After a decade spent establishing Culprit as one of Auckland’s most enduring dining destinations, chef and owner Kyle Street has turned his attention to a far more eccentric pursuit. Hidden beneath the familiar rhythms of city life, Curio emerges as a richly layered cocktail bar that feels less like a hospitality venue and more like stepping inside the private collection of an obsessive collector whose interests stretch from cult cinema and antique oddities to Kiwiana and forgotten treasures.
Occupying the former bar space adjoining Culprit, Curio represents a complete transformation, one driven not by trends or market demands but by Street’s own passions. Drawing heavily from the nostalgic visual language of 1980s and 1990s pop culture, the venue takes particular inspiration from the antique shop belonging to Mr Wing in the 1984 cult classic Gremlins, a film whose peculiar charm has informed everything from the atmosphere to the objects hidden throughout the room.
The result is a space that rewards attention. Every surface, shelf and corner reveals another discovery, whether it be a vintage curiosity sourced from an auction house, a treasured item from Street’s personal collection or a piece acquired during countless hours spent combing second-hand stores in pursuit of the perfect addition. Dried floral installations by Greenpoint Florist introduce texture and softness amongst the more theatrical elements, while custom framing by The Art Dept preserves some of the venue’s most unusual possessions, including a zebra hide and head, a jester’s suit and a collection of Gremlins trading cards.
Describing the aesthetic as “swamp chic”, Street has created a room that feels dimly lit, slightly mysterious and entirely detached from the outside world, where the details reveal themselves gradually and the atmosphere shifts as the evening unfolds. There is a sense of discovery embedded into the experience, encouraging guests to linger a little longer than intended as they take in the countless references and curiosities surrounding them.
Behind the bar, beverage manager Liam McLennan has developed a cocktail programme that mirrors the venue’s character. Quirky, playful and occasionally uncanny, the drinks draw inspiration from Kiwiana while maintaining the technical precision expected from one of the city’s most respected hospitality teams. Among the more intriguing elements of the offering is a partnership with Project Hydrosol, which allows Curio’s entire signature cocktail list to be enjoyed in low-to-no alcohol form through a process that captures much of the aroma, texture and flavour profile of traditional spirits while remaining below one per cent alcohol.
At a time when many bars lean heavily on minimalism, Curio embraces maximalism with confidence, creating an environment where storytelling matters as much as the drinks themselves. Every object has a reason for being there, every reference points back to a personal memory, and every detail contributes to a venue that feels remarkably individual.
Street describes Curio as a place where guests can melt into their surroundings, surrendering to an atmosphere where time moves a little differently, and conversation flows as freely as the cocktails. Judging by what he has created, that seems precisely what awaits.
