Nightlife in Auckland may not live up to the reputation of other big cities. However, if you know where to look, there are plenty of things to do in Auckland at night.
Fun Things to Do in Auckland at Night
If you are looking for something literally about Auckland at night:
- Let a live show at Stardome Observatory and Planetarium take you from Auckland’s current night sky to beyond the galaxy. Then head outdoors and view stars, planets, and nebulae through their courtyard telescopes.
Stardome offers private tours (extra fee) to look through the Zeiss telescope in the copper observatory dome. Don’t miss images from our Stardome visit including the night sky magnified about 208 times.
If it is laughter you are after, the two funniest spots in the city are:
- Caluzzi Bar and Cabaret provides the complete night out with dinner and a drag queen show that will keep you laughing for hours.
Us with the Caluzzi girls.
- Classic Comedy Club presents a different show every night.
Inside the comedy club, before the doors open.
A city filled with interesting and unique dining options, three standout:
- Giapo: Taking ice cream to an art form, Giapo’s handmade creations will tickle taste buds you didn’t know you had. (Of all the things to do in Auckland at night, enjoying ice cream from Giapo is the one we do most often).
(Photo edited using Lightroom.)
- The White Lady food truck is your chance to join locals in a late night tradition while enjoying a tasty hamburger. There are plastic crates to sit upon, but most people eat standing or take it to go.
- There are always plenty of food stalls at an Auckland Night Market.
Looking for a bit more excitement:
- SkyCity Casino has all the bells and whistles of any world-class gambling establishment without the gaudy lights of Las Vegas.
(No photos allowed in the casino.) Photo Credit: SKYCITY Auckland. Used with permission.
- Take an elevator up to the top of the Sky Tower to enjoy views of Auckland from the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere.
- Adrenaline extreme junkies can get shot up into the sky at Skyscreamer.
- If it’s a mystery you are after, check out Escape Masters.
Auckland Bars
Like most cities with universities, much of the nightlife in Auckland revolves around bars that cater to a younger crowd and they don’t get busy until late. To get in, you will need a passport or an official New Zealand ID card.
If you are young at heart (but over 18), and in Auckland on a Thursday night, join 100+ mostly young international visitors on the Frenzi Bar Crawl.
Popular CBD bars include:
- Habana Joe’s: The wooden interior, pool tables, dance floor, and plenty of seating give Habana Joe’s its relaxed atmosphere. A DJ livens things up on the weekends.
- Bar 101: A bar whose mission is “to provide the best environment in Auckland for students to have fun and feel safe at prices they can afford.” Entry requires a student ID in addition to proof of age.
- The Roxy: Above the old Roxy Theatre this multi level dance club has a rooftop garden.
The rooftop garden bar in the early evening. By midnight, there was a large happy crowd filling the space.
- Ding Dong Lounge: A punk rock bar with massive booths and DJ or live music.
- Rock Bar: The place to be if you want to sing karaoke.
- Danny Doolans: An Irish bar featuring craft beers on Viaduct Harbour.
- The Original: (Formerly Snapdragon) I love the outdoor upper deck overlooking Viaduct Harbour.
Many bars charge a cover from 10 pm. If you start early, be sure to ask for a hand stamp for re-entry later.
Very Late Night Activities in Auckland – Adults
If you are looking to take a late night walk on the wild side, head to K-Road (officially Karangahape Road). The bohemian neighbourhood stays alive well into the wee hours of the morning with bars, strip clubs, and brothels. K-Road is especially interesting on Halloween. Prostitution is legal in New Zealand.
Some of the popular late night K-Road destinations:
- Family Bar tends to attract the gay crowd
- Eagle Bar attracts a mixed crowd
- Thirsty Dog is a fun place to go for live music or shows
- Whammy Bar classifies itself as a dive bar
- Calendar Girls offers an artistic full strip-tease.
The entrance to Calendar Girls
- The White House is around the corner on Queen Street and offers a cabaret strip tease. American themed, a portrait of former US president Bill Clinton hangs just beyond the entrance.
- Men of Steel on Hobson Street has a male strip show.
If none of these appeals to you, people watching on K-Road is always one of the more interesting things to do in Auckland at night. There is generally a strong police presence. You will want to be more vigilant and stay out of Myers Park after dark. As the night progresses, the sleazier nightlife in Auckland seems to gain popularity. There are places I wish I didn’t know existed, and I will neither visit nor write about them.
