Pub spy: The Flying Moa, Mt Wellington

Service was friendly at the Flying Moa. Photo / Michael Craig

Address: 65 Lunn Ave, Mt Wellington
Phone: (09) 570 2800
flyingmoapub.co.nz

Someone is going to have to do something about the plethora of kitset pubs in this country.

From Speights alehouses to Monteiths bars to Kiwi Pub Co outlets, it's getting harder to play spot the difference when you go out for a beer. They're starting to feel like a string of McDonald's, even if the decor isn't identical.

Regardless of the differences in layout, you get a nagging feeling of familiarity whenever you are in a bar that is part of a chain and has been laid out not as a place to unwind, but as a place to make money.

By that I mean nothing bad, just that you know pretty much what you're going to get before you even walk in the door and my breath remained resolutely untaken when I walked into the Flying Moa.

The service was prompt, efficient and, most important, genuinely friendly.

But the rest was a bit uninspiring. The layout is fine, it's nice and airy and well kept, but it doesn't have much atmosphere, or at least not on a weekday afternoon.

The drinks are a bit ho-hum as well. It's a DB bar so the range includes Erdinger and Murphy's for variety. The wine list throws up the occasional gem, but it also has some screamingly inappropriate wines. I thought every bar knew not to list supermarket wines that their customers will see on special for $10 in New World. I mean, who would want to fork out $40 or $50 for something they can get for a fraction of that price?

The cocktail list is okay, if a bit shooter-heavy, and the food is tasty and well priced, so it counts as an above-average neighbourhood bar and I am sure the locals are delighted with it. I just can't see too many reasons to go out your way to visit it.

Scores

Service: 4
Menu: 3
Drink: 3
Atmosphere: 1
Overall: 3

The Flying Moa is open 7 days 11am-late.