Bargain bevvies, a bar snack or two and some quality yarns make for the ultimate after-work wind-down. That’s right, we are talking about everyone’s favourite hour of the day: happy hour.
To help you make the most of this special time—also known as the golden hour—here are Urban List's picks on where to find the best happy hours in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Tempero
352 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Make for Tempero between 4 and 5.30pm Tuesday through Friday for a lovely snack-and-beverage situation. For just twenty bucks you can score a beer, wine or non-alcoholic drink along with naturally gluten-free pão de quejio cheese bread, potato and mortadella croquettes, pickled mussels, guac and totopos (similar to corn tortillas), cassava chips with chipotle, Brazilian baked beans with pork crackling or pork crackling solo. Yew.
Side Hustle
16 McDonald Street, Sandringham, Auckland
Looking for a relaxed, airy spot to kick back? Shimmy on over to newest kid-on-the-Morningside-Precinct-block, Side Hustle, for $8 beer and ciders and $12 strawberry margs. Living.
Andiamo
194 Jervois Road, Herne Bay
Swish Italian eatery, Andiamo, has its own take on Happy Hour—Otto or Eight Hour. Why? From 4-5pm daily 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.
The Broken Lantern
198 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: The Broken Lantern / Instagram
The highly lush libations from The Broken Lantern’s Happy Hour will set you back between $18 and $21 and you won’t even bat an eyelid. With marvellous names like Venetian Velvet, Yarra Stoner and Go Shawty (pictured), you’ll want to sip them all, and you absolutely can because they offer not one but two happy hours daily, from 3-5pm and then from 11pm-1am. Nice.
The Pantry
Park Hyatt Auckland, 99 Halsey Street, Auckland
Tucked away within The Park Hyatt, The Pantry sure knows how to swing a legit Happy Hour. Get your mitts on a glass of wine for $12 or a litre of tap beer for $15 4-6pm Wednesday to Sunday.
Candela
155 Karangahape Road, Auckland
Image credit: Candela / Supplied
Tapas are the perfect complement to Happy Hour and at Candela, they’re just the beginning. Along with $7 tapas you can feast on $2 Te Matuku or Tacoma oysters and wash it all down with $10 Estrella and wines and $15 vermouth highballs. On offer Thursday through Saturday, 5-6pm.
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The Parasol & Swing Company
7/204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
Swing… by The Parasol & Swing Company for $15 cocktails with stunning Viaduct Views. Happy Hour runs from 3 ‘til 5pm daily. Yaaas.
Somm
Shed 22 Princes Wharf, Auckland CBD
$7 tipples await you at Somm Sundowns. Yes siree, from 3-5pm you can sip pretty on an array of beer, wine and spritz that are actually cheaper than chips. Better still, snag two of their delectable pizzas for the price of one on Sundays. Get somm.
Pastel
155 Ponsonby Road, Auckland
Pastel is a delightful watering hole any hour of the day or night but it’s especially a vibe from 4pm ‘til late, Wednesday through Sunday, when they serve $15 margs, negronis, daiquiris, and Aperol spritzes. Love that for us.
Bar Céleste
146b Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Bar Céleste | A. McVinnie
You’ll want in on French-inspired neo-bistro Bar Céleste’s Oyster & Cheeseburger Happy Hour. From 5-6pm Wednesday through Saturday, you can snag a ‘burg for $15, oysters for $3.50 and wash it all down with a tantalising array of house drink specials.
Brew’d Hawt
151 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD & 12 Putney Way, Manukau City Centre, Auckland
Coming in… hawt... on the title of best happy hours in Auckland is Brew’d Hawt’s Hawt Hour. Every day from 2-5pm at both Victoria Street and Manukau you can eat your way through $10 wings and Brew’d bites, topping it all off with $8 bubbles and $8 beer.
But wait, there’s more–get in on their Sunday Seshhh for a $25 fried chicken and waffle special which comes with a glass of bubbles or beer.
Atelier
292 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
For Happy Hour with a little je ne sais quoi head to ‘French After Work’ at Atelier from 4-6pm weekdays. Just ten bucks will summon a charcuterie and cheese special to your table, along with wine and tap beers for another ten a pop, and cocktails for $17.
ELMO’s
151 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: ELMO's / supplied
Step through ELMO’s funky red door between 4.30pm and 6pm daily (and all day Sunday, just sayin’) to indulge in an epic Italian Happy Hour. We’re talking Aperol, limoncello and ‘Italicus’ spritz varieties for just $14, wine and tap beer specials, plus tasty antipasti and a cheese and charcuterie board.
The Portland Public House
463 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland
The beating heart of Kingsland, Portland Public House offers $8 burgers with any drink purchase from 4-7pm every night. Choose from Moroccan or karaage chicken, falafel, fish or pulled pork. Add a round of skinny fries for $4.50 extra and you’re set for the night.
Coco’s Cantina
374 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Serving dreamy $15 pasta dishes (with vegan and gluten-free versions on offer too), Happy Hour at Coco’s Cantina is hard to beat. Running from 4 ‘til 6pm you can sip on $8 prosecco, Sawmill Pilsner, house vino or pink grapefruit spritz.
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: Bar Céleste | A. McVinnie
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