Anitra N.'s
Swanky joints to get a drink
- 112The RoxyAuckland CentralThis is Auckland’s hottest place to go on a night out. It has a Hollywood vibe to it with its elaborate cocktail list and fancy décor. The music is always great here on Friday and Saturday nights, even Wednesday’s it is packed out. You will always see a long line of people waiting to get in. Once you walk up the stairs, it is hard to believe that you are still in Auckland. We are used to dingy nightclubs and bars with awkward layouts and creepy patrons but at the Roxy it is much the opposite. The Roxy offers a chic and glamourous experience however you can still have a dance and look like an idiot. I especially love the not-so-outdoor area which is covered so it seems you are still inside but smoking is allowed as it is fully open out the sides. Great place, definitely my favourite joint.
- 223Everybody's IzakayaAuckland CentralThis is just next to The Roxy, it is a new establishment as well. By day this is an eatery with, by the way, the best Japanese in town. There is a vast indoor/outdoor area which in all covers quite a big expanse of space. It seems like these amazing places just popped up overnight and became wildly popular with everyone in town. By night, this place turns into a trendy place to have a dance and get a vino or 6. Great place to come for some after work drinks, especially if you are on the hunt for a rich boyfriend as this place to suited up to the nines. Handy tip for all the gold diggers out there.
- 332Chapel Bar & BistroPonsonbyThis is an awesome place to come on Friday and Saturdays because it is super packed, also in the summer time you will find that there are, in true Kiwi fashion, many Sunday sessions had here and it is possibly even busier on this day than any other of the week. There’s always live DJs here, often from George FM, so if you’re into that chilled housey vibe this is the place to come. Great fancy little place to come and hang with your snobby Ponsonby friends or to bring others that don’t come around the area much to pretend you are upper class and sophisticated.
- 416Ponsonby Social ClubPonsonbyOf course the last place I talk about had to be in Ponsonby again. If swanky is your jam, come here. This is a popular spot on Friday and Saturday nights, there is an outside and indoor bar which is handy for when it gets really busy on these nights because it speeds up the process of ordering your long island iced tea. Because of the long, narrow outdoor area, it separates the place from the loud indoor with the dance floor from the outdoor bit which is great to have a chat and catch up with people.
Anitra N.'s
Fun activities for a casual date
- 1113Auckland War Memorial MuseumParnellI came here once on a date in a half hearted attempt to try and fake that I was cultural and intellectual. There ended up being an exhibition on about the ocean which in theory seems interesting but after seeing fish after fish which all look the same it is hard to keep your game face on. Despite this temporary lapse in keeping up my façade, I was thinking the entire time how it is such a great place to go on a date because there is always something to discuss with the exhibits around you if you get stuck for something to talk about. There are different exhibitions on all the time here, covering heaps of fun and fascinating themes. Extra points for boys if you bring her here at night to look at how it is lit up so beautifully.
- 24Odyssey Sensory MazeAuckland CentralThe title of this sounds like anything but casual… but don’t let the name dishearten you from bringing your casual date here. Just don’t bring them here if they are pregnant (you shouldn’t be on a date with a pregnant chick anyway) or have epileptic fits and stuff. In full honesty this probably is far from casual but it’s super cool so let’s just continue. This is a maze with lighting effects, illusions, and so on. There are rooms such as the mirror maze and the vortex tunnel, all sounds pretty exciting huh. Personally, if a guy brought me here I would be over the moon but definitely don’t bring someone who is high maintenance or you will get pied off.
- 346Mission BayMission BayMission Bay is the ultimate date destination - there’s ice cream kiosks where you can be real cute and choose your different flavours and ingredients, there’s burger joints, multiple restaurants for you to recreate Lady and the Tramp at Portofino’s, an amazing beach……… Trust me boys if you took a lady here with a blanket and a picnic she would be swooning all over the place for you. Extra points if you set it up in close proximity to the water fountain, extra extra points if it is at night when it has the pretty lights shining on it. She will be putty in your hands. Thank me later.