Sleep in Auckland City at Night
If you are partying late into the night, you will probably need a place to stay. We use and recommend booking.com to find the best prices on Auckland accommodations.
Is there enough nightlife in Auckland for your taste?
Disclaimer: We are frequently provided with complimentary entrances, tours, or sample items. However, the opinions expressed here are strictly our own.
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Great tips and shots.
Thanks Fi.
Hi Rhonda – I have to say … I’d probably go fairly often to find one of those ice-creams they look delicious. Wonderful to see the range of night life available … lots of ideas to keep one busy – the hamburger bus looks fun … while the Caluzzi girls I’m sure provide loads of laughs … cheers Hilary
The ice creams are even better than they look.
The ice cream cones are works of art – almost too beautiful to eat – almost. Thanks for the tour!
True, but they melt if you don’t eat them.
I got stuck with the ice cream. That’s where I want to go.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
And if you come to New Zealand, that is where we will go first.
Yes there is. It looks like a really happening and fun place to be at night.
It is, Auckland has far more to do than I had realized.
The first few items I would definitely try!
I have tried just about all of them, the top ones are more up my alley too.
What fun photos love the tour and I like that you different types of bars/clubs too, I used to work in a pub with drag shows years ago was such fun.
Have a pubcrawltastic day Rhonda 🙂
The drag show at Caluzi is hilarious.
This ALL looks like tons of fun!
Thanks for linking up with us at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/09/inwardly-gazing-with-monochrome-eyes.html
Most of it is.
I’ve only been to Auckland once, and it was a school trip when I was 17. Looks like I missed out on a lot of nightlife!
At 17, there isn’t a whole lot you can do at night.
At my age most of that is too busy for me, I’ll settle for a hamburger & ice cream because I don’t gamble of drink either. certainly a lotto do but those drag queens are scary
Ice cream and burgers are great choices. And as for the drag queens, they are too funny to be scary.
Well, I guess I’m with Bill, but I’m dying to make one of those cones. As far as the drag queens too funny , but I’m seen them on TV and that’s fine there, but I don’t think in person.
Giapo is fantastic, and Caluzzi is hilarious.
Those ice creams look amazing!
I can tell you first hand, it is.
The artistic ice cream sold me! I didn’t think of Auckland as this colorful and lively. Yes, I would like to go!
LOL – I didn’t think of Auckland as being that exciting either, but it s.
This looks like the perfect nightlife itinerary for a trip to Auckland! However, I think Giapo’s Handmade Creations had me at your picture. I may just park myself there and never leave. The chocolate lover in me is already obsessed and drooling.
LOL, it’s not too far from the burgers, should you need a protein break.
Aukland looks like a very lively city, with lots of entertainment. The Caluzzi girls look kind of scary though… at least the one resting her arms on your shoulder (lol!) We have a very interesting Observatory and Planetarium here in Los Angeles too. Did you visit it when you were here last time?
The Caluzzi girls were are hilarious. We know about your planetarium, but still, haven’t managed to get there.
OMG those Giapo ice creams look to die for! Literally! I’d be all over those! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
LOL – I am heading there tomorrow for another treat.
That ice-cream looks just gorgeous! I think I could easily spend the whole night eating it 🙂 Just my kind of entertainment.
You can only savour it for so long before it starts to melt.
Thanks Rhonda. Could not get more comprehensive. Will surely need this when we get there in Nov. Bookmarking this now:)
Wonderful. I hope you give a few of thes a try.
We’d both love to see a live show at the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium! And your food pictures made me hungry, I’ve never seen the kind of gelato they make at Giapo, almost too beautiful to eat it!
The Planetarium show is so different than others I have seen, and getting out to see the telescopes at the end is such a treat. As for Giapo, it tastes even better than it looks.
We were just in Auckland a month ago but we didn’t go out at night because it was too cold!
A month ago was the heart of winter. I just add a few layers and I am fine.
After reading about the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium and the Ice cream, I found all other stuff are no longer interested and fun. I definately will take my son there to see the stars, planets by the telescopes. Ice cream is a matter of course later.
Am I a so much family person ?
