There ain’t no summer like a Kiwi summer. And finally, after a seriously chilly winter, the temp is starting to climb and drinks in the sun are suddenly at the top of all our to-do lists.
Although you’ll be busy knocking off our 50 Things To Do In Auckland This Summer list, make sure you stop and hydrate at one of Auckland’s best rooftop bars, beer gardens or sun-soaked watering holes.
We’ve rounded up the best bars in Auckland for quenching your thirst this summer.
Brothers Juke Joint BBQ
Mt Eden
Quickly becoming our go-to spot for beers in the sun, Brothers Juke Joint BBQ should be on your summer drinking hit list. With a laid back vibe, this Mt Eden American restaurant/beer garden is where you want to be when the sun’s out and the onsite brewery means there’s a constant supply of thirst quenching ales.
MR TOMS
Ponsonby
The newly opened MR TOMS already pumps every evening. Positioned in a prime spot on the sunny side of Ponsonby Road, the MR TOMS’ guys and gals serve NZ wines, brews and craft cocktails (the Mai Tai Twist is the ultimate summer drink) as well as small plates and pizzas when you’re feeling peckish. Just don’t blame us when you end up spending seven nights a week at this bar—its welcoming, chilled out atmosphere is highly addictive.
The Gardens
Takapuna
Hands down one of the best places to get your drank on this summer is The Gardens. This maaassive outdoor courtyard is part of Takapuna hotspot, The Commons and will catapult you into summer with cocktail jugs, grazing plates and live music. Their ‘Garden Party’ sharing menu will have you sipping and sampling all sorts of delicious bits and bobs.
Hallertau
Riverhead
Hallertau fans, listen up. In mid December (fingers crossed!) Hallertau will welcome their epic beer garden, just in time for the sunny season. This 249-seater space will have 30 taps of Hallertau and local beer, guest brews and cocktails as well as a pizza oven. Nothing spells summer like pizza and beer. Hallertau will also be stocking Kokako cold brew and the beer garden will be under the Southern Hemisphere’s largest canopy. How about that? Make sure you go check it out—it will be one of the best places to drink this summer.
The Street Food Collective
Ponsonby
Our love for this shared food and drinks space is here to stay. The Street Food Collective is everything you need from a summer drinking haven. There’s epic cocktails (made in Herbie, the 1970s Bedford), a bunch of rotating food stalls to line the tums, live music for when you feel a boogy coming on, and an excellent calibre of people—friendly and keen to embrace summer, one drink at a time.
Cable Bay
Waiheke
An Auckland summer wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Waiheke, and you just can’t beat Cable Bay for wine and good times. Vino and views are an ideal sunny day pairing, and Cable Bay specialises in exactly that. Set up camp on the lawn, order a couple of sharing plates and soak up the stunning surroundings. Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap—this may be one of the best places to drink this summer, but leaving with a tomato-esque shade could be a mood killer.
Man O’ War
Waiheke
Another gorgeous Waiheke vineyard, Man O’ War is practically made for summer drinking. Their Tasting Room sits on the beach at the eastern end of Waiheke, where you can take refuge from the heat under pohutukawa trees—with a glass of rose, of course.
Mangawhai Tavern
Mangawhai
A wee way from Auckland, however this historic tavern will be playing host to a number of great acts over summer. Go check out Fat Freddy’s Drop or The Feelers and have a couple of brews while you’re at it. Alternatively, Leigh Sawmill and Coroglen Tavern will also have some quintessentially Kiwi gigs.
Want more? Check out our list of the top 30 bars in Auckland.
Image credit: Ariana Gillrie