Mystery bar number 60

File under: drink, nightlife, Wellington

The previous mystery bar required a few guesses, but an anonymous commenter was the first to definitively identify it as The Lotus Room. As that commenter said: "Not the finest place in Wellington but at least it's not as bad as it was during its last few months as gogo". I can't really add much more to that.

Today's mystery bar is different in many ways. It's not in Courtenay Place, but it is very visible. It'll probably attract an older but more casual crowd, and since it's a restaurant/café first and a bar second, it's unlikely to get people up and dancing. It definitely is a bar, though, as it has a separate bar area and a small but classic cocktail list (including several variations on Martinis, Negronis, and Mai Tais). The food is mid-priced (a step or two up from standard bar food, but below fine dining prices), but the impressively independent wine list stretches all the way from cheapies up to Grange and Bordeaux.

The décor starts out with very predictable dark wood, leather and exposed concrete, but takes a twist away from that towards something more homely. There are a few splashes of colour, some whimsical bits and pieces, and artworks that might strike you as either endearingly naïve or slightly amateurish. The layout takes full advantage of the light, and while some people won't be keen on the fishbowl effect from all the glass, it's certainly appropriate for the location.