Category

Nightlife

Feb 09
0

Best Ways To Spend Valentines In Auckland

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Going to be staying with us in Auckland this valentine with that someone special? Then you have come to the right place as Auckland is brimming with activities and events that can make the day – and whole weekend – as romantic as possible! We have got our favorite four things that are on to help inspire you this valentine’s day!

White Rabbit On The Park

There’s nothing more romantic than a nice fancy dinner, and this restaurant is catering their menu for the big day! This Drake Street eatery has certainly caught our eye. Not only do White Rabbit On The Park serve up great food and drink they have only gone the extra mile and created a three-course, Valentine’s Day menu for all the love birds out there too. Think salmon ceviche with citrus and avocado, pork belly with seared scallops, along with a citrus panna cotta to finish and you’ll be swooning over the food (and your loved one!) in no time!

Roses Are Red

How about just a simple classic romantic gesture of the gift of flowers! The OG of Auckland flower delivery and a staple of any self-respecting list for fantastic Auckland flowers comes Roses Are Red. With a local history spanning more than 30 years, these florists are the real deal boasting beautiful blooms that will last the distance. Not only do they guarantee free same day delivery, but they’ll send you a snap of the exact flower that you have ordered—how’s that for peace of mind? Oh, and did we mention that the Auckland-wide delivery is also free?!

Duck Island Ice Cream

There is something romantic and classicly cute about a date at the ice cream parlor! This unique parlor has amassed quite the following since they opened thanks to its fun, often unusual flavors, many of which are also vegan. Indulge your inner child with a cone of sprinkle-filled ‘fairy bread’—dig your way through a cup of marshmallow and chocolate-studded ‘ambrosia’—or, if you’re feeling super adventurous, check out the black sticky rice or raspberry, coconut, and coriander offerings (they’re actually surprisingly good!).

Burger Burger Matchmaking

Not everyone has someone special this valentine’s day, and that’s okay, as Burger Burger has your back!

Over the past five years, the burger joint has held the matchmaking event that invites singles to put their hearts on the line to see if they can meet their next hunk of burning love (or date for the night, at least). In past years the speed dating event has attracted singles by the hundreds for food, drink, and mingling!

Jan 09
0

What’s On in Auckland January 2020

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After months of waiting it seems like are finally fully submerged in summer weather, the season the city comes alive! If your New Years’ resolution was to get out and do more than boy do we have the list to help you!

Here’s what’s on this January in Auckland:

2020 ASB Classic

Don your best whites, as the iconic summer sports tournament, the ASB Classic (New Zealand’s premier tennis tournament), returns! With some of the biggest names in international tennis set to take centre court, including the one and only Serena Williams—it’s one not to be missed! As well as kicking back and watching the game, you can indulge in the highest quality cuisine, made by some top-notch chefs!

Fat Freddy’s Drop

Quite possibly the kings of kiwi summer music, Fat Freddys are the dub, reggae seven-piece who don’t quit and are unmissable; live! Luckily for us the band are hitting the road this summer with their NZ Summer Record tour. This year gets a super-charged tune-up with the addition of some epic tour buddies— DJ David Rodigan, L.A.B, Avantdale Bowling Club, JessB, Chaii & Bailey Wiley. Its an incredible line up of local talent, and this one heading to Western Springs, it literally is where summer is at.

Exquisite Waiheke Pool Party

If the name doesn’t sell you alone, let me lay out the pitch: iconic Auckland landmass Waiheke, partying on a private resort minutes away from a golden sand beach, complete with pool, spa, a minigolf course, bar, and restaurant. With DJs to keep you partying long into the night, this is a pool party to end all pool parties and will cement your summer for sure!

SIlo Cinemas

No Auckland summer is complete without heading to an outdoor movie, eating snacks and cuddling up with someone you care about and watching a good flick in the fresh summer air! The Silo Cinemas are back this year with a fantastic lineup of films that make for a great date or something to take the whole family to.

