Golden Dawn is a bar and music venue located in Ponsonby Central, New Zealand. It opened in December 2010 and gained popularity through word of mouth. The bar is known for its commitment to the music industry and provides a platform for both establishe...
Overview
Ambience | Lively |
---|---|
Accepts credit cards | Yes |
Noise level | Bustling |
Licence | This venue is licenced |
Food Options | Vegetarian |
Products and specialities
Beer
Wine
Cocktails
Platters
Puddings - Blackboard
Hours
- MonClosed
- Tues -
- Wed -
- Thurs -
- Fri -
- Sat -
- Sun -
- HolidaysClosed
The bad news is that as it is a "Pop Up" bar it is only due to be with us for a short time. Luckily they haven't wasted any money on a high end fit out. It's spacious yet still cosy with an interesting drinks menu and what looks to be good food, Decent DJ's, good outdoor space and a moody interior that reminds of Wellington's quirky venues (no surprise as The Matterhorn is its sister bar).
I've never spent much time "inside" this bar, as the outside area is so sociable. Infact sometimes it gets SO sociable that you have to yell to hear yourself, but we can't criticise a bar on its success! There is much great music here, from specialised DJ sets to local artists playing live. The bartenders are always super friendly too.
Since it opened a year or so ago (on the site of the old Auckland institution The Open Late Cafe - probably the only Auckland cafe ever to serve hot chocolates in Acaroc cups) The Golden Dawn has been something of an "it" venue for Auckland hipsters. The actual premises is nice - a cosy inside space and a large courtyard outside featuring a second bar, picnic tables and a DJ booth. So far, so good, right? Well, ummm ... The main issue with the venue is the punters. A bunch of 40-something advertising execs and wannabe celebrities standing around in mutual admiration and smoking like it's going out of fashion. Honestly, the amount of cigarette smoke in the air was absolutely mind-boggling. I don't think I've ever been to a bar with some many people smoking en mass. Oh, and there's also a queue. That's right. You have to queue to get in. Even when it's fairly quiet inside. Just 'cause, well, I'm sure it makes everyone inside feel pretty cool.