Night out in Auck CBD?

[rapid van cleef]

HI, 2 40 yr old poms going to auck for a couple of nights in july. We have been used to a jumping night life in our home city in th uk and really miss it here in the Bay. Can someone recommend a real good vibrant club / bar to go to. Not underground/student kinda stuff, somewhere maybe a rock/goth bar, or a vibrant club or two in the cbd. the mrs like a good dance and i just like the vibrant atmosphere. not live music. i do that for a living and the mrs isnt interested in watching a good band really, unless she knows all the songs! we went down the viaduct for a night out last year and were very dissapointed. it was a saturday night and bars were not busy, no party atmosphere. anyhoo. interested in your suggestions

thanks

thanks

[rapid van cleef]

i bet someone somewhere knows the answer to this and can offer a few suggestions

thanks

[Madness]

Go to Wellington.

[rapid van cleef]

great advice, thanks so much.

[Akzle]

it's been so many years since i've been, and it was shit last time anyhow.

for good ol fashions eccy-dropping bass-tastic dark room, disco-ball-istic with chicks half dressed and grinding on you, you really need to go to events.
i went to slinky a few years back.. not as good as "back in the day" but a solid night out. every now and then george fm, up fm, radio b, etc host rave-type parties which are well attended and at least good fun.

-edit- alternatively hamiltown has a metal-thrash-goth bar. i forget what it's called but expect lacerations and police involvement.

[The Singing Chef]

Margarita's and Globe are ones to stay away from, if my black eye is anything to go by. Haha.

I don't spend too much time out and about in the City so can't think of anywhere that is suitable. Have ya had a quick google?

[rapid van cleef]

yeah ive had a quick google, probably too many googles for my own good. we are staying in the cbd, just off queen street so was hoping there was somthing nearby on a friday or saturday night. ah well, we may have to just follow the crowds. nightlife in uk cities is usually jumping most nights from 6/7 pm. we have found that aspect of nightlife culture very different here, maybe its just our small town?. im not getting all down on NZ, its just diffeent thats all. we dont get nights out often and happen to be in auckland that weekend for somthing else so thought we would try and get in a good old knees up!

[scott411]

the viaduct has a number of good bars, Danny Doolans is an Irish pub that has a good covers band playing, then there is Lenon if you want something a bit more up market, there is a heap of bars in about 100 metres and there is usually something going alright on a friday or saturday, Carpark bar can be good but tends to be quite young,

there are a few good places in Britomart now as well, not spent much time there myself,

K road is more the electronic music that goes till 5 or 7am in some cases,

there is also Sale Street, I have had a couple of good nights in there,

the bars in Sky City can be ok as well,

plenty of choice, and most of it all walking distance, (although to get to K Road i would take a taxi, its a long walk up hill,

[The Singing Chef]

yeah ive had a quick google, probably too many googles for my own good. we are staying in the cbd, just off queen street so was hoping there was somthing nearby on a friday or saturday night. ah well, we may have to just follow the crowds. nightlife in uk cities is usually jumping most nights from 6/7 pm. we have found that aspect of nightlife culture very different here, maybe its just our small town?. im not getting all down on NZ, its just diffeent thats all. we dont get nights out often and happen to be in auckland that weekend for somthing else so thought we would try and get in a good old knees up!

Brisbane was better as well, I miss the nightlife there. Came back to NZ and was thinking wtf is this? Good on ya, hope you enjoy yourselves!


the viaduct has a number of good bars, Danny Doolans is an Irish pub that has a good covers band playing, then there is Lenon if you want something a bit more up market, there is a heap of bars in about 100 metres and there is usually something going alright on a friday or saturday, Carpark bar can be good but tends to be quite young,

there are a few good places in Britomart now as well, not spent much time there myself,

K road is more the electronic music that goes till 5 or 7am in some cases,

there is also Sale Street, I have had a couple of good nights in there,

the bars in Sky City can be ok as well,

plenty of choice, and most of it all walking distance, (although to get to K Road i would take a taxi, its a long walk up hill,

Forgot about Danny's!

Lenin is ok...

Sale st is good!



Met and Code can be good fun but the clientèle may be a bit too young? And they play those recordings of retarded noises, Dubstep.

[scott411]

yeah ive had a quick google, probably too many googles for my own good. we are staying in the cbd, just off queen street so was hoping there was somthing nearby on a friday or saturday night. ah well, we may have to just follow the crowds. nightlife in uk cities is usually jumping most nights from 6/7 pm. we have found that aspect of nightlife culture very different here, maybe its just our small town?. im not getting all down on NZ, its just diffeent thats all. we dont get nights out often and happen to be in auckland that weekend for somthing else so thought we would try and get in a good old knees up!

NZ does not get going till late (preloading at home or in teh hotel room with cheap booze is doen early) would not even bother before 10pm really, and most places dont get going till 11 or later,

[Ender EnZed]

Just get shit-faced and hope for the best. That's the Kiwi way.

[awayatc]

just spend a few weeks downtown.....

great times to be had if Karaoke is your thing

or if scantily dressed little schoolgirls do it for you....

[Maha]

Auckland CBD smells........of people/puke and piss.

[rapid van cleef]

So does anyone know of any Rock bars / clubs in auckland? not specifically live bands, just somewhere with Rock/metal/goth DJ's etc? Ive heard there was a place called Oblivion but I think thats closed down, and another place called Hysteria but that seems to be all live bands. Not that theres anything wrong with that. Anyone shed any light on this?

thanks

[Maha]

Try CKK in Hobson st.

