THIS SECRET COBBLED LANEWAY IS ONE OF THE LIVELIEST GATHERING SPACES IN THE CITY, WITH COSY VINTAGE FURNITURE, 20-YEAR-OLD MAPLE TREES AND A NIFTY HOLE-IN-THE-WALL BAR.

Roukai Lane is a small pedestrian laneway linking Galway Street and Customs Street, connecting the interior of the precinct to the exterior. It is located between the Charter Customs and Nathan buildings, its entrance at 44 Customs Street East marked with a single tree.

The lane itself is an intimate cobbled tree-lined space featuring a giant open fireplace and furnished with inviting couches, armchairs and tables. Awnings shelter the open-air space, making it a comfortable place to gather year-round.

Opening onto the licensed lane are two bars, Racket and Agents & Merchants. A shuttered wall bar serves coffee from 7am and excellent cocktails till late and there’s live music in the lane most nights.

Historical reference

Roukai Lane is a newly created space, originated as part of the Charter Customs development. It is named after Te Rou Kai, ‘The Food Gathering’, a pipi bank that was once an important food source for local Maori.

This ancient shellfish harvesting ground lay between Point Britomart (once located east of Britomart Place) and the mouth of the Horotiu Stream, which ran down the Queen Street valley.

IN THIS SPACE

Racket
Agents & Merchants

Location