The only elements missing from this bar are a few cushy sofas. Why? Because one could spend all…read moreevening here. The decor is modern rustic, with plenty of wood & iron throughout the bar area. There are two massive speakers inside pumping killer tunes, so unless you've got your dancing shoes on I suggest you mosey outdoors. That is where most people are mingling. From what I have been told, there is live music and plenty of dancing on Friday & Saturday evenings. Outside there is a fireplace fit for a king, for those of you who get chilly at night. The mini-alleyway, is reminiscent of the hidden cobblestone streets in Rennes or Paris, where more than one bistro share a road. I believe there are three total here. So do not be shy, check 'em all out! I am still new to the NZ wine scene, so I am trusting the recommendation of sommeliers and bartenders. This bartenders recommendation of a Pinot from the Marlborough region was fresh, peppery, fragrant and just right for the night. Even when evening weather decided to shed light rain, everyone was safe and dry under the overhead canopy, on this hidden cobblestone path in Auckland. C'est très bon!

What a cute wee alley-way bar. Great spot for after-work drinks, particularly on a Friday night,…read morewhen there are D.J's playing sweet beats. Quite a lot more intimate than the likes of BCC, I recommend coming here early with a small group and staking a claim on one of the large tables next to the massive outdoor fire. Although they do have a decent wine list (including Revolution Wine on tap), these guys are consummate professionals who know their stuff so definitely splash out and get a cocktail. Not only are they v.speedy at making them but they are also incredibly delicious. Current fav - 'Chamfrancisco' (Chambord, Amaretto, Frangelico, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white) p.s. They do unbelievably good curly fries. Order them. Trust me.

Sugar works is a small cozy bar where the interior kinda feels like a home living area (with a bar…read moreof course). Came on a wednesday night where there was live music (guitar/vocalist doing covers of a range of songs, some folk/indie/John Mayer) although I'm not sure what nights live music is available. The food here was actually pretty good considering what I thought I was walking into from the outside. The prices were a little bit on the high side but none the less the quality ensured that we got what we paid for. Service was great, wasn't too over the top, and it was a small place so the waiter could easily see if anyone needed anything. The only downside is that there's only one dining table indoors (which has a great view) making it a little hard to have a few plates of tapas at the couch seating area where the tables are quite small.

My friend and I were due for a meet up and wanted to try this new place. Sugar Works looked like it…read morechanged a residential house with a deck to a bar eatery, which was cozy and neat. We ordered Prawn tempura, Pork belly and Steak sliders ($14-16) along with some cocktails. Pork belly came out burnt and salty so we had to send it back. The manager came to us and apologised which was pretty nice and we were served with a better one soon after. Other food were okay but nothing really was special. We like our cocktails sweet but here it was rather strong for us. However the environment was so nice and cozy we really enjoyed our experience. Loved the bathroom was luxurious with actual towels instead of paper towels - environmental!!! But wished the food were more unique.

A good local pub with friendly staff! Our go-to is Seafood Selection which comes with a few pieces…read moreof deep fried fish, shrimp, calamari, and fries. Their fries are beer battered and they're amazing! . They have a huge patio and we can always find a table to sit outside. Seafood Selection goes well with beer and it's perfect for a hot summer day!

Timeless establishment with a country pub character. With the SuperCity expanding 'The Albany' is…read morebecoming more and more central, yet it retains all the charm of the best country taverns. It's a rough diamond but I reckon that's how it ought to be, how it ought to remain. As I write three Harley Davidson motorcycles pull up and park right in the garden bar just a few metres away, always an impressive sight and sound yet I feel totally comfortable, totally safe. It's a relaxed sort of place this, so close to the Shore yet free of its pomp and snoot. The sports bar provides a great place to enjoy the big game, the garden is brilliant for yarns at sunset and the restaurant provides a quiet spot for the family. If you want to share a great meal and a drink at a great price with a few mates or with the family 'The Albany' will deliver. Long may it remain.

There isn't one place I have frequented more in the last two years than The Attic…read more One of my favourite spots in Mission Bay, it has a great view that goes nicely with a cold pint of your fancy and their delicious "Snattics." The entrance is tucked away on Tamaki Drive so be sure to keep your eyes peeled. While a few menu changes have happened over the course of my visits, they've kept to their roots and just continued to improve on an already great menu. I'm a big lover of their Attic tasting plate- if you're a first timer this is a great way to get a bit of everything at a fraction of the price. I enjoy places that cater for drinks and nibbles as well as a full dinner meal, and The Attic executes both of these quite well. There's plenty of seating available, from outdoor tables and stools to warm fireside couches- so no matter the occasion, weather or appetite, there's something at The Attic for everyone.

I enjoyed the lovely vibe here. Some beautiful scenery sitting on the balcony overlooking the bay,…read moreand a warm, wooden interior make it a nice place to be. The service was fast, but for some reason, the lady on duty seemed disapproving that we didn't order more than drinks. She kept coming and asking us if we needed anything else, and looked incredibly sour when we said 'No, thank you' each time. This was a Sunday afternoon, and hardly anyone was there, so it certainly wasn't a seating issue. I felt like she was going to ask us to leave at one point. Bear with me, but I don't want to feel pressured into buying more or leaving early. I hope she was just having a bad day and this isn't a normal reflection of customer service here.

