605 Morningside Drinkery

The Verdict

When it comes to choosing a local watering hole, there are a few things it has to have before we can call it home. We like ‘em cosy and hidden, with a side of live music, finger-lickin’ nibbles, boutique drinks and warm, homey vibes. Oh, and brownie points if they’re airplane-themed. Lucky for us (and for you!), Morningside’s favourite little bar, 605 Morningside Drinkery (formerly Flight 605), offers all of the above.  

Nestled in a row of shops along New North Road, 605 is just a five-minute stroll from Kingsland. After spending a bit of time in this hidden gem, you’ll notice a few fabulous things: 1) the good vibes, 2) the great bevvies, bar food and beats, and 3) the downright awesome people. The lovely Simone and former flight attendant Gary, will be your hosts, making sure you’re comfy and that the good times roll.  

The space itself is decked out with bits and bobs from the golden age of flying. There’s funky plane graphics plastered on the front windows, old school suitcases, actual airline seats to sit in AND all the gear you need to play tipsy dress-up. Perch your tush up at the bar, on one of the couches or take your drink out back to the intimate courtyard. It’s a snug, heated area in the chilly season and a sun-drenched drinking spot during summer. Yep, Flight 605 can be your go-to local bar all year long. Can we get a ‘heck yes’?!

On the food front, expect loaded fries (choose between jalapeno cheese and chilli), badass chicken wings (which are only 10 bux on Chicken Wingsday Wednesday!), cheesy pizza and FREE POPCORN. Wash it all down with the help of Flight 605’s always changing—yet always epic—craft beer selection, or a generous pour of NZ vino. 

If you take the craft beer thing seriously, Flight 605 will gift you with a Craft Beer Passport—a journey that will see you try 30 of their best crafties. We’re talking Garage Project, Liberty, Behemoth and Bach Brewing, just to name a few.   

But enough about booze and kai, Flight 605 has also built a rep for hosting some seriously standout events, six nights a week. From the aforementioned Chicken Wingsday to Friday’s Birth of Cool jam session and the legendary Kingsland Folk Club aka KFC on Sunday evenings—a fortnightly shindig where up-and-coming talent fill the bar with their musical awesomeness. There’s even ‘music takeover’ evenings, where YOU can be in charge of the tunes. Or, gather your 30 favourite people and you can takeover the entire bar!

Sound like something you’d like to get amongst? We thought so. Whether you’re after an after work wind down spot or a new Sunday session local, let Flight 605 be your home away from home for a night. We can guarantee you’ll be relocating to Morningside in a jiffy.   

Image credit: Andrew Wilson