9 - 11 Durham Lane,
Auckland Central
Auckland,


(09) 302 0930 

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3 out of 5 stars

Auckland’s CBD is a bit of a wasteland when it comes to good pubs, and once you leave the strip along Vulcan Lane, the pickings can be pretty slim. Avoiding the slightly-seedy gaming room ambience of pubs on Queen St, The Bluestone Room is actually worth searching out in it’s out of the way location up Durham Lane.

It’s a Monteith’s pub so immediately you know to expect a Kiwi heritage ambience. The difference is that unlike a few other Monteith’s bars around the country, The Bluestone Room is actually situated in one of Auckland’s oldest buildings. While the surrounding area now incorporates high-rise apartments, somehow the building staved off the developers across recent decades. A plaque in the floor also records that it was the site of Auckland’s first well, so there’s definitely history when it comes to quenching the thirsts of inner city Aucklanders.

Now the regulars are more likely to be inner-city workers drawn to pub quiz on a Wednesday night, (recommended for companies who just can’t get enough of each other), and occasional poker nights on Mondays. Thursday and Friday sees The Bluestone Room adopt its traditional role as a place for kicking back after work. And while there’s the full range on Monteith’s beer on tap, at least 40 different wines are also available by the glass. Three big screen TVs make sure it’s a popular choice when the Blues or the Warriors are making Aucklanders proud, anxious or both.

With it’s low ceilings and acres of faded heritage wood, The Bluestone Room’s definitely more of a winter pub. There are a couple of outdoor tables out the front, but you’re better off sharing a big table inside or parking yourself in a leather armchair in front of the fire.

And if you do still feel thirsty after a couple of drinks, it’s OK. After all you’re right above the spot that quenched the thirsts of Auckland’s pioneers so many decades ago.

And if you are just focused on getting pleasantly relaxed after a long week at work, that’s perfectly acceptable too.