After looking for a good cocktail all over New Zealand, we found this place…read more The staff were knowledgeable and friendly. We ordered old fashioneds (I know it's called the gin room), but we were desperate. After some horrible ones elsewhere, this one finally hit the spot. Not the absolute best I've had but one done quite well! I'm sure their gin drinks would have been amazing based on what I saw. They were also happy to recommend other cocktail bars we should try as well (a sign of a good place that's not so full of themselves to think they are the best and only one in town). I will 100% go back next time I'm in town

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.

On our last day, it was just non-stop rain as we were killing some time before heading to the…read moreairport. We walked nearby our hotel to My Bar, a tiny place with more outdoor tables (although obviously not the best place to sit on a day like that). Heading inside, we were greeted with a cozy place; mood lighting, exposed brick, wood floors, and tiny table nooks along the wall. The bartender was friendly and got us some drinks. They have a full selection of hard drinks, but I was here for the beer. They have six tap handles, all from the larger breweries of the country. I chose a flight of three. We slowly sipped our drinks and listened to the rain. Prices were reasonable, it was definitely worth a few minutes for some drinks!

Great bar! Stopped here one night & sat outside. Relaxed, friendly service; beer was great. Had a…read moreramen dish from a restaurant next door. Liked it so much, went back the next night.

Being back for a few weeks now, its been great to see the change in the Auckland food scene. I…read moreshould probably look at getting some work soon, but in the mean time its been a good excuse to eat out and fill my belly for breakfast, lunch and dinner at all these chic places. Last weekends lunch excuse: Kiss Kiss I actually walked past this cafe/resto whilst out for dinner eating a cheap feed on dominion road. It had a party vibe for a place for dinner! Tiki meets Asia kinda theming. Coming for lunch the menu options are slightly more limited as half the menu are breakfast items, with a separate dinner menu. I may need to come back for dinner, as the options were more appealing, however between the two of us, we did the usual, shared two main dishes between us and filled up on the mango lassi. The breakdown: Hmmmm... The Glass Noodle Salad, although was presented well and appetising, there was a lack of satay flavour. There was nothing wrong with the dish, but I think it was just missing that wow or pizzaz in the dish that leaves you wanting more. I just wanted more flavour and oomph. The Larb Moo was well cooked. But again it just missed the balance in flavours. It was missing the onion and chilli that really gives larb that punch. The sticky rice was a tad dry but a good consistency with the stickiness. I think when it comes to it, the meals are well cooked and nice, but I think with all the competition in Auckland now, the levels are raised and I think its just missing the mark. Maybe I need to come visit the party scene at night for a different vibe. I must say though, it was a place with very good service. The staff were helpful and friendly and the food was served in a timely manner. Rating: Food: 5.5/10 Service: 8/10 Value for Money: Average 1 Rocklands Ave, Balmoral Opening Hours: Tues-Sun 7am-3pm, 5-10:30pm

I was hanging out for my new favourite brunch spot and now I have found it. I plan on going back…read moreand trying everyrhing on their brunch menu as soon as I can. Best part is that their dinner menu looks great too so I might have a new favourite thai restaurant as well. Kiss Kiss is a Northern Thai inspired restaurant with a kick ass brunch menu. If you're bored of the usual brunch fare I highly recommend trying Kiss Kiss. It was really hard ordering as everything sounded delicious. We ended up getting the pork belly curried beans, crispy rice salad and rum and orange soaked brioche french toast. They were all fantastic and everyone had a different favourite dish. My favourite was the pork belly curried beans. The pork and beans (hehe) was all packed with flavour. The son in law egg was cooked perfectly and the bread was great to mop up the soupy sauce. Loved it! The crispy rice salad was indeed crispy and my friend Erin loved the texture of the dish making it her favourite. The french toast was light and flavourful, not sickly sweet, with delicious coconut dulche de leche. My only criticism is that it was a little on the small side with two smallish pieces of toast. It was so tasty I definitely wanted more. Upon paying I discovered Kiss Kiss had a treasure trove of baked goods inside as well. Again, something I will have to try next time. I was fortunate to go on a beautiful sunny morning so I sat outside. I was pleasantly surprised how much seating there was inside. Their dinner and cocktail menu looked great so I will have to come back one night and see if it is just as fantastic as brunch was.

