Pub spy: The Queen's Ferry

There are no pretensions about the Queen's Ferry. Photo / Jason Dorday

Address: Vulcan Lane, Auckland CBD
Ph: (09) 377 1821
Website: queensferryhotel.co.nz
Open: Seven days, 11.30am-late.

The Queen's Ferry is one of those hotels that claim to be the oldest in town, but in this case they may well be right. First licensed in 1865, the QF has been attracting low elements (journalists mostly) for almost 150 years.

It carries its history well.

Sipping a beer here it may never cross your mind that the machine gun used in the infamous Bassett Rd murder was assembled in the basement. Quite a sobering thought.

What I like about the QF is that it has no pretensions to be anything else but an honest watering hole. It's the third bar up Vulcan Lane from Queen St, a good spot to meet for a few after-work phlegm-cutters. The beer is Monteith's, which is fine, although I do wish they'd bring back the Celtic Red on tap.

The wine list caters for most tastes.

The food is good, filling pub tucker and it won't break the bank.

The service I got was great - open and friendly and ideal for the bar.

And the best bit? Sitting outside on a hot day with a cold beer and watching the weird, wonderful and occasionally deranged people of Auckland walking, dancing and arguing their way up Vulcan Lane.

Bliss.

Scores

Service: 4/5
Drink: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Overall: 4/5