Mystery bar number 13

File under: drink, nightlife, Wellington

The previous mystery bar didn't spark off the interest that some other ones did. It's The Old Bank Bar & Café, which is half-underground on the corner of Hunter St and Customhouse Quay. Until recently it was called Volt, and while it's not an especially exciting bar, it may have a niche as an "in-between" place. Geographically, it's between the Lambton and Willis Quarters, and could help fill in the drinking gap in this area. Stylistically, it's neither hip nor cheap and basic, but it might work as a compromise between people who would prefer a pub and those looking for something more stylish.

Anyway, on to new territory. The next mystery bar is in a part of town that is set for transformation. Much of it will seem very familiar, but it has a few unique elements. While it's not entirely light and airy (in fact it's full of dark wood), it can spread out into the sunshine in a couple of directions, making it a possible candidate for drinking in the sun.

While it's better known for food than drink, my tuna niçoise salad was rather disappointing, with most of the ingredients seemingly straight out of a tin or jar. On the other hand, I didn't try any of their signature dishes, so I'll reserve judgement on the culinary side of things for now. The drinks seem to mostly centre on beers and easy-drinking wines, as you would expect from their food, but the bar itself seems to be moderately well-stocked. It may be worth noting that they are currently offering Bolly for $65 a bottle: less than in most retail outlets.


There's an interesting use of coloured glass behind the bar that, together with the copper-clad reception booth, adds a touch of visual interest to an otherwise fairly generic place. This shouldn't be too hard to work out, so let's hear your guesses!