1 York Street,
Newmarket
Auckland,


(09) 524 6370 

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Anyone heard of Lucha Libre? I wasn’t familiar with it either, but basically it’s the no-holds barred and entertaining-as-hell wrestling matches held in Mexico City. Masked wrestlers with names like El Jaguar and Super Crazy are huge stars throughout Latin America, and Newmarket’s coolest new bar comes complete with retro Lucha Libre posters from the 1940s, funky décor and furniture from the 1960s, and a great selection of cocktails and Mexicans beers.

We dodge wind and rain to arrive at The Lucha Lounge on a night where most interest around town is in another ‘Fight of the Century’ scheduled to take place a few hours later. Happy hour means that damn fine margaritas are ten bucks and Becks and Corona beers just five bucks. I upgrade to a Dos Equis lager and we tuck into crisply fresh nachos and salsa. Other Mexican food – nothing over ten dollars – is also available, and apparently all the authentic ingredients come from the superb Mexican Specialties store across in Ellerslie.

The Lucha Lounge is gaining a reputation for live rock and roll gigs, but tonight the soundtrack is recorded but still simply stellar. The first few songs include Arcade Fire, The Pogues and Leonard Cohen, and there’s not a crap track to be heard. In a time when more than a few new bars are overdesigned booze barns with identikit dance beats, the lowkey and personal Lucha Lounge is a terrific alternative.

It could just be new favourite bar time, and scarily The Lucha Lounge is in walking distance of home. Now I just need a cool wrestling mask, and an even cooler nickname.

And what’s not to love about a place that showcases favourite pets on their website? Check out www.luchalounge.co.nz.