5 hidden gems in WELLINGTON
Get a glimpse of the capital’s secret offerings
When our capital city is wet or windy, I reckon there are more places to hide out than anywhere else in the country.
1 The hotel
Particularly hidden by roadworks the weekend I stayed, even on a good day you could walk past the entrance to the new DoubleTree by Hilton in Grey St and not realise what fabulousness lurks inside. The old T&G building on the corner of Lambton Quay – built in 1928 and one of the city’s first office towers – has been lovingly restored to art deco perfection. It’s worth just popping up to the first floor restaurant to check out the stairs and the elevators. But the rooms, especially the suites, are to die for. All that and a piping hot cookie when you check in? Make mine a double!
2 The laneways
When I was a young Wellingtonian, this part of town was merely where Hannah’s shoes were once made and sold – certainly not somewhere you’d head to with a good time in mind. But now sensationally redeveloped, the Hannah’s Laneway precinct between Leeds and Eva streets rocks bars, restaurants, bakeries, pizza, chocolate, peanut butter and craft breweries. Hanging Ditch pours your cocktail from bottles suspended from the ceiling, while Fortune Favours is warm and dry in the winter but when the sun shines, the roof deck is perfect for peoplewatching and a pint. The night we dodged the rain to check it out, there was a food cart selling fried chicken as well. A delightful pocket of our funky capital.
3 The restaurants
Lured by the romance of the laneway, we had dinner at Shepherd, an informal but seriously foodie establishment with a focus on fresh and seasonal. Kimchi battered oysters? I think so! Another place I loved was Glass, a French bistro and organic wine bar tucked down Chews Lane between Willis and Victoria Streets. The rain hosed down outside, but the ambience inside this open convivial space was warm and lively. Every neighbourhood should have one. Meanwhile Squirrel, next to Small Acorns homeware in Blair St, is a cheerful spot for a little something during the day. The cheese scones looked good, but the lady in front of me bought the last one (lucky to escape with her life).
4 The entertainment
The Underground Market in the carpark at Frank Kitts Park is a great way to while away some wet Wellington time, and you’re just around the corner from Te Papa so a perfect opportunity to check out Toi Art – the new national art gallery. Not too far away, the kids will love the extra looooooong fries at Goldie in Taranaki St and if the weather’s still not conducive to walking (which is a shame, because the waterfront stroll is one of the nation’s best), Wellington has some great independent cinemas: the Penthouse in Brooklyn – although someone nicked my umbrella! – the Empire in Island Bay and the Roxy in Miramar.
5 The bars
A lot of Courtenay Place bars are very much in-yourface, but there’s no reason not to stop in at number 31, Lulu, and try their You Had Me At Heihei rum cocktail and fried chicken offering as part of this month’s Visa Wellington On a Plate. If it’s hiding away you want, try The Library “reading room and lounge bar” upstairs at number 53. Or head back to The Black Sparrow underneath the Embassy Cinema, accessed by a somewhat stunning catwalk. I also loved Crumpet next to the Opera House – not just because they actually serve crumpets, but because the drinks list is on a rolodex!