This is decent neighborhood spot. Full of your typical drinkers, smokers (on the front patio), and…read morevery light dining options. We were part of a group of about 12, that came and went, to help celebrate our friend's birthday. Food menu is very limited, and prices are a tad high for what you get. Tacos are $14 (2 tacos); Falafel, $12 (about 5 falafel). A small food platter (made to look large and impressive by coming out on a long board) was a mixture of a few meats, and lots of condiments, pickles, etc, was $50!!! Yet, what really galled me was the $6 charge for extra bread/crackers to accompany this food platter. It was served with three slices of french bread, and about 6 crackers. Here we are, spending over $300 for food & drinks and they nickel and dime us for a small amount of starch!! When I commented about this, the server took off $3 on the charge. Gee, thanks! The venue is altogether too tight, and the nearby smokers on the front patio was commented by all to be distasteful and obnoxious. But, that's what you get at pubs.

I went here with my partner on a Friday night for a drink. We each got a beer and we ordered a…read moreserve of skinny fries to share. They have a big variety of dips for the fries, and we went for the spicy ketchup and the aioli. I figured the spicy ketchup would be vegan, but when it came out it was super creamy looking and definitely not vegan friendly. So we asked the server for a side of regular ketchup and I was a happy girl again. They offer a good variety of beers, not a huge variety, but they'll have at least one of some type of beer that you'll like. I went for the APA by the craft brewery that they support. It was good, bright and zesty, and low in hops. The ambiance of the place was busy, it's a cute place but I wasn't thrilled that they let people smoke outside. I'm not sure if I'm a brat or just old, but second hand smoke is not my jam and it set a bit of a damper on what otherwise would have been a great experience. We still had a good time, service was attentive and prompt, and the food and drinks were all good.

Located just minutes from New Zealand's renowned Eden Park Stadium and a mere $15 taxi ride to…read moretown, the Ginger Minx couldn't be more perfectly situated. On an average night one can share a drink with their in-laws while lounging on comfy sheepskin throws in the outdoor area, or can gossip, mingle and people-watch inside over a cocktail with the girls. The Ginger Minx boasts eclectic funky decor, both indoor and outdoor seating as well as a dance floor, complete with turntables where local DJ heroes like Dick Johnson can be found most nights spinning dubstep and drum n bass beats. The Mexican inspired/street-style decor and photos pinned behind the bar create a shrine-like composition that is an interesting way to occupy the time it takes bar staff to concoct their masterpieces. The Ginger Minx has managed what most bars and restaurants (especially those outside of town) aspire to; it is the perfect blend of familiarity and excitement, young and old, local and exotic - and it is this combination that keeps its patrons coming back again and again. Strongly recommended for both visitors to Auckland, as well as local residents; the fun, comfortable atmosphere means a good time is guaranteed.

This place is one of my locals and its pretty kewl, the staff are charming and friendly, this is…read moreanother one of those places I would go on a week night for a relaxed drink with a few friends. Not my scene during the weekend though.

Well ladies and gentlemen I've found my new ponsonby favourite! A friend and I stumbled across this…read morelittle beauty on Saturday night, and we lingered here till about 2am. It's dark and moody with great music and the bar staff are good fun. But the two things that turned this little bar into my favourite spot are; asahi on tap and the peppermint chocolate shots. I'm not much of shot taker but this little marvel is heaven. Well worth stopping in and enjoying the people watching with a peppermint shot to warm you up.

Harry's is a charming, wee bar located next to that new "workingman's club" on P' Road…read more We went last week when it had only been open a couple of weeks and was still sorting a few things out. No sparkling water (...yet) and no espresso for the espresso martinis we ordered off the menu. "I could whistle something up using the cold brew?" the bartender offered. We weren't fussy and they tasted delicious. They even let us order snacks a couple doors down from P.Road Bistro! Dream result. Great for a couple of lazy drinks, their outdoor tables get good afternoon sun. Just keep in mind it's pretty small so perhaps not great for groups.

