Never has a gay bar had the kind of staying power that Family Bar has had. For more than seven…read moreyears, the big, bolsy and almost-always open Family Bar has stood loudly and proudly on K'Road, boasting the biggest crowds week after week after week. If cheap drinks, a night of raucous dancing and a regular roll-out of drag queens is your thing, Family Bar is the place to be. The stage is ruled with an iron fist by the inimitable Miss Ribena, who will just as easily pass off quips about her stagemates as she will cut a bitch down if they get too rowdy in the crowd. You've got to love the way she rules over her people; and love how many who know her will cringe reading that. Family is an experience that I recommend you have at least once in your life. It's an Auckland institution that is sometimes horrifying, sometimes bawdy and always a good time.

A bit seedy and dated but still a fun place to go out for a dance and a laugh. The entertainment…read moreon stage is the Tranny's. Their makeup and costumes is really awesome. Its a young hang out but at 2am with a few wines in you you don't notice. Its very Gay so if your straight and don't mind your butt getting pinched then go for it. Drinks are cheapest in town. Only real negative is that the que to the gross bathrooms is really bad, I think there is one toilet. Go next door.

I visited here for a drink before an event at the Studio on a Thursday night, so it was really…read morequiet. It seemed like most people were lining up outside The Studio, but I don't really do lines if I can help it, so decided getting a drink was a better option. All of this meant we had the jukebox (it's on the wall, not a proper retro one) almost to ourselves which meant it was extra fun. Lots of Lady Gaga music ensued and maybe some Beyonce? I like to think the bartender was loving it. Pretty sure I saw him dropping some moves behind the bar! This is nice and relaxed in the early evening; I'm not able to give an opinion on how it gets as the night goes on!

You will get scammed!…read more I ordered an absinthe on the rocks, and was told it was $10. I paid and received a clear drink that was clearly vodka. I explained that I wanted absinthe. I apologized and prepared to pay the difference. She said it would be $13, and when I went to pay the difference she said no $13 more because she already made the other drink. I didn't know it was my job to police what she was pouring when I was very sober and clearly stated my order. I was solo and only needed one drink. She didn't even apologize. Great atmosphere, but I won't be back.

Fantastic happy hour for Bonvoy members (which is free to join). I was able to score $10 glass of…read morewine and $10 bar bites! We had the pork belly sliders and the chicken bites. Both were delicious and great for the price. After HH, I stayed for a Margherita pizza and more wine. The pizza was thin crust and tasted fresh. Only thing that was interesting to me was the inability to order the same HH wines after HH. The selection switches out. Service was really great and friendly. It started off rather quiet for HH but began to fill as time went on. Plenty of seating options and trendy decor.

VISIT: end of February 2020…read more This was a pleasant surprise as we ate here probably every day of the 3 that we were in town. I typically shy away from restaurants that are in the hotel because they tend to be pricey. We felt, for Americans, that this was decently priced and that each time we ate here, we got a different meal FOOD WE TRIED: - Chicken and vegetable dumplings - Prawn and chive Gyoza - Arancini - 55 day aged beef brisket sliders - Seafood Risotto - Spaghetti with mussels, snapper and prawns The sliders, gyoza and spaghetti with seafood was VERY good. I wouldn't order the dumplings again, but I always forget that chicken dumplings just aren't the same as pork and/or shrimp. The Arancini was a bit disappointing in flavor, maybe just a touch more salt would have been helpful and same thing with the flavor of the Risotto. The seafood was cooked perfectly, but the sauce on it just wasn't as flavorful as I would have liked, for a risotto. Service was always great with the staff always helpful with recommendations. We were very happy to have access to this restaurant during our stay the Four Points

This place is on Aotea Square, and was really nice with a whole wall of windows to see the action…read moreoutside. The day we were there, there was an ice skating rink set up in the square. My girlfriend and I got the special, which was a pint and a pie for $20NZ, which was not bad at all! The pie was venison, and while I have only ever had it once before, it tasted great today. I also had a couple of ciders, which were cold and delicious. The meals that everyone else had looked great and tasted good too, according to my friends. The interior is very spacious; even though it wasn't super busy while we were there, I think that at peak times there would be plenty of room to walk around unencumbered. With reasonable prices and a great location, I'd come back next time in Auckland!

