The 32-year-old Canadian pop star visited the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell on Thursday afternoon, offering patrons a rare, up-close encounter with an international celebrity.
The understated visit was also picked up by TikTok creator Joe Daymond, who joked about Bieber’s remarkably ordinary appearance among the local crowd.
'Justin Bieber rocked up to a random bar up north looking like a dude that drives a Nissan Skyline,' Joe said.
Joe said he had not known Bieber was in New Zealand and imagined the surprise of walking into a familiar local bar only to find the global star performing there.
Bieber’s piano appearance was confirmed to have taken place at the Russell venue.
Justin Bieber surprised diners at a New Zealand pub by stopping for drinks and performing an impromptu piano session.
The 32-year-old Canadian singer visited the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell on Thursday afternoon, giving unsuspecting guests an unexpected encounter with pop royalty.
The singer has since posted photographs from his New Zealand getaway, including one showing him seated at the venue’s piano.
Hotel co-owner Anton Haagh told RNZ that Bieber arrived with seven companions and was drawn to the red baby grand piano after noticing it in the pub.
Because the piano lid was raised, many of the approximately 50 people in the venue could not see the identity of the person providing the surprise entertainment.
While Joe imagined Bieber singing some of his best-known songs, Haagh said the musician’s real performance was entirely instrumental.
'It was a lot of modern music, but he wasn't singing, he was just playing the piano,' Haagh told RNZ.
Haagh said only a small number of diners recognised the pop star. Staff asked those who did identify him to respect his privacy and allow him to enjoy the afternoon.
Bieber and his group ordered seafood and drinks before departing. By then, news of his presence had spread and a crowd of roughly 30 to 40 people had arrived.
Bieber later shared a photograph from the piano session on Sunday.
Hotel co-owner Anton Haagh said Justin Bieber arrived with seven companions and started playing after spotting the red baby grand piano.
The singer has shared several recent photographs from his trip to New Zealand.
