DOWN – AGENTS & MERCHANTS, RACKET AND 1885 – The same but different

The Bar Nun made nice noises in grill’s Winter issue about the admirable attributes of Christchurch’s Cartel. So in an attempt to relive that pleasant experience the nun slid DOWNtown to Cartel’s Auckland sister bars situated in sneaky Roukai Lane in the Britomart precinct.

This precinct has outdone the expectations of critics by attracting to its outskirts an eclectic collection of tantalisingly quirky nightspots; Racket and A&M amongst them. The garish façade of Britomart Station is out of sight of the pair’s corridor-like outdoor seating area, nestled between cosy bricks illuminated by a cosy fire. Like their Southern counterpart, Racket and A&M both rely heavily on the attributes of the licensed alleyway that permits their customers to smoke outside in shelter and intimacy. The Bar Nun, snuggling into an armchair before the fire with a sly Mojito and a luxurious Cuban cigar, prayed that upon her return in the small hours, the cloister boards wouldn’t creak.

Half a block from Roukai lane, the Bar Nun stumbled upon 1885, and the opening night for this new string to the bow of the Cartel crowd. Impressed by the restored brick and exposed Kauri interior, the Nun approached the bar with high expectations set by previous experience with these bars, and was suitably satisfied that quality is continuous throughout the set, though 1885 boasts a more polished service style and less rustic theme. If this family of collect-them-all destinations are starting to appear somewhat formulaic in their step-up approach to hospitality, mused the Nun as she observed the behaviours of those in attendance with grudging approval, to their great credit they are educating Aucklanders on how to enjoy responsibly and with a touch of class the finer ways to revel and roll. Leading by example, contemplated the Nun, is maybe the best way to direct the market to expect a little more from social expeditions than simply the provision of liquor and bassy music.

Somebody here has the right idea all right; but how long will it be before someone starts composing greater variations on the theme?

OUT – THE PUHOI PUB

The Bar Nun after a somewhat excessive downtown experience needed a Sunday retreat.

The Puhoi Pub just north of the pay-as-you-go Orewa tunnel is just far enough OUT of town to recover one’s perspective. This pub was established 1879 and it has developed a certain amount of character over the years. 

With its interesting past reputation it was once a little fraught for city yuppie types but these days you don’t need to wear a black heavy-metal T-shirt, have big, mean looking dogs and a Harley Davidson as an accessory.

Cheerful and helpful, casual and unorthodox, the pub is run by Gillian Seymour, (daughter of the famous/infamous past patron Rodney Collingwood Seymour) and there is something to be said for a watering-hole that’s been in the same family for 50 years. The décor is well, eccentric, and there’s lots of it that’s all this sister can say – but it works for the Bar Nun. And great coffee also – Puhoi Coffee of course.