Bar review: York Street Mechanics, Newmarket

The Newmarket Tea Party and the Smooth Rooster at York Street Mechanics.

Address: 3 York St, Newmarket
Rating:

First drinks: Are easy to decide on thanks to a tight drinks list. We go for the smooth rooster - a Bacardi and Coke-based cocktail for those who "enjoy dancing on park benches and Easy Rider" and the mojito-esque Newmarket Tea Party for those who "like the skate park and The Big Blue". Both are strong and yummy.

The vibe is: Cosy and masculine, with many blokes admiring the beautiful bikes dotted around the bar. You can count the number of sheilas on one hand. The vibe is intimate and inviting, despite the venue's cavernous space.

It smells of: Leather and monkey grease. Well, maybe not monkey grease, but you can't help but get swept up in the whole motorcycle workshop thing York Street Mechanics has cleverly built this bar and diner around. There is also a delicious aroma of meaty treats. Indeed, the American-style food looks great.

On the stereo: Country, through and through. We're talking Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and a bit of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Room for improvement: The beer list is minimal - but unapologetically so, with just three choices: Heineken and Peroni ("for the girls") and Lion Red big bots - or "tallies" - which come served in a classy champagne bucket. Our advice is give those cocktails a hoon.

The perfect spot for: An out-of-Auckland, Americana-style experience and one for bike fans to indulge their inner rev-head.

Most redeeming feature: That fireplace and the absolutely fab, enormous fake mounted swordfish head that sits above it. I want one.