Cute little spot with speakeasy vibes down the street from my hotel. I stopped in one night after a…read morecomedy show and had a good time hanging out with the bartender and drinking ciders. The space is small and snug, but opulent. It's bigger than it seems though, with seating past a curtain. Little Culprit is the perfect spot for a nightcap. Check it out.

A small bar opposite Culprit (the restaurant). Due to it being a small place I'd recommend booking…read moreahead especially for a larger group. Little culprit has comfy booths in which you can try their cocktail range. As usual, I went for an espresso martini. Food wise, they do offer grazing platters but they also have a couple of different types of fries - my favourite of them was the truffle fries but everything was honestly so tasty!

Love this quiet late night winebar. Cosy, chill and with great friendly staff…read more More late night spots are what Auckland desperately needs to call itself a real city.

I had driven past The Corner Store a tonne of times and always thought it looked cute but tiny. I…read morehad NO idea there was a back bar with a roaring fire and a dimly lit outdoor courtyard. Just the other day, a friend and I were talking about the lack of cosy wine bars in Auckland. You know the kind with big, leather chairs, a roaring fire and a well-thought out wine list. Enter The Corner Store. It's more a cocktail bar than a wine bar but it ticks the roaring fire box. There's also a sneaky internal courtyard that's blissfully quiet mid-week! Hungry? Try their small but delicious tapas menu. Beautifully tender pork belly and damn near perfect fries!

I would give it 6*. My husband and I came here before dinner--our third stop on a bar crawl--and…read morewish we would've started here. We wouldn't have been to three if we had. Jeremy, our bartender, hailed from Manchester, England, and is an all-world server. Everything he made for us was fantastic. He knows his liquors and mixers, and for a tiny bar, Mea Culpa has a good selection of both. Especially the second-to-top shelf liquors. We ended up having four cocktails and a beer (between two of us) and came away impressed with the lot. My recollection of the night is fuzzy, even more so a month later, but we still do remember enjoying every cocktail. Not the place i would suggest for microbrews, a long row of taps, or a wine bible, but great for cocktails. Highly recommend dropping by if you're in Ponsonby. Tell Jeremy (or whomever is on) your favorite liquor, and let him/her whip something up for you.

This place makes a mean cocktail. I honestly didn't expect…read moremuch by the decor of the place. But the drink I had was amazing. Unfortunately I do not remember what was in it, as I was wined out from earlier in the day & I wasn't feeling the atmosphere here, so I was ready to scoot ASAP. Atmosphere wasn't bad, but after an extremely amazing & relaxing day I wanted a relaxing and/or classy atmosphere and this wasn't it. But I'd go forth & do the spot again. Maybe.

Being from the states and working in Auckland it took several days to find a bar that has a…read morespeakeasy vibe and amazing drinks. The Pineapple Bar is the full package. These guys make the most amazing drinks you've ever had. The whiskey sour is the best I've ever had. Kieran and Dario manned the bar like a US Marine preparing for battle. Turning out drink and drink. If you want a great drink with top notch atmosphere, this is your place. I will make this my regular spot every time I'm in Auckland. I gave it two thumbs up and two feet up because I've drank a few too many:)

Honestly, seven or eight stars. I am an American visiting NZ. My buddy and I were in search of a…read morebar...you know, an actual bar. We went on a quest and our reward was Pineapple on Parnell. I'm wiping tears away as I type, sipping my cocktail. If you have a checklist that defines a proper bar, let this place check all of the boxes for you. The drinks are the absolute best you've ever had. Stop wasting time reading on Yelp and grab an Uber. Your evening is planned. Trust the bartenders (Kieran and Dario) to serve you the best cocktails of your lives. The atmosphere will speak for itself when you walk through the door. This is the exact place you're looking for.