Britomart's Northern Steamship Has Reopened as a Sprawling Gastropub
The new social hall can be found in Britomart's 130-year-old heritage building.
The Northern Steamship Co. and its eye-wateringly large collection of upside-down lampshades — enough to sink an actual steamship — has moved on from Britomart to make way for a new gastropub. What was one of the largest Mac's Brewbars in the city sat in the prestigious 130-year-old heritage building since 2006.
The Brit now resides in the former headquarters of merry sailors and salty captains, and a slight nautical feel has been incorporated to commemorate the former hang-abouts. What's new? The pub/eatery is being billed as a "social hall," by owners Nourish Group.
Nourish Group founder Richard Sigley says of the opening, "Downtown Auckland is thriving but we felt it lacked a pub venue where people can come together, in small or large groups, to enjoy great food in a relaxed and modern setting."
To meet that brief, design studio CTRL Space revamped the 440 square-metre space with meeting tables for the corporate crowd and six screens and a projector for sport lovers. Nourish Group Executive Chef Gareth Stewart has also cooked up a menu full of prime drinking fodder, including foot-long pizzas, smoked corn dogs, skillet mac 'n' cheese, jerk chicken sangas, New England-style clam chowder, smashed wagyu burgers, and loaded chips.
On the drinks list you can carry your night from $5 tinnies of Lion Brown to Cuban-inspired coffee cocktails and wine spanning every corner of the globe.
The Brit officially opens its doors at 122 Quay St, Britomart on Friday, 30 August. It will be open Monday to Sunday from 11am until late.
- The Ten Best Restaurants in Auckland
- Twelve Incredible Australian Islands for When You Want to Get Off the Mainland
- The Best Places to Go Glamping in New Zealand
- The Most Romantic Places to Stay in Bali When Proposals and Honeymoons Come Calling
- Our Guide to the Best Glamping Sites Around Australia
- Ten Films and TV Shows You Need to Stream This Month