2 Queen Street,
Auckland Central
Auckland,
(09) 309 3559
The ViewAuckland Review
3 out of 5 stars
As Aucklanders continually get the hang of public transport the city centre transport hub has been screaming out for a bar to cater for the growing number of commuters coming into the city centre on trains, ferries and buses.
Earlier this year Traffic Bar and Kitchen opened to fill that gap, and business has been good.
It’s located at the bottom of Queen Street just outside Britomart and opposite the Westfield Downtown mall. With an evolving calendar of events including live music, live televised sports events and a token student night, Traffic ticks all boxes offering something for everyone every night and day.
Traffic is home in the historical building near Britomart. The building has high ceilings and inside there’s plasma screens promoting all things Auckland. Around the walls there’s a myriad of traffic symbols and signs and on the ceiling windows there’s silhouettes of people passing through giving the bar a bustling type of atmosphere.
The staff are young, energetic and eager to please. I’d set up a tab for the night and when it was time to settle it the barman encouraged us to return. In fact Traffic is all about personality, on their website they promote ‘’honesty and passion’’ and ask those who haven’t made a visit to do so soon because they would ‘’love to know who you are’’.
It was a Thursday night when visited and it wasn’t my first time at Traffic. Because of it’s convenient location Traffic is a good option to meet up after work before catching the train home. My girlfriends were a little late, so I waited and enjoyed the live acoustic music.
When they arrive we started with a round of drinks, two glasses of Huntaway Reserve pinot gris ($8.50 per glass) and a Heineken. Other tap beers include Tiger ($7.50) Erdinger ($8), Montheiths Radler and Montheiths Original ($7.50), Amstel Light ($7) and Murphy’s Irish Stout ($7.50).
The mix of people from young professionals, students and travellers to middle aged couples enjoying the atmosphere gives Traffic and enjoyable vibe. After watching a few meals come out to diners sitting in the ‘eating’ part of bar - which is easily distinguished by the tables covered in stark white table cloths - my thoughts turn to food.
There are quite a few menu options from tapas, gourmet pizzas to mains and dessert or a separate lunch menu for those with time during the day. We order tandoori chicken skewers ($12), broccoli cream cheese and chive parcels ($10) and fries and aioli ($7).
When it came time to say goodbye and board the train home I was full and happy - it’s a green light for Traffic.
Traffic Bar and Kitchen has been reviewed by 3 users