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 from $8. 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 $29 and a stunning charcuterie platter will materialise at your table. Got a spare $9? Grab a wine or tap beer to go with it, or enjoy an actually affordable splurge in the form of a $15 espresso martini or marg, or $12 cheese. Better still, Thursday nights is D8 Night on Karangahape Road and at Atelier that means $8 prosecco all night long on top of all of the above.
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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.
Oyster and Chop
Daily | 3-5pm
95-97 Customs Street West Market Sqaure Auckland Central 1010 Viaduct Harbour, Auckland CBD
Not strictly booze, but a happy hour nonetheless— slide into Auckland’s finest shuckin’ hour with $2 rock oysters, harbour views, and sunshine on tap. The crew at the Oyster Bar & Terrace are serving up freshly shucked chef’s picks for just a gold coin apiece—yep, two bucks a pop and a range of happy hour cocktails to pair. You’ll want to grab at least six.
This breezy Viaduct hotspot is strictly walk-in only for Happy Hour, so get in early, stake your claim, and bring your oyster-loving mates.
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 | 4-7pm
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.
Bellini Bar
Daily | 4–6pm
Hilton Auckland, 147 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
Perched right on the water’s edge, Bellini Bar brings a splash of luxe to your after-work unwind with their Sip Society sessions. From 4–6pm daily, you’ll be treated to handcrafted cocktails and bite-sized delights that look just as good as they taste.
Whether you're vibing solo, catching up with the crew, or setting the mood for a date night done right, this is the spot to soak up harbourside views with a martini in hand. A little fancy, a lot of fun—cheers to your new happy hour go-to.
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.
Hazy Tiger
Daily | From 4pm
22 Durham Street West, Auckland CBD
Hazy Tiger is turning up the flavour and turning down the prices from 4pm with $9 drinks to ease you into the evening. Whether you’re in the mood for a Seoul Spritz, a punchy Spicy Marg, or a tropical Mai Tai, there’s something here to get the night flowing. Wines and tap beers are on the menu too—because choice is key.
Feeling peckish? Nab the legendary Oil Tteokbokki (VG) for just $11—soft, chewy rice cakes slathered in that fiery, addictive sauce. Come for the drinks, stay for the vibes (and the tteokbokki).
Norma Taps
Wednesday-Sunday | 3-6pm
90 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Norma Taps | supplied
Norma Taps is levelling up the happy hour game with $16 cocktail specials all day, every day—yes, you read that right. Each day brings a fresh fave to the menu: Tuesdays are for rosebuds, Wednesdays pour a perfect paloma, Thursdays bring the heat with Tommy’s and spicy margs, Fridays get buzzy with espresso martinis, and Saturdays are a spritzy dream with an aperol and soju blend. Umm… yum.
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’.
Gilt
Mondays | All Day
2 Chancery Chambers, Auckland CBD
Trust Gilt to turn Mondays into a main event. Nestled in the grand old legal and regal chancery chambers, this luxe French-inspired brasserie is serving up $15 martinis from 11.30am ‘til late. Vesper, French, Dirty—pick your poison and sip like you’ve just won a case.
Whether you're sneaking in a cheeky midday martini or raising a glass post-verdict (aka work), Gilt’s got your Monday sorted. No reservations needed at the bar—just waltz in and take your seat at the most stylish courtroom in town.
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.
Portland Public House
Daily | 4-6pm
463 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland 1021
Who says pub culture isn’t a thing in NZ? Portland Public House is proving them wrong with an epic happy hour that’ll have you sipping on beers and spritzes in the heart of Kingsland. For just $9.5, you can grab a Golden Lager pint or a glass of Festival Block Sauvignon Blanc—your choice! And if you’re feeling a little extra, treat yourself to a Pimm’s Spritz for just $13. So, go on, grab yourself a pint and get sippin’ in the outdoor courtyard.
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
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