The Nocturnalists series shines a light on Auckland after dark. Chefs, comedians, performers and punters – Nocturnalists are spirited members of Auckland’s nighttime scene. In this series, they take us on a tour of their favourite spots and all this city has to offer after 5pm. Up next: Angus Muir.

Photos by Sophie Miya-Smith shot on location at Hello Beasty and Q Convenience. 

Designer and light artist Angus Muir makes the city come alive at night, reimagining streetscapes, buildings and public places. You’ve probably seen his art before – he worked on the colourful ‘Karangahape’ typography with Kalee Jackson, as well as the Christmas Pavilion (“the pav”) that pops up as part of Auckland Live’s Christmas in Aotea Square. Angus’s work gives him a unique lens on Tāmaki Makaurau and working after dark means he’s well-versed in where to go and what to eat. He tells Emma Gleason some of his inner-city secrets.

Emma: So many people go overseas, why are you still here? 

Angus: I’ve never actually even thought about moving away. I love Auckland. It’s a big city, but it also doesn’t feel like one at the same time, you know? I think it’s the perfect city; there’s heaps going on. It’s busy, but it can also be quiet. 

You must get to see a lot of Auckland with your job?

We do a lot of work around town… and we work at night because that’s the only time you can actually properly work with light. 

Are there any parts of town that are particularly transformed at night?

I honestly feel like the entire city is a totally different place after the sun goes down. Some parts disappear, but the best parts come to life. The best parts aren’t always the brightest or biggest… I’ve developed a real affection for unusual spaces, service spaces. I think there is a hidden beauty in these out-of-the-way locations. Equally, there are always great installations, activations and artworks around town that bring in a great energy. 

It’s been great seeing the city get increasingly more illuminated at night, like the bottom of Queen Street is incredible. It really just makes the city feel so different and alive. 

I think it does… once you start adding in all those layers of lights and installation and artworks and temporary things, things that change, it keeps it interesting.

What does your dream night out in Auckland Central look like?

Dream night would start on K Rd where I live, a little beer at Acho’s, and either head along to St Kevs, Gemmayze Street. Or head down into town. Hello Beasty is an absolute favourite. After dinner, I’d go for a wander along the waterfront – explore some laneways, find a little treat in Britomart at Miann – then wind my way back up from High St and Lorne (maybe get a second treat from a convenience store). My partner and I have a young daughter so for us a dream night out is some tasty food and a nice little explore in town!

What do you get at Hello Beasty?

The sashimi. It’s always amazing. And the KFC [Korean fried cauliflower with spicy gochujang glaze]. The dumplings are amazing. And the stuff on the grill – they always have something interesting and it’s always super tasty.

What about cheap eats, something quick or affordable?

I’m usually eating at that end of the spectrum, when I go out to eat. There are so many good joints on High Street and Lorne Street. Chubby Boy is a favourite.

Oh, is that good? What do you order there?

Get the two-person deal! It’s so tasty, it’s quick, and is great value – fried rice, sweet and sour fish, pork, two BBQ meats and stir-fried veges. The staff are always friendly. It’s always busy and has a great atmosphere! Plus, it has the cutest little logo.

Any other food recommendations for after 5?

Lim Chhour food court on K Rd! I miss Mercury Plaza, but this little spot has some great options. Ruang Thong Express is my pick: the chilli jam fried rice with crispy pork, wash that down with a Pocari Sweat from the grocery store. There are seven or eight eateries there so heaps to choose from. The Korean spots up by Khartoum Place [on Lorne Street] are really good. And then there’s Kang Nam Station on Queen Street, the one with the tree growing through it. 

What’s your favourite Korean dish? Are you a tteokbokki boy?

Probably a bibimbap or a sizzling dish. Or a good kimchi pancake.

Do you think catching up with people at night is different to catching up with them in the daytime?

Yeah, totally. For me, during the week and during the day, my brain’s just in a different place. I reckon once it’s dark or once you’re out and about at night, I feel a lot more relaxed… my brain’s got space. For me, going out is actually more about going out with a group of people and having a drink and having a conversation.

Does Karangahape Road feel like a little village, because of how long you’ve lived there? You must know so many people in the neighbourhood.

Yeah, totally. It’s been through a big change, but I reckon it’s a good change. It’s always been awesome… And it was amazing when Maggie [my daughter] was born. I just spent all my time on the street with her in a front pack and she met so many people… K Road is awesome. There’s the layer of food and drink, coupled with a really nice streetscape now. I think it really works. 

You said you’re always walking around through the city at night; what’s your route?

I start where I live on K Road, and then I often walk along Ponsonby Road, down into Silo Park and then all the way through into Britomart, and then wind back up Anzac Ave.

What about pit-stops, you like servos right?

I love wandering through convenience stores. I think that’s what I enjoy about Japan, and here, the micro details of packaging and colours. I really like supermarkets and dairies… how they stack the stock, and all the different logos and lightboxes.

Doing a dairy crawl is a really cheap and fun way to spend a few hours at night, get a little snack at one, walk down, find another one. It’s an economical night out! Where else is good to explore?

There’s always cool stuff to see in the Viaduct. That’s an awesome loop, around the Viaduct and past the park… walking around the Viaduct Events Centre is great. I love that there are restaurants, and then you go straight into the marina with the boats unloading fish… It’s amazing to me that that’s still in the city. I think that just brings so much colour and texture and interest. Queen’s Wharf is super interesting. The Michael Parekōwhai work [The Lighthouse] is beautiful. I feel like High Street and Lorne Street have got the best energy later at night; a lot of restaurants open late, and there’s just heaps of colour and good things going on. Freyberg Place has always got something in it as well. It’s a good little place to sit on the stairs and watch the world go by.

Do you have a favourite city space at night? What is it and why?

The waterfront is my favourite! There is a stillness you can find near the water. I like being at that point with the city on one side and the sea on the other, the reflections – and looking back up at the city. Especially great in the rain. The other thing I love about the city at night is the signage! I love illuminated signs. Good ones, bad ones, terrible ones. They give the city its pulse after dark.

And lastly, a lot of people say nothing happens here at night – what do you say to that?

That it’s not true – there’s so much happening here at night! The restaurants are buzzing, the bars are alive, and there’s a growing layer of creativity lighting up the city – from installations and public art to pop-up events and music. If you go looking, there’s a real energy after dark – you just have to step out and find it.