{"id":631575,"date":"2026-10-15T17:14:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T17:14:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/631575\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T17:14:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T17:14:43","slug":"what-does-an-ideal-night-out-in-auckland-look-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/631575\/","title":{"rendered":"What does an ideal night out in Auckland look like?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Nocturnalists series shines a light on Auckland after dark. Restaurateurs and chefs, comedians and creatives, performers and punters \u2013 Nocturnalists are spirited members of Auckland\u2019s nighttime scene. In this series, they reveal all this city has to offer after 5pm. We asked some about their ideal night out in Auckland city.<\/p>\n

Photos by Sophie Miya-Smith.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no foolproof formula to a perfect night out, but it never hurts to harvest the advice of people who do this for a living \u2013 or at least as a lifestyle. The best, most trustworthy recommendations rely on the personal experience of those in the know. So, in search of a perfect night out in the Auckland city centre, where should you start?\u00a0<\/p>\n

For me, an ideal night requires a meandering itinerary. Navigating the city on foot means you experience the liminal spaces \u2013 footpaths, train stations, intersections \u2013 that are just as critical to nightlife as our many restaurants, bars and businesses. The advent of daylight saving means your \u201cnight\u201d now starts before dark, so I\u2019d begin with a sidewalk seat at The Frog on Karangahape Road to watch the witching hour while enjoying a beer and some of their very nice potatoes. Predictably there will be several people I know either there or passing by.<\/p>\n

Next, I\u2019d wander down to Gemmayze Street in St Kevin\u2019s Arcade for dinner, ordering the full jeeb, their version of a set menu. Since I\u2019m in St Kev\u2019s, I\u2019d pop down to Public Bar for a drink and hope my friends are working. There\u2019s usually a good gig on at Whammy, or if I\u2019m really lucky \u2013 this is an ideal night after all \u2013 there would be a show at Pitt Street Methodist Church.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"DownDown the stairs at Whammy Bar on K’ Road. (Photos: Sophie Miya-Smith)<\/p>\n

After that, I\u2019d hop across Pitt Street to join the stylish throng at No.7, where they\u2019ll make you a decaf coffee at any hour (or something stronger), then it\u2019s down the hill to Four Shells in Victoria Park Market for an unwind over a bowl of kava. To put a lid on it all I\u2019d grab some kai on the way home, either a shawarma \u2013 the biggest in Auckland \u2013 from Celine on Darby Street or Little Panda Takeaway on Lorne Street.<\/p>\n

But what do the Nocturnalists think? We put the question to some of our alumni (and one new Nocturnalist you\u2019ll be hearing from very shortly):<\/p>\n

\"ChrisChris Parker at Q Theatre and Den Ramen on Cross St, Auckland. (Photos: Sophie Miya-Smith)Chris Parker<\/p>\n

Comedian Chris Parker<\/a> has a few ideas. \u201cI think T\u0101maki-maxxing means doing more than one thing in a night.\u201d Parker recommends a few city combos, but says the best night out starts with the still-novel City Rail Link. \u201cI think despite Uncle Wayne\u2019s best efforts to tell us that catching the train is normal, it\u2019s not yet. So train into the Karanga-a-Hape Station.\u201d From there, he\u2019d hit up Den Ramen on Cross Street. \u201cIt\u2019s open late too, so really good if you’re hungry after 8\u2026which is late for Aucklanders.\u201d After that, jump on a train down to Waitemat\u0101 Station for some Duck Island ice cream, which is a stone’s throw from the Takutai Square-side exit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What next? \u201cYou could walk around the corner and hit up Nightcar for a cocktail, it\u2019s so chic and they\u2019ve gone so hard on the interiors that it\u2019s never not a fun night.\u201d Parker also recommends hitting up the recently revived First Thursdays on Karangahape Road before heading to Beresford Square on Pitt Street. \u201cNo.7 is the perfect casual wine bar and now the kitchen is heaving! The food is good there and it\u2019s such an easy vibe.\u201d After that, it could be time for a movie. \u201cLet\u2019s not forget Academy Cinema! And maybe noodles from Sue\u2019s Dim Sim.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TheThe wonderful Civic theatre, Auckland. (Photo: Sophie Miya-Smith)Tracy Grant Lord<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a simple formula for celebrated set and costume designer Tracy Grant Lord<\/a>. \u201cMy best and favourite nights out in the city are when attending live performance \u2013 intimate or epic, there is always something to be seen or heard inside any of the fabulous venues.\u201d She adores The Civic and Auckland Town Hall. \u201cASB Waterfront Theatre is also really fabulous.\u201d, she says.<\/p>\n

