Entertainment in Auckland Region
-
A
Edge
A quartet of performing-arts venues comes under the Edge's collective management. They're all within a ticket's toss of one another, and each favours a specific style. They include Aotea Square and the imposing Auckland Town Hall, its Great Hall home of the Symphony Orchestra (www.aucklandsymphony.gen.nz) and Philharmonia (www.aucklandphil.co.nz). Nearby is the Aotea Centre and the Civic theatre.
reviewed
-
B
Galatos
A converted theatre, Galatos hosts bands in the basement and DJs and club nights in the main room, the parquet floor of which has seen the gamut of dance styles from the cha-cha in its ballroom days to current hands-in-the-air DJ worship. The upstairs Lounge is home to the Moving Image Centre (www.mic.org.nz), which screens new-media (integrating performance with visual technologies).
reviewed
-
C
Gin Room
This upstairs plush-retro parlour, with dappled chandelier light just touching the many nooks and crannies, may have you reminiscing about the good ole colonial days: when drinking G&Ts was for the quinine in the tonic. Ease your feet up onto a faux leopard-print pouf and tell 'em it came from your most recent hunting expedition.
reviewed
-
D
Silo Theatre
With an annual programme that presents current plays, past plays, locally devised theatre and overseas theatre, it's not easy to pin down the Silo. Past plays have included Toa Fraser's No 2, plus those from playwrights of the ilk of Neil La Bute (US), Dylan Thomas (Wales) and Louis Nowra (Australia).
reviewed
-
E
Honey
This comfy-sofa'd champagne bar sells unique Kiwi drinks such as NZ-made gin (South) and vodka (42 Below), which can be infused with feijoa or manuka honey. There's also a great open-air deck on the roof if it all starts going to your head and you need a touch of the great outdoors.
reviewed
-
F
Eden Park
This is the stadium for top rugby (winter) and cricket (summer) matches, and at the time of research it was well in the throes of its Rugby World Cup 2011 makeover. The All Blacks, the Black Caps and the Auckland Blues all play here. To get there, take the train from Britomart to Kingsland station.
reviewed
-
G
Fu Bar
They don't stop the hip-hop at Fu Bar. The cream of Auckland's local crews plus the best touring acts hit the decks at this mainstay of Auckland's underground scene. If hip-hop aint your thing the DJs also do plenty of drum 'n' bass or you can catch rockers Die! Die! Die! and other local live acts.
reviewed
-
H
Caluzzi
Would you like drag with your steak? Your three-course set meal (around NZ$50.00) comes with lashings of torch-song tunes, repartee and cheek (both buttocks and behavioural varieties) delivered by your drag queen-diva waitresses. Best you book a babysitter, and book ahead for dinner at Caluzzi.
reviewed
-
I
Minus 5° Bar
Everything from the seats to your glass is made of ice. Put on special clothing (including gloves and shoes) and sip a complimentary vodka-based cocktail. You can only stay inside the shimmering ice world for 30 minutes, making it a quick way to blow your cold hard cash.
reviewed
-
J
Bluestone Room
There’s no shortage of character in this 1861 stone building, secreted down a dingy alley in the old part of town (a glassed-over well in the floor dates to 1841). The Rolling Stones played here in the ’60s and live blues and rock are still a feature on the weekends.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Whiskey
Whiskey gives a nod to the basement bars of New York with its dim, intimate interior. Spot your favourite old-school soft rocker among the black-and-whites lining the walls; one of whom will invariably be providing the soundtrack to that whiskey sour you're sipping.
reviewed
-
L
Musket Room
Behind an unassuming door bearing a sign the size of a postage stamp, the Musket Room is easy to miss. But try not to; its owners come from a heritage of hospitality, and its solid stellar reputation is backed by tasty tapas and expertly prepared drinks.
reviewed
-
M
Lido
Auckland's most adored cinema, Lido's well-padded seats in its two licensed theatres make it the people's choice for seeing a flick. Couples should book the back row with removable armrests. Lido screens art-house, foreign and the odd Hollywood film.
reviewed
-
N
Windsor Castle & Juice Bar
Established in 1847, this once grungy boozer was at the heart of Auckland’s pub-rock scene of the 1970s and ’80s. In 2009 it reopened its doors, completely zooshed up, but committed to re-establishing itself as the city’s pre-eminent live rock pub.
reviewed
-
O
Chapel Bar & Bistro
There are two sides to every Chapel story: its corner location allows two Ponsonby people-watching aspects, it's a bar and a bistro, and it has indoor and outdoor seating. It's friendly, neat and casual, with undeniable appeal.
reviewed
-
P
Wine Cellar
Secreted down some stairs in an arcade, this is the kind of bar that Buffy the Vampire Slayer would have hung out in on Auckland-based assignments. It’s dark, grungy and very cool, with regular live music in the neighbouring Whammy Bar.
reviewed
-
Q
Agents & Merchants/Racket
Tucked into their own covered laneway with an outdoor fireplace and sofas, this duo conjures an old-world yet thoroughly modern atmosphere. A&M serves excellent tapas and wine while Racket kicks off a little later with DJs on duty.
reviewed
-
R
Cassette Number Nine
Auckland’s most out-there hipsters gravitate to this eccentric bar/club where swishy nouvelle New Romantic clones rub shoulders with girls in very short dresses and the music ranges from live indie to international DJ sets.
reviewed
-
S
Shanghai Lil's
Older couples shuffle to the swing band while staff dressed in Chinese silk deliver cocktails to curious characters reclining on sofas. It's like walking into a David Lynch movie set in an opium den: really surreally cool.
reviewed
-
T
Aotea Centre
Auckland’s main venue for theatre, dance, ballet and opera, with two main stages: the cavernous ASB Auditorium and the tiny Herald Theatre. Auckland Theatre Company (www.atc.co.nz), Silo Theatre (www.silotheatre.co.nz) and NZ Opera (www.nzopera.com) all regularly perform here.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Brookview Teahouse
Devoted to the pursuit of the perfect cuppa, this delightful bungalow surrounded by boxed gardens serves traditional morning and afternoon teas (scones, lamingtons and club sandwiches), and light lunches.
reviewed
-
U
Rising Sun & 4:20
Downstairs is a straight-out nightclub hosting different nights (particularly hip-hop, but also electro, crunk, reggaetron etc), while upstairs is a large room with a view and another small dance floor.
reviewed
-
V
Loaded Hog
Many people get loaded at the home-style Hog pub on weekends, but it's a tad tamer during the day and early evening, with harbourside seating. Home-brews outdo the pretty average pub grub on offer.
reviewed
-
W
Lenin Bar
This Russian-themed affair boasts numerous vodkas and DJs from Thursday to Saturday. A window looks into Minus 5° Bar, giving you a glimpse of the icy world without the chills (or prices).
reviewed
-
X
Neighbourhood Brewbar
With picture windows overlooking Eden Park and a front terrace that’s already pick-up central after dark, this upmarket pub is guaranteed to be the place-to-be during the Rugby World Cup.
reviewed
