Bartender Samantha Cressell. Photo / Chris Louft
1885 Britomart
Address: 27 Galway St, Auckland
Hours: 5pm - late, Wed - Sat
Phone: 09 551 3100
Web: 1885.co.nz
The last time I visited 1885 to review it, it didn't end well. I was ignored by the bartender until he'd finished serving anyone who was younger, more stylish or simply more female than
I, and then he ignored me a little more while he talked to his mates. I think it was some kind of dominance thing.
Then, of course, he massively overcharged me, leaving me with only one option: the early exit.
That was a while ago now, so I thought it was time to give it another crack. After all, I'd been to a few events at 1885 in a professional capacity, and I'd noticed a marked change in the place.
It still looks the same. The main bar upstairs is still a large, but comfortable space; the terrace bar (or Martini bar, as they refer to it) is a more intimate spot for smaller gatherings and the basement bar still retains that sense of wickedness you get in a windowless, dimly lit, subterranean bar.
