Aralia St, Nightcliff shops ram raided, Porkin’ and Dom’s Bar & Lounge plundered of grog

A popular suburban shopping strip has been ram raided overnight, with an award-winning cocktail bar and a cafe-deli both plundered after internal windows were smashed. See the exclusive pictures.

Nightcliff's Aralia Street shops were ram raided overnight on Wednesday, December 12, 2024, with businesses Porkin' and Dom's Bar & Lounge targeted by thieves once they were inside the arcade. Picture: Alex Treacy

A popular suburban shopping strip in Darwin’s north has been ram raided overnight on Wednesday, with an award-winning cocktail bar and a cafe-deli both plundered after internal windows were smashed.

This masthead attended the Aralia St, Nightcliff shops just after 11am Thursday.

It appeared as though the ram raiders accessed the internal arcade after ramming a roller door backing onto Cunjevoi Cres.

The arcade was a sea of broken glass, with the alleged thief or thieves breaking internal glass windows to Dom’s Bar & Lounge and Porkin’ to gain access to the businesses.

Nightcliff's Aralia St shops were ram raided overnight on Wednesday, December 12, 2024, with businesses Porkin' and Dom's Bar & Lounge targeted by thieves once they were inside the arcade. Picture: Alex Treacy

It’s understood alcoholic spirits formed at least part of the theft, with an NT Police forensics officer seen placing a smashed bottle into an evidence bag.

The officer declined to comment.

Nightcliff's Aralia Street shops were ram raided overnight on Wednesday, December 12, 2024, with businesses Porkin' and Dom's Bar & Lounge targeted by thieves once they were inside the arcade. Picture: Alex Treacy

NT Police said it was currently reviewing CCTV footage as part of its investigation. No further detail could be provided.

Porkin’ chef and co-owner Ryan Hamilton said he was working hard into the afternoon to secure the breached building.

“Other businesses in the arcade aren’t secure, so we’re trying to get this fixed up,” he said.

“We don’t need more alcohol getting into the community.”

Nightcliff's Aralia Street shops were ram raided overnight on Wednesday, December 12, 2024, with businesses Porkin' and Dom's Bar & Lounge targeted by thieves once they were inside the arcade. Picture: Alex Treacy

Dom’s Bar & Lounge owner Dom Wundke told this masthead he was alerted to the ram raid on Thursday morning after another Aralia St tenant contacted him.

“I arrived with the police there, and a lot of broken glass,” he said.

Thieves swiped the cash draw, a significant quantity of spirits, as well as the “damage and mess” caused to the bar.

Nightcliff's Aralia Street shops were ram raided overnight on Wednesday, December 12, 2024, with businesses Porkin' and Dom's Bar & Lounge targeted by thieves once they were inside the arcade. Picture: Alex Treacy

The damage bill is still being quantified.

“It’s really unfortunate because it’s right on the eve of our fifth birthday which we are preparing for this weekend,” Mr Wundke said.

“We’ll be closed this evening [Thursday] to clean up the mess and get everything restocked and back in action.”

Saturday’s birthday-cum-Christmas party will feature Mr Wundke dressed as Santa at the Nightcliff Foreshore from 6pm.

He will take punters on a ‘sleigh ride’ directly to Dom’s Bar, where the party will kick off proper from 8pm, with Dom’s brother spinning tunes on the DJ deck and lucky door prizes on offer.

“We won’t let this put a dampener on celebrations,” Mr Wundke said.

“The show must go on.”