Address: 78 Federal St, Auckland Central
Rating:
First drinks: were a pint of Tiger, a Spiced Apple Mojito, and a Gin-Free & Tonic (for the driver). They were all fairly standard - the cocktails refreshing, if unimaginatively presented. The Tiger was a second choice, as they'd run out of Heineken (really?), and there was a fair bit of confusion around the ordering (first the G&T was available, then it wasn't, and then it was again), which led to us inadvertently being overcharged for the beer, and charged twice for the Gin Free & Tonic, which we didn't notice until we'd left.
The vibe: was lively on a Friday evening. Plenty of people in the spacious, warm patio space, and a busy restaurant area. The whole effect is sort of like an upmarket brew bar, allowing for a casual drink, or something more substantial.
On the stereo: were mellow remixes of top 40 hits, all at a perfectly palatable volume, and relatively inoffensive.
The toilets are: pretty stylish, all white tiled walls, dark basins, and artful fittings. They were a touch damp and messy, but not unduly so for a Friday evening.
Room for improvement: While our server was very sweet (and possibly new), the extended back and forth about drinks was a bit of a frustration, particularly being overcharged for them in the end.
The perfect spot: for a large group catch up, or a quick bite with a drink before or after a city event (their duck fat potato skins are highly recommended).
Most redeeming feature: The Glass Goose is in a good location, with an inventive fit-out, and is a solid alternative if other Federal St establishments are too busy.