Of Golden Dawn

Golden Dawn is a bar on the corner of Richmond and Ponsonby Roads, in Auckland.It’s been open 11 months and I’ve not managed to get there, until tonight.Here’s a little bit of backstory. I really don’t get out much. My default place is, in fact, my couch. I love watching movies and hiding from the world. I have yet to get comfortable with bars and nightlife. Up until 2 1/2 years ago I'd never really been near one. To give you context - it'd be like someone going to a 'Happy Clappy' church having never attended a service in their life.Last night, I did have an invite to a fancy ‘do’ but as I overthink everything, I turned it down. I have not ever been to a flash cocktail party, nor actually been invited to one before, so I’m not going to turn up to one, to make a good first impression, without the ‘correct’ costume... This, of course, will change in the near future...Anyway, back to Golden Dawn.All the pretty people of Auckland like this bar. Well, they have liked this bar. Not sure if they still do, as it has been open for more than 3 months.But for me, I forced myself out of my apartment and found myself there.They have no exterior branding (this makes them uber-cool of course). Entry is via a small door on Richmond Rd. If you can't find it, they don't exist... O.oThe bar layout is different. It feels... wrong, but after a little adjustment, it totally works.I was super-impressed by the bar staff. Personable. Knowledgeable and really proud of their establishment.I ordered a smoked fish toasted sandwich thing - which I had to assemble myself. It tasted fantastic and was delivered in an original way. Loved it. Matched it to an Odyssey Chardonnay. The menu is actually really interesting. I want to explore all of it!I then moved to a Greystone Pinot Noir, to accompany the live music that was playing in the outside area. Yes, they have an outside area. And it’s not a cramped “Oh God, the regulations state we have to have a shitty place for smokers” area. It’s structured and makes sense.Tonight the main act was a band from Wellington called Urban Tramper. They were actually VERY cool. I was impressed. I enjoyed them a lot. I will probably buy their recordings.Importantly, prior to this, I’d had a conversation with lady bar staff. She was very clued up about wine. She gave me several varieties to taste. I was in the mood to broaden my palate and she was happy to help. I have discovered A Lisa - an Argentinian Red. It is AMAZING.I will definitely return to this bar. It is really well set-up. It has quality staff. It has quality wine. It has quality food.Should I mention the rest of the evening? Ah. Why not.I walked back to Kingsland.I was a bit concerned, as it is a suburb, that everything would be closed after midnight. Happily not the case.My favourite local, The Neighbourhood, was all go. Well... the girls were dancing in a circle with each other, and the boys were ALSO dancing in a circle with each other... CLEARLY they’re not doing this right.I then moved on to the Toro Bar. A Mexican themed local. I ordered a Patron Anejo as the last drink of the night. In a glass. The bartender was a) confused that I’d actually SAVOUR a tequila rather than take it as a shot and b) was overly concerned about the price I’d pay... Philistine. I KNOW my tequila.How’d I go in terms of any sort of connection with another human being? Apart from bar staff, taxi drivers and bouncers? Not that great. In fact the only person to have a chat with me was a dude. I probably need to work on that.- S