With the sun shining brightly and the hum of sunny optimism that the promise of summer brings in the air, there’s never been a better time to indulge in Friday drinks with your colleagues. And when it comes to choosing the perfect spot, these are the establishments we’d never look past — from rooftop bars to quaint neighbourhood locales and everything in between, here, we round up the best of the best. Salute!
Alma
Location: Britomart
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Although one of our favourite inner-city haunts for a delicious dinner, Alma is also the perfect place for an after-work drink, too. This Britomart spot offers a burgeoning wine list and reliable cocktails (including a 0% alcohol list for sober friends), and a number of spots that are the ideal possie to watch the world go by.
Andiamo
Location: Herne Bay
Otto hour is a must at Andiamo — you’d be hard-pressed to find a better way to spend a Friday afternoon. Between 4-5pm daily, revellers can enjoy an elevated selection of drinks priced at a modest $8 (Otto means eight in Italian). We encourage you to perch at one of Andiamo’s highly sought-after outdoor tables surrounding the Jervois Road post and live la dolce vita.
Annabel’s Wine Bar
Location: Ponsonby
Those lucky enough to nab a seat at this Ponsonby Road wine bar have something to celebrate. With a menu that focuses mostly on wine, and just enough on the ever-changing aperitivo menu to accompany it, here you’ll find the ideal place to mark the end of the week (while escaping the inner city crowds).
Bar Magda
Location: Newton
It’s no secret that Bar Magda is a favourite amongst Team Denizen, and a more than perfect spot for after-work drinks. With an extensive, ever-changing wine list and some of the very best cocktails in town, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spot to celebrate the week that was. We’ll see you there.
Bar Martin
Location: Mount Albert
For those who work in the Inner West, Bar Martin has you covered. A perpetually popular, bustling neighbourhood bar with a larger-than-life wine menu, and a few favourite beers, this humble spot has put Mount Albert on the map.
Beau
Location: Ponsonby
Ponsonby’s Beau is always busy after the work day ends. Part-restaurant and part-wine bar, the courtyard makes a gorgeous place to send off the week. With an extensive wine menu and utterly delicious food to match, it’s just another of the inner-city’s great offerings when it comes to after-work drinks.
Bivacco
Location: Auckland CBD
The perfect setting for summer satiation, with tasty food, seasonal drinks, and often a DJ spinning lively tunes, Bivacco is the perfect post-work locale. Here, as the sun goes down, the volume goes up.
Candela
Location: K’Rd
K’ Road’s Candela brings a taste of Spain and Latin America to the vibrant strip, perfect for after-work drinks. With chef-owner Matt Ross crafting refined Latin-fusion small plates and a cosy, inviting space, Candela channels the lively spirit of a Spanish tascas, with epic cocktails, wine, and a playlist to match the night’s energy.
Captain’s Bar
Location: Auckland CBD
A crown jewel on Auckland’s waterfront is Park Hyatt’s Captain’s Bar. Offering a number of fine rums, and extensive cocktails to be enjoyed on the terrace with views to rival the City’s best, this is an under-the-radar spot for an end-of-week wind-down.
Darling on Drake
Location: Auckland CBD
Boasting a sprawling, sun-soaked terrace (the largest in Central Auckland), rotating DJs, a stunning fit-out, and a meticulously crafted food and drink menu (no wonder too, with hospitality maestro Fraser Kirby at the helm) — with a brand new menu for the summer season, Darling on Drake is the hottest new opening in Auckland and is the perfect place to be for some post-work sundowners.
Esther Courtyard
Location: Viaduct Harbour
Esther Courtyard at QT Auckland is the city’s newest locale perfectly befitted to after work drinks. With Mediterranean-inspired bites, wood-fired pizzettas, and refreshing cocktails, it’s a slice of European seaside charm right on the harbour. Relax under striped umbrellas and soak in the sun with friends, savouring the vibrant flavours and laid-back atmosphere that make summer evenings unforgettable.
