Are you visiting for business and expecting long days that could be draining? How about a vacation with the kids and needed the extra energy to get through the day? Obviously a good coffee is exactly what you need, and Auckland has (arguably) some of the best in the country, and because there is nothing worse than bad coffee, we have picked out some of the best so you can recharge right on your visit!
Bestie
We have to start off with a local favorite that has been popular with big-name celebrities that have visited the city! Easily the best espresso spot along Karangahape road, it’s the perfect stop for those heading out for a bit of vintage shopping, and best of all, their alternative milks are reasonably priced! The coffee at bestie is simple but perfect, Just a good cup of Eighthirty, skillfully prepared by a happy barista – pair it with some of their award-winning food and you have yourself a win-win.
Atomic Roastery Kingsland
A Kingsland coffee staple for years, it’s outlasted many of the old favorites on the strip, and the reason for this is simple. Atomic Roastery makes a bloody good coffee. A roastery, ‘Brew Bar’ and eatery all-in-one; the airy and modern interior is a great place to sit and enjoy a good, strong cup of roasted bean juice. Atomic has made a big name for itself not only in Auckland but across the country – for good reason.
Eighthirty
Speaking of business that has made a big name for themselves, since 2009 Eighthirty has slowly but surely become a favorite with coffee lovers across the country with their fantastic blend, cool industrial fit-outs, and expertly brewed coffee. With joints on K Road, Ponsonby Central, High Street and Anzac Ave, there’s bound to be an Eighthirty near you. If that’s not the case, you’ll find the much-loved brand in a handful of great cafes throughout the city!
Chuffed
If you are working in the city, this little hidden gem is the place to go to keep you well-caffeinated for the long day! Tucked away on High St, Chuffed has been brewing for a number of years now and has been topping some of the “best of” lists for a few years. A busy café with not only great food but also highly experienced baristas who take coffee very, very seriously. Their flat whites are great but their cold brews really deserve a special mention. They also have a great outdoor space with art spray-painted on the surrounding walls, making it the ideal spot to sit and take a break from the crazy city.
As we roll into February, we really get stuck into the new year and back into our normal routines. The holidays are over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the summer sun and all of the events that are still on offer! Auckland isn’t letting up with some big musical acts playing this month as well as other great events!
Here’s what’s on:
City of Ales 2020
Sick of wine tasting want to try some of New Zealand’s best craft beer? Then look no further than Auckland’s best little beer festival – City of Ales!
“Bringing Classics Back” is the theme this year, with an aim to bringing patrons a bevy of classic styles from several thousand years of brewing history. City of Ales 2020 will give you the chance to try what-has-been-great and can be again! You can look forward to excellent examples from the likes of McLeods, 8 Wired, Brewaucracy, North End, Behemoth, and more. Tickets include entry into the event and three beer tokens to start you off, and being the scenic vista of the Ponsonby Cruising Club at Westhaven Marina, this will have views to match!
Play in the Park
Did you feel out-priced by all the big summer festivals this year? Looking for that summer music experience and catch some great local acts? Then Play In the Park is for you!
Sylvia Park will host an array of talented Kiwi musicians for you to sit back and enjoy or jump on your feet and dance to their brilliant beats. While enjoying live music you can decide on what to eat from 9 fantastic eateries including takeaways from Asian-inspired Hawker & Roll, Mediterranean eats from Casablanca, gastropub grub at Garrisons, meat or vegetarian options from Better Burger!
Being totally free this is an event the whole family can enjoy without making a dent in the pocket!
Elton John – Farewell Yellow Brick Road
Sir Elton John is bringing his farewell tour to Auckland, being his last international tour, this will be your final chance to see the man in Action!
Recently crowned by Billboard as the most successful performing male solo artist of all time, this farewell set is built to deliver his famed songbook to spellbound audiences. Performing as his special guest is Australian singer-songwriter, Tate Sheridan. Shows from all across the world have been getting rave reviews and for good reason! Tickets will sell out fast, so get in quick.
Tool
Riding off the back of their critically acclaimed new album – the first in 13 years – the return of triple Grammy Award-winning Californian rockers, Tool, is a show that just can’t be missed!
Fear Inoculum debuted at #1 in New Zealand and across the world, with critics united in praise, Rolling Stone describing it as: “a formal masterpiece that should stand the test of time.” Their live shows are just as spellbinding, their immersive live visual experience is as brilliant as the band’s music itself, and not to be missed
Summer romance is a staple of any summer, and if you are planning to visit us with someone special and you want to treat him or her right – then you have come to the right city! Brimming with so much on offer, for any price point, we have found three of our favorite date ideas to sweep your significant other of their feet.