How old are your children? The live show is recommended for ages 8 and up, but there are other shows that they have that are aimed for kids.
I like to spend my evenings unwinding after a long day of exploring and sightseeing. But Giatos’ ice cream looks and sounds amazing. I’d be totally up for a visit there!
I went there today for an ice cream. It is still the best there is.
There are definitely plenty of options on this list to keep you busy for a week or so vacation in Auckland. I don’t really like the clubbing scene anymore, but the night market sounds like a lot of fun. And of course the ice cream is a must.
I am not into the club scene either, but I did check them all out before writing this. However, the Escape Masters are a blast, and the ice cream is the best that there is.
I would love to take in a live show at Stardome Observatory and Planetarium – I’m obsessed with the stars at the moment! Book me on a private tour to look through the Zeiss telescope for sure! Love the diversity of nightlife in Auckland, seems like there’s something for everyone, and I love that there are more than just your typical bar experiences.
We almost went to the Stardome last night, but the weather was so awful we didn’t want to drive to Auckland city. It is pretty cool, especially if you get some good weather.
Oh those hand made creations just made me lick the screen
LOL – what did it taste like?
Oh my! Those ice creams, if I am ever in Auckland I need to try some of these. What’s your favourite? The White Lady food truck would be the perfect place to soak up the alcohol with a great burger and meet friendly locals 🙂
My favourite is Giapo Bueno, although yesterday I tried a hokey pokey and it is equally as perfect.
I need one of those ice cream cones! They’re amazing! Also, I like the looks of all those rooftop bar areas!
Personally, I will take the ice cream over the bar every time.
I’m loving this post. Often while traveling we only have limited time in each city and knowing where to go is the best thing. I can see there is wide variety of things to do, but I’ve got my eye on Giapos icecreams – stunning little morsels of happiness right there.
You said it. I wrote this and then had to get to Giapo for a cone.
A cool theme and that nice to know Auckland is so vibrant and lively at night! The Stardome Observatory experience is just fascinating and I saw many stars
at the University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory in Lake Tekapo. Thanks for the post and it’s great! @ knycx.journeying
I haven’t been to Lake Tekapo in a while, but we did go to Carter Observatory in Wellington on our last visit.
Every city seems to have an iconic late night food truck. Would love to try the burgers at the white lady. As for the kids, they would definitely be interested in the stardome
The food truck is open all weekend, so if you have the kids you could try a burger on the weekends without staying up late.
Loved your photographs 🙂 And what a lot to do in Auckland at night. I’ve only visited for a day, but would love to go back and see more – especially at night!
Too many people use Auckland as a transit stop when really there are loads of things to do here.
Omg I love dinner and drag show places! There is a place in Florida called hamburger Mary’s and it is amazing! I went for my 18th bday (and many times after) so much fun
My MIL lives in Florida. Maybe I will check it out on our next visit.
I would love to spend a few minutes (or hours, days, weeks) with The Stardome Observatory and gaze out into the outer space and see the cosmos. Oh what an epic moment would that be!
Getting back to reality – never knew Auckland had such a vibrant nightlife. Would love to explore the night market and of course the bars for a few pints. The ice creams at Giapos looks equally tempting. Thanks for the wonderful post! Cheers !
I should be visiting this beautiful country in the next year or so, definitely looking forward to using some of these tips.
There’s lots to do in Auckland and around the country. Don’t miss the natural beauty.
The icecream— it’s calling me to get one but then again they all look so good I wouldn’t know which one to choose.
They will give you samples of all the flavours. They are all excellent and there are no bad choices.
I can feel the good vibes of Auckland by simply reading and checking the photos. Sometimes, to get away from stress. I love to chill and drink at night. I’m sure I would love to do it here next time 🙂
There are plenty of places in Auckland for that and they can be open quite late.
Such detailed post! Thanks a ton for this, I am planning to visit Auckland this year, bookmarking this one! Night clubs sounded so much fun!
I used to think there was nothing to do here at night. The more I discover, the more I want to shout about it all.
Hi Rhonda,
Auckland looks like a great city to visit. I ma planning a family trip for the next year, And I am getting attracted to New Zealand, although I will decide according to what my family wants.
~ Donna
I have been in love with New Zealand from the first moment I set foot here.