Hotel Ponsonby
Location: Ponsonby
For those who work near Three Lamps, one of the City’s favourite after-work drinks spots is right on your doorstep. We’re talking about Hotel Ponsonby of course. When that post-work sunset hits the courtyard on a Friday afternoon, there’s nothing better than having a Coconut Margarita in one hand and a bowl of crisp fries in the other… this is work drinks done right.
Inca
Location: Ponsonby
When the weather heats up, there’s only one thing for it come Friday afternoon… a frozen margarita, of course. Luckily for us, at Inca, the frozen margs are a modest $10 all day, every day — and they also happen to be among some of the best in town.
Kemuri Hi-Fi
Location: Commercial Bay
In a subterranean spot beneath Commercial Bay sits Kemuri Hi-Fi, a bespoke basement lounge bringing the essence of Tokyo’s jazz kissas to the heart of the city. Here, you’ll find an intimate, vibrant hub where high-quality drinks and curated music take centre stage (with a few Japanese bites thrown in for good measure) — a perfect spot to shake off the working day. The focus is on whisky, with an unmatched selection on offer, but the cocktails are world-class, and the champagne list is one of the best in the city.
Little Culprit
Location: Auckland CBD
Fondly dubbed ‘Culprit’s mischievous younger brother’, this locale offers a hole-in-the-wall take on drinks. Yet the scale is what makes the venue so palpable (alongside the famed cocktails), and the location is truly the cherry on top.
Nami Record Bar
Location: Ponsonby
Located in the iconic space which once housed conch, Nami Record Bar blends 80s nostalgia with modern flair, bringing a soulful energy to Ponsonby Road. From vibrant cocktails and organic wines to Korean-inspired bites, this laid-back yet lively spot serves up good vibes alongside a curated selection of tunes. Come sundown, DJs spin records, setting the stage for an evening of laid-back revelry beneath the disco ball.
Non Solo Pizza & Bar Non Solo
Location: Parnell & Britomart
NSP’s aperitivo hour has us regularly spending late afternoons in its famed courtyard, enjoying a delicious drink and a selection of complimentary finger foods to tease our appetites. For those a little closer to town, Bar Non Solo is an extension of NSP’s offering, a Britomart mainstay that puts a sophisticated spin on after-work drinks. Here again you’ll be able to make the most of the legendary aperitivo hour, enjoyed with live DJs in a lively inner-city spot.
Norma Taps
Location: Auckland CBD
If you’re looking to change up your after-work drinks and try something new, look no further than Luke Jones and Dave Lincoln of Honest Rum’s collaboration with Dan Pinto of Passa Passa — Norma Taps. Here, you’ll find mouthwatering bites, satiating seasonal drinks (all served on tap), live music and more, in a relaxed but sophisticated and very welcoming space.
Origine
Location: Commercial Bay
Commercial Bay’s magnifique French destination Origine serves consistently delicious French fare with spectacular views to match, but it’s perhaps a lesser-known fact that they also have one of the best drinks lists in town. The eatery’s master mixologists have crafted an exceptional cocktail menu that sits alongside the most impressive French wine selection in the city. Round up your colleagues, select your satiation, and soak up the stunning vista. Santé!
Ortolana
Location: Britomart
Open from early morning until late into the night, this intimate, cosy spot is suitable for any situation — after-work drinks included. Sitting pretty in the heart of Britomart, you’ll do well to nab one of the outside tables and take in the bustling energy of the square, drink in hand. And if you’re setting up for a night on the town, be sure to order their take on an espresso martini with licor 43, reposado tequila, spiced syrup, it’s sublime.
Palmer Bar
Location: Auckland CBD
Whether you’re seeking a cosy, after-work drink or a convivial catch up with friends, Palmer’s inviting interior gives way to a sweeping terrace that provides the perfect al fresco spot to revel in a beautiful afternoon. And even as the sun goes down, a roaring fire takes centre-stage outdoors, offering night-long warmth for those who choose to indulge in another round.
Rooftop at QT
Location: Viaduct Harbour
The only thing better than a rooftop bar is a rooftop bar as the sun goes down. Here, on the edge of Viaduct Harbour, Rooftop at QT is simply the most beautiful place for after-work drinks. Open seven days a week, it’s conveniently close enough to the office to warrant dropping in, but far enough away to feel like the ideal space to wind down.
