I attended a few shows during The NZ International Comedy Festival last year when it was in…read moreAuckland. In 2013 the festival returns to Auckland from the 26 April - 19 May. My favourite act from last year was The Boy with Tape on his face and he is back again this year. He puts on a wonderful show so I fully recommend getting your ticket early as he will sell out. That will be true for many of the performers I think, so if there is someone you really want to see, lock in your ticket early to avoid disappointment. Having said that, when I couldn't get a ticket to a certain show last year, helpful staff let me know of a great NZ comedian who was doing a show and still had tickets available. My friends and I went and saw his stand up and he was very funny so it was still a very enjoyable night out. I'm excited it's nearly that time of year again.

The NZ International Comedy Festival is a bloody hoot!…read more Spanning 3 weeks and feat. a wide range of international and local acts, there's something for everyone, including kids. The biggest dilemma is deciding which show(s) to go to....my advice? Search the artists on You Tube or choose a show that feat. more than one act - that way you're bound to like at least one! This year we went to The Big Show, which feat. four British Comedians (Sara Pascoe, John Gordillo, Tim Fitzhigham and Micheal Legge) and a MC (Tim Robins). All of them were pretty hilarious but our group agreed the MC was the best. The show, held in the Town Hall, was set up Cabaret style, which meant you could either purchase a table (6 seats) or a single ticket and share with other punters. We rustled together a group of 12 and bought two tables, front and centre. In my opinion the closer you are and the bigger the group you go with the funnier the show. My other tip is don't be late. The tables are incredibly close together so it's next to impossible to get to your seat and the MC loves singling out a latecomer! Whenever the festival ends I always feel regretful that I didn't go to more shows - it's definitely a highlight on the ol' social calendar.

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.

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

One of my all time favorite Craft 'spaces' in the world, but BY Craft, it has seriously unCraft…read morelike pricing. I spent something like $4300 in hard currency on Craft when I was visiting in 2018, back when Chase - ex-Michigan - one of the penultimate Craftistas was tending the taps and a guy I ran up a $280 bar bill with one evening stopped talking to me after we split it. Hmmmm, maybe I drink too much? No, that can't be it. They have like 18 taps on with a lot a guest taps (I'm not that excited by their own efforts) and a truly righteous selection of all NZ Craft. McLeod's and Alibi Breweries at the top of form. Still, It's kinda like a Craft Disneyland with those 1980s Disney prices (remember? You want to go on every ride, but they're $148 each). My Craft Jesus rating a 'and the pours are tiny too' 51 IBU

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.

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.

This is an amazing find! The door is kind of hidden and you go down and you see a nice bar room…read more All the food we ordered was amazing. Their yuzu plum drink was great. This was a great dinner. The place is a little loud. The staff were very sweet and quick to serve. We walked here from our hotel so not sure on the parking. :(

Great place to start the night on the Viaduct, had a few drinks before heading out to other places…read more Nice view as well.

Great lunch burger and beer special. Location was perfect to enjoy a delicious burger, fries, and…read morebeer.

Great dive bar to just drink, eat and hang out. Don't expect great service, but you'll get decent…read morequick service ordering at the counter. The guiness pie was alright. However, the burger was freaking phenomenal! Wish they had more seating. It was busy for a Tuesday night, cant imagine how it becomes on the weekend.

First thing first, food was good. We ordered guinness meat pie, Fish 'n chips and Chicken ceasar…read moresalad. Fish 'n chips wasn't too greasy or watery inside. It was just right. And Guinness meat pie was quite heavenly. Very juicy and tender beef inside w/ bitterness from guinness. This is perfect marriage between two. This place could've gotten 4 stars if the waiting time wasn't too long. 1st dish didn't come out until 40 minutes later. It didn't look back up as there was only one party of 3 beside us who ordered food at that time. At least, salad could've come out sooner. Maybe we came here in wrong occasion because we had to catch the bus to airport within next 30min after we got the food. We probably should've come here when we were not-so-in-hurry even though we thought we gave enough time. But I had to say, as soon as I put the food in my mouth, the wait was worth it.