Laneway Festival New Zealand

The crown Jem of Auckland summer festivals, Laneway is back in 2020 and closing off the first month of 2020 with a day of music, food and dancing that you’ll likely never forget. Some of the world’s most critically-acclaimed acts will be joining in the fun at Laneway Festival, party it up with the likes of English pop-rock band The 1975, Aussie alternative dance group RÜFÜS DU SOL and pop princess Charli XCX.

Dec 19
0

What’s On: Auckland January

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The cold weather is well behind us, the sun is out, the holidays are booked and if you are heading to stay with us across January you are in for a bevy of shows, theatre and summer concerts!

Here’s what’s on this month:

Pop Up Globe: The Taming of the Shrew & Richard III

The Pop-Up globe 2019 season continues with two Shakespeare classics including The Taming of The Shrew which promises to transport you four hundred years into the past to tell the tale of an intelligent, outspoken, wealthy woman and a rude, misogynistic drunkard determined to secure his fortune, who are misled into a hasty marriage. Richard III is the classic Shakespeare villain tale of Richard Duke of Gloucester, who plays upon his own reputation and shamelessly manipulates, extorts and executes his way to the top.

Performed in stunning Jacobean period dress, the Somerset’s Company are Pop-up Globe’s mixed company of actors and musicians, drawn from around the world, these shows are an annual treat and tend to sell out fast, so get in quick to secure your spot!

New Year’s Day Races

See in the new year with some fancy dress and a day in the sun at the races! This annual tradition continues in 2019 with a winning trifecta of high-class thoroughbred racing, free family entertainment & tradition. The young ones will enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, and other activities on offer, while older patrons can relax with a picnic blanket, food, and drinks.

Fomo By Night

The huge Australian summer festival finally lands on our shores this month, toting a stellar line up that includes Nicki Minaj, Lil Pump, Mura Masa, Kali Uchis, San Holo, Montell2099 and The Katayanagi Twins. This all-ages show at Spark Arena promises to mix international and local acts for an unforgettable night to start the summer off right.

Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals

After winning over crowds at last year’s Laneway Festival, Anderson .Paak returns to New Zealand hot off the heels of his hugely anticipated third album .Paak will be joined by Grammy-nominated composer, instrumentalist, producer, vocalist, poet and frontwoman of neo-soul quartet Hiatus Kaiyote. .Paaks 2018 sold out, so you’ll want to get in quick if you want to catch the man in action!

Florence + The Machine

Heralded as one of the best live performers, Florence + The Machine will return to New Zealand next January for one powerhouse performance at Spark Arena. The tour is supporting the singers latest offering, High As Hope, which has been met with rave reviews, she will be performing the album along with fan favorites at what will surely be a sell-out show.

Nov 19
0

Exploring St. Kevins Arcade

By | Activities, day trips, food & Drink, Nightlife | No Comments

The crown jewel of K Road is St. Kevin’s Arcade which is packed with some of Auckland’s most popular bars, shops, and restaurants. The Arcade started out as a large estate, occupied by the Nathan family until 1918 and then demolished in 1920. Before the Nathan family vacated their city abode, they gifted a strip of land to serve as a passage from K’ Road to Myers Park, and this strip of land is where the famous St Kevin’s Arcade sits today.

The Arcade has grown since, after being extended in 1926, and with a thriving economy, K’road became one of Auckland’s premier shopping destination, often compared to Oxford Street in London. During this time of flourishment, St Kevin’s Arcade was home to the best of Auckland’s Tailors and Dressmakers, tea rooms and photography studios.

But with the introduction of the inner-city motorway and suburban malls in the 1960’s K’ Road and the surrounding area lost its appeal. But today, with more people living central, and the inner city reclaiming its vibrancy, St. Kevin’s arcade has become a staple for entertainment, food and shopping, especially for young people.

Shops in the arcade include the vintage denim bar, Stalgic Society, where you can choose from a large selection of on-trend vintage brands such as Calvin Klein, Gas, Wrangler, Tommy Hilfiger, GUESS and more. Then become your own designer and choose how store-owner Sarah will spice up your new love-worn threads with patches, crops, cuts, frays and other distressing techniques. If you are lucky you’ll catch Stalgic during one of their host guest artist’s sessions, to further personalise your jeans.