The first time I went to Montage I admit I had already had a bit to drink. But even this experience…read morewas a good one. Having only opened in the last 6 months or so, Montage is slowly becoming a bit of a local hot spot. Deep red velvet chairs, ornate iron gates, dim lighting - the atmosphere of Montage is quite intimate and while it could be a bit threatening it is the exact opposite. In the afternoon sun it's the perfect place to sit outside and enjoy a cold drink with friends, or alternately enjoy a few shots and vodka and limes after dark. The staff are funny and friendly and make you feel right at home. When my boyfriend and I first went there, despite being inebriated to begin with, the staff were good sports and put up with our jokes and terrible dancing and even helped call us a cab. Though not a great venue if you're in the mood to dance as it's quite small, Montage is an ideal place to meet friends for a few drinks before heading to town.

For years, this place was the Ambassador Bar. I remember coming here for gigs where the performers…read morewould crowd onto stairs to play and we would awkwardly squish into the other side to see them. These days Montage Bar appears to have the formula worked out a little better - when I went there on a sleepy Sunday afternoon, an awesome performer who worked with loops, a guitar and a saxophone was propped up near the bar and playing to the people inside and out. This is a much better set up! The drinks at Montage are great and the wines are cheap, particularly given the quality of the stuff they have there. I think having two staff members there on a Sunday afternoon was a little excessive, but by perhaps the place fills out quite a lot and I was there on a slower day.

Citizen Park is like a quirky, modern, all American diner. There are glowing neon signs, gingham…read morehalf curtains across the windows, giants shelves of kitschy Americana (think football helmets and model planes) and of course, baskets full of mustard and ketchup. Maybe it's because I've just moved home from America but I absolutely love it! We came here on a Sunny Sunday arvo to catch up with friends over a few quiets. The outdoor area here is huuuge and with several long tables with bench seats it is the perfect place to catch up with a group. It must also be said they have done a great job of making the outdoor area as sheltered as possible and they even have a retractable roof for when it inevitably starts raining (this is Auckland after all!). As for the drinks, both us girls where in the mood for a refreshingly, cold beer and opted for a jar of the Monteith's Pilsner ($8). I thought the list was pretty reasonable in both price and variety although I do think they could do with a few more boutique beers on the list as opposed to the usual mass produced varieties. The boys on the other hand were nursing rather significant hangovers and were in need of a drink of the non-alcoholic variety. ASAP. They ended up settling on a Sweet Alice; a strong cup of Kokako filtered coffee with condensed milk on the side. Heaping the rather generous serving of condensed milk into their coffee both of them seemed pretty chuffed with their decision. All in all this is a very pleasant way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon and I am looking forward to coming back soon to try their rather tasty looking menu.

I came here for the first time the other night, had been meaning to, always looks so inviting, the…read morebig brass gates to the private park for citizens dining under the strings of lights. It was, I liked it, plus they have outdoor heating. Often it can be hard finding places that accommodate groups of citizens, you can here. Large tables and a menu meant for sharing (depends how close your citizen friends are), Citizen Park would be perfect. Cool bar, good enough selection of drinks, they do coffee too. Don't be shocked when you see the beer missing from the menu, it isn't on there so ask the lovely wait staff. Gluten free options are available. Based on my experience you can request variations to menu items to fit your dietary requirements. I was impressed with my salad which not only looked good but tasted amazing. Greens with thin sliced mango, cherry tomatoes, micro greens and walnuts with a vinaigrette. Friendly staff, good surroundings, indoor and outdoor seating options and a decent menu. I'll be back, with a bigger crowd.

Yes this is the house music hidden jewel of Auckland Central, has been around a good few years, and…read morevery popular with the late night clubbers who like to have a few drinks and party on into the early morning. It is a super cool nightclub/bar to hang at- however the crowd it pulls range from the early twenties to early forties. It's underground, and can get quite heated on the dance floor as the bodies groove away. Great DJ's rotate throughout the weeks, and you can enjoy great cocktails, and any beverage you can imagine from the highly skilled staff. Perhaps if you're rolling in the money host your own private VIP party?

I felt a little James Bond esque on a reconnaissance mission when I rocked up to Spy Bar on the…read moreweekend. Being a small town girl myself, the idea of an 'underground' bar was pretty scintillating! Sadly I couldn't concentrate on much at all as I was so busy sweating through my layers of clothing while I was here, seriously this place is like an oven! Probably best to save this place for further exploration until wintertime. As it was, it's a pretty decent Little bar. Good house music. You can feel the bass pumping through your body. A lot of older men in suits eyeing up the younger girls while I was there, so I tended to avoid eye contact with strangers!

Cool little bar with a nice garden bar and great cocktail list…read more Cocktails were great, a bit unique, with plenty of options to try. Food was good too ..... although looks like the hot chips come from the takeaway shop next door (carried in by staff wrapped in paper, then put in a bowl) Arrived just after opening, drinks came quickly but as the place filled up the drinks became very slow. Would definitely go back - only down side was the long wait on drinks and food.

This is a delightfully small cocktail bar in Onehunga and don't all awesome things come in small…read morepackages. They have an amazing array of cocktails all lovingly prepared with fresh juices and fruits and of course alcohol. There is a cute outdoor area so even if the front looks jammed with people there may be just enough room in the back for you to squeeze in. Friendly staff and warm interior complete the package. Perfect for an after work tipple