For Robi Smith and Wylie Dean, Lowbrow is not just an art movement but a lifestyle. Starting in 1970s California, Lowbrow has its origins in underground comics, punk music, hot-rod and tattoo subcultures. Robi and Wylie set out to capture this in their anti-restaurant, The Hard Luck Cafe on K'Road.

Hard Luck offers a have-it-your-own-way menu system served up in a lighthearted lounge room atmosphere, whether it be a 5-hour smoked short rib TV dinner, plate of buffalo wings or a smoked turkey breast salad. And for those who are anti-meat, there's lots of vegetarian and vegan options too.

Overview

Price Range Reasonable
Ambience Relaxed atmosphere
Accepts credit cards Yes
Noise level Bustling
Licence This venue is licenced
Food Options Vegetarian

Hours

  • Mon -
  • Tues -
  • Wed -
  • Thurs -
  • Fri -
  • Sat -
  • SunClosed
  • HolidaysClosed
Reviews

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Do you like sitting in a bean bag chair while having a cool glass of white? Or maybe a fruity Pinot. Hard Luck is for you!   Oh yes, they do food and other drinks too...

The Hard Luck Cafe is great for lunch after a big night out. You get to choose 2 sides with every main, and there's plenty of comforting options like battered onion rings and german potato salad that'll fix you right up! There's also greener options for days when you're looking for something a little less hearty. Either way your meal comes served in a mess hall tray with the most delicious dinner roll i've ever had and a hand towel that grows from a tablet when you put it in a jug of water. It's the little things!  

While away a lazy Sunday on the beanbags out back at K Rd's Hard Luck Cafe. Armed with coffee and a paper (or friends and beers!), and with a little winter sunlight creeping through, you'll be feeling ready for Monday in no time. Pinball machines and good food too.

Greasy and tasty blue cheese pizza! Awesome much?

I can’t remember the last themed cafe I went to in Auckland but this place is awesome! Who would have thought eating prison food could be so yum?

Whisper 150 has been set up as a high class, good time establishment which provides gourmet food, classic cocktails and drinks, a relaxing and charming atmosphere along with fabulous entertainment, bringing back the exuberant, lavish and ritzy times of the 1920’s to the heart of Auckland’s CBD every fortnight starting from March 30th. Come along and enjoy the delights of burlesque sensations Leda Petit & Miss Anthropy, cabaret singing from Lilly Loca as well as live jazz music from The Spietatet Jazz Trio. COST: Tickets range from $40 - 'The Underground' drink on arrival and standing room for the show to $150 - 'Whisper 150 VIP' 7.00pm admittance, VIP table and service, 3 course meal, champagne and much more! WHEN Those who purchase the 'Whisper 150 VIP' tickets will be expected at the club from 7.00pm and will have exclusive use of the club from 7.00pm - 8.30pm. 'The Gentleman's Table' and 'The Social Aristocrat' ticket holders will be expected from 8.30pm and 'The Underground' ticket holders will be expected from 9.00pm.

This place is awesome! The food is great and the staff here were really cool! Everyone was smiling and we had a great time!

If you haven’t checked out Hard Luck Cafe yet, you’re missing out on one of Auckland’s most unique food experiences. Set amongst the glamour of K Rd, the street-style food in awesome surroundings is not to be missed. From Pinball machines, spacies, a huge courtyard filled with bean bags to the local art, tattoos & rock n roll, it’s badass.

Great place to come for a beer and enjoy all the different pinball and spacies games. Staff are super friendly, this is definitely going to be my new summer hangout joint.