I went to the opening last night.
It is situated in the old Wharf Police building, which is a wonderful, old brick building. They have done a really good fitout. It has several small rooms/cubicles, for groups to sit and chat, while enjoying a good beer. Upstairs, is an indoor/outdoor area for smokers, which also has a bar.
The beer- it has the usual slop on tap:Lion product, I didn't notice anything of interest on draught (it was quite busy). But they have 2 large fridges, stacked. In these, they have numerous, quality beers, from NZ and overseas. The Emerson's range, Harrintons', Dux, Epic, Croucher, and many more.
On this, they need to be commended, it really is a good range and I took the time to speak to numerous people about what they thought. The consensus, was pretty clear that the decor and choice of beers was excellent. I noticed several people, drinking Emerson's and other craft brews. The biggest downside was, the bar staff, were not offering a glass with any of the bottled beers. A group, I spoke to were drinking Bookbinder, out of the bottle. Although they really appreciated having the chance to buy an Emerson's, and obviously knew the beer, they didn't seem to find it odd, not to drink it from a glass. I had a couple of Croucher Pale ales, which was tasting fantastic. I suggested to the rather inexperienced Barperson, that served me, that she offer a glass with all the bottled beers, she served from the fridge. I think this is a lack of education, about the difference between serving a quality beer and serving a Heineken! They don't seem to discern a difference?!
Still, I thought it was a vast improvement on Auckland bars in general. I don't think it is another Malt. It doesn't quite have the same atmosphere and feeling that here is a bar, where the staff know their beer and serve it accordingly. But I think any one of us, would be happy to go in there and enjoy a great selection of quality craft beers and be happy to part with our money to drink it there.