Nocturnalists are spirited members of Auckland’s nighttime scene, and in this series they take us on a tour of their favourite spots in the city after 5pm. Up next, longtime hospitality figure Poi Eruera.

Photos by Sophie Miya-Smith shot on location at The Civic and Tanuki’s Cave.

No one forgets Poi Eruera. As operations manager at Odettes Eatery and Hugo’s Bistro, the ebullient Poi can be found on any given day gliding around a busy restaurant, guiding diners through a menu and making them feel at ease. She’s worked in Auckland hospitality for decades and is a familiar face to diners and industry folk alike – in 2024 and 2025 she won Metro’s prestigious Best Restaurant Personality award. Her finely tuned skillset appears almost second nature, and in some ways it is. Poi grew up in Grey Lynn and went to Auckland Girls Grammar. “I was always in the city,” she says. Today, she still is. Working between Shortland Street and City Works Depot, and still living in Grey Lynn, Poi guides her clientele through her own establishments and beyond. People trust her judgement. And this week, she tells us where to go after dark.

OK, first things first. What’s the best thing on the menu at Hugo’s Bistro?

Hugo’s is pretty well known for steak frites, including the best Friday night deal in town – steak frites and a glass of red for $50. If I’m with my kid, there will always be steak frites on the table. She does a good job smashing a lot of it, but does have to share. Me and my partner Niccolò will try anything new that Hugo’s head chef Alex Llewellyn has on the menu… If I could only choose one dish to have for the rest of time it would be the market fish. But I’m cheating because that one always changes. Zingy tamarind glazes have featured lately, and lime leaf curry sauces. So good.

What about Odettes, any stand outs?

Our head chef Jonah Huang is really good at delicious vegan dishes. He’s also recently come up with an amazing buffet/mezze menu for events. He also does these fermented chillis that I love, and I can’t stop eating the short rib coconut curry.

You said you love going to a show at The Civic, why?

My primary school would often go on trips to matinees at The Civic. We’d see operas, ballets, all of that stuff. Now, I try to go to anything… the NZ International Film Festival, the ballet. The Civic feels like you should dress up, you know? I used to wear Mum’s coats from her Wellington days. We’d go with my sisters and my Mum and dress up and it’s fun. I’ve been to some great ballets there. But the most stand-out shows are the ones I missed, like Prince and Al Green.

If you’re going to The Civic what’s your itinerary for the evening?

It’s usually a quick snack first. Last time we went to Coco’s Cantina for a speedy pizza, and then Tanuki’s Cave after for a skewer, a sit down and a glass of cold Asahi… I like that you have to commit to going [to the Cave]. You can’t walk down there and then leave again, unless they’re full, because everyone can see you – in a non-scary way.

Who are some hospitality figures you appreciate?

Hugo from Ground Wine Bar is particularly great; very lovely, super keen and interested. But he won’t get carried away by the waffle. He’ll serve you first. Always Mo at Apero. I think he’s probably every hospo person’s favourite hospo person… he always has secret things that he’s ordered just for himself to try, and there’s always something that’s not written [on the menu] so you can feel a bit more special. He’s cheeky without being gossipy and he’s a consummate professional. My friend Emile, who co- owns part of Coco’s Cantina, is the funniest Australian and his food is awesome; you should always eat his specials. Sophie, who is the restaurant manager at Onslow, used to be the restaurant manager at Hugo’s. And another Sophie, who was the restaurant manager at Gilt, was my maternity cover here. [The Hugo’s team] will quite often go for dessert at Gilt after we finish up… The vibe is exactly what you want after work; you recognise people, you’re looked after. And they do a very yummy zabaglione with granita.

What about hospo people, where do you go for ‘afters’?

Everyone goes to Tanuki’s Cave or Ken’s Yakitori for afters. That’s the vibe. Because they’re open way later, you don’t have to commit to a full meal. We’ll pop down to Ken’s and be in and out in like, 45 minutes, after one beer, skewers and snacks… It’s good for a quick wind down, especially if we’ve had an event. Kemuri Hi-Fi, the listening bar in Commercial Bay, [hospo people] go there. The Night Car. And I’ve gone to Queens Rooftop. What I quite like about that is, again, you don’t know what you’re walking into. And I also really respect how they fully commit to having DJs that are really good… Depending what time you finish work, you can pop down to Gilt, or Ground or Caretaker too.

How can diners ensure they’re going to get a big-night-out experience? 

Tell [the restaurant] you just want to take it real slow – hopefully they’ll pick up on that, respect it and roll with it. Lots of booking systems also have questions like ‘is this a celebration?’ The more info you give there, the more you’ll get back. If the staff know it’s a birthday thing, they’re not going to rush you. But if it’s a five o’clock booking, it’s almost always a pre-show dinner.

