The bar/eatery that is Revelry has always been a bit of a mystery. Situated underneath the Ponsonby Road Food Court; it’s the kind of place you’d walk past a few times without stopping by to check it out.

It turns out this is quite the mistake. What you’d think to be an unassuming bar turns out, in actual fact, to be packed with character, good food and decent drinks – a bit of an all-rounder really. With a food menu that at first glance might seem eclectic but is in-fact inspired, stopping by for dinner, as opposed to just a few drinks, quickly becomes a surprise and delight.

Inspired by a West meets East ambience, the menu contains a blend of tapas, tasting platters and larger dishes inspired by trading routes through exotic ports of yesteryear – in a modern form, it’s a fusion of European, Asian and a few other regions mixed in to one. And it’s done superbly, plus the availability of many small dishes removes issues of food jealousy and means confining yourself to just one option isn’t a problem.

The staff are extremely helpful – giving some much needed direction on the menu (chicken croquettes with black pudding and whisky mayonnaise, awesome) and wine list, they’re also a right treat when it came to figuring out the cocktail list – which, amazingly, contained a stack of never before examined beverages. A fact that never goes astray for a return visit or five.

Overall – a little piece of goodness that is well worth stopping by.