Stardome Observatory and Planetarium
Let’s start this list off strong – Is there anything more romantic than a night under the stars? It’s a simple and peaceful idea, and luckily in Auckland, you can take your love to new heights with an evening at One Tree Hill’s Stardome Observatory and Planetarium, where you’ll be treated to drinks, canapés, and a stunning night sky show that pays tribute to the heavens’ most romantic objects. And we guarantee you’ll be feeling the love, even more, when you’re presented with a gift box containing an Adopt a Star pack and other charming goodies, also included in the ticket price. So grab your guy, or girl, and head along to see if your love is truly written in the stars!
Giapo
Maybe you want to keep it simple – how about Auckland’s most creative and delicious ice cream parlor?
This inner-city outfit definitely sets the bar for originality, serving up epic creations that are known just as much for their looks as they are for their taste, perhaps the ice cream in the shape of the Sky Tower, or maybe the one that looks like a giant squid. The flavours, however, are far from secondary—largely inspired by the owners’ Italian heritage and ranging from a delicious ‘bueno’ offering made with caramel, hazelnut praline and amaretti, through to ‘Cher’s chocolate’—a decadent scoop named after the American superstar who famously visited the store in 2018.
Westhaven Promenade Loop
Wanting to try something a little more active? Want to explore the city while spending some time with your loved one? Then this leisurely walk along the harbor is just what you need.
Take a stroll in the sun along the seven-kilometre Westhaven Marina, which begins at the Harbour Bridge end of Westhaven Drive. The wooden boardwalk parallels the harbor for seaside views of the Waitemata Harbour, Herne Bay Beach, and Cox’s Bay. In summer you’ll be greeted with blossoms of red pohutakawa in trees and coating the footpath! And the harbor is littered with restaurants, cafes and sweet shops that make it worth walking along at any time of the day – a nice day out of a romantic night walk – this is the cost-effective date or you!
We are two weeks deep into December and we are close to the festive time and New Years’ goodbyes and we have rounded up some of our favorite events to help keep you busy and soaking in the sun!
Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park
Gather your family and friends and celebrate the nation’s biggest free outdoor Christmas party! If you haven’t heard of this famous annual event, Christmas in the park brings the country’s top singers, dancers, and musicians together to ignite the big stage, performing your all-time Christmas favorites and hottest hits! This year’s line up includes Ladi6, Sons of Zion, Robinson, Vince Harder and so much more! There’s also great food, stalls, and fireworks on the night.
Once again Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park is supporting Youthline. Please be generous at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park and buy a light stick or give a gold coin donation upon entry!
Christmas Lights
Want to get the little ones more hyped for Christmas, but also have them do some learning along the way? Then head out to MOTAT this December over twelve magical evenings when it’s heritage buildings, streetscapes and trams will be beautifully lit up with Christmas lights! There will be entertainment for all ages, including an outdoor ice-skating rink, and of course the opportunity to meet Santa and his elves and share in the magic of Christmas. There’ll be lots of things to see and do with live entertainment, indoor movies, tram rides, carollers, craft activities, Santa’s grotto and more! Best of all it’s affordable as heck – Just $2 entry fee per person, and children under 5 are free!
Christmas at Silo Park
Your much loved urban playground, Silo Park, is back and they are starting the summer season with 4 days of Christmas festivities!
From 20 Dec- 23 Dec they will have DJ’s, food trucks, entertainment, and games – we’ve even got carols for a sing-along! The Silo Park bar will be serving up delicious Christmas cheer and our mate Santa will be joining us for a few hours each day. There’s also the famous open-air cinema that kicks off with a user-voted Christmas classic!
New Year’s Eve at Sweatshop
For those that are a little bit older and want to head out top the biggest New Year’s Eve party in the city, look no further than Sweat Shop’s New Year’s Eve Party. Kick off the celebrations at one of Auckland’s largest outdoor decks, a prime spot to watch the Sky Tower’s fireworks display overhead. Sip away on a fresh brew or bubbles from our bustling bar, before dabbling in a dance with Auckland’s one and only The Beat Council and DJs.
SkyCity Boxing Day Races
It’s not boxing day without soaking in the summer sun at the races! Running for over 160 years, the most colourful fashion, high-octane racing, hospitality & family entertainment combines at the annual Ellerslie racecourse Boxing Day Races!
Iconic to Auckland’s social calendar, the SkyCity Boxing Day Races offer a winning trifecta of fashion, entertainment and some of the best thoroughbred racing on offer.
