It’s been voted one of the world’s coolest bars by influential website www.worldsbestbars.com – the only New Zealand bar to make the top 20 list.

And of course it garnered global publicity when American actress Liv Tyler, in town to shoot the Lord of the Rings trilogy, was refused entry by a doorman who didn’t recognise her.

But notoriety aside, almost a decade after its birth in a suitably non-descript alleyway off Courtenay Place, Motel Bar is still a major drawcard for anyone who appreciates sophisticated drinks in an idiosyncratic atmosphere.

Manager Benedict Simpson says although they’ve moved with the times, the essential hipster vibe remains the same as the day they started: great cocktails, superb service and a beautiful setting.

“What we provide is a discreet cocktail lounge where quality vintage drinks (and some modern drinks) are served in an intimate 70’s styled bar with a warm atmosphere.”

Think Billie Holliday playing in the background – usually on vinyl – having an expert martini mixed for you by one of the country’s finest mixologists, and leaning back into one of the comfortable red booths.

Benedict says the owner, Paul Ryan, started Motel Bar in response to the cookie-cutter mainstream drinking dens that seemed to proliferate in the 1990s.

“Paul’s vision was for something unique, a meeting place where people with a sense of irony and humour could appreciate great quality.”

No stranger to the hospitality business, Paul previously owned the now defunct Castros on Marjoribanks Street, as well as the Chow Restaurant empire (five sites across Wellington and Auckland).

Benedict says their longevity is down to their award-winning cocktails and the fact that they’ve become a destination in their own right.

It doesn’t hurt that they’ve also notched up numerous awards, and aside from the aforementioned ranking on the World’s Best Bars website, Motel was also named Cocktail Bar of the Year by Bartender Magazine, a title previously held by Motel in 2006.

The bar also made it to the coveted finals of the 42 Below Cocktail World Cup, held last September in Queenstown. Benedict was one of 42 contestants from around the globe who competed to have their nation’s team crowned the winner.

Sadly, Team London pipped New Zealand’s entry at the post, but Benedict says Motel Bar team will be back this year…