Overview
With some of Auckland's most iconic nighttime sites having closed shop in over the last year or so, Auckland's late night scene hasn't been quite the same with almost only karaoke bars to seek refuge in these days. It was this exact dilemma that music photographers Maryanne Bilham and Robert Knight faced when they were trying to take their old friend Slash, the lead guitarist of Guns'n'Roses, somewhere the night before the band's show back in 2017.
Soon after that the couple decided that something had to be done and decided to open up their own "gothic rock 'n' roll" bar called Anthology Lounge at 375 Karangahape Road. The bar is lined with concert photographs taken by the two such as Lorde in Las Vegas (2014) by Bilham and Led Zeppelin arriving in Hawaii (1966) by Knight. The couple are also hoping that the bar becomes a bit of a stalwart for the live music scene.
Drinks-wise manager Aaron Gorst collaborated with the team to create a cocktail list that pays homage to songs by the likes of Jeff Beck, Lorde and Steve Ray Vaughan as well as a wine list that has a wider than usual variety of wines available by the glass. Food-wise, there are Lady Butcher charcuterie platters available to match your drink of choice.