Hear ye, hear ye: it be Beer Week this week and I, for one, cannot wait.

Bingos & Brews. Chops & Hops. Pizza & Pies. How good does it all sound? But of course, we've got a lotta other cool and fun stuff to do and see away from the bars and beers, like plays, poetry, photography and even a pinch of jazz.

And if you're flat out this working week, then check out what’s on this weekend with my expertly selected smorgasbord of good sh*t to do.

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Jump to: 

• Don't Miss
• Free And Budget-Friendly Events
• Food And Drink Events
• Arts And Culture 
• Rainy Day Activities 
• Uniquely Auckland Experiences
• Coming Soon

Don’t Miss

Chatty Chums Reality TV Party

6 August | Citizen Park | Free Entry

Image credit: Chatty Chums

After work drinks can go one of three ways:

1. Dull affairs that could've stayed in the work chat and will never be repeated, for good reason.

2. Insane affairs that result in the boss hooking up with the intern, the intern losing their job, and you losing your mind having to witness it all.

3. Sophisticated additions to your social calendar, where dressing as your most favourite and iconic Reality TV star might earn you a few juicy prizes, plus every attendee gets a Sephora goodie bag of their own... I think I'll be attending option #3, thank you very much, Chatty Chums.

Free & Budget-Friendly Events

Schapiro’s Sports Bar's 'Believe It Or Not' Quiz Nights

Tuesdays | Schapiro’s Sports Bar | Free Entry

Image credit: Schapiro's | Facebook

Following our recent theme of featuring a school night quiz every week, we've got American-style Schapiro’s Sports Bar and their Tuesday evening ‘Believe It Or Not’ pub quiz. Get a motley crew together, swing by for a 6.30pm start and battle it out for a bunch of hefty bar tabs over smash-style cheeseburgers, fried chicken wings, Dr Pepper and iceberg wedges drenched in green goddess dressing, you know, for balance. Oh, and if you want to check out all our other top mid-week quiz night recs, then follow me here.

Norma Taps Bingo Night

Every First Wednesday Of The Month | Norma Taps | $

Image credit: Norma Taps | Instagram 

If you haven't noticed by now, old things are in. Clothes, cars, music, cameras, even phones. There seems to be a bit of rejection of the here and now and a yearning for the golden, good 'ol days. That's why Norma Taps' Bingo Nights every first Wednesday of the month are simply the place to be. Cash prizes, spot prizes, drinks specials and a mini raffle. 6.30pm sharp and $6 entry. See ya there.

Food And Drink Events

Bingo & Brews Bash: A Matched Mix-Up

5 August | Churly's Rise | $$

Okay, so I know we already have a bingo night this week. But I'm sure you'd love to add another—particularly when it entails cocktails paired with beers and a healthy serving of competitive spirit, and hosted at a place like Churly's Rise (make sure you check out the other Street Feast spots to ply your stomach beforehand).

Pints & Pies

6 August | Turtle Pizza & Pints | $$

Image credit: Turtle Pizza & Pints | Instagram

The next up in our series of double-banging booze-fueled events is something that just sounds right: Pints & Pies (and by pies, I mean the mama mia when the moon hits your eye kinda pies). Turtle Pizza & Pints are most-certainly living up to their name this week with a self-guided beer tasting session matched with all-you-can-eat pizza hot from the oven. 'Nuff said, really.

Hops & Chops: A Butchery Themed Dinner

7 August | Churly's Brew Pub | $$

And the very last of our double-bangers is a goodie: learn the art of butchering a pig while deep diving into the art of brewing a beer. Hannah Miller Childs (A Lady Butcher) and Andrew Childs (Behemoth Brewing) are set to guide you through a progressive dining experience—the former covering the nose-to-tail ethos, the latter pairing a beer to each succulent course. Next week: learn how to play the electric guitar while riding a rollercoaster, plus a progressive dining experience of having your cake and eating it too.

Soo Studio x Paname Social: Winter Sparkle Workshop

9 August | Paname Social | $$$

Image credit: Soo Studio x Paname Social | Instagram

Fancy this: a dreamy afternoon of jewellery making, sips, snaps and cozy vibes. Where? Paname Social. Who? Soo Studio. How? Well, spots are limited, so DM quick smart.

