February 2019

We have a few mo this left of summer, and we want you to make the most of them! And what better way then heading out for a drink in the afternoon sun? Now, we cover a lot of famous and established bars in our blogs,but for this summer edition we decided to look into some Auckland newer editions, to get you out exploring so,etching a little fresh:

Good George Craft House

Let’s kick things off with an award winning kiwi classic, you’ll know Good George for their lineup of award-winning craft beer and cider. Hailing from Hamilton, this humble operation has quickly grown from a church-turned-brewery into eight dedicated eateries across the country.

Luckily for Auckland locals, good George has finally opened a craft house here, simply take a drive up Tamaki Drive and spot the sassy rainbow stairs featuring sayings like, ‘If in doubt, try a stout.’

The Craft House’s modern Kiwi decor combines exposed industrial fittings and warm wood tones, with an impressive bar featuring two large tankers stationed for the freshest pour. With 18 beers and ciders on tap, both the core range and seasonal varieties are on offer which is perfect for any cider of craft beer enthusiasts, and their sharing platters are perfect for groups who can’t decide on what to choose!

The menus perfectly match he’s the classic beer and brewery. Feel with a selection of pub food, that includes some mouth watering burgers that can please everyone, from Good George’s beef and chicken burgers to vegetarian burger, they have it all.

And if by this point you haven’t had your fill of the extensive beer and cider on offer, grab some of their infamous 946-millilitre squealers to take home. Their slogan-painted rainbow stairs say it best, ‘Good beer, for good people.’

Fitzroy Lounge Bar

For those looking for a little bit of swankyness with their pub feel, then lo k. O further than Ponsonbys newsest cosy and sprawling bar, Fitzroy lounge bar.

Serving tapa style bites, the food menu is small but delicious that can feature a selection of Kapiti cheeses, house-made dips, olives and a range of charcuterie, other selections can meet all and any dietary requirements as well as seeminglessly perfectly matched with any of the fantastic cocktails on offer.

Speaking of cocktails, Fitzroy has a selection of cocktails that are expertly made and bursting with flavour mixing such ingredients such as bgin, Campari, sweet vermouth and mixed berries, sours, Aperol, dry vermouth, pomegranate or mint.

Fitzroy is a perfect place for a stop-in, nightcap or after work windown, and in one of Auckland most popular night clubbing spots, its worth checking out on a big night out.

The Goyzer bar

You can’t visit Auckland, or Epsom for that matter, and not try some of our many dumpling son offer, it’s no argument that Auckland has the best dumplings on offer in the country. And luckily for you a new bar has opened up that mix both dump.ings with drinking!

The Gyoza Bar is the ultimate dynamic duo—dumplings and cocktails. Found on Ponsonby road, this foodie haven specialises in the famed crunchy yet fluffy gyoza dumpling, a trend currently taking the world by storm. Add some sake, cocktails and fine wine to the mix and you’ve got yourself one heck of a night out!

The the sun still out and the days still long, there is still plenty to get out and enjoy this month, and if you are coming to visit us in the city of sails, we have you covered with some handy hints on what to get up to while you stay:

Hidden 2019

One for he youthful rave culture lovers out there, This new single-stage festival will be set outdoors in the middle of Ellerslie Racecourse on Friday, 22 February. After having successful runs across the ditch, this festival is. Asking it’s way to Auckland, and will Feature the likes of trap rapper Lil Yachty, US producer Kayzo and local drum and bass legends Shapeshifter. Also appearing on the hip hop and bass-heavy bill is Florida rapper Ski Mask The Slump God, UK trap producer TroyBoi, Los Angeles producer Cray, UK dubstep trio Gentlemens Club and Atlanta rapper J.I.D. If you are wanting a night out to remember (or have fuzzy memories off, depending on what you drink) this one is for you.

Gibbs Farm Sculptor Park Visit

If raving isn’t your thing, and your taste in culture leans more to art, then we have just the thing for you. The Gibbs Farm sculptor park is usually closed to the public, but  will once again open its gates this February to raise funds for Auckland Art Gallery.

The 400ha farm, privately owned by New Zealand businessman Alan Gibbs, is an expansive open-air sculpture park that boasts the greatest collection of large-scale outdoor artworks in the country — most of which are site specific commissions by some of the world’s most renowned artists. Major works include Anish Kapoor’s giant red horned ‘Dismemberment, Site 1’, Marijke de Goey’s ‘Tango Dancers’, Len Lye’s second kinetic ‘Wind Wand’ installation, and Leon van den Eijkel’s huge concrete cube structure ‘Red Cloud Confrontation in Landscape’.

If you decide to join the February 16 open day, you will be given free rein of the park for three to four hours, have the opportunity to be introduced to selected artworks by those in the know from Auckland Art Gallery, and come face-to-face with the exotic animals that occupy the farm.

City of Ales

NOw if you are fan of locally made craft beers and want to make the most of this summer sun, then boy do we have a treat for you. 2019’s edition of City of Ales will see 20 of the best regional breweries landing in Auckland for the day of elbow bending — with rarer breweries like McLeods, Brewaucracy, Craftwork and Kainui bringing in their hard to find, boutique craft beers for the event. Meanwhile, Sweatshop Brew Kitchen has made a special, barrel-aged and “funky” brew just for the festival. One to try, for sure.

Anti-Valentines

No a fan of this corporate holiday. Would you rather spend it in one of Aucklands most quirky and fun museums? Look no further friends! Western Springs’ beloved museum of transportation and technology is hosting an event for those just not that into the idea of Valentine’s Day. On February 14, Visitors are invited to explore the museum grounds which will be scattered with food stands, bars, activations and a main stage performance area. A variety of entertainment, activities, and general shenanigans will feature, from silent discos and karaoke to archery, jousting and live music.