Cargo Bar

Another reason to go to Addington takes form inside a container.

Cargo culture by Sara Bunny

With a few strategically placed spurts of dry ice and the addition of a balcony above the bar, Cargo on Lincoln Rd could be the ideal setting for a Village People music video.

The quirky interior is industrial-chic with corrugated iron walls and steel doors, while the potted palms add a Pacific Island flourish. Each table is adorned with either a huge seashell or a leucadendron foliage display. While evoking memories of Granny's mantlepiece, the eclectic mish mash works surprisingly well.

Half a dozen huge, heavy-duty lights hang from the ceiling, glowing the exact shade of orange of a retro bar heater cranked up to high. The weird citrus sheen gives the place an ironwork factory feel, or perhaps hints at a Pacific sunset, depending on your mood.

On a chilly Wednesday evening, my amigo and I weaved our way through the after-work crowd, made ourselves comfortable on a cushy couch and set about surveying the drinks list.

We were instantly drawn to the 'jam jar' cocktails, all $12, with traditional combinations, such as mojito and margarita, alongside fierce- sounding concoctions heavy with Southern Comfort and Jack Daniels, such as 'The Orchestrator' and something called 'Evocative'.

We ordered a margarita and a caipiroska and watched the palms jiggle as a freight train on the nearby railway rumbled past.

The reasonably priced wine list has about six options of each varietal, with nothing over $10 a glass. Most of the offerings are from well-known Kiwi wineries, such as Trinity Hill, Oyster Bay and Wither Hills, except for the predominantly Australian shiraz and cab sav sections.

We thought the small selection of ports and sherries was a nice touch, with both extravagant and affordable drops available.

The 'jam jars' arrived in good time and were exactly that - retro preserving jars with nifty handles. Both drinks were delicious and the margarita, with hearty helpings of Pepe Lopez tequila and Cointreau, had a particularly heady kick.

We were impressed by the warm, knowledgeable staff, who were happy to answer questions and genuinely wanted to know what we thought of the drinks. Cargo is a reincarnation of the now demolished Lyme bar, and we thought we spotted some familiar faces from the old place in Colombo St.

Like Lyme, Cargo doesn't have beer on tap, but a well-stocked fridge of little green bottles is prominently displayed behind the bar.

The classic sounds of Tina Turner and the Rolling Stones mixed with the hum of chatter made for a relaxed atmosphere, although the TV screens seemed unnecessary and the fireplace was unlit, leaving a cool draught snaking across the cavernous space.

For round two, I chose a glass of Oyster Bay sav ($9) and my amigo, a Corbans Private Bin syrah ($9.50). Bathed in the '70s orange glow, we sat back and supped contentedly.

As the good-natured crowd settled in for the night, a tipsy punter across the room giggled uncontrollably while she jabbed her partner between the ribs with a starfish from the table centrepiece.

Where: 359 Lincoln Rd.

Prices: Very reasonable.

Ambience: Upbeat, with plenty of quirk.

Service: Top notch.