As a massive nerd, I have to say, I'm so happy this place exists…read more Cakes and Ladders is, as far as I know, Auckland's only board game cafe. They have an impressive stock of board and card games--for adults and for families--the nicest, friendliest staff you could ask for, and a comfy interior setup for your hours of board gaming pleasure. The coffee is pretty decent as well, although none of my friends nor I have tried the food menu just yet. Here's how it works: you walk in, you pick a table, and the staff start your timer. Then you can either pick a game or have one recommended to you based on pretty much whatever criteria you want, and if it's a new game to you, the (again, wonderfully friendly) staff explain the rules and setup to you. Then you play--for hours, if you want. At $2.50 an hour, it's a steal. (Also, they're currently awaiting their liquor license, so although there's no alcohol there yet, just you wait. Craft beers are on their way!) They close at 10pm, I believe, at least on the weekends, but once the booze arrives, I'm hoping they stay open a wee bit later. I'm definitely going back, often.

This place is awesome!!! Came with my husband and had a great time. They have so many games!!!…read morePerfect for groups and for just 2 people. They have a specific shelf full of games that require only 2 players. A great way to spend an afternoon or evening. Can get noisey but adds to the fun.

Please don't judge me for this review. My significant other is mad on Warhammer (for those of you…read morenot in the know this is a sorta strategic war game using models as board pieces). I for one had never heard of it until we started dating but as they say there is a niche for everything, and Games Workshop caters for one of these. The store itself purveys wares related to games, collectibles and models with a special focus on Warhammer 40 K. The guys who work here at super knowledgeable, friendly and always trying to get you involved in store events (I prefer to be a silent supporter who is 'allowed' to help paint the models every once in a while) What's cool about this place is how it functions as a social club, there are tutorials and workshops held often and people are encouraged to meet up with their mates and challenge each other on the terrain which is available in-store. Perhaps my favourite thing about Games Workshop though is that it's right next door to some of my favourite shops on queen street, so it is more than easy to do the whole extraction mission without my partner even noticing I have gone.

For a while I was part of the Screen Director's Guild of New Zealand, and these guys are super…read morehelpful in terms of setting up ways to connect with the rest of the industry. Newsletters, events and information to navigate the different people and places associated with film and TV. The day I went to visit the office was an interesting one. Gemma e-mailed me and said to find them down the corridor that looked like a spaceship. I was not really sure what to expect, but sure enough, you jump off the elevator, turn a corner, and then you're on the Star Trek Enterprise! Their office is one of many film places in this building, and it's artistic nature certainly suits the business. The ladies at the office were friendly and attentive, clearly passionate about the work they do. It's certainly a great place to get plugged into if you're climbing the directing or editing ladder of success.

There's this group of super earnest and spirited young people (and a few middle aged hangers on)…read morewho gather in a circle outside of the Skycity Metro Starbucks and just kind of gently sway together while belting out extremely passionate songs of praise. Intermittently their 'leader' will kind of belt out a bit of prayer or something (first in English, then in some Asian language (apologies that I don't know which)) and you get the feeling that he is seriously channelling the spirt of god. It's very very awesome. You can even get meta on the whole situation and watch the people who are watching them and kind of muttering in some non-descript discouraging way. I don't know if they have regular hours. Usually they're 'rocking out' on the weekend. Oh yeah, sometimes they have a guitar! Oh and when the traveling band of Hare Krishnas are trolling up and down Queen street art the same time, and try to out-worship each other and they coalesce into this extremely loud spiritual cluster bomb. It's great. Also love how youthful and hopeful and downright sunny they are compared to the dour and desperate vegan activists who perch up on the other side of that Woody Allen looking statue. Five star street theatre with opportunity for interactivity if you're into god and that.