Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAP
( 09-929 2791;
www.thecommons.co.nz
;
21 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna; bar snacks $9-16, mains $36; 11.30am-
late)
Part of a culinary makeover of a former department store - other adjacent eateries in-
clude good Mexican and Italian flavours - The Commons is a spacious and sophisticated
combination of elegant restaurant and buzzy bar.
GAY & LESBIAN AUCKLAND
The Queen City (as it's known for completely coincidental reasons) has by far the country's biggest gay popula-
tion, with the bright lights attracting gays and lesbians from all over the country. However, the even brighter
lights of Sydney eventually steal many of the 30- to 40-somethings, leaving a gap in the demographic. There are a
handful of gay venues, but they only really kick off on the weekends.
For the latest, see the fortnightly newspaper
Express
(available from gay venues) or
www.gaynz.com
. The
year's big events are the Auckland Pride Festival (
Click here
) and the Out Takes (
Click here
) film festival.
Venues change with alarming regularity, but these ones were the stayers at the time of research:
this bar can be a lot of fun, with dancing into the wee hours.
Sun) Older and hairier, this black-painted pocket-sized venue has DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.
Poof
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.facebook.com/PoofonPonsonby
;
212 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby;
5pm-late
MAP
Tue-Sat) Cocktail bar with a colourful pop-culture vibe.
Legend
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.facebook.com/legend.co.nz
;
373 Karangahape Rd, 1st fl;
10pm-4am
MAP
Thu-Sun) Friendly, clubby vibe, drag shows and excellent views of the city.
Centurian
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.centuriansauna.co.nz
;
18 Beresford St, Newton; admission before/after
MAP
3pm $23/28;
11am-2am Sun-Thu, 11am-6am Fri & Sat) Gay men's sauna.
Drinking & Nightlife
Auckland's nightlife is quiet during the week - for some vital signs, head to Ponsonby Rd,
Britomart or the Viaduct. K Rd wakes up late on Friday and Saturday; don't even bother
staggering this way before 11pm.
City Centre
Brothers Beer
MAP
BEER HALL
GOOGLE MAP
