Caretaker

Overview

UPDATE: 3 March, 2021: Cosy Britomart speakeasy Caretaker is now shaking, stirring and mixing single-serve cocktails that you can enjoy from the comfort of your couch. The care packages contain four of the bar's most-loved cocktails, perfectly diluted and ready to sip at home.

The bar has collaborated with the team at Hallertau brewery to make the cocktail delivery service happen. All you have to do is place your order through the Hallertau website and wait for the delivery. One case of four Caretaker single-serve cocktails will set you back $56. And you might as well grab some delicious beer while you're at it.

Hidden away on Roukai Lane is an underground New York-style cocktail bar. The lack of obvious signage has meant that this place has remained one of Auckland's best kept secrets, for now.

Enter the doorway on the lane and descend a flight of stairs where a nondescript wooden door will greet you. Push open the door and you will be transported to a 1920s-style, cosy speakeasy bar. Flapper girls with their tassled dresses and headbands would not look out of place here.

Caretaker is table service only and the service is pretty slick and professional. You won't go unattended for too long here. There is no menu as such - you let your server know exactly what flavours and spirits you prefer and they will create a custom-made cocktail specifically to your liking. So whether you prefer smoky or fruity cocktails, or prefer rum over gin your every desire will be catered for. They do have a selection of over two thousand cocktail recipes to choose from after all.

This place is perfect for dates with its low level, moody lighting as well as with a group of friends if you want to work your way through the cocktail list. It should easily become a stalwart watering hole of the Britomart area — once people find it.