Positioned in an enviable spot in the heart of Britomart, Tyler St Sport is a new sports-focused bar and eatery bringing together great food and the thrill of live sport.
Developed by the clever creatives behind some of the country’s most iconic bars and restaurants, from Jervois Steak House to Somm Wine Bar & Bistro, Tyler St Sport celebrates sporting communities, offering a casual spot to enjoy a game alongside tasty food that goes well beyond the usual pub grub.
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Culinary expert (and SOUL Bar & Bistro’s executive chef) Gavin Doyle developed the menu, and as such, you’ll find elevated yet casual fare that speaks to the location perfectly. From chilli pepper prawn toast with sesame and gochujang aioli, to cheeseburger spring rolls with burger sauce on the share plates menu, to the viral Irish ‘spice bag’ — pairing soy braised pork with chilli salt fries, peppers, and curry sauce, Korean fried chicken schnitzel with cos and a creamy caesar dressing, and a tasty take on a chop salad, with bok choy, radish, avocado, and yum yum sauce.
There’s also a number of dishes cooked atop a manuka fire pit, from three delectable skewers (satay beef, fennel and black pepper lamb, and tandoori chicken), to flat iron steak, char siu lamb ribs, and charred cabbage. There’s also a decadent chocolate cake with sesame ganache for those with a sweet tooth.
The vision for the food menu is “unexpected, tasty, and a wee bit more cosmopolitan than your average sports bar”, Doyle tells us. “I wanted to create a menu that not only pairs well with a pint of beer and a sports game, but has dishes you can’t readily find in other New Zealand bars. For example, an Irish Spice Bag is hugely popular in my hometown, but I’m yet to find it anywhere here.”
On the drinks front, as you’d imagine, there are a number of tap beers on offer — nine, at present, with all of the usual suspects featuring alongside a rotating guest tap showcasing more unique brews. There’s plenty on the wine list, too, and an inventive cocktail list with something for everyone.
The interior leans into is its raw, industrial elements such as the sprawling heritage brick walls and lofty exposed ceilings, creating an airy yet welcoming space.
Kate Simmons, behind the creation of Somm Wine Bar & Bistro, tells us particular attention went into ensuring the venue didn’t fall victim to a typical ‘blokey’ sports bar. “A lot of effort went into opening up and brightening the venue. We wanted to create a space where women want to hang out too, and having an elevated cocktail offering is a good place to start.”
As for the new name; “Aside from being on Tyler Street, the name is a nod to a past occupant of this site — Tyler St Garage. Everyone has fond memories from that place,” Simmons tells me.
And Tyler St Sport is more than simply a venue featuring viewing walls. Geeling Ching, a hospitality stalwart, says of the wider vision, “We’re currently working with street culture expert Steve Dunstan on curated events around music and popular sporting culture. This will fuel our ethos of celebrating the sporting communities, not just playing the games live.”
Central to the bar and eatery is Tyler St Sports’ direct and authentic connection to local sport. The official home of the Auckland FC, the venue offers fans a true-blue experience outside of the stadium, with club members afforded discounts and exclusive game day offers.
There are also plans to open an elevated cocktail bar upstairs on the rooftop. Aptly named Portside, the convivial space — opening this November — overlooks the Waitematā, and promises a lively spot for sundowners.
Everything this clever team touches turns to gold, and we’re sure Tyler St Sport will be no different. This vibrant new local belongs on your radar.
