The Many Faces of Vibrant Auckland Nightlife

A spectacular sapphire harbour studded with while sails, a sweeping city skyline of glittering lights and exotic medley of architecture within which teem some of the most multi-cultural social scenery found in the Oceania islands. Is it any wonder that Auckland, the City of Volcanoes, should also be the hub of the country's most happening nightlife?
Most bars in Auckland are a triple threat, offering not only a welcoming drinking lounge but also a restaurant and a club or dance venue. Most of the popular bars, late night cafes and clubs are concentrated around the downtown, Karangahape Rd, Parnell and Ponsonby. The more upscale of these are liberally peppered throughout the waterfront, such as Fox's Ale House and Restaurant, O'Hagan's and the harbour's Quay Street and Loaded Hog. The latter two are the favoured hangout of the town's yuppies and yacht enthusiasts. The most fashionable night-time hotspots appear along Prince Wharf, including the Hilton, Auckland, the Bellini, Lenin Bar and Minus5. Those in search of live musical entertainment to complement their cocktails should head to High Street and Karangahape Rd, which features live music more often than not.
The more sedate night-crawlers hankering for that familiar colonial touch will be pleased to find the streetscape liberally littered with quintessentially British bars, one of the most popular of which is the Civic Tavern. Wellesley Street also has an Irish bar named Murphy's and the ever-happening London Bar, both complemented by a bistro; the micro-brewery Shakespeare Tavern, the Mad Dogs and Englishmen and the ever rollicking Immigrant Irish Bar are also colourful haunts to while the night away.
Auckland is one of those cities sensible enough to allow 18-year-olds to drink legally, which is one of the many reasons to feel very benign about this city, as is the convenient proliferation of 24-hour bars and ones which keep their doors open into the wee hours. Most night-spots have a very lax dress codes but newbie clubbers are warned that black leather and jeans are a no-no - these are usually associated with the city's criminal element!
Visitors favouring the club-scene should start their selection from Queen Street, which lined with an eclectic choice of dance venues, from The Fu Bar that caters to the young alternative music fans to the more sedate Khuja Lounge and the blue haven of The Jazz Bar. Away from Queen Street, DJs lead the way at Galatos in Galatos Street, while Papa Jack's Voodoo Lounge in Vulcan Lane and Roots are hard-partying spots that suck the rest of the scene into their orbits. Fans of live music and independent artists will find their way to King's Arms, which features a range of R&B, metal, rock and punk performances.
Stand-up comedy is also an up-and-coming recreational favourite in the area, led by The Classic at Queen Street and followed by Aotea Centre and Square, Maidment Theatre, Civic Theatre and many more.
Even when you wake up tired the next morning, there is no lack of indulgences in which to enjoy your leisure. Holiday-makers can head over to one of the day spas that offer luxury spa treatments to recover. Chuan Spa is a well-recommended venue managed under the international brand of The Langham Hotels, guaranteed to soothe away the dark circles that follow a night of drink and revelry.