Harry Waugh’s TikTok account will bring a smile to the face or tear to the eye to anyone who has done even a day's hospo work.
His videos, which he shares them under the TikTok handle @verboten.intern and often draw on his experience as a hospitality worker, are funny in a 'because it's true' way, thoughtful and often quite tender.
When he's not posting extremely relatable content online, Harry works at Honey Bones cafe in Grey Lynn, and Hotel Ponsonby in Three Lamps.
He lives near both, in a Herne Bay flat with six other people - some of whom also appear in his TikTok videos. He moved in right as we went into lockdown last year and says, “It never feels crowded, more like a family. These people have definitely been the glue that kept me together this lockdown too, I’m really lucky”.
Harry, who is also keen to work with other creatives in bringing their work to life in different ways (get in touch, he says!), shares a few of his favourite inner city spots.
Favourite place for a drink?
I wish I had a cool answer for this, but I love a beer at Frieda’s after a really hard summer's day working at Honey Bones with my workmates. You’re running on a couple eggs and too many coffees and something about a beer in the sun as you close and Frieda's opens is so rewarding.
Where do you get your morning coffee - and what’s your order?
If it’s a day off, I go to Crumb in Grey Lynn. Long black, have here, never takeaway. If you don’t have the time to sit down and enjoy the coffee it’s not worth it to me.
I feel like some people just get takeaway because they are in the habit of being so stressed and rushed, but I’ve found it's good to carve some time out each day for yourself.
Where do you go for something fancy?
If I have to splash out I like supporting my friend Carlo at Bar Magda, his approach to food, drink and even the aesthetic of the restaurant is so diverse and unique. I don’t even feel like I'm in Aotearoa when I’m there. The boiled potato with cultured cream, yolk, and black pepper is one of my favourites.
Best ‘cheap eat’?
Xian Noodle bar for sure. Like $12 for an incredibly large bowl of spicy noodles, number 25 is my order.
Brunch on a Sunday: where would we find you?
Well I actually work every Sunday, but thankfully I work at Honey Bones so I get a decent lunch. It’s a low-key ‘secret’ menu item, but it’s the vege butty. Scrambled egg, house made aioli and relish, mushroom and with a bit of chilli oil. It’s so simple but so good.
Your local bar or pub?
I definitely shop around a bit when it comes to going out for drinks, but two that have a great vibe, particularly in summer, is Peach Pit and Conch. Both have really good outdoor seats and great happy hour deals.
Favourite place for live music?
I feel like certain venues allow for different music to naturally feel better - live acoustic music like Julia Jacklin at the Town Hall was phenomenal. But, Injury Reserve at Neck of the Woods offered something completely different that I enjoyed as much but in a completely different way.
I think it’s always dependent on what the artist brings to the stage, rather than the stage itself. I’m not sure if that actually answers this question aha, but it’s how I feel.
Favourite gallery or museum?
The Auckland War Memorial Museum, easily. I haven’t been too often as an adult but when there’s been days I’ve felt like wandering in silence, it’s been that place. There’s always something new to find interest in and the building is so beautiful which I find really relaxing.
Best kept shopping secret?
It doesn’t feel like much of a secret, but the army surplus store on Karangahape Rd has so many good secondhand Levi's, Dickies and Carhartt at a realistic price. Got a couple pairs this year from there for work because all those pants can take a beating from coffee grinds and food and still come out the other end looking good.
Favourite clothing store that never lets you down?
One of my recent favourites doesn’t actually have a store, it’s a vintage clothing rental business called Circular. It’s online, but I always find some decent pieces on there and it’s less than $10 a month to rent most things - so it’s actually accessible for people who are a bit more money conscious.
Where do you go when you’re after local art or design?
I haven’t really got into having a regular place for stuff like that because my craft is just making silly little internet videos at the moment, but a local artist whose work I love is Olivier Stein. He makes the most incredibly unique work from prints, digital design, painting and tattoos (I got my first one from him).
If someone was visiting your neighbourhood/city for the first time, what’s the one place you would recommend they visit?
A place I always forget about but is really beautiful is Cornwall Park. Take a bike ride down Mt Eden Rd early in the morning if you can and catch the park early. The walk around the mountain is amazing, especially in the right light and it has plenty of animals around which I enjoy.
Where's the best place to cry in Auckland?
I wish I could say I plan to cry so I could find a good spot to tell you... but your parked car as you pull up home, or your bedroom. Pretty much anywhere though, if it feels right and you aren’t dumping emotions onto someone who isn’t equipped for them at the time.
