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While your Spotify may be overflowing with a cracking collection of music, nothing beats the sweet, sweet sound of live music (especially after the dearth of it during the endless lockdowns).
Any given night of the week, bands take to the stage of some of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s best live music venues and bless our ears with their musical prowess.
Whether you’re looking for an intimate basement bar gig or a crowd of punters to rock out with, here’s where to find THE best live music tonight, Auckland edition.
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Jump to:
- Iconic Large Venues For Epic Nights Out
- Almost Secret
- Basement Bars And Underground Music
- Pub Venues With Live Music And Great Kai
- Cocktail Bars With A Dance Floor
- Something A Little Different
Iconic Large Venues For Epic Nights Out
Auckland Town Hall
301/317 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
The Auckland Town Hall is one of the oldest and most famous Auckland live music venues. It opened in 1911 and holds over 110 years of history within its Oamaru limestone, neo-Baroque walls. Over the years it's hosted all manner of live music from classical (it’s the home of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra) to experimental, school choir competitions and a morning rave, to musicians such as Teeks, Alt-J, Kraftwerk and even Aotearoa’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella rap funk comedy folk duo. Hit up one of Auckland's best rooftop bars, The Churchill, for a pre-show drink, or go underground for a bite of Japanese at the famed Tanuki's Cave.
The Powerstation
33 Mount Eden Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland
In an unassuming black box partway up Mount Eden Road lies The Powerstation, an absolute icon in music history. This venue has been around for 30+ years and has hosted the likes of The Ramones, The Pixies, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, Drax Project, Method Man & Redman, Paolo Nutini and Mogwai among many, many other incredible local and international artists. A gig here is sure to be mind-blowing.
The Tuning Fork
Inside Spark Arena, 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell, Auckland
Brought to us by Spark Arena, The Tuning Fork is the smaller and more intimate venue. Once a pit stop for a pre-show feeds it has now become a fully-fledged venue of its own hosting gigs, album launch parties, music-related quizzes and more. Slathered in posters of music legends and topped with fairy lights, this place has more atmosphere than you can wave a (drum)stick at. Any one of Britomart/downtown's beaut bars and eateries will do the trick for a pre-show pre-load, but if we're playing favourites—go for Cafe Hanoi, The Nightcar, or Ghost Street.
Studio, The Venue
340 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central
Having hosted big international names like Ellie Goulding, and with Toderick Hall, Crooked Colours and Lisi set to perform later this year, Studio, The Venue isn’t messing around. In fact, it’s become a highly recognised spot for live music on Karangahape Road. With multiple storeys and a luxuriously sprawling dancefloor, this venue certainly brings the party.
Galatos
17 Galatos Street, Auckland Central
Intimate and a total vibe Galatos is warm and inviting, decked out with couches and even a log fire. Don’t let this chilled out atmosphere fool you—Galatos is rich in history; it’s where Lorde had her first ever gig as a pop star and performed Royals live for the first time. Yup, this is where it all began. Check out the speakeasy-that-started-it-all here in Auckland, Sly Bar, for a cheeky pre-show tipple—or opt for fancy French bites and bevvies at the always magnifique Atelier.
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Almost Secret
Caretaker
Downstairs, 40 Customs Street, Britomart Place, Auckland Central | Sundays-Tuesdays From 9pm
Image credit: Caretaker | Instagram Pssst, secret New York-inspired cocktail bar, Caretaker, offers live jazz every Sunday (and Monday and Tuesday too) from 9pm. The perfect tonic to a wild weekend, shimmy on over to the speakeasy for a total change of pace and unwind with tastebud-tingling cocktails in an unrivalled setting.
Goblin
134 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Try your luck at finding the mysterious Goblin, a self-described "backwater tavern" and "upstairs island for those who seek it." Both phrases perfectly capture this spot's monstrously good mix of high-fidelity sound and killer cocktails, found at the top of an unassuming flight of stairs in central Ponsonby. Sip yourself happy then dance the night away amongst the neo-medieval, post-fantasty, old-world surrounds. Auckland live music venues DO NOT get cooler than this, kids. P.S. If you're looking for a feed beforehand, this list of Ponsonby's best restaurants will see you right.
Basement Bars And Underground Music
Whammy Bar / Double Whammy / Public Bar
Inside St Kevin's Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central
Image credit: Whammy Bar | Supplied
From mega party to subterranean sonic, stepping into Whammy Bar is like stepping into a dark, mystical music cave. Things tend to get a bit hot, sweaty and steamy as revellers groove, headbang and cut all the shapes. Punk rock, heavy metal and indie bands tend to dominate here, so if that’s your jam, you know where to go. More recently, Whammy has also taken over the space formerly occupied by The Wine Cellar (another of the best spots for Auckland live music) and Backroom with not one but two epic venues, Double Whammy and Public Bar.
Neck Of The Woods
155B Karangahape Road, Auckland Central
This Karangahape Road basement bar churns out live music melodies left right and centre. With a new line-up of artists every week, Neck Of The Woods has hosted the likes of Black Sun Empire, State of Mind and Electric Wire Hustle as well as a multitude of local and international artists. Head there on any night of the week and expect to dance your way into the wee hours of the a.m. Its eclectic, buzzing vibe will get you hooked.