The Infield Family Zone is returning in 2019 and with it, some fun, free activities for the younger family members including free pony rides, a mobile barnyard and more. The perfect spot for a family picnic, children under 15 years of age get free entry into this precinct and you can use Ellerslie’s barbeque to cook your Christmas leftovers on.
Young, fun and keen to socialise at the races? Infield party precinct, The Paddock, is making a comeback complete with a full day’s line-up of DJs headed up by Jupiter Project!
Traveling up to Auckland this New Years and looking to see how the city brings in the new year? Then look no further, we have gone out and done some research and found some great parties, places and people to help start 2020 right!
Britomart Block Party
This iconic downtown party has been running for years and become a staple for those who love the Auckland Nightlife! Spread across 3 different iconic Britomart venues: Caretaker, AV Club and 1885, it’s a great way to experience some of the best clubs in the city. Featuring sets from Sigma, P Money, Dick Johnson, Aroha and many more—there is literally something for everyone!
NYE Black & Gold Gala Dinner
Looking for something less sweaty and cramped and more glitz and glam? Then head along to Stamford Plaza’s Black and Gold Gala Dinner where you can toast to the end of the year, whilst indulging in a menu to die for and cocktails galore. Think slow-roasted lamb, a whole barbecued angus sirloin, New Zealand and French cheese selection! It’s the perfect place to see in the year with some friends or a special someone, and have one of the best last meals of 2019!
New Year’s Eve At Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen
Want to rip it up on the dance floor, but also have the opportunity to see the New-Years fireworks at the sky tower? Then roll on over to Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen who (given the title of their bar) know how to host a pumping party! But this venue also has one of Auckland’s largest outdoor decks so you can take in the killer view of the Sky Tower fireworks as the clock strikes 12. There will also be live music provided by The Beat Council, DJ Styla, Joe Turk and DJ Lucas.
Northern Bass
Probably the most notable on this list, Northern Bass is a staple in the NYE festival scene for a reason, Hundreds of people from all over New Zealand and the world flock to Mangawhai every year to attend this 3-day festival. End your 2019 by dancing the night away to the likes of Fat Freddy’s Drop, and start 2020 as you mean to go on by listening to sick beats, moving your feet and digging into some tasty treats!
The New Year’s Eve White Party
Looking for something a little bit more ‘formal’ but still encapsulating the boogie? Then the Brazillian white party, which is taking over Princes Wharf,is the New Year’s party for you. Pop those bottles and sip on the champers to your heart’s content whilst getting your groove on to Brazilian-Latino Sertanejo, Axé, Pop, Rock and Reggaeton jams. Grab your best white outfit and go get your boogie on!
Sometimes you need to make lunch a little bit fancy, weather you are visiting for a special occasion like an anniversary, or here on business and need to make a good impression, sometimes the atmosphere can make all the difference! We have listed our five favorite food highlights that tick all the boxes!
Matterhorn
Located on Drake Street in the incredibly popular and lavish Victoria Park Markets, Matterhorn is in the ideal location to enjoy company with someone and be in a place that isn’t surrounded by noise.Take the time to cruise the menu options, including wild rabbit and red deer and enjoy the warm dark setting, perfect for those unpredictable winter/spring days Auckland is infamous for!
Odettes Eatery
Nestled in the City Works Depot, Odette’s is bursting with a lively ambiance, modern relaxed design, great music, friendly helpful staff make this a hassle free and tasty experience! Their noon menu consists of a range of sharing plates, if you are unsure of what to choose from, the staff are more than happy to give a sales pitch on what you should indulge in.
The Lunchroom
It’s all in the name! Right there! The Lunchroom is nestled deep in the bustling Auckland CBD area, high above and able to overlook the hectic Britomart intersection through the large floor to ceiling windows, perfectly placed for those looking for a quick business lunch. Enjoy a quick bite from the cabinet or a longer lunch with their friendly service available until four.
Ostro
Located in the Seafarers building, Ostro, provides you with the bounties of the sea and local land served in exquisite fashion while allowing its guests to be captivated by the Auckland harbor view. The oysters are a hit, and match the scenery quite well, but the menu suits everyone no matter your taste. Located near some of the best bars on the waterfront, it’s the perfect place to turn that late lunch into early afternoon drinks!
The Botanist
he beautiful, light and airy space, complemented by the in-house florist/shrubbery enthusiast and ample parking makes The Botanist one of the best spots to enjoy a quick light lunch from the cabinet. Choose from an array of colorful salads and toasted wraps, matched with either their own special blend from Three Beans Coffee or a freshly squeezed juice. A ten-seater communal table provides space for larger group – perfect if you are here for business.
