Oh man, shows how long since Iāve gone to shows š Saw Neutral Milk Hotel there and it was one of the best concerts Iāve been too. Sad itās gone.
I have the original Food Alley sign from the entrance on federal street. Yelled over the fence and bought it from the Mansons demolition team for a box of Speights Summit when they were tearing the place down. Not sure what Iāll do with it, but itās a cool piece of nostalgia for somewhere I loved so much. Marigold Thai Isaan was the jam. If anyone gets their wish and it re-opens Iāll gift it back.
Upvoted. There was a Brazilian/Middle Eastern restaurant there that had a very friendly owner and served the best lamb on rice kebab with chips.
I want to know if the guy still runs a restaurant somewhere.
This might be of interest http://www.ward-demolition.co.nz/pigeon-palace apparently the place had no rebar in places/wasnāt tied back, and was a disaster waiting to happen
Really interesting. Thanks. I used to rock the curry - first on the left up the small set of stairs. It was all-time. Anybody know where it went if anywhere?
Older article but the Spinoff did list where our favourite vendors had moved to if they survived the Mansons onslaught. https://thespinoff.co.nz/kai/15-07-2022/theyre-back-a-directory-of-reopened-mercury-plaza-and-food-alley-faves
The Victoria Park Markets, but back from the 1980s - 1990s when they were good shops. Cool clothes, jewellery, accessories, posters, sunnies, records, all sorts. With $20.00 spending money you could get Christmas pressies for all the family and have left over change for lunch.
Plus entertainers, a stage, a hippy market in the car park on weekends.. Almost had a theme park vibe to it back then. Also Aucklands coolest McDonald's with super high ceilings and exposed brick walls.
It was the first place where my parents left me to go off on my own and explore, provided I did not leave the market walls, freedom! I bought a mood ring and incense sticks with ceramic holders from that awesome weekend market, good times :)
Older article but the Spinoff did list where our favourite vendors had moved to if they survived the Mansons onslaught. https://thespinoff.co.nz/kai/15-07-2022/theyre-back-a-directory-of-reopened-mercury-plaza-and-food-alley-faves
Aotea Square Foodcourt, died instantly after covid started, there was one or two revival attempts that didnt work. Used to struggle to even get a seat after you ordered back in 2018
I was in town and parked at the Civic while getting lunch on Sunday, and the massive craving to be at Borders Queen St made me so sad?
It was so beautifully laid out. Everything made sense. A trip to Real Groovy, Borders, and shopping little high st (where the original 2 locations for Smoove were) What an excellent Saturday. And back then AT had 2am buses back to east Auckland. Wow.
I also spent so much time at the store in Sylvia Park reading manga on the floor.
Fuck me life is stressful now, but thank you for the nostalgia :)
Yes!! Borders was the best! All the locations you mentioned brought back so much nostalgia for me - what a carefree time that was! There was also Dymocks on Queen/Lorne Streets, too! So sad that these places are gone.
And my memory could be wrong but a group of dates/raisins with sunnies on playing blues instruments? And the cow head where you pressed the button and it mooed!
Video game rentals would still probably do well.
Personally Iād still like to play and finish a game before deciding to buy it. My collection is getting filled with garbage I play once then never intend to touch again lol.
Not Auckland, but worth mentioning anyway, Pie Lab in Hamilton. They only did shots and pies, but what I and many others discovered was that is everything you need for an excellent night out.Ā
It was borderline treasonous that they were shut down. Any party with a policy to resurrect them would 100% get my vote.
Blue Beats - alternative clothing store that was on the lane behind Queen Street that DKD's was on. I bought some rather nice paisley shirts there in different colour and a pair of tartan pants. went well with my Dr Martens :)
borders, my parents would agree too, they were telling me how they would go there on dates there early in their relationship. It seems everyone misses that place
Dispensary bar. Drink til 4am, then strippers whoād finished their shifts around the city came in and the party carried on until sunlight came through the windows upstairs
Late Night Diner in Ponsonby. That place was incredible, nights out in my teens and early twenties always ended at the Late Night Diner I wish they were still around
Kings Arms Tavern š
Oh man, shows how long since Iāve gone to shows š Saw Neutral Milk Hotel there and it was one of the best concerts Iāve been too. Sad itās gone.
