Bargain bevvies, a bar snack or two and some quality yarns make for the ultimate after-work wind-down. And in this economy, happy hour's looking even more enticing than usual. We've scoured the city for the most atmospheric hangout spaces that'll give you the most bang for your buck so read on for Urban List's hot take on the best happy hours in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Somm
Daily | 4-6pm
Shed 22 Princes Wharf, Auckland CBD
You’ll be sipping pretty at Somm Sundowns on Little Creatures Catalina lager, wine, and Somm spritz that are actually cheaper than chips. That’s right, all this can be yours for seven bucks a pop. Get Somm (definitely not sorry).
Side Hustle
Daily | 4-6pm & 8.30-9.30pm
16 McDonald Street, Sandringham, Auckland CBD
Looking for a relaxed, airy spot to kick back? Shimmy on over to newest kid-on-the-Morningside-Precinct-block, Side Hustle, for $8 tap beers, ciders, and house wines; $12 margaritas; and $12 G&Ts. Living.
The Parasol & Swing Company
Daily | 3-6pm
7/204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: The Parasol & Swing Company | Facebook
Swing… by The Parasol & Swing Company for stunning Viaduct views with a booze that won’t break the bank. Think aperol spritz, Tom Collins, mojitos, coconut margs, whisky sours, and espresso martinis for just fifteen bucks a pop. If cocktails aren’t your vibe, just about any other drink can be yours for ten bucks, and you can even get your mitts on a pair of bao or tacos for a tenner, too.
Andiamo
Daily | 4-5pm
194 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, Auckland
Swish Italian eatery, Andiamo, has its own take on Happy Hour—Otto or Eight Hour. Why? You can sip on spritz (available non-alcoholic too), prosecco, pinot gris, rosé, chardonnay, pinot noir, or beer and it’ll only set you back a mere $8. Or perhaps it’s because if you flip an eight on its side you get infinity and that’s exactly how long you’ll be wanting to indulge for—to infinity, and beyond. Leshgo.
Atelier
Daily | 4-6pm (and all night Thursdays)
292 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Atelier | Facebook
For happy hour with a little je ne sais quoi head to ‘French After Work’ at Atelier. Throw down ten bucks and a stunning charcuterie and cheese situation will materialise at your table. Got a spare ten? Grab a wine or tap beer to go with it, or enjoy an actually affordable splurge in the form of a $17 cocktail.
Advieh
Monday-Friday | 3-5pm
Intercontinental Auckland, 1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
For an especially luxurious happy hour, look no further than Advieh’s Afternoon Debrief where the atmosphere is elevated but the prices are not. A wine showcase of the week will set you back just a cool $12, cocktails are $15 a pop, and beers are $9. Bookings aren’t required, simply show up and sip the dream.
You might also like:
- 50 Of The Best Bars In Auckland
- Top Places For A Drink In Ponsonby
- Slake Your Thirst At These CBD Bars
Bivacco
Monday-Friday | 4-6pm
115 Customs Street West, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Bivacco | Facebook
Another of Auckland’s best happy hours can be found beside the Viaduct Basin at Bivacco. With $15 flutes of Moët, $15 margs, $12 Peroni and complimentary bites that magically appear at your table, there’s a lot to love here. The joint’s spacious, too, making it one of the best spots to flock to with a large group.
Brew’d Hawt
Monday-Sunday | 2-6pm
151 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD & 12 Putney Way, Manukau City Centre, Auckland
Image credit: Brew'd Hawt | supplied
Coming in… hawt... on the lineup of Auckland’s best happy hours is Hawt Hour at Brew’d Hawt. When the work day’s got you craving a fix of fried chicken, this is the place to head. $8 will see you with a glass of Prosecco, wine, or beer in hand, and a crisp ten dollar note (or lithe swipe of the card—let’s be real, who carries cash these days?) will snag you a round of their highly sought after fried chicken or cauliflower bites.