The city is gearing up for the warmer weather as summer arrives and the city truly comes alive! That means live music, great expos and some good comedy – so if you’re visiting us during October you’re in for a treat and we’ve gathered our favorites to help get you started!
Here’s what’s on:
Guy Montgomery: WiP
Local up-and coming talent Guy Montgomery is bringing a new selection of stand up, fresh off performing at the prestigious Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Guy will be doing a set fully based on improvisation – in an attempt to make new jokes – fueled by audience suggestions.
Get in quick to see why Guy has been making a name for himself both internationally and in the local circuit, for classic dry but sharp kiwi humor!
James Reid Songbook Tour – From the Feelers to Solo
Feelers front man James Reid is stripping back the songs that made him famous for an intimate offering, if you are a fan of his solo work or his work woth the feelers, you can expect acoustic versions of classic kiwi gems like ‘Venus’, ‘Stand Up’, ‘Larger Than Life’, ‘Pressure Man’, ‘As Good As It Gets’ – just some of the amazing twelve Top 20 charting singles, as well as some new songs from his upcoming solo project, Planet Nowhere.
The set will include favorites from all six Feelers albums and his acclaimed solo album Saint, having already sold out in some other city centers, this truly is a can’t-miss from a truly kiwi artist and icon.
Joan As Police Woman – Joanthology Tour
US songwriter Joan As Police Woman aka Joan Wasser is touring Aotearoa for the first time ever this coming October, the critically revered artist will play songs from her superbly titled new career-spanning collection Joanthology, a mammoth 43 track retrospective gathering together material from over a decade’s worth of albums, rarities and live recordings.
The show has already garnered rave reviews from across the globe, and you wont want to miss the stripped back, solo piano and guitar renditions of Joan As Police Woman’s reflective and emotionally resonant chamber pop compositions.
The Chocolate & Coffee Show 2019
Its all in the title, what more do you need to be told about this one? Chocolate. And coffee. After a successful year last year, Auckland’s shrine to all things chocolate and coffee has seriously stepped it up for 2019 – now being joined by cheese AND wine for the ultimate celebration of decadence!
This event includes intimate masterclasses, live demonstrations and, of course, the chance to gorge on all things delicious – and serious connoisseurs can secure a spot in the exclusive VIP wine and cheese lounge. If any weekend was going to be a skip weekend for healthy living, it has to be for this mouth-watering festival!
Spring has finally broken, and summer is within reach, which means we can finally get out of hibernation and enjoy the fresh air and share some brinks with friends! And Auckland is home to some of the best garden bars in New Zealand (in this writer’s opinion at least) and we have chosen four of our favorites for you to check out (summer pub crawl??) that you can take in with friends and family when you visit us!
Little Creatures
Cult Aussie craft brewery Little Creatures set up shop in the historic Sunderland Hangar in Hobsonville Point earlier this year and it’s been a bastion of the community ever since. Hop heads can watch brewers working their alchemy before sampling the local drop Catalina Bay lager or whatever unique beer they whip up any given month. They also have a fantastic menu as well if you want to take in a bite, including wood-fired pizza, sharing plates, and fish ‘n’ chips. They even have a family-friendly play area for your littlest creatures, so you can sit back and relax!
Wild On Waiheke
Hop on a ferry and head over to Wine-Country Waiheke… before you get confused, this little island is famous for its grapevines, but it also features its own microbrewery! From the pale ale, wheat and malt crafties to cider and non-alcoholic ginger beer, there is something for everyone – so be sure to take a group! You can also take in a wood-fired pizza and if you aren’t in bliss relaxing in the sun, you can spend the afternoon playing giant chess or firing off a few shots in the archery range — the perfect way to burn some of those added calories!
Union Post
The newest bar on this list, Union post mixes gastropub-inspired lunch and dinner dishes that pair perfectly with cocktails in the courtyard or the rotating craft beer selection while watching the rugby. Union Post is the sort of place you can catch up with your mates and dance the night away or watch the rugby world cup this will fast become one of your favorite big-city watering holes!
Brothers Juke Joint
Brothers Beer has fast become the staple of Auckland breweries, famous of their focus solely on meat and beer – matching barbecue sauces range from traditional Americana to Asian fusion with the perfect beverage, poured fresh from one of nine massive stainless-steel tanks. Simplicity and comfort is at the heart of everything at Juke Joint, which features a grassy courtyard perfect for hazy summer evenings, while the inside is dotted with expansive couches ripped straight out of 1973!