You can also book a nice Swedish relaxation and deep-tissue massage at Nicetouch, pick up a book from the hand-picked collection of quality second-hand books at The Green Dolphin, or pick-up a bouquet of flowers to brighten up your day from rose-tinted flowers.

If all that shopping works up an appetite, you’ll be spoilt for choice for food at St. Kevins, with highlights being Lord of the Fries, an ethical, fast food friend that specialises in Burgers, hot dogs, fries, sides, shakes and more. Dive into some Lebanese food at Gemmayze St with some local décor that matches the food, if you are on the go, pick up some tasty treats from Auckland’s favourite family-owned bakery Tart. If you want to dive into some eggy goodness, try the selection on offer at Egg and Spoon, an eatery solely dedicated to the humble egg – the brekkie burger is a local favourite.

The nightlife is also alive in this tiny nook, Both Whammy Bar and The Wine Cellar offer a range of local craft beers and wine, and usually, have local and international acts gracing their stage with a wide range of music.

So if you are heading into the city, be sure to find some time to check out this local favourite and find out why some of the best-kept secrets are worth finding.

Nov 05
0

Browsing Britomart

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In many of our blogs and guides to the city, we have briefly touched on Britomart, a small boutique collection of shops and cafes at the bottom of Queen street near the waterfront. Over the past few years, this space has blossomed into a popular heaven for shoppers and those with an exotic taste for food. In this blog we take a closer look at what makes this place such a must-visit destination:

Boutique Shopping

Wardrobe in need of a refresh, and have you got some money to burn? Then you are going to find the little craven of Britomart to be a shoppers’ paradise, with all your favourite brands in one shoppable space! This includes a mix New Zealand’s hottest fashion designers including Deadly Ponies, Juliette Hogan, Karen Walker, and Trelise Cooper as well as the hottest high-end international brands such as Prada, Gucci, Jo Malone London, Lululemon, Ted Baker, Tiffany & Co, just to name a few.

Catchup, Stroll and Brunch!

One of the greatest benefits of Britomart is the urban modern space which allows for a perfect walk’n’talk catch-up with friends with a follow up of brunch. Wander through Takutai Square and to nearby Queens Wharf. There’s always something happening at both these spots: the square is home to a Saturday morning market and the wharf regularly hosts art exhibitions and food trucks. If you’re really up for a stroll, head west to North Wharf and along the Westhaven Promenade. To take in the instagrammable views of the Waitemata Harbour.

The Nightlife

Britomart is perfect for those looking for a decent meal and a good night out. The quarter has a bit of everything to please all palate, including classic American-style burgers at better burger, take in some Vietnamese at Café Hanoi, a mix of traditional Japanese at Ebisu, or the French goodies at L’assiette. When it comes to having a night on the town, we would recommend starting at Brew on Quay for their dizzying selection of craft beers on tap, a stop at the one and only 1885 is a suburb and classy stable of the city, and Caretaker brings out the golden age New York feel in its intimate setting with a menu filled with delicious beverages.

La Cigale Market

But don’t feel like this place is only buzzing during the night, during Saturdays from 8am to 1pm you’ll come across a market that injects a sense of Parisian flair into the traditional kiwi market model. The result? A beautiful collision of locally grown, fresh fruit and vegetable stalls sit alongside international fare such as cured meats, specialty chocolates and nut butters. There are more than twenty stalls to peruse – constantly changing in theme, taste and flair!

Jun 08
0

Your Guide To Auckland’s Best Bars Part Two

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Sometimes when you’re on holiday you need to treat yourself. You have escaped to treat yourself and sometimes that means sitting down with some good company and enjoying a good drink. Auckland is perfect for this, our bustling metropolis is packed with secret bars, bars with amazing themes, and simple holes in the wall with great history.   

