So Russel Green has started a new Shanghai Lil’s in Parnell. I just got back from interviewing Russel for a magazine called The Pulse (which is being launched on Feb 3 and will be all about Parnell) and boy can that guy talk.
In a densely packed 32 minutes he managed to mention his visits from Geoffrey Rush, Sir Ian McKellen, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Bosworth, some guy in Doctor Who whose name he couldn’t remember, plus about a hundred minor New Zealanders of note, and you’d think he was the most dreadful name-dropper – except he then went on to ask about my brother, that tall friend I always used to pop in with, an ex-girlfriend… whatever happened to her?.. and on and on – which makes you realise he’s not so much interested in famous people, just people – and if they happen to get up to interesting things then all the better.
Some interesting things were certainly gotten up to in his bars. Shanghai Lil’s, for those who haven’t been, started as very dimly lit red-painted bar themed as a sort of 1930s opium den and crammed – crammed to the gills – with Russel and his partner Billy’s antiques. The first time I visited I spotted an infamous member of parliament drinking in the corner, two people were almost, maybe? surely not? having sex on a carved Chinese settee, and there was a general air of permissiveness and acceptance that matched the décor nicely.
Lil’s eventually moved to new premises on Franklin Rd, and then again to Parnell – with each incarnation being a little more restrained and respectable than the last. And this new version, I suspect, is gong to be pretty sensible – partly because they’re now operating on a restaurant license – and partly because, well, it’s Parnell.
Still, I’m sure the red lamps at Lil’s will continue to draw in the more gaudy and unusual night-flying creatures of Auckland. “People say it’s more mainstream than what it was”, Russel said. “But it’s sort of not. It’s still got its little… things happening.
Which is kind of where we left the interview. Anyway, I’d be keen to hear from anyone who tries the food there – and look out for the interview. It’ll be in The Pulse, launching Feb 3 and free to homes and businesses in Parnell, Orakei, and Tamaki Drive round to Mission Bay.