Saint Alice
Location: Viaduct Harbour
Adored by many for its live music offerings, this Viaduct Harbour mainstay is the perfect blend of sea views, beer, wine & cocktails, live entertainment and a mouthwatering locally inspired menu — everything we crave when it comes to the end of the day.
SkyBar
Location: SkyCity
Set on the 50th floor of Auckland’s most iconic landmark, SkyBar takes after-work drinks to a whole new level. A luxurious hideaway promising an exceptional culinary offering, inventive cocktails and a multi-sensory experience.
Somm
Location: Princes Wharf
For those seeking an afternoon escape, paradise is found at Somm this summer, with a delicious happy hour running from 4-6pm daily. Know off work a little early to sip, savour and soak in the sunshine with a number of $8 drinks to choose from, as well as $11 cocktails. A considered selection of local wines is available, spanning all of the usual varietals (they are the experts, after all), alongside ice-cold Little Creatures larger, and the infamous Somm Spritz.
Soul Bar & Bistro
Location: Viaduct Harbour
Viaduct Harbour stalwart, Soul, is perfect for a convivial drink with colleagues and friends alike. After all, its waterfront location offers incomparable views which, when paired with the atmosphere of a busy venue, makes for the beginnings of a very fun night.
Sunset Bar
Location: Auckland CBD
Perfectly positioned to celebrate the spectacular beauty of Auckland’s landscape from above, Sunset is a place to which city-dwellers can escape after a long day in the office for a relaxing beverage or two. Here, satiating drinks and tasty food collide in a sumptuous setting — all the makings of a perfect sundowner spot.
Tappo
Location: K’Rd
Set in an atmospheric spot within St. Kevin’s Arcade on K’Rd, Tappo is a laid-back wine bar with an exceptional menu of snacks and an even better drinks list. Here, the focus is on showcasing wines from small, biodynamic, and organic producers from around New Zealand and Italy, and the always knowledgeable staff are on hand to recommend something perfect for every taste, proclivity, and mood.
The Brit
Location: Britomart
The Britomart precinct has a new lease on life with the return of people to the city post-holidays, and The Brit Pub & Eatery is a fitting place to unwind over an after-work beer (or whatever you fancy, the bar staff aren’t fussy). The cocktail jugs are perfect for sharing, and it’s a nice place to watch the day turn into night.
The Lodge Bar & Dining
Location: Commercial Bay
Housed in the most convenient of locations, this Commercial Bay outpost draws us in for after-work drinks thanks to its cosy atmosphere, satiating drinks and delicious menu by renowned Chef Matt Lambert.
The Nightcar
Location: Auckland CBD
Set in an atmospheric, underground spot on Queen Street, The Nightcar evokes after-dark sophistication with a film noir edge — with an impeccably crafted drinks list and late-night contemporary Chinese bites plus a number of tasty desserts. Open until 3am, this subterranean sanctuary is an ideal spot to make a night of it.
Twofold
Location: Parnell
Twofold in Parnell brings a fresh twist to the classic pub experience, blending retro Americana charm with a curated drink selection, including tap beers, wines, and inventive cocktails. With an approachable menu of bright bites, hearty plates, and elevated bar snacks, this light-filled spot is perfect for gathering with friends, indulging in great flavours, and unwinding in a lively yet laid-back setting.
Tyler St Sport
Location: Britomart
Tyler St Sport brings a fresh vibe to Britomart, combining elevated pub fare with the buzz of live sports. With inventive share plates, tap beers, and a cocktail list that shines, this is a spot where fans and foodies alike can gather in style. Heritage brick, open ceilings, and an inviting atmosphere make it a go-to for game day or any day.
Queens Rooftop
Location: Commercial Bay
Recently opening on a rooftop within the Commercial Bay precinct, Queens Rooftop boats 270-degree views of the Waitematā Harbour, delicious food, and one of the best drinks lists in town. Open from 11am ’til late seven days a week, here, you can grab lunch, a post-work bite and glass of wine, or a late night (or two) — taking in the incredible views from the comfort of the well-heated and always-lively rooftop terrace.