In part one we took you through some of our favorite intimate bars – the ones that host local live music and where you can relax. In part two we showcase some of the more bigger and more publicly known bars if you are feeling like a night out on the town, a dance with your better half or a group of friends, here are some local hotspots: 

Cassette 9 

Renowned for their teapot cocktails, quirky decor and top-of-the-range tunes and local gigs this is the place to be if you are wanting a classy night out, and when we say night out, Cassette is open until four in the morning! Cassette feels like a real city bar, located up a flight of stars, the bar is in a unique U-shape that features a small balcony, bench seating and dancefloor. The hip staff and large selection of drinks make this one of Auckland most frequented bars.

Grand Central 

This one of for the younger crowd, it’s the crown jewel of Ponsonby, known for its laid-back, hospo-friendly attitude and unpretentious ways, guests are sure to leave all inhibitions at the door as they really let loose to the live music or DJ’s on stage. Open until the wee hours of the morn it’s perfect if you are looking for a good boogie. And With late night curry and burger located just across the road and also open late, you have everything you need for a good night out! 

Impala 

Probably the newest bar on this list, don’t think for a minute this makes Impala any less of a popular hotspot. It has fast become a CBD hotspot mainly for featuring famous and up-and-coming local DJs that bring creative sets that you just can’t find anywhere else in the city. Expect to knock back a Fireball or two, dance until that 3am kebab calls and thank God that this Auckland underground, the class-act club came to town! 

Longroom 

Another Ponsonby institution (Ponsonby really has some of Auckland’s best bars), featuring a DJ dropping beats on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights there’s no excuse to skip a night out here, and it’s cater-made for an older crowd – its Restricted 22 after a certain time! This bar features a quirky interior that features a “fire” long stretching deck, couches and ponsonbys most popular dance floor. You might want to add this to the first stop on your list on a crawl as it can be extremely hard to get into during the weekend at peak times.

May 08
0

Your Guide To Auckland’s Best Bars Part One

By | food & Drink, Nightlife | No Comments

Sometimes when you’re on holiday you need to treat yourself. You have escaped to treat yourself and sometimes that means sitting down with some good company and enjoying a good drink. Auckland is perfect for this, our bustling metropolis is packed with secret bars, bars with amazing themes, and simple holes in the wall with great history.  We have filtered through the collection of bars in the city to bring you a diverse collection that features something for everyone.   

Racket Bar  

Racket is the loud and eclectic staple of Britomart that features a cheeky and humorous attitude with a damn good selection of drinks to match this cheeky attitude. With 85 premium rum varieties on the shelf and the self-titled “Auckland’s Most Expensive Fire Hazard” out front, Racket is the perfect place to spend winter nights away from the fierce weather. The modest lighting also makes it acceptable to cozy up in a booth and get submerged in conversation.  

Bonita   

Bonita is the kind of place that you walk in to and feel at home – slightly hidden behind a side street in Ponsonby, it has become a favorite destination for locals, and as a result, it has grown a friendly neighborhood local feel about it. The staff is equally as friendly as the locals the adorn the sidebar, the selection of wines and locally sourced beer are also well worth the visit. With outdoor seating both front and back, it’s the ideal place to catch some afternoon rays and people watch, or to hide away.  

The Wine Cellar  

You’ll have to take a journey down the stairs of St Kevin’s Arcade to find this hidden free-spirited Wine Cellar. The wine cellar is a staple of Auckland and K Road for its exciting and diverse range of local gigs that are often put-on, as well as their alternative them and simple style – that includes old school pinball games. This bar is perfect for those in a large group looking for a night out, or those more attuned to a cozy night.   

The Portland Public House  

This comfortable DIY wonderland where the drinks taste good and you’ll likely rub shoulders with a who’s who of local musicians. This bar is a truly alive, it starts off as a restaurant during the day, then transforms into a venue and dancefloor in the evening, but if you want to sit rather than drink, their back room and outdoor area is perfect for catching up with friends or having a date night. Their beer selection is equally fantastic mixing classics with local craft breweries, as well as having a nice selection of wine to choose from.