When a Grey Lynn stalwart approaches the Auckland Council to lease a neglected community garden in the hopes of turning it into something magical, we aren’t just mildly elated, we’re rapturous. For this new endeavour has blossomed into a beer garden, sitting pretty amongst the citrus and peach trees in Pocket Bar & Kitchen’s newly minted backyard.
Stepping down into the sun-soaked oasis, long wooden tables and high bar leaners set the perfect scene for an afternoon brew, a lasting lunch, or perhaps a private soiree with 60 of your closest friends. As next summer rolls around, so too will live music and DJs, a sandpit for the kids and a flourishing community veggie patch. The produce will go straight from the garden to the plate, the cocktails or taken home by the locals, and speaking of sustenance, a few new additions to the menu should keep you sufficiently satiated such as the crispy lamb dumplings with citrus ponzu and a perfectly curated selection of cured Italian meats, grilled red peppers, artichoke hearts, mixed olives and toasted rye. And, of course, Pocket’s countless cocktails will keep your tank full as you bask in the afternoon sun.
With the extension not yet fully complete, we can only wait in anticipation (we hear an outside pizza oven might make an appearance) as the heart of Grey Lynn is captured by this beloved tucked away gem.