Auckland Restaurant Month

August | Various Locations | $$-$$$

In case you hadn't already heard, August is Restaurant Month here in Auckland. In foodie speak, that means a whole lot of exclusive events to sink your teeth into along with menus at three price points ($30, $45, or $55+), each designed to deliver serious bang for your buck. As usual, eateries around the city are pulling out all the stops, with some of my fave offerings including a noodle crawl (why hasn't anyone thought of this sooner?), a 1920's speakeasy-style takeover of La Zeppa, and a collab between SOUL and Aussie Restaurant Bar of the Year 2024, Icebergs. — Kathryn Steane

Arts And Culture

Chicago The Musical

‘Til 9 August | Bruce Mason Centre | $$-$$$

Image credit: Chicago the Musical/AucklandLive I website

A scintillating tale of fame, fortune and jazz-age glamour—the award-winning, globally adored Chicago the Musical is showing 'til the end of the week. Directed by Kiwi creative institution Michael Hurst, this brand-new production boasts a professional cast of international and New Zealand singers whom you can enjoy from the cushy seats of Bruce Mason Centre, along with all the razzle-dazzle you could ever wish for.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

'Til 9 Aug | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$

Image credit: Andi Crown

Shakespeare’s timeless tale of love and tragedy gets a bold, 1960s makeover in this atomic production of Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Benjamin Kilby-Henson, Theo Dāvid and Phoebe McKellar shine as star-crossed lovers in a world of Missoni prints and Pucci glamour. A fresh, stylish take on a classic that’s as relevant today as it was back when they were all into their frilly clothes and the word ‘doth.

By The Fire

All August | Viaduct Harbour | $-$$$

Image Credit: Hello Beasty | Supplied

Winter is seriously bringing the vibes to Viaduct Harbour this August with By the Fire—a glowing celebration of all things warm, toasty, and delicious. Think glowing light installations, fire-grilled eats, spiced cocktails, and soul-soothing wellness moments, all set against Auckland’s dreamy waterfront.

Expect fiery art from light maestro Angus Muir (yes, including a giant sculptural bonfire), free outdoor wellness sessions like dynamic yoga and HIIT Pilates with SALA every Saturday morning, and flame-grilled skewers served street-side by Hello Beasty. Meanwhile, Viaduct Harbour's restaurants like Esther, Frida Cocina, Grape & Olive, Bivacco and more are dishing up limited-edition fire-licked menus and cocktails with a kick.

Need a proper winter wind-down? Hit Sofitel for a hot stone massage or level up your staycay with QT’s wintery Nama-stay package. More details here.

World Press Photo Exhibition

'Til 24 August | 131 Queen Street (New Venue Due To Smith & Caughey's Closure) | $/$$

Image credit: Tomek Dersu Aaron

New venue, same dates, same jaw-dropping imagery. The prestigious World Press Photo Exhibition has returned to Queen Street this week, showcasing photojournalism from 42 international photographers. Featured stories include conflict, climate, and community, and proceeds support Rotary youth charities and the PHAB disability charity. Tickets are available online via Eventfinda or at the door. And take it from me: it's well worth the price of admission, and then some.

Live Music & Gigs

Chihiro Yamazaki + ROUTE14—Jazz Direct From Tokyo

7 August | Freida Margolis | $

Image credit: ROUTE14 | Instagram

Monday is pain. Tuesdays are a bit of a nothing night. Wednesday is the hump. Thursday is the night before Friday, and the night before Friday, it now seems, is for Japanese Jazz. All the way from Tokyo, Chihiro Yamazaki's ROUTE14 instrumental collective are dropping by Freida Margolis this week with their transcendent sounds. Door sales and good vibes only.

Spoken Word Round Table 2

7 August | Goblin Bar | $

Going to a gig doesn't always have to mean getting your eardrums obliterated and your shirt stained with Jäger. Sometimes it can mean a selection of our city's finest spoken word poets, at one of Ponsonby's trendiest venues. Featuring heavy-hitters Dominic Hoey. Liam Jacobson and Jenny Rockwell—this is Spoken Word Round Table 2.