Pub Venues With Live Music And Great Kai
The Portland Public House
463 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland
The food is outrageously good at The Portland Public House and the cocktail game is strong (in all the best ways). It also makes for an epic live music venue, churning out tunes with all the vibes and drawing sizable crowds. Did we mention there’s an illustrated garden bar you’ll want to hang out in for days? Rock up before 7pm to get in on their $6 burger deal (you’re welcome).
The Merchant Pub Co.
219 Don McKinnon Drive, Westfield Albany, Albany, Auckland | Fridays From 9pm
If your local’s a little further north The Merchant Pub Co. has you covered with five-piece band Hands Off playing live music every Friday night from 9pm onward with drinks specials to boot. Settle into the outdoor courtyard or grab a spot in the cosy bar and lounge; perfect for an after-work chill sesh.
Leigh Sawmill
142 Pakiri Road, Leigh, Auckland
For some of the best pizza around AND soem of the best live music Auckland wide, Leigh Sawmill is hard to beat (we had to). Spotlighting local talent with bands and DJs (as well as performance artists, theatre and comedy), kick back at this ex-kauri mill x restaurant hybrid for a great night of live music.
Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen
7 Sale Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland | Every Weekend
A music venue carved into a brewery, Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen goes off every weekend with some epic DJs on the decks. And on the first Thursday of every month, the supremely talented Brotherhood Musiq takes to the mic singing all your favourite throwbacks, country, hip hop and RnB tracks. Talk about starting your weekend right.
Danny Doolans
204 Quay Street West, Auckland Central | Every Night
You can’t call yourself an Aucklander until you’ve spent a night on the d-floor at the legendary Danny Doolans. This Auckland institution has live music every single night until 4am. It’s a quintessential Irish pub in the heart of the city so expect sing-alongs, classic tunes and plenty of craic. Cheers to that.
Cocktail Bars With A Dance Floor
Cassette Nine
9 Vulcan Lane, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Cassette Nine | Supplied
One of the best live music venues Auckland has to offer is Cassette Nine, a whimsical world that can be a total tonic to your day-to-day. Decked out with disco balls and channelling some mint treehouse vibes, the live music here is always on point, from old school throwbacks to the freshest tracks. As a complete but much-appreciated bonus, you can live your Wonderland fantasy sipping on one (or five) teapot cocktails while sound-bathing. Rad.
The Lula Inn
149 Quay Street, Auckland Central | Thursdays From 8pm, Fridays & Saturdays From 10pm
You don’t need to be sipping on a cheeky tipple to revel in the live music at The Lula Inn, but they sure know how to craft a cocktail so there won’t be any regrets if you do. Jam to all your favourites with Jukebox LIVE every Thursday, treat your ears to Mischief on Friday nights or dip into the high energy modern swing vibes of Big Ticket or the retro disco-funk rock feels of Coco-Rocky on Saturdays. Whatever your style, Live at Lula’s will have you shaking your tail feather. Peep our list of the Viaduct's best restaurants and bars if you wanna treat yourself to some more eating 'n drinking while you're there.
Ponsonby Social Club
152 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
If your ideal Saturday is made up of booty-shaking tunes, espresso martinis and Brazilian beats (among other world and local vibes) then Ponsonby Social Club might just be a bit of you. Whether it’s a live DJ or a band, PSC is a cocktail bar that’s in love with vinyl, live music and electronica. Get ready to dance like there’s no tomorrow.
Something A Little Different
The Bunker
Mount Victoria, Devonport, Auckland | Typically Mondays & Sundays From 8pm
A good music gig is worth a climb, which is lucky because The Bunker is perched on the side of Takarunga/Mount Victoria in an actual historic bunker and will require some scrambling (or a secret code to lift the barrier arm). A must-visit for fans of folk. Delightfully, many of the gigs are free while others will set you back a mere $8-$20. Kick back and soak up the vibes in this unusual but exceptionally cool venue complete with free tea, coffee and (most importantly) milo. Head in earlier and grab a bite to eat from one of our Devo restaurant recs, right here.
Ding Dong Lounge
26 Wyndham Street, Auckland CBD
Born on the streets of the upper west side of Manhattan in New York City back in 2001, Ding Dong Lounge popped up in Tāmaki Makaurau twelve years later. Ever since the dive bar X music venue has been serving the best of punk rock and we’re here for it. Rock DJs keep the downstairs simmering all night long while live music is upstairs in Dead Witch Wednesdays through Saturdays.
Anthology K Rd
375 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central | Wednesdays From 7:30pm
Another of the best Auckland live music spots is Anthology K Road, which you'll find down a flight of vintage stairs beside popular Italian restaurant, Cotto, on Karangahape Road. Adorned with plenty of art and photographs of rock legends the music lounge and wine bar does live music well. Designed as a social space, it’s a great multi-purpose venue for gigs of all sizes, from big names to album launches to parties. Head down on Wednesday nights from 7:30pm for live jazz by Creative Jazz Club Aotearoa (CJC).
Want more late-night goodness? Check out:
- The Best Late-Night Eats In Auckland, According To 10 Top Bartenders.
- What To Do In Tāmaki After Dark
- Auckland's Sweetest Late-Night Desserts
Main image credit: Supplied
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