The Jolly Tapley, which enlivened the pages of Martin Chuzzlewit, is hosting a Heritage Race Night on Thursday, November 15.
It's a new event on the programme for this year's Charles Dickens-themed Victorian Heritage Celebrations.
Oamaru's own Mrs Tapley (who bears an uncanny resemblance to Waitaki Girls' High School science teacher Jen Howden) is transforming the Scottish Hall into her inn. It is rumoured to have a back room where illicit gaming amuses discerning gentlemen.
Mrs Tapley, who said Mr Mark Tapley had swept her off her feet before establishing the pub in their name, admitted "gentlemen do like a bit of a flutter" while drinking their ale.
"I know they enjoy betting on horse races," she said, with an oddly coy worldliness.
Other popular pastimes in which the gents were likely to indulge at The Jolly Tapley were Shove Ha'penny, Crown and Anchor, Two Up and Cribbage.
"Fortunes were won and lost playing cribbage," Mrs Tapley said sagely.
One person lost his entire wealth in a 10,000-point game.
Because gambling was illegal, entry to the back room took a little guile. Doorman Mikey was susceptible to being "sweetened" and had a special weakness for gold coins - "as we all do", Mrs Tapley said.
Of course, women were not permitted to enter the inn. However, Mrs Tapley noted that there was an underground movement of women masquerading as men to ply professions including doctor and author. Mikey might not notice one or two crossing the threshold.
"I can't control if ladies come through the back door," Mrs Tapley said with a small sniff.
The inn doors open at 7.30pm.
Refreshments including Green Man Ale, which conforms to the Bavarian Beer Purity Law of 1516, would be available, with pies and sausages for fortification.
Racing was reported to start at 8pm.
The Scottish Hall is undergoing two more Dickensian transformations during the Victorian Heritage Celebrations.
On Friday, November 16, it would become Signor Billsmethi's Dancing Academy and Assembly Room for the Grand Ball.
The signor said he was "very excited" to host this entertainment. A continuous supper of four different courses would be served.
Ballgoers were already brushing up their skills at the Kakanui Hall each Friday from 6pm to 7pm for a modest sum of $5 per couple.
The next night, the Scottish Hall would go downmarket for Widow Corney's Workhouse Shindig. New inmates would be admitted at 7.30pm.
The widow said if any could sing or play, the tables would be pushed aside so they could have "a bit of a knees-up". If an especially large crowd turned up, she would provide cheese to go with the bread for supper.
Programmes detailing all events for the Victorian Heritage Celebrations will be available soon.
Information is available on the website www.vhc.co.nz.
By Sally Brooker.