Rainy Day Activities

Enamoured Books x Turua Gallery: Between the Lines

8-18 August & 14 August | Enamoured Books | $-$$$

Image credit: Enamoured Books | Instagram 

Enamoured Books are seriously killing the events game this year, and the next couple of weeks are no different, with a double-header of events embracing the nude form. First up is a collection of ink figurative works from Dominique Marriot, opening this Friday and showing 'til 18 August, with works also for sale on Turua Gallery's website. Next is a life drawing class with Dominique on 14 August, with limited spaces available and all materials provided.

Disney On Ice Presents Find Your Hero

7-10 August | Spark Arena | $$-$$$

Image credit: Disney On Ice | supplied

The F word is sacrosanct to anyone who has the pleasure of rearing a few rugrats in today's world. Yep *whispers out of earshot*, Frozen. The much-adored wintery princess—plus a host of other Disney heroes, for that matter—are coming to Spark Arena this week as Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Mirabel, Moana, Aerial,  Rapunzel, Belle.... I can already hear the tiny cries of joy. 

Coming Soon 

Live Comedy at Saint Alice

13 August | St Alice | $

Image credit: Saint Alice | Instagram

Saint Alice on a Wednesday? Live comedy at Saint Alice? Live Comedy at Saint Alice on a Wednesday? When did school nights get so damn good? I'll tell ya when: next week.

MARY: The Birth of Frankenstein

19 August-7 September | ASB Waterfront Theatre | $$

Step into the dark, drug-fueled world of MARY: The Birth of Frankenstein, a gripping reimagining of the night Mary Shelley penned her iconic novel. Unsettling, lust-drenched, and utterly captivating.

New Zealand Fashion Week 2025

25-30 August | Shed10 | Various Events & Pricing

Image credit: Mara Sommer | supplied

The week of all weeks will soon be upon us, and if you keep on the beat with our Weekendly Drop (and frankly, why wouldn’t you?), then you’d remember I fancy myself as a bit of a young Tom Ford. That’s why I’m fizzing over New Zealand Fashion Week announcing their first wave of designer shows, featuring established names like Karen Walker, Zambesi, and Juliette Hogan alongside emerging talent and a very special Breast Cancer Cure Designer Showcase.

Ethel & Bethel’s Comedy Bingo Night—Fundraiser For The Kidney Society

12 September | Freemans Bay Community Hall | $$

Image credit: Ethel And Bethel | Instagram

Something about 'R18 Bingo Night' just gets me hyped. Maybe it's my competitive side, or maybe I just love taking seemingly innocuous events to the extreme—like that one mishap I had with Pin the Tail at my nephew's fifth birthday. Anyway... Ethel & Bethel's Comedy Bingo Night in September has me genuinely intrigued. It's a night with a mission—raising $30,000 to support people with kidney disease, with every ticket making a real difference. Beyond their sharp wit and chaotic energy, prizes, drinks, snacks, and a fair bit of community-inspired chaos await. No door sales, so grab your tickets now.

Winetopia Tickets

Event 3-4 October, Tickets On Sale Now | Viaduct Events Centre | $$

Top-shelf wines without the pomp and elitism? I'm sick to death of bending down to the bottom shelves of the supermarket wine section for $11 worth of cat p*ss. It hurts my back, my taste buds and my pride. That's why I'm very much fizzed for this year's Winetopia, celebrating a decade of doing exactly what the first sentence says. It ain't 'til October, but securing tickets for the big ten-oh is essential.

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

30 Oct-2 November | Spark Arena | $$$

Image credit: Cirque du Soleil | Maja Prgomet

Cirque du Soleil is returning to Aotearoa this October, with the Auckland debut of Corteo. Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo is a festive parade imagined from a clown’s perspective, set on a double-sided stage. Expect grace, power, and comedy played out in a liminal space between heaven and earth. Tickets are live.

TIRI: TE ARAROA WOMAN FAR WALKING

4-23 Nov | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$

Closing out the 2025 season is TIRI: TE ARAROA WOMAN FAR WALKING, a groundbreaking adaptation of Witi Ihimaera’s epic tale. For the very first time, the play will be performed in both English and te reo Māori. Directed by Katie Wolfe and starring Miriama McDowell, this two-part production follows Tiri Mahana, a 185-year-old matriarch, from the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to modern-day Aotearoa.

Not in Auckland? Check out what's on in Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown this year.

Main image credit: ROUTE14 | Instagram.

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