\"KemuriKemuri Hi-Fi. (Photo: Sophie Miya-Smith)Sophie Gilmour<\/p>\n

Hospitality entrepreneur Sophie Gilmour<\/a> reckons you should begin \u2013 and stay \u2013 downtown. \u201cI\u2019d probably start at Queens Rooftop for a drink because the view is just beautiful. I recently had a delicious Negroni there whilst watching the sun set and boats sail across the harbour, it was a beautiful thing!\u201d After that she recommends heading to Alma or Kingi, which are both \u201cbeautiful\u201d too. She also rates the nearby Cafe Hanoi highly. \u201cI think their food is bloody delicious and always has been.\u201d For after-dinner drinks, Caretaker is \u201ca bit of fun\u201d and so is Kemuri Hi-Fi. \u201cI really like immersive, experiential hospitality places.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more in-the-know recs, check out the full Nocturnalists series here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"No.No. 7 on Pitt St and Pici in St Kevins Arcade. (Photos: Sophie Miya-Smith)Jono Thevenard<\/p>\n

When it comes to a good night out, Pici chef and restaurateur Jono Thevenard<\/a> is a creature of habit. \u201cTo be honest, one night that seems to happen a little too often \u2013 but still, no regrets \u2013 is a Karangahape Road crawl.\u201d Often when he finishes work early he\u2019ll stay up on K\u2019 Road (where Pici is located) and visit all his favourite spots, like the \u201csocial whirlpool\u201d of The Frog bar. \u201cThere\u2019s always a great group of people sitting out front, and a chat turns into a wine, which turns into a Negroni or two,\u201d Thevenard says. \u201cThen it would be rude not to visit Christy and Nay over at Open Late for another one or two.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Then it\u2019s time for food; he likes to drop by Apero for a truffle toastie or Tempero for some p\u00e3o de queijo. \u201cAfter a light meal to line the stomach, I\u2019ll head to No. 7 for a basil and rhubarb sour and possibly a few more snacks, then probably go to Northern Line for a pint for good measure.\u201d From there he\u2019ll disappear underground to either Whammy Bar or Neck of the Woods, depending on what gig is on. \u201cI\u2019ll stay much longer than intended and eventually make it home just as the birds start chirping, still wearing my work clothes and thinking, \u2018oh well \u2013 I did it again\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PoiPoi Eruera at The Civic. (Photo: Sophie Miya-Smith)Poi Eruera\u00a0<\/p>\n

Poi Eruera<\/a>, operations manager at Odettes Eatery and Hugo\u2019s Bistro, is famous for her style and service. When it comes to a good time in Auckland, she likes to keep things simple. \u201cSushi Train.\u201d Eruera shares a few other recommendations too, like Lebanese Grocer, which she loves. \u201cWhatever the special is, the fattoush with lamb added, hummus to take home. And pickles!\u201d When catching up with girlfriends, \u201cwe love Grand Harbour\u201d, the Chinese restaurant near the waterfront. The service is great, she says. \u201cEspecially one particular woman who is in charge of drinks hustling, she is fab and has a great memory.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

She also reveals another tip: her friends have a shared eating out account that they make automatic payments into. \u201cWe never wanted to have it be money that made us say no,\u201d she explains. This method means they can eat out every four to six weeks. \u201cIt feels like a treat because no one pays but everyone pays! I highly recommend this approach.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"EmmaNoodles on Lorne St. (Photo: Sophie Miya-Smith)Jack Young<\/p>\n

Jack Young, an upcoming addition to the Nocturnalist cadre, is the owner of No.7, a cafe, bar and restaurant on Pitt Street. He\u2019s also a creature of habit. He\u2019d probably start at an art opening \u201csomewhere on K Road\u201d like Lett Thomas or Coastal Signs galleries, \u201cbefore coming back to No.7 for a few beers\u201d. From there, he\u2019d make the most of the CRL. \u201cMaybe jump on the train to Waitemat\u0101 [station] and find a random bar to post up at before heading to a house party or gig. Potentially grabbing some noodles on the way home.” The cheap and cheerful dish is a popular late-night option for many of our Nocturnalists, thanks to generous opening hours and the satiating quality of a well-made bowlful. Our group\u2019s favoured spots include Sue’s Dim Sum and Little Panda, both on Lorne Street.<\/p>\n

This content was created in paid partnership with Auckland by Night. Ready to become a Nocturnalist? Head to Discover Auckland<\/a> to find out what that the Auckland city centre has to offer after 5pm.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Nocturnalists series shines a light on Auckland after dark. Restaurateurs and chefs, comedians and creatives, performers and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":631576,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[156,111,139,69],"class_list":["post-631575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-entertainment","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/631575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=631575"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/631575\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/631576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=631575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=631575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=631575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}