Where’s the best place for people watching?

Probably somewhere old school, like Soul Bar, on a Friday night.

It’s such an institution.

Yes! And one of the things they do exceptionally well is look after people who are in a wheelchair, or anything like that. My partner’s aunt, who was in a wheelchair, would go often and they would never miss a beat; they would have the ramp ready, door open, an appropriate table. Anytime I went with her I was impressed with the foresight!

What other restaurants are good with accessibility?

At Odettes we try to be. We will take a booking at any time, no matter how busy if someone says they need a wheelchair table. We also have a wheelchair entrance into the main building.

How long have you worked here at Odettes? 

10 years.

It was here that I first met you. I was working at a fashion magazine and our office was next door, and you’ve always been so well dressed. Where do you like to shop in the city centre?

I love Commercial Bay for shopping; I think Juliette Hogan always has amazing stuff. I’ve got coats of hers from 15 years ago still in perfect condition. I also wear a lot of twenty-seven names… I have way more of an idea of what works on my body in those shops – what cuts will work and what fabrics I like. Something I’ve learned in the last couple of years is to try on absolutely everything in the shop at the start of the season. Everything. I’ve had a couple of really surprising finds. Like things I never would have tried on, I did and loved them.

That’s actually great advice. 

I’m also trying to send a message to my child, often in the change room, that we just give everything a go. And if it doesn’t feel right on our bodies, it’s just the clothes.

Speaking of parenting, where would you go for a family friendly dinner?

We’ve gone to Apero and Coco’s Cantina. We do a lot of K’ Road at night, because we can walk there from home. We also go to Uncle Man’s.

Yes, Uncle Man’s! They’ve opened another spot, on Lorne Street, now. What do you get there?

I’m really boring. I just get the roti canai. And then a noodle, but the noodle dish I get changes. I like to have one dish that I know is great, and then try something new… I do get takeaway from there; the roti canai travels really well. But I think with eating in versus takeaway, you get that little bit more experience, often for the same price… Sometimes ordering from those apps can be even more expensive than dining at the restaurant. But I can see the purpose, especially if you’re post-partum or can’t leave the house. Bowler is great. And Vie Coffee and Vietnamese Street Food.

Now, where would you go for a really special occasion?

I think Onslow gives a super special, luxe experience. And they also have super reasonable days where you can get a special set menu… Plus, it’s so fun to get dressed up and be greeted by someone in a suit jacket. My sister always bangs on about the lamb there, but I like the small dishes.

I feel like I’m getting the true maître d’ experience; you have so many amazing recommendations! Can I get one more? Where would you go for a staycation? 

I like any hotel with a pool. I do quite enjoy Cordis, because you can be close to K’ Road. They’ve got a pool. And you don’t even need to book a room; you can go to Chuan Spa, get a massage and use the pool, sauna and stuff on the rooftop.

Wow, great hack.

And you get four hours of free valet parking.

That is such a good idea.

I also like what they do at The Hotel Britomart. And I enjoy Britomart as a concept. Jeremy Hansen [director of communications and community] does amazing work… I love the art everywhere. I think that’s such a cool spot.

Any favourite spots down Britomart way?

I love Alma, their anchovy toast is next level. I love looking in Fabric. I do go to Amano sometimes, for dessert. Caretaker’s down there; I send people there all the time, especially if it’s 11 o’clock on a Friday night.

A lot of people say that nothing happens in Auckland at night. What would you say to that?

I think you just need to sign up for all the news. After I went to Splore, and then went to a couple of gigs, I realised ‘oh I need to be out more, this is really fun’. So I make sure I get [newsletters from] Under The Radar, Ticketmaster, Live Nation, whatever. And I do think it’s important to spend a bit of money on the experiences, but there’s also so much cool free shit on in Auckland.

What do you enjoy about the city after dark?

It just feels like a small town, but in a good way. I used to walk home from the club as a young adult and I still have absolutely no fear of walking around now either. I like what they’ve done in lower Queen Street. And I’m excited for the City Rail Link to open. 

What do you love about having spent your whole life in Auckland city?

What I used to not love about it, I now love about it. I’m one of five, so I was always someone’s sister and people knew a lot about you. But now I really like it. I like recognising people and the shared history that happens when you work in hospo or live in Auckland for ages. I had a woman in on Friday during lunch, and I looked at her for a while, and then realised she used to come in every Thursday night, 15 years ago, after yoga class with a girlfriend, at Mondial [when I worked there].

It makes you feel like you’re part of a neighbourhood, just knowing all these people.

Yeah. It’s a nice feeling.