Bar review: The Jefferson, Auckland CBD

The Jefferson. Photo / Tess Nichol

Address: Imperial Building, Fort Lane, Auckland CBD
Rating:

First drinks: The Jefferson boasts so many whiskies it can't contain them all on a menu, so of course we had to try some whisky cocktails. Their whisky sour was good but not great; a little sweet and could have been fluffier. By comparison, the Dean Martin, a mix of spirits with bitters and grapefruit juice was excellent.

The vibe: is very Mad Men. The underground bar is kitted out in the style of a 50s luxury lounge, with plush dark blue seating and moody lighting. We were there early on a Thursday afternoon so it was quiet, but even if it was humming, the set-up lends itself to a sense of intimacy and privacy.

The toilets: Are industrial, clean, and unisex.

On the stereo: Chilled-out lounge music.

Room for improvement: Not a criticism, but if you want a sunny after-work beer, this isn't the place to go.

The perfect spot: To do an old-fashioned boozy business deal.

Most redeeming feature: The staff are knowledgeable, friendly and quick to take our orders. When we switch to neat whisky after our first round the lovely bartender brings over a bunch of bottles in our price range and describes them for us, even letting us take a sniff. If you're not a whisky connoisseur don't worry; this is a great place to learn.