A popular Ponsonby bar is defending itself after pop singer Pink took aim at it in a scathing tweet.
Fresh from celebrating her 39th birthday in Auckland on Saturday night, the celebrity appears to have visited the "grown-up" bar Deadshot - and left with a bad taste in her mouth.
The superstar - real name Alecia Moore - took to Twitter on Monday night (NZ time) to express her discontent.
"Man I've been to some cool bars around the world, and Dead shot on Ponsonby road is not one of them," she wrote.
But the bar has responded, saying it was full and staff "didn't see Pink at all".
"Yesterday afternoon someone from the crew came back in and asked if they could book a private space for 30 people," a spokesperson for Deadshot told Newshub.
"Bryan, Deadshot's manager explained we can't accommodate private parties or big groups due to the size of venue and style of service and recommended some bars that do private events.
"However 30 people showed up at 11 anyway for 'a party for the musicians' and we couldn't let them in due to being full already. We didn't see Pink at all."
Pink is in New Zealand as part of her Beautiful Trauma world tour, which included sold-out performances at Spark Arena.
Deadshot describes itself as a neighbourhood bar for "grown-up drinking, moody blues and dark corners".
"Get comfortable, you don't need to lift a finger," the bar writes on its Facebook page.
"With no menu to speak of, we encourage our guests to share their fancies and be rewarded with forgotten classic cocktails tailored to their tastes."
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Her message has been picked up by fans who are now promising not to visit the establishment - despite not living in New Zealand.
"Oh my god ! I Will never go in To this bar if you my hero @Pink you dont like it!!!! That must be not fun !!!" one Los Angeles-based person commented.
But the bar also has its supporters, with many complimentary ratings on Facebook.
"Such an awesome concept and amazing service. The knowledge of the waiters are impressive. Definitely will be coming back," one person wrote.
"Like walking into 1920s NYC. Bloody well done," another said.
Newshub.
