Everybody's Izakaya

I went to a private function here recently and i thought what a strange place to put a bar but it really works. It has a great atmosphere and really good service. It's in a central location which is very handy. Give it a go if you are in the area.

This bar/restaurant is a hidden hotspot that probably won't remain hidden for much longer as word spreads about it! Set in what used to be an old theatre and had been empty for something like 50 years, they've made the most of the space and turned it into a multi-level, multi-vibe destination.  A group of us went last night to have a few post-dinner drinks and were comfy in our little area upstairs with two large couches. Table service from the bartenders was a nice touch, and completely unexpected. From the mezzanine level, you can people watch to your hearts content - the diners below and others enjoying drinks out in the courtyard area. This is a very clever location separated into different areas and it has an awesome feel. The interior design and whole feel of the place is very Melbourne or New York, and as my title states, exactly what Auckland needs more of. Less dark, dingy bars where people are more concerned with knocking the drinks back and more places like this - where you can sit, relax and enjoy a great drink in beautiful and well designed surrounds. I will be back, hopefully to try the restaurant!

I absolutely love Everybody's Bar. It's just what Auckland needs - a fab new bar that's trendy as but at the same time, not too over the top. I love the décor and the amazing cocktails. If you try the Cherry Sour I guarantee you'll be sent to heaven in a jiffy!  

Everybody's is one of those places you have to know about - you almost certainly won't just stumble across it. It's up a massive metal, spiral staircase in Fort Lane. You arrive in a huge space with indoor and outdoor cleverly integrated - in fact we didn't immediately notice we were sitting outside. It's got a couple of different areas and the decor splits it up - every where was pretty full with what looked like a fairly relaxed after work crowd at 8.30 on a Thursday. The decor is impressive, from the staircase on up. It's a great environment to share a glass of wine with an old friend and if we hadn't had plenty to talk about I'm fairly confident there would have been sufficiently interesting people-watching on offer.   

We went to Everybodys on Saturday evening and expected it to be busy. We were told there would be an hour wait for a table which was expected so were sat at a table. Once a waitress had come over set up a tab and gave us menu's we were ignored for half an hour until one of our party interrupeted a conversation a group of staff members were having to order. My husband had a espresso martini which wasnt on the drinks men but should have been as it was incredible  ($18). I had the pomegranite fizz cocktail which was disppointing and tasted like an alco pop rather than a cocktail ($18). We ordered the mussles and the the beans which were both fabulous (and we could have easily ordered seconds) they were both generous portions and cheap at $8 each (both 10/10). After a almost two hour wait we gave up on the idea of dinner and slunk away elsewhere to find somewhere to eat. The atmosphere and interior is fabulous and it wonderful to see such a great use of space of one of Aucklands old brick buildings.

Stylie place, but really hot upstairs. Found the bar was cool but not very practical.

Well this certainly is the latest hot spot. Hidden off Fort Lane, up a spiral staircase hides this funky bar. Packed full of people, this is the place to see and be seen. We sat upstairs on the indoor deck which have a great view of the crowd. The chairs are amazingly comfortable but that’s probably were it all stopped. There is no ‘bar’ upstairs - instead you have to stand behind ropes and wait for the staff to come over. For a Friday night the service was slow with only two staff members upstairs. There is only one option for champagne - daniel le brun $80 a bottle. For some reason this had to be retrieved from downstairs - so an even longer wait. Because there’s an outdoor area - inside- we spent the night smelling other people’s cigarette smoke.

As soon as you walk in the door you could be forgiven for thinking you are in Melbourne or Manhattan - what an amazing design and fit out of an old warehouse/loft.  Each space is stylish, comfortable and quiet.  Food and service delivered as well.   Well worth a visit for a quick drink after work, business lunch or romantic dinner