We’ve been looking forward to the completion of the Commercial Bay development ever since the announcement of Saxon + Parole. So you can only imagine our excitement learning that it will be up and running in spring with two new international bars. Joining the upmarket cocktail bar will be New York City’s and Las Vegas’ Ghost Donkey and London’s Genuine Liquorette. Award-winning design and concept firm, AvroKO, are the masterminds bringing the two bars, ensuring they will be some of the most stunning spaces in Auckland.
The Mexican-influenced Ghost Donkey is a whirlwind of tequila and mezcal inside the glowing head-to-toe red interior. To drink, Ghost Donkey has it all. One of AvroKO’s infamous mixologists Ignacio “Nacho” Jimenez is leading the Auckland location’s cocktail list. The electric bar has more than 40 styles of mezcal, tequila-laced bottled Mexican sodas, Mexican popsicles served in Prosecco, mushroom margs, mole negroni, and frozen margaritas to quench your thirst. Meanwhile, their food menu has won acclaim across New York and Nevada. The genuis behind the menu is restaurant Michelin star recipient Brad Farmerie, creating dishes such as housemade truffle nachos, smoked pineapple oysters, mole chicken nachos, and cinnamon churros with spiced chocolate sauce.
London’s Genuine Liquorette takes you back to the bodegas and liquor stores of 1970’s America. The magazine printed walls and the red neon sign above the diner countertop greet you into the inviting environment. The bar brands itself as inclusive, with cocktail classes that allow guests that graduate the class to tend the bar anytime they visit. All the classic American cocktails are up for offer—from El Diablos to pornstar martinis, as well as their famous “Cha-Chunker.” A repurposed arbor press widens the hole of any can to fit a mini-sized bottle of alcohol, creating a canned cocktail. Think cranberry juice and vodka, pineapple juice and malibu, ginger ale and Jameson. To end your visit, you can select a freshly-made customised bottled cocktail to take home and enjoy.
Ghost Donkey and Genuine Liquorette will be in great company alongside Auckland cult favourite’s Burger Burger, Hawker and Roll, and Simon and Lee. As well as retail giants H&M, Superette, Hershel Supply Co., Furla, and Rodd and Gunn. Spring, we can't wait for you.
Can't wait? Check out Auckland's best bars.
Image Credit: Supplied