Address: 198 Ponsonby Rd
Rating:
First drinks: We sat down in a booth, and seconds later we were greeted by a waitress who handed us paper menus. The boys ordered a couple of Black Dog craft beers and the girls got a couple of (strong) cocktails. A tab was opened for our table and a swift few minutes later, our drinks arrived.
The vibe is: Pretty upbeat and casual. Everyone in the bar seemed to be in their 20s or 30s. A few people hid away inside, chowing down on hearty burgers, and the rest happily sipped brews while they lapped up the sun on Ponsonby Rd.
The bathrooms: Were dark and tiny. I shuffled for room at the basin with one other patron and we both noted that it wasn't the best set of loos we'd seen... or smelt.
On the stereo: A good casual mix, from blues to old-school hip hop to house music.
Room for improvement: The biggest letdown was the bathrooms. They could do with a bit of TLC - even a bit of air freshener wouldn't hurt.
The perfect spot for: A few beers in the sun. Or grab a booth inside and cosy up with a classic pub meal from the menu.
Most redeeming feature: The staff here are super-friendly and laid-back, plus its location on Ponsonby Rd, means it sits away from the traffic and overcrowdedness of the usual Ponsonby vibe.