Exciting news fam, Ponsonby's coveted Lucky 8 is getting a hot younger sibling and it's going slap-bang in the middle of a wholly revamped Elliott Stables, set to dazzle the senses and plunge you into an epic world complete with neon-lit late-night eats, DJs and vibes for days.
Much loved dining destination Elliott Stables is transforming into a hip new district that will be THE place for drinking and dining in a few short months and we are absolutely fizzing. Built in 1910 on the corner of Wellesley and Elliott Streets, this iconic former warehouse and stables has long been a staple for visitors to Auckland and now is in a perfect position to welcome people back to Tāmaki Makaurau’s CBD.
Part of the new dining district will resemble European café culture designed in a charming Parisian and Venetian style where you'll have the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the ambience of leafy streets, watching people go by from cosy cafes and quaint cobblestone walkways. On the other side, there’ll be a street-side dining district with an Asian-inspired theme, reminiscent of the bustling street markets of Hong Kong and Taiwan, the lively hawker markets of Thailand, and the vibrant food scene of Singapore.
The legends behind Lucky 8 and Mr Hao will be taking over a large area in the heart of Elliott Stables where you’ll be treated to the brand new Jungle 8—where yes, just like Lucky 8 most dishes will be $8.88—but with a new focus on Vietnamese, Thai plus other South East Asian countries’ cuisine, shining a light on drool-worthy new flavours. Talented chef Steven Nguyen will helm the experience melding tradition with fusion in unexpected ways. Think fancy deconstructed Pho with a traditionally cooked broth, boujee Bahn Mi and Thai-inspired items from the grill, alongside complimentary cold dishes. Are you drooling yet?
Following on from the runaway success of Lucky 8 and anticipating that there might be a wait to experience all that Jungle 8 has to offer, a new bar will take over the central space where you can try new cocktails, sample food from the multiple vendors surrounding the bar or even try something from everywhere like a magpie. Expect a relaxed party atmosphere from 5pm to 7pm after which the mood will slowly step up until after 9pm when in-house DJs will take it to the next level. One thing's for sure, this place is going to be an absolute vibe.
We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait until the opening date of end August/September 2023. We’ll keep you updated.
Image credit: Jungle 8 and Elliott Stables.