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Swashbucklers

Swashbucklers Soars Still

A raft of recent rave reviews has further cemented sailing-inspired Swashbucklers’ iconic Auckland status, with popular DJ Jay Reeve even proclaiming it to be the nation’s best bar “by far”. Co-owner Paul Smit talks of one of his favourite comments being that it is the unpretentious vibe and total lack of attempt to be cool which makes his joint so, well, cool. Paul doesn’t like the limelight though, so he hands the reins over to business partner and manager Shaun Margan, then makes for a swift exit.

“We were very aware of the responsibility of taking over somewhere so well-known and much-loved,” Shaun tells me over a beer in that legendary bar overlooking Westhaven Marina. “We had no desire to rearrange a winning formula, we just wanted to put our own little stamp on it, and, if possible, do things even better than they were done before.”

They are now into their third year of ownership having bought the establishment from the Gibbs family who had taken over following the death of Ginger Gibbs, ‘New Zealand’s last pirate’, nine years ago. It has been nearly two decades since the bar and restaurant, famed for its steak and seafood, first opened it’s swashbuckling doors. “Things can change so fast in this industry, one minute you’re hot, the next you’re not,” says Shaun, “but because we’re such an institution, with such a proven track record, and because of our further dedication and hard work, we’re continuing that success.”

Inside Swashbucklers

Shaun fell in love with all things sailing at an early age, and is now a keen surfer too. A trained chef, he brings with him nearly 20 years of hospitality experience. “The staff here are fantastic,” he says. “We’re very lucky. It can be very full-on here, especially in the summertime and we always have such a great team. We believe it’s important to create an environment whereby your staff are proud to work for you.”

The new owners have also created an environment which has attracted not only a younger crowd, but a more women-friendly one too, something that Shaun feels was missing in the old days. “Being so close to the boats we certainly get our fair share of characters, which we love,” he says. “It’s what this place is all about. Everyone knows what they’ll get when they walk through the door, they know what to expect. They come in wearing jandals or Gucci loafers and mix and mingle. It’s a proven consistency that’s been perfected over the best part of twenty years. It’s important to never be complacent. We have to do the name proud as it so loved.”

And long may that continue. It’s what’s known round these parts as, “the Swashies’ way”.

 


Words and photos Jamie Christian Desplaces