September is shaping up to be a big month in the city, it seems as we inch closer and closer to summer all the great acts, events and gigs emerge from the woodwork to help get us excited and get us out and about! From international actors singing show tunes that all ages will love, to comedy and food tours – September has it all!
Here’s what’s happening in Auckland this September:
Hugh Jackman: The Man. The Music. The Show
Academy Award nominated, Golden Globe, Grammy and Tony Award-winning performer, Hugh Jackman is stepping off the silver screen and onto the stage tis September to perfom songs from some the various films and theatre productions he has starred in such as The Grammy Award winning The Greatest Showman soundtrack, Peter Allen and Les Misérables! Joining him in New Zealand is actress and singer Keala Settle who will perform the Academy Award® nominated and Golden Globe Award winning song “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman and more. This is the perfect evening for fans of Jackman, musicals and fans of theatre!
Girlpool
The LA based guitar based indie folk/rock duo are coming to New Zealand in support of their critically-acclaimed album, What Chaos Is Imaginary. The duo, consisting of Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad will bring the music infused with drum machines and synthesizers and beautiful/new harmonies and huge guitars and at least one orchestral breakdown by a string octet – this will be one show that isn’t to be missed, by music’s newest rising stars.
Dominion Rd Moon Festival
In East Asia and Southeast Asia, the Moon Festival (known as mid-Autumn Festival in the northern hemisphere) is a time to celebrate the arrival of the new moon – and The moon is the brightest on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. So come grab a lantern, enjoy the cultural music and take in the mouth-watering selection of ethnic foods that will be available from food trucks and stalls in the vicinity and of course, there is the huge selection of delicious options in the adjacent Balmoral town centre and along Dominion Road itself.
Fleetwood Mac
You read that right! The Legendary, Grammy-Award winning band Fleetwood Mac are hitting Auckland, playing all their hits and featuring the new line-up of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Christine McVie along with newcomers Mike Campbell and New Zealand’s own Neil Finn! The group have been hyping up fans, both new and old by promising to “perform all the hits that the fans love, plus we’ll be surprising our audiences with some tracks from our historic catalogue of songs” If that’s not an excuse to get along then I don’t know what is! Tickets are selling out fast, so get in quick!
With summer quickly approaching, it’ll be the optimum time to get out and explore the city and get a little exercise at the same time! Like the rest of the county, Auckland has been transforming over the past decade to accommodate cyclists and utilizing its popularity to get people exploring the city in new and inventive ways and to locations that cant be reached by car. Here are a few of our favorite tracks to help get you excited:
Te Ara I Whiti – Lightpath
We start off the list with one of the newest paths and easily one of the most famous – the lightpath. This one’s great to impress the kids and to get them excited about cycling, it’s also Auckland’s most ambitious cycle path to date –
Starting at Upper Queen and twisting around the city center, it makes for an easy ride, and one where you can easily stop to check out hot-spots in the city such as K Road and Silo Park.
Woodhill Forest
One for all the adventure seekers out there, for the daredevils who like to get down and dirty in the mud, this track is for the mountain bikers out there.
Riding fast down steep hills in the forest and attempting not to break another bone is one thing, riding through the forest on a path that has twists and turns and the odd jump if you dare is another. Woodhill Forest caters for both and would have to be one of the most accessible selection of mountain biking tracks in the city.
Britomart – Half Moon Bay – Auckland CBD
Another ride that is for the more experienced, and very popular with groups, head from Britomart along Tamaki Drive towards Mission Bay and basically just keep going as you follow the shoreline past St Heliers, along Riddell Road and take a left onto Roberta Ave once you get through Glendowie. Follow your nose – or the trusty Google Maps – towards Point England Reserve all of the way down to the water at Lagon Drive near the Panmure Basin. From there cross over the water and follow the shore line left all the way past the Pakuranga Sailing Club and down and around until you make to the Half Moon Bay ferry terminal. It’s a great Sunday dedicated ride, but well worth the reward if you can commit!
Waiheke Island
Jump on the ferry with your bike at no extra cost, or hire a bike once you hit land and step onto the wharf (Hiring a bike means you’ll get all the comforts of a mountain bike and can have a trusty little map mounted to the handle bars, how’s that for convenience?) There are also great maps available to help you find your way around and if you plan out your day in advance you can make sure to take the right paths to lead you to wherever your heart desires, be that an art gallery, beach or vineyard. The ‘Beach/Wine Lovers Trail’ will take you about three and a half hours through the vines to Onetangi and once again is one of those rides that can end in a swim if you so desire. Further rides include the Easy Life Loop, Nature Trail, Stony Batter Trail and the Rangihou Mountain Bike Track.
