Kong

Ready to flee the 21st century for the night? We know just the place. Sitting along the banks of the Ōtākaro Avon River, Kong is a cocktail bar that transports locals back to the glamorous side of the 1930s prohibition era, with a touch of King Kong infused into its Art Deco aesthetic (think less Skull Island, more New York).

It’s easy to get swept up in the luxurious world they’ve created here. Glitzy chandeliers hang from the ceiling, the Empire State Building features across bold artworks, geometric lines and abstract motifs cover the walls and floors, and rich jewel tones add a warm opulence to the space. It’s an exciting escape into another time and place – and most importantly, the cocktails are banging.

Take a seat at the bar, slide into a leather booth, or catch the last rays of sunshine on the terrace, and let Kong’s senior team of mixologists get to work. Unlike your average drinking hole, science plays a part in the lineup of theatrical, out-of-the-box cocktails. Concoctions are garnished with smoke bubbles and handcrafted lollipops, martini flights balance on tree displays, and delicate florals perch gracefully on top of foams and froths. One favourite that isn’t going anywhere is The Black Cat, a caramel espresso martini accompanied by a cone of popcorn. The mixologists have been known to spill a few trade secrets at Kong’s cocktail masterclasses, so consider getting your work crew or best mates together for a lesson from the best.

While the cocktails attract much of the spotlight, the food deserves its fair share of attention. Kong’s chef has crafted a menu of sophisticated sharing plates, inspired by finger food popular during the Prohibition era. That is, if you were lucky enough to be associated with the part of society enjoying prawn and shrimp cocktails, crab rangoons, or mushroom and lentil pâté.

Since 2017, Kong has delivered a unique speakeasy experience that simply can’t be found in any other pocket of the city. And on that note, if anyone needs us, we’ll be in the 1930s.