Chicken and beer. This place knows what it is and knows what it isn't. Green turf on the ground and…read morebig windows that open to reveal the outside square give it a feel of sitting somewhere far away from the city. On a sunny day, it's a great place to grab a pint - and a bite - to people watch. Local selection of beers on draft - not plentiful, but good.

A lovely little hotel bar with excellent service, tasty drinks, and a beautiful view. We were…read morestaying in the Rendezvous Hotel (where this bar is located), and came here twice. They have a nice selection of hard liquor, as well as beers and wine. I love that you can order food from the hotel's Japanese restaurant or room service to the bar. Ordered some oh so good Hendricks and tonics with cucumber each time we visited. On one occasion, I ordered the feijoa daiquiri and it was much too sweet for me. I don't recommend. The one strange thing was that the bar didn't have any limes... This did put a damper on my gin and tonics, but the cucumber save it. If you're nearby and want a drink, come and check this place out. You'll be pleased you did!

From the owner: Located in Grand Millennium Auckland's beautiful atrium, where you can be sure to relax and enjoy…read morecocktails, a light snack, a sumptuous meal or the full beverage menu.

Finally an awesome bar in town…read more I'm just a hipster Australian looking for a cool place to drink a beer god damn it! This place is rad, i love it.

Cool atmosphere, great service, good beers. Mr brother and I both especially liked the raspberry…read morelemon cider.

A wonderful bar at the first floor, at bit difficult to spot the entrance, but once you are there…read moreit's gin heaven. The selection of the gins they have here is rather impressive, including quite a lot that I already know and even more that I don't know. There is a lot of expertise here, so if in doubt, just ask. They are more than willing to help you out. In case you don't like gin, they also have cocktails based on other alcohols.

This place was great when we went in Dec 2018 but we could Lok s not find it last night. I think…read morethey are closed.

I came here with a friend of mine the other day after we were looking for a new place to hang out…read morefor a bit. It was only 2pm and we weren't after alcohol but being located in a five star hotel we thought we should be able to get coffee. Neither of us had been before and immediately we loved The Lobby. Named so because it is located in the lobby of the Grand Hotel, the space is sophisticated and stylish. Sofas and upholstered chairs are spaced throughout the bar amongst marble tables and bar stools in rich browns and golds which contrast against textured brown and copper walls. Equally pleasing to see was the Allpress sign by the coffee machine but just because they use one of the best blends in the industry, doesn't always guarantee you a great long black. I ordered a long black and got a proper long black. Two shots, thick, nice crema, water on the side, the way it should be. Not when it is ruined by being watered down by the barista. We sat here for 2 hours, at around 3pm the piano man came out and we had beautiful music in the background. We will definitely be back. The Lobby offers a warm and relaxing environment perfect for meeting friends or work associates and equally nice for a date or even a business meeting. A stunning bar.

I love yakitori and this place did it well. A nice stroll in the CBD and we popped in. Luckily…read more there was no theatre so it was pleasant and quiet, with a great early 2000s playlist. Staring at the sidewalk sign pointing us downstairs. Big rectangular room with maybe 40 or 50 stools? Generous menu, great and attentive service. We are everything so fast I forgot to take pictures. The best skewer was the chicken and leek, with the steak sirloin and pork belly close behind. A warm welcoming room.

Truly an experience! I felt like I was back in Tokyo. The lighting, decor, and the 80's music made…read morefor a good vibe. The food was great for drinking beer! We had the snapper salad, salmon, pork belly, grilled veggies, chicken thighs, everything was great. Definitely worth checking this place out if you're hanging out in AKL.