- 477La Cigale French MarketParnellAnything that involves cheese is good. When there is cheese on a date this is super good. These markets are amazing, there’s fresh food from sausages, vegetables, a special market café, bread…. everything that your average food addict loves. For me, as a carb lover, this place is heaven. It’s also nice to come here to pretend you are classy and swanky when really you are hungover from Friday or Saturday night antics and need to get some fresh air. Best not to be hungover for your market date though…. These markets are on Saturday and Sunday mornings so you’ve got enough time during the week to think up an elaborate date plan for after the markets to extend the amazingness of said date.
Anitra N.'s
Where to go swimming
- 135Takapuna BeachTakapunaWhat I love about Takapuna is that it seems like one of those beaches you have to drive far for, like a holiday destination type place but really it is in our backyard. It is one Km worth of pure relaxation. This is probably one of my favourite spots in the whole of New Zealand to come to swim and tan, between the cleanliness and the picturesque Rangitoto Island in the background this beach is my happy place. There is a cute (but pricey…) beach café situated at the end by the boat ramp and endless shops and places to get food just 2 minute walk up from there. This place has it all!
- 28Judges BayParnellI love this place for the secret factor - it is hidden down an unsuspecting road in Parnell which you would not expect to reveal a beautiful bay whilst driving down it. There are huge trees for you to keep shaded and recently there has been some big sundeck type loungers put in onto some wooden decking just by the water for you to bask in the sun on. The pontoons are super fun to swim out to and relax and tan on with your friends, and the jetty is fun to jump off. This place is Auckland’s best kept secret! It is right by a train track and I love to smugly lay on a pontoon and stare at the people commuting past to work as I enjoy my university break.
- 34Castor Bay Beach Reserve & PlaygroundCastor BayI was wary of divulging this treasure of mine to the public because it has formerly strictly only been my favourite place to bring people lucky enough (I.e. if they have bought me food once upon a time or something). However, I feel as though it is just too beautiful to keep a selfish secret. Once you park in the reserve by the playground, walk down the army barracks where you will see some huge wooden steps. Step out onto them and it is the most breath taking view, I love bringing people here to see their reaction to it. It is stunning! Once you walk down the elaborate steps the most beautiful clear watered, white sanded beach is all yours. Do not take advantage of this information, only bring those worthy here. Or I will hunt you down.
- 49Cheltenham BeachDevonportI love Cheltenham because although it is so out in the open it never seems like there are ever many people there. Driving through Devonport to get there already sets the scene for a summertime getaway, the spot definitely has a summer vacay feel. The water here is so clear, it is so nice to swim in and it seems like Rangitoto Island is just a 2 minute swim away. So with an amazing view and tranquillity without having to drive too far away and go for a Bear Grylls type hike to get away from people, this place is the perfect place to find all that with little effort.
Anitra N.'s
Good 21st venues
- 16Cranks Restaurant - BarAlbanyI first came to Cranks bar for my friends 70’s gangster themed 21st party. As we were young and didn’t have high expectations for bars or anywhere as a matter of fact, this place was great to us. All we really cared is that the place was big enough for us to flail our limbs around eccentrically and get away with it. There is also a gaming lounge in here for those who are that way inclined. I definitely am not as I find it kind of depressing, but for those of you who are, firstly no offence, secondly I guess this would be a fine place to come because the drinks are cheap and it provides a nice gambling sanctuary to come and escape the world and if it is your child having their 21st here you can run away from the madness and spend even more of your money on the machines here.
- 28Snatch barPonsonbyOne of my best friends had her 21st here. It is a small little bar and was a perfect size for her 21st. They let her bring in a ham and rolls with salad, etc and I don’t think the place was too expensive to hire out - they just had to put a bar tab on. At the moment this is just a drinks bar but according to the website they are going to add some bar snacks to the menu pretty soon. Snatch bar has a very relaxed atmosphere and a very eclectic taste in music - it usually has old funky music playing but on this occasion they let my friend hook her own music up. I especially liked the leather seats outside, except don’t get too comfortable or you won’t want to ever get up/probably can’t because your skin sticks to it. Or maybe that’s just me.