[rapid van cleef]

Try CKK in Hobson st.

thats helpful.

[BRAD BRASCO]

The Brewery in Britomart?

[rapid van cleef]

The Brewery in Britomart?

yet again amazing idea. glad my life is not as empty as others' who like to spend their time posting unhelpful shite. ah well. thought it was too good to be true to expect anything helpful.

[george formby]

yet again amazing idea. glad my life is not as empty as others' who like to spend their time posting unhelpful shite. ah well. thought it was too good to be true to expect anything helpful.

Don't be too harsh, I've tried to find a night out like your looking for in the Auks CBD for 10 years with no luck. I'm originally from the Toon & the difference is like night & day.

[rapid van cleef]

ok, sorry if that was a bit harsh in my response. so georgeformby, ur from the toon? us aswell! anywhere similar to trillions? in auckland? if not we will just go mainstream. we were pretty spoiled in newcastle with nightlife i suppose. took it for granted when we were there and it never occured to me that other cities would be much different. ah well. at least we have summer every year now and not just some sun on the occasional day if your lucky! thanks.

[jrandom]

Seriously, though, the Auckland CBD is not a place to go out of an evening in. It's a soulless wasteland.

The fact that the Sale St bar, a one-horse tumbleweed outpost on the outskirts of nowhere, gets recommendations, speaks volumes.

There is no nightlife, per se, in Auckland. There is nothing to be found there but desperation and tawdriness. Eschew it. If you want a night out in the traditional sense, you do actually have to go to Wellington.

If you want a decent evening downtown in Auckland somewhere other than at home, go hang out at Galbraiths on Mt Eden Rd. Drink the porter. Buy a cigar at the dairy round the corner on Symonds St (their selection is solid), sit outside the back door by the fire, and chat to some geezers.

[BRAD BRASCO]

try the RSA then..

[gammaguy]

seriously,go to wellington

my old home town<I go back there as often as possible

was there for the Phoenix game recently,after the game we headed to Courtenay Place,had a superb time,toddled off to the hotel around 3am.

No dramas,just a feel good buzz and lots of music and drinking

and burger fuel

whats not to like?

[Madness]

I told him to go to Wellington weeks ago but did he listen? :weep:

[scissorhands]

In the early 80's orks had

The Rumba Bar
The Reverb Room
The Edinborough Castle
The Alex
The Exchange
The Occidental (had bands then)
Bob Bar
Main Street
etc etc

now all is trully shite

check 'The Gig Guide' http://www.mukuna.co.nz/

Tuesday24 July recommended by
THE BASEMENT: Inviting Caroline
comedy, theatre
GOLDEN DAWN TAVERN OF POWER: DJ Jon Pearce
7pm, FREE / country, downtempo, electro...
PONSONBY SOCIAL CLUB: Beats, Eats & Co.
6pm, FREE / afrobeat, downtempo, funk... Conch Records
RAKINOS: Tuesdays at Rakinos
5pm, FREE Conch Records
WINDSOR CASTLE: Open mic night
8:30pm / blues, country, folk...

or for a night the misses will never forget, CKK Hobson St

[gammaguy]

is the Kuja lounge still there?

probably not....

[george formby]

ok, sorry if that was a bit harsh in my response. so georgeformby, ur from the toon? us aswell! anywhere similar to trillions? in auckland? if not we will just go mainstream. we were pretty spoiled in newcastle with nightlife i suppose. took it for granted when we were there and it never occured to me that other cities would be much different. ah well. at least we have summer every year now and not just some sun on the occasional day if your lucky! thanks.

Trinnians? Maybe? I stayed away from the big market, or was it under the Civic Centre.... drank down the Quayside, Egypt Cottage, the real ale bars etc & at the bottom of Westgate hill, Budgie bar, Strawberry, The Percy in it's day etc.
Was Trinnians the place were the lasses danced on the bar in short skirts & stockings? Bit like Idols in Whitley Bay? Full of horny matrons & blokes trying to regain their youth.

Sheesh, the memory's, a Doner at the bus stand, red cabbage & chilli sauce everywhere.

Sorry Mr Cleef, we are both poked to find anything remotely like that me thinks.

[f2dz]

So does anyone know of any Rock bars / clubs in auckland? not specifically live bands, just somewhere with Rock/metal/goth DJ's etc? Ive heard there was a place called Oblivion but I think thats closed down, and another place called Hysteria but that seems to be all live bands. Not that theres anything wrong with that. Anyone shed any light on this?

thanks

+1 for Danny Doolans. Friend of mine plays with his cover band on Friday nights at Sale St, good night out, but you said you weren't interested in live music.

Never heard of those other places, there used to be a few places that used to be into that sorta stuff but now most seem to just be blending into the recycled radio tunes.

[Billy Bad Breaks]

How about the Thirsty Dog on Krd? Usually has bands on a Saturday, but it might be alright for you on the Friday, or before the bands start up on the Saturday...

[rapid van cleef]

thanks for the replies guys. and george....trillions is a rock bar by the central library behind northumberland street.

i would like to go to wellington but im there for somthing else during the day so auckland it is for this weekend. the delights of wellingtons nightlife will have to be discovered another time. i ll see what happens. and i mentioned ckk to the mrs for a laugh........silence was the response! ha!