How a late-night Auckland restaurant became an iconic NZ drag cabaret

From a quirky late-night restaurant to one of Auckland's most enduring entertainment venues, Caluzzi is celebrating three decades of drag, laughter and unforgettable nights out.

The interview was only supposed to take half an hour. Instead, it descended into laughter within seconds, with Kita and Anita already interrupting each other, finishing each other's sentences and laughing so hard it became almost impossible to stay on topic.

Perhaps that was fitting. Making people smile has been their business for years.

Whether they're backstage getting ready, stepping into towering heels, or welcoming audiences through the doors of Caluzzi, joy sits at the heart of almost everything they do.

This year, the Karangahape Road institution is celebrating 30 years.

Out of drag, they're both called Nick.

On stage, they're better known as Anita Wigl'it (Nick Hall) and Kita Mean (Nick Nash).

Best friends, business partners, and drag queens.

Together they've spent the past decade running Caluzzi after taking over ownership of the venue, helping preserve one of Auckland's most recognisable cabaret experiences while introducing it to a whole new generation.

For Hall, drag has never simply been about putting on a wig.

"Drag is essentially just a form of escapism - not only for us by becoming different characters, but for the audience," he said.

"They get taken on a journey and enjoy something bizarre, fun and a bit ridiculous."

That feeling has helped keep audiences returning for three decades.

Caluzzi's story began in 1996, not as a drag cabaret, but as a café that later became a late-night restaurant.

Then came a Midwinter Christmas show. It proved so popular that the performances kept returning until they eventually overtook the restaurant itself.

Thirty years later, the drag cabaret has become woven into the fabric of Karangahape Road.

"It's textured wood," Nash said, describing the venue's well-worn floorboards.

"But that's every fabulous footstep that has walked those boards before us.

"You feel it. It's absorbed into the building."

The pair are quick to point out they aren't responsible for Caluzzi's success but instead, see themselves as custodians.

"We've just kept the torch burning," Hall said.

"It's such an honour - probably the biggest honour of my life - to be at the wheel of Caluzzi."

In between running the venue, both performers have found international success.

Kita became the first winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, while Anita also built an international following through the franchise and performances overseas.

Yet despite travelling the world, they always return to the little cabaret on Karangahape Road.

For Nash, drag transformed more than just a career.

"Drag allowed me to feel confident and happy and excited," he said.

"All the things that I thought would never be understood by the world were all of a sudden celebrated by the people around me."

Caluzzi's 30th anniversary celebrations culminated with its biggest production yet, taking over The Civic's Wintergarden as part of the Auckland Live Cabaret Festival.

The audience response suggested the magic still works.

"It's an outrageous night," one audience member said.

Another described it simply: "Keep coming. It's so amazing."

Asked what they meant to each other after more than 15 years performing together, neither hesitated.

"You are my best friend," Nash told Hall.

"Everything I lack, you have in abundance. You've added so much value to my life."

Hall replied, "You give me so much love, light and joy.

"It's been nothing but a pleasure to work with you."

Before leaving, there was one final question.

Finish this sentence: Caluzzi is...

"A magical place that you absolutely want to bring your mother to, and then regret it immediately," Nash replied.

Hall laughed, and replied, "A wonderful experience that is like nothing I've ever been to on the planet and it's also very reasonably priced - should should probably book."

Thirty years after a few restaurant staff first threw on a wig, it seems Auckland still agrees.