Spring has finally broken, and summer is within reach, which means we can finally get out of hibernation and enjoy the fresh air and share some brinks with friends! And Auckland is home to some of the best garden bars in New Zealand (in this writer’s opinion at least) and we have chosen four of our favorites for you to check out (summer pub crawl??) that you can take in with friends and family when you visit us!
Little Creatures
Cult Aussie craft brewery Little Creatures set up shop in the historic Sunderland Hangar in Hobsonville Point earlier this year and it’s been a bastion of the community ever since. Hop heads can watch brewers working their alchemy before sampling the local drop Catalina Bay lager or whatever unique beer they whip up any given month. They also have a fantastic menu as well if you want to take in a bite, including wood-fired pizza, sharing plates, and fish ‘n’ chips. They even have a family-friendly play area for your littlest creatures, so you can sit back and relax!
Wild On Waiheke
Hop on a ferry and head over to Wine-Country Waiheke… before you get confused, this little island is famous for its grapevines, but it also features its own microbrewery! From the pale ale, wheat and malt crafties to cider and non-alcoholic ginger beer, there is something for everyone – so be sure to take a group! You can also take in a wood-fired pizza and if you aren’t in bliss relaxing in the sun, you can spend the afternoon playing giant chess or firing off a few shots in the archery range — the perfect way to burn some of those added calories!
Union Post
The newest bar on this list, Union post mixes gastropub-inspired lunch and dinner dishes that pair perfectly with cocktails in the courtyard or the rotating craft beer selection while watching the rugby. Union Post is the sort of place you can catch up with your mates and dance the night away or watch the rugby world cup this will fast become one of your favorite big-city watering holes!
Brothers Juke Joint
Brothers Beer has fast become the staple of Auckland breweries, famous of their focus solely on meat and beer – matching barbecue sauces range from traditional Americana to Asian fusion with the perfect beverage, poured fresh from one of nine massive stainless-steel tanks. Simplicity and comfort is at the heart of everything at Juke Joint, which features a grassy courtyard perfect for hazy summer evenings, while the inside is dotted with expansive couches ripped straight out of 1973!
