136 Hurstmere Road,
Takapuna
Auckland,
(09) 486 6330
The ViewAuckland Review
3 out of 5
I've always thought that Westies were tougher than Shore boys—but after witnessing the sheer stupidity of 'Hard Man Shots' along Hurstmere Road recently, I'm not so sure.
A 'Hard Man Shot' begins innocently enough with the usual combo of salt, lime and tequila. For no other discernable reason than to impress a couple of blonde Shore girls at another table, a group of guys with an intense liking for hair gel have changed the normal rules.
First the salt is snorted. Next a squeeze of lime into the eye. And finally, a return to relative normality with a shot of tequila.
It's not a pretty sight. And after more than a few, the alcohol kicks in and the buzzy ambience of a certain Belgian beer bar becomes annoyingly raucous.
However, along Hurstmere Road you don't have to travel far to a different bar—and just past the Monteith’s-themed Copper Room we settle into R'Toto Beach Club.
Other Takapuna bars promise to transport you to Brussels or to Greymouth, but R'Toto proudly displays its North Shore roots.
Hanging from the ceiling are surf boats, yachts and surfboards; and Riverhead from Goldenhorse is pumping out.
Compared to the hard men activities up the road, R'Toto's cavernous interior is still relatively quiet, but a later-in-the-night buzz is building quickly.
R'Toto's average punter is younger than those at some of Takapuna's other bars, and while a few outside tables are trying to edge it towards restaurant status, R'Toto's real purpose is revealed inside with a robust sound system and dance floor. Another dominant feature is the bar masquerading as a thatched roof beach hut. Think Torbay meets Thailand.
On tap is the full range of Mac's beers—as well as Speights for all those Shore boys who ventured to Otago Uni to surf (and study phys-ed in their spare time).
A younger, frugal crowd is lured with eight-buck glasses of chardonnay and sauvignon blanc; and from Thursday to Saturday, DJs keep the energy levels high.
After a second drink, R'Toto gradually reveals its true face. A few people are maintaining a façade of dining, but gradually the uncomplicated mating rituals of North Shore youth become evident: loads of hair gel and Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirts for the guys; and summer tans and sunnies for the girls.
So far, no-one is threatening 'Hard Man Shots', but the night is still young.
R'Toto Beach Club has been reviewed by 4 users