If you’re a Ponsonby local or just enjoy a drink along the strip now and again, you’re no doubt familiar with The Whiskey.
Bringing the bright lights of Vegas to Ponsonby, Win-Win has a fun, retro cocktail bar vibe.
With a concise but regularly evolving cocktail menu, current picks include the Smoke & Mirrors, a refreshing and smoky blend of Gracias a Dios mezcal shaken with fresh watermelon, lime juice and Maraschino liqueur; and The Perfumer, a luxurious and alluring combination of Jose Cuervo Gran Centenario infused with white chilli truffle tea, fresh lemon, sugar, balsamic vinegar and orange blossom water.
A marriage of fruit and spice, Shot Gun Sipper features Bulleit bourbon stirred over ice with peach liqueur, angostura and habanero bitters. A long citrus drink to quench your thirst, Lemon Mirage marries Bacardi Carta Blanca, Limoncello, fresh lemon juice and house-made orange-ginger syrup. And we just can’t get enough of Desert Sage, a herbaceous Reposado Tequila sour with rhubarb, fresh marjoram, apple, lemon, agave and egg white.
With new specials each week and several cocktails on tap including Auckland’s first nitro espresso martini, bartenders Seth Williams (ex Whiskey) and Thomas Atuahiva and Isaac Fitzpatrick (ex Augustus and Ostro) will also happily magic up whatever your taste buds desire.
Not solely about the cocktails, the wine list features some unique offerings and there is plenty to satisfy the beer drinkers among us too.
Once thirsts are sated, guests can snack on sweet or savoury popcorn and jelly bites made by experimental jellyologist Jessica Mantis - our favourite, the espresso martini. Those after something a little more substantial will also enjoy the arancini balls, potato croquettes or stuffed mushrooms on hand from Ponsonby’s Il Buco.
And when the sun goes down, a mix of funk, boogie and retro disco and pop provides the perfect soundtrack for a good time with DJ Dan Sing and others spinning tunes on weekends.
Open 5pm to late Wednesday to Sunday.
WIN-WIN, 212 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 2667, www.winwinbar.co.nz