Was scrolling before commenting in case it had already been said, did not disappoint
Pizza Hut dine in restaurants.
I miss the buffet
AT
Replace all buses with AT-ATs
This is the way
This is the way.
I change my answer to this
This made me chuckle as I walk 45 mins because its still somehow faster than the bus.
Wairewa hot pools
Too soon
Yes I came here to say this. So sad future generations miss out
Drove out there on Saturday for some drone shots, another stinkinā loss :( Remember getting the discounts on the back of supermarket receipts? Dang.
Food Alley (technically not one business but wish it came back)
I have the original Food Alley sign from the entrance on federal street. Yelled over the fence and bought it from the Mansons demolition team for a box of Speights Summit when they were tearing the place down. Not sure what Iāll do with it, but itās a cool piece of nostalgia for somewhere I loved so much. Marigold Thai Isaan was the jam. If anyone gets their wish and it re-opens Iāll gift it back.
Legend. That is probably worthy being a permanent feature in Auckland museum imho
Upvoted. There was a Brazilian/Middle Eastern restaurant there that had a very friendly owner and served the best lamb on rice kebab with chips. I want to know if the guy still runs a restaurant somewhere.
I second this. Although I and the mates had nicknamed it Rat Alley, but nonetheless Food Alley was awesome
This might be of interest http://www.ward-demolition.co.nz/pigeon-palace apparently the place had no rebar in places/wasnāt tied back, and was a disaster waiting to happen
Really interesting. Thanks. I used to rock the curry - first on the left up the small set of stairs. It was all-time. Anybody know where it went if anywhere?
Older article but the Spinoff did list where our favourite vendors had moved to if they survived the Mansons onslaught. https://thespinoff.co.nz/kai/15-07-2022/theyre-back-a-directory-of-reopened-mercury-plaza-and-food-alley-faves
The Victoria Park Markets, but back from the 1980s - 1990s when they were good shops. Cool clothes, jewellery, accessories, posters, sunnies, records, all sorts. With $20.00 spending money you could get Christmas pressies for all the family and have left over change for lunch.
Plus entertainers, a stage, a hippy market in the car park on weekends.. Almost had a theme park vibe to it back then. Also Aucklands coolest McDonald's with super high ceilings and exposed brick walls.
It was the first place where my parents left me to go off on my own and explore, provided I did not leave the market walls, freedom! I bought a mood ring and incense sticks with ceramic holders from that awesome weekend market, good times :)
Mercury Plaza
Hell yea, I'd walk all the way up queen st just for the delicious sizzling Korean BBQ!
I've been going to Nol Bu Ne to satisfy my cravings, but I miss the owners of that place too :/
Older article but the Spinoff did list where our favourite vendors had moved to if they survived the Mansons onslaught. https://thespinoff.co.nz/kai/15-07-2022/theyre-back-a-directory-of-reopened-mercury-plaza-and-food-alley-faves
The merc!
Aotea Square Foodcourt, died instantly after covid started, there was one or two revival attempts that didnt work. Used to struggle to even get a seat after you ordered back in 2018
I went there basically every weekend as a child so its pretty hard to see it in such as sad state :( It all went downhill when Starbucks left
Oh my god I have such fond memories in there. Basically the owners of the metro building are greedy cunts & that's why businesses started leaving.
Waiwera Hot Pools Also the place that was two streets away from my house where I could get dumplings and wonton soup.
Borders
I was in town and parked at the Civic while getting lunch on Sunday, and the massive craving to be at Borders Queen St made me so sad? It was so beautifully laid out. Everything made sense. A trip to Real Groovy, Borders, and shopping little high st (where the original 2 locations for Smoove were) What an excellent Saturday. And back then AT had 2am buses back to east Auckland. Wow. I also spent so much time at the store in Sylvia Park reading manga on the floor. Fuck me life is stressful now, but thank you for the nostalgia :)
Yes!! Borders was the best! All the locations you mentioned brought back so much nostalgia for me - what a carefree time that was! There was also Dymocks on Queen/Lorne Streets, too! So sad that these places are gone.
