far exceeded its expected life, Gap Filler - the mastermind behind the project - launched a Boosted crowdfunding campaign earlier this year to raise $25,000 toward the rebuild and upgrade.

Three hundred and fifty people donated to the Boosted campaign over six weeks, along with match donors from Cakes by Anna, Paddy McNaughton’s, McCarthy, F3 Design, Kendons, and Fevah Modern Jive.

Gap Filler co-founder Coralie Winn called it a public display of affection for the project.

“We’re thrilled that the Dance-O-Mat is back,” she said.

“The dance floor itself has been completely rebuilt. We upgraded the sound system, lights and the bluetooth technology and got a new washing machine and signage too. The Dance-O-Mat is back, better than ever and ready for your dancing feet once again!

“We had some real challenges at the new site, but we couldn't be happier with this new iteration! We’ve had lots of comments that people have missed the Dance-O-Mat.”

The Dance-O-Mat will be officially opened on Friday 19th August, with a free dance party from 4pm - 8pm. Grab your free ticket and check out the event details here.

It operates between 7am and 1am daily and uses an adapted ex-laundromat washing machine. Inserting a two-dollar coin activates 30 minutes of lighting and sound with music chosen from your own Bluetooth device. The floor is accessible for wheelchair users and prams.

The Dance-O-Mat is part of Gap Filler’s Pae Tākaro Place of Play programme, a new three-year programme that aims to establish Ōtautahi Christchurch as a world capital of Urban Play.