The faces behind Capital Culture. Picture / Yvonne Liew
Hilarious web series Capital Culture has quickly established an online following with its sharp take on the hipsters and scenesters of Wellington, from kale shortages to collaborative art events. Following the lives of four friends - fashionista and blogger Lennon, mixologist Imogen, aspiring DJ Willoughby, and wannabe film-maker Frankie - the series lovingly mocks the tropes of creative types in the capital city. The real-life friends behind the series - Miriam O'Connor, Isobelle Walton, Martine Harding and Virginia O'Connor - share their favourite Wellington spots.
Virginia O'Connor (Frankie): Maranui is actually a winner if you are not too hungover and can be bothered waiting for a table. Also, Sunday markets! Buy lots of different stall feasts and go sit by the water, boat sheds or on the grass.
Casual restaurant: Martine Harding (Willoughby): Sweet Mothers, another bloody mary please.
Isobelle Walton (Imogen): Fisherman's Plate has the best pad Thai ever.
Miriam O'Connor (Lennon): Chow - the salmon parcels seared are off their head!
Virginia O'Connor (Frankie): Phu Thai Lana on corner of Vivian and Tory St, Rasa on Cuba St.
Something special: Martine Harding (Willoughby): A hot date to Dragonfly would be nice, thank you.
Isobelle Walton (Imogen): Dragonfly. We went there for Miriam's birthday and the food was hammers.
Miriam O'Connor (Lennon): No one has ever taken me anywhere fancy, hint hint dreamboats!
Virginia O'Connor (Frankie): Man, I'm a student ...
The courtyards at Wellington restaurant and bars Dragonfly and Ancestral; great vintage at Emporium.
Bar:
Martine Harding (Willoughby):
Ancestral with someone else's wallet: Heated seats and fancy drinks uhuh!
Isobelle Walton (Imogen): Mighty, R.I.P.
Miriam O'Connor (Lennon): Oh how the Mighty has fallen, so runner-up would be Havana.
Virginia O'Connor (Frankie): Love you Mighty. Walked around the streets aimlessly a couple of Saturday nights ago looking for the next late-night dive bar. No such luck. We love you. Laundry Bar on Cuba St is popping off now at earlier time. Great little atmosphere and had some cool live music on lately.
Vintage shopping: Martine Harding (Willoughby): Definitely Emporium, have never left that store without something amazing.
Isobelle Walton (Imogen): Emporium, it has amazing clothes and the staff are super friendly.
Miriam O'Connor (Lennon): Store (vintage): Glassons and Valley Girl (see episode 4).
Virginia O'Connor (Frankie): Recycle Boutique has some real bangers.
Gallery: Isobelle Walton (Imogen): 30 Upstairs because it shows a lot of up and coming Wellington artists.
Secret spot: Martine Harding (Willoughby): There are heaps of old graveyards up near Vic Uni, which for some reason I enjoy walking through. Or does that make me sound like a weirdo?
Miriam O'Connor (Lennon): The walkway at the top of Rolleston St leads to a patch of grass with the best views of Wellington. Perfect with some crayfish and Veuve! Haha! More like Burger Rings and cider!
Virginia O'Connor (Frankie): Mount Vic Bowls Club! Is that even a secret or have people been doing that forever? Always empty when we're there so I'll go with that; sunny Sunday, last place sun hits. Seven dollar jugs! Bowls! Dream time.
Classic Wellington: Martine Harding (Willoughby): Mac's Brewery on a Saturday arvo, cold beer, and hot boys skateboarding!
Isobelle Walton (Imogen): Playing around the world at the Sunday markets.
Miriam O'Connor (Lennon): Swim at Oriental [bay] followed by a Kaffee Eis Malaga (rum and raisin) gelato!
Virginia O'Connor (Frankie): Friday night markets in Left Bank - that Moroccan wrap guy with free mint tea while you wait ... heck yeah. Get there.