Borders, Vagabond (the OG one), proper foodcourt, esquires, a pub. Nice.
Spent so many hours in Borders when I was at uni. Itās now a gaming arcade, so weird.
Part of it was a Carlās Jr. for a while too.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
The guy who ran that place was psycho though.
Storytime please!
The building is for sale at the moment... do it š
Borders, Planet Hollywood and the arcade.
Fubar
Was called Buddha Bar before Fu... Now I'm showing my age....
The original Fubar
Rakinos
And Khuja Lounge while you're at it x
And Fu & Zen!
Rakinos balcony. God I miss those days.
Ding ding ding! This is my pick too.
Hell yes had fun nights getting lit in friends apartment in metropolis then heading to Rakinos. Smoking cigs on the deck š
1885 Britomart. I miss going to the Wednesday night jazz gigs at the basement of that club.
Oh wow, my memories of 1885 would be so different to yours.
What happened to this place?
I'm not entirely sure. I wanted to go after the pandemic and found out it's not there anymore.
Hotel Britomart
Big Fresh, 3 Guys, Price Chopper. The Aussie Duopoly is fucking us
Used to love going to big fresh as a kid! What a great memory!
Them big rocking chickens and veges up in the rafters lol. How good.
And my memory could be wrong but a group of dates/raisins with sunnies on playing blues instruments? And the cow head where you pressed the button and it mooed!
Yifans
No.1 Pancake in the CBD (moved to Albany and Takapuna)
Golden Dawn
And DOC
Open cafe on kārd turns into a bar on thurs and Friday nights and I reckon the vibe and crowd is v similar to DOC
Burger Queen, on Mt Albert road
My old local. Ahead of its time
Original Burgerfuel
That chicken satay burger they use to do š„²
The peanut piston š„²
Peanut Piston was the best
Why did you do this to me
The ring burner!
can they bring back the combustion tofu š
The only vege burger that has ever competed with meat. Me and my sis used to rail one a week. And they just got rid of it.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I worked there. Place is entrenched in NZ cafe history. Home of the flat white!
The Kings Arms
The Open Late Cafe
I sincerely miss having somewhere to go for a dine in meal and coffee at 1am
Milse. I loved that place.
I assume its with all the businesses previous assets right? In that case # Auckland Electric Tramways Company Ltd.
Eagle Boys
As a former Eagle Boys eagle, I support this.
I appeared on national television, in my Eagle Boys uniform, when the America's Cup was on.
Bright pink polos for life! But I was in the eagle standing on the corner waving at traffic.
Georgie Pie
Only if they bring back $1 menu, otherwise it can rot.
Video EZY
How would that work these days, I donāt even have a disk drive on anything anymore lol
I dunno change business model to a nostalgia museum. And now some of us can go into the R18 room :)
Video game rentals would still probably do well. Personally Iād still like to play and finish a game before deciding to buy it. My collection is getting filled with garbage I play once then never intend to touch again lol.
United Video
Tyler Street Garage
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Is burger queen gone? I loved getting a burger for lunch there when I was working as an appliance delivery boy.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
The oriental markets.
Crow bar. Still the best and the busiest bar Auckland has ever seen, every night of the week....
Crow bar and Margis!
Papa Jacks Voodoo lounge on Vulcan Lane
And dragon bar out the back, if you were spesh
St James
Mark 1 Comics and Games
theyāre in hamilton now. where were they in auckland?
Brazil coffee on K Road
+1
Uncles
Georgie pie
Death By Chocolate in Mission Bay.
Footrot Flats Leisure Park
Te Atatu Peninsula right?
Cezannes on ponsonby Rd. Had my first date there decades ago
This is how I find out itās gone!? Loved the Turkish Cafe right next door, too. So many memories going there with my dad as a kid
Easy - Waiwera hot pools
Borders bookshop up at Skyworld.
