Showing 1-15 of 15 results
-
Boogie Wonderland
If you can see the dance floor through the hundreds of pairs of dancin' feet, you'd see its coloured dancing squares. Strictly disco, Boogie is a forgiving kind of place, which may explain the door queues.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Classic Comedy Club
Built for laughs, the Classic has proven to be the city's top comedy venue. See local comedians and comediennes stand up (and sometimes fall) during the venue's regular performance programme. Main shows are Thursday to Sunday and there's an open-mike night most Mondays. A bimonthly calendar of events is available at the door.
-
Dogs Bollix
This little Irish pub has a big reputation, putting on something to entertain the punters every night. If it's not a band belting out original numbers, it's a trivia night or big-TV sports telecast.
-
Family
The best gay bar in the city, Family doubles as a club and sets aside certain nights for entertainment offerings. Regulars might do it their way on karaoke night or laugh along with the drag divas.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Kamo
While not exclusively gay, Kamo's high-camp Polynesian flourishes are…well, gay - in the old sense of the word. Also serving food, Kamo attracts a youngish crowd.
-
Lenin Bar
The iron curtain has been replaced with a classy glass one, affording twinkling night-time views. March up to Lenin's curvaceous bar and order one of their 80-odd vodkas, including home-infusions, plus potato and grain varieties from around the world. DJs incite dance-floor action Thursday to Saturday.
-
Advertisement
-
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.
-
Minus 5° Bar
Known for its extraordinary décor, Minus 5º is carved entirely from ice. Warmth comes with your entry fee by way of fur-lined jackets, gloves and a vodka. And don't get too carried away looking at Victor the ice carver's latest sculptures, you have only half an hour before Jack Frost starts a knockin'.
-
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.
-
Urge
This men-only bar and club has seen a lot of cruising (and a lot of moustaches) in its eight-odd years. Club nights might include Underware, an excuse to get your gear off; or the Steam Room, an excuse to get your gear off.
-
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.
Showing 1-15 of 15 results