The Birdcage
Tuesday-Friday | 4-6.30pm
133 Franklin Road, Freemans Bay, Auckland CBD
Tucked at the foot of Franklin Road is The Birdcage and they sure do take the cake for sheer volume of specials. Get your mitts on $9 wines and spirits, plus various beer specials, with their classic happy hour and any of the daily add-ons your heart desires. We’re talking $19.50 pizzas on Tuesdays, $1.50 chicken wings on Wednesdays, $25 burger combo on Thursdays, and $25 fish n’ chip Fridays. Not forgetting, of course, their Super Saturday deal where you can grab a large beer or cocktail for $11, or throw down nine bucks for a lil’ something they like to call Ginsanity.
Bar Céleste
Tuesday-Saturday | 5-6pm
146b Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
It’s pretty clear why French-inspired neo-bistro Bar Céleste, which has taken on a delectable alter-ego Pizzeria Celeste for the winter months, has made Auckland’s best happy hours. Head here to chow down on pesto and vodka pizza pies that’ll knock you back a mere fifteen bucks which is an absolute steal in the luxe pizza realm. Another fifteen will snag you a glass of organic wine, a beer, or a cocktail. Smitten.
Bar Non Solo
Tuesday-Saturday | 4-7pm
Level 2, Seafarers Building, 52 Tyler Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Bar Non Solo | Instagram
Bar Non Solo’s a great shout for happy hour with an aperitivo hour where they’ll throw complimentary bites and drink specials at you. Better still, when Spark Arena’s popping off, you’ll do well to pop into this Britomart gem for their sought-after pre-show spread. Think: marinated olives, whipped ricotta with truffle honey on grilled sourdough, seasonal arancini, a selection of cured meats and cheese, and pizza, for thirty bucks per person. Bookings essential.
Coco’s Cantina
Tuesday-Saturday | 4-6pm
374 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Score a happy hour feed from Coco’s Cantina for between $15-$20. From a dreamy plateful of pasta pomodoro with parmesan and pangrattato (that’s fancy speak for crispy toasted breadcrumbs)—vegan and gluten-free options available—to a margherita pizza and an ever-evolving weekly special. Got a hungry beast to tame? Opt for their double happy combo of one of the above with daily antipasti.
Norma Taps
Wednesday-Sunday | 3-6pm
90 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Norma Taps | supplied
For happy hour with a sustainable twist (and the best happy hour for sports fans) head to Norma Taps, the pop-up bar and refillery that’s swapped single-use bottles for a curated collection of 24 taps. Take your pick of any of their scrumptious pizzas for a twenty and wash it down with $10 pints, $11 spirits, $15 cocktails, and $13 wines. Sorted.
Paname Social
Wednesday-Saturday | 4.30-6.30pm
3 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD
For a happy hour amidst the sanctity of a booth bathed in ambient lighting and chill tunes, head to Paname Social. Bliss out with that summer feeling in a way only an aperol spritz can deliver ($12), or sip on wine ($10), or beer ($7) all of which would go very well with the crew’s cheeseboard, just sayin’.
ELMO’s
Thursday through Saturday | 9pm ‘til late
151 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: ELMO's | Facebook
Step through ELMO’s funky red door and indulge in Aperitivo hour where you can discover three different types of spritz for $14 each or kick back with a $10 vino or tap beer. Select your antipasti of choice to accompany, from crunchy potato skins to burrata or calimari or go all-in on the cheese and charcuterie board. Shimmy on down later on—from 9pm, to be exact—and you'll find yourself in Disco Hour, a wonderland of $14 margs and martinis with freshly spun beats to sip to.
Seoul Night
Sunday-Thursday | 5-8pm
Shop 1, 16/20 Fort Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Seoul Night | Alice Rich
Buzzy Seoul Night does some pretty showstopping cocktails at the wallet-friendly pricepoint of twelve bucks with their take on a long island iced tea going down particularly well. Plus, the menu’s stacked with anju (Korean bar food). Several plates of rice cake skewers are always a good idea.
Looking for more fun in the city? Check out:
- Tāmaki's Best Cinemas
- Where To Get An Incredible Massage In Auckland
- Places In Auckland That Are Good For The Soul
Main image credit: Coco's Cantina | Facebook
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.