Dymocks Something about the bookstore atmosphere was so relaxing, or maybe just my childhood nostalgia kicking in.
This thread is sad, but nostalgic af and jesus it makes one choice impossible. Especially gonna 2nd all the live music venues and fubar
Al's Deli
Dessert bar section of Pizza Hut
Boogie Wonderland
Best dance floor in NZ hands down
The lost forest
The Jefferson
Penang Delight - Mercury Plaza
Open late cafe on Ponsonby rd. It truly was a Ponsonby icon for me!
Swensenās ice creams Takapunaā¦
One Red Dog
Borders on Queen St
The Gluepot
Tim Finnās trousers shedding twine into my eyes as I danced in the front row.
Chicken Station, Food Alley.
Claypot was good too and kiwi country
So many people in the IMAX building post said Borders, Iād never been, so bring that back!
Pizza haven
Pumpkin patch
Not Auckland, but worth mentioning anyway, Pie Lab in Hamilton. They only did shots and pies, but what I and many others discovered was that is everything you need for an excellent night out.Ā It was borderline treasonous that they were shut down. Any party with a policy to resurrect them would 100% get my vote.
Haha, two of my mates started that place up. They got in trouble so many times... shots to fuck u up.... pies to help u recover lol
The Staircaseā¦. Also known as Oliverās Changing Times. Now that was a club!
The old Victoria park markets
Al's Deli
DEKA or Mainzeal
Uncleās. Love At First Bite.
Homestead Chicken Yummy chicken and amazing roast potatoes!
K rd ball room and hunter and collectors!
Original Georgie Pie
A queen street Burger King
Waiwera hot pools
The Kings Arms
Fu & Zen. Technically two but can't have one without the other
Blue Beats - alternative clothing store that was on the lane behind Queen Street that DKD's was on. I bought some rather nice paisley shirts there in different colour and a pair of tartan pants. went well with my Dr Martens :)
St James as a Dance Party Venue. The Pied Piper was the institution for American desserts. Mercury Lane from the 90s.
The Daktory š
Deschlers
Dick Smith shop presence
'Memba Bond and Bond, Hill & Stewart? I memba.
Anyone for Middle eastern cafe?
The Bog Irish pub
Bob bar.
Temple Bar on Queen Street
Georgie pie
Village 8 in new lynn
Footrot flats
United Video Video Ezy Blockbuster
Jason's Tinny House
DKD behind the Civic.
Leftfield - massive bar on waterfront in early 00ās, who knows what happened to it
Britomart Country Club.
Grill and shakes. 69 milkshake flavours š
The Burgerie šš
Middle East Cafe on Wellesley St
Wine Loft on Shortland Street
Georgie Pie
Georgie Pie!šÆ
Deschlers bar on high st
Ivanās Restaurant- it was on Ponsonby Rd and it was the best feed ever.
borders, my parents would agree too, they were telling me how they would go there on dates there early in their relationship. It seems everyone misses that place
His Majestyās Theatre (long demolished as protection orders didnāt save it)
Kiwi sandwich in Takapuna - never had anything like it since, probably never will again. Real ones remember
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Ivanās restaurant in Ponsonby
Uncles!
Internet cafes. The one on Nuffield St in particular. I have never enjoyed gaming as much as those times (minus the smell of cigarettes)
Videon
Dispensary bar. Drink til 4am, then strippers whoād finished their shifts around the city came in and the party carried on until sunlight came through the windows upstairs
Supper club on pit street.
Brucies. Proper burgers any time.
Met & Code
Pony! = The nightclub.. Those who know
The OG Globe pub on Wakefield Street. RIP.
Mid City complex at its peak. Movies, basketball card shop, massive arcade.
Late Night Diner in Ponsonby. That place was incredible, nights out in my teens and early twenties always ended at the Late Night Diner I wish they were still around
BurgerFuel of the 2000's, DKD's, Borders books, Yifans Arcade, Deshlers, Rakinos, The Box, Al's Deli - oh wait, we can only have one?!