- 36Bungalow 8Viaduct HarbourI always used to walk past this bar when I was a fresh 18 year old in town and think that this bar looked really classy, too classy for me in fact. Nowadays, nothing much has changed and I still feel quite inadequate whilst strolling past. I think it is the big beautiful fish tanks outside that do it - they make the place look extremely upmarket. Inside is huge, the bar is massive as well and goes in a 360 degree shape which is good because that means less lines due to its large size. This place is perfect for a 21st, some pretty pictures could be taken outside in front of the tanks.
- 423Fort Street UnionAuckland CentralI had my 21st at this place, therefore it is the best of the lot. Not to be biased or anything. I had it in the beautiful outside area where it is themed like a garden party with beautiful vines and fairy lights hung up around the place. There is also an outside bar which is really cool. The place was free of charge to hire, they just sectioned off a bit of the outdoor area for my 21st. They stayed in great contact with me regarding the food that I wanted to organise and the music that I wanted to play for it, down to every last detail they helped me out. Great place, great staff.
Anitra N.'s
Everything stores
- 18Made in NipponAuckland CentralThis store has so much stuff to look at I never know where to go first. I love to buy stuff for my kitchen and this place is definitely the place to go, it has so much cute, quirky Asian home ware items I could spend all day in this shop. I have purchased a cake tin from here and some cupcake holders which always get so many compliments when I whip them out at baking parties and pretend to be all Hottest Home Baker with my cute accessories. Everything is super affordable here so it’s great for me the poor uni student.
- 215Look Sharp Store - Victoria StAuckland CentralThis place is the absolute best. The Victoria street store is huge, I haven’t been to any others except for the Albany one and that one was equally as big so they must all be just as elaborate. When you first walk in there is a huge costume section, there’s an "adult section", a home wares section, there’s just so much stuff in here and it’s all SO RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP. But with all the good stuff in here it is easy to rack up a huge bill but obviously worth it
- 38K Mart New ZealandPapatoetoeSuch a treat coming here, always find something amazing. My last great purchase was a pair of grey sweatpants that I hardly take off. There’s literally everything in this store so I won’t bother trying to list off examples because everything is everything and I think you get the point. As well as having EVERYTHING, it is also insanely cheap here too. A lot of well known make up brands can be bought for a significant amount cheaper here, and also well known lingerie brands too. Good ones as well so it’s not just a super budget store for the poverty stricken, it’s just somewhere to go if you want a great bargain.
- 413The Warehouse Ltd Sylvia Park ExtraMt WellingtonAh, the ol’ Warehouse. Everyone knows about this fantastic establishment. Good old Kiwi bargain store. The Warehouse is King of the discount everything stores. From childrens toys to shoes to clothes to electronics there is everything under the sun here and definitely another popular spot for the Christmas shopping so you can get it all done under one roof. I’m pretty sure everyone comes here no matter what your social standing, it’s just the go to store for New Zealanders to get both their useful and useless stuff from.
Anitra N.'s
Affordable lunch and dinner spots
- 152Monsoon Poon AucklandAuckland CentralI visited this restaurant for my birthday after hearing some recommendations from a few people, because naturally I wanted the best for my birthday (best for the best; modest). I love the way this place is decorated, it has fabric draped from the ceiling in a gypsy-esque style above the dinner tables and a very exotic theme to it all. Obviously I wanted to get the most elaborate dish so I ordered the Firecracker chicken along with numerous sides in order to milk the opportunity of my family shouting me dinner. A girls gotta eat. All in all this place is awesome, 10/10 for both food and service.
- 23Portofino Viaduct HarbourViaduct HarbourNow the interesting thing about this restaurant is that no one I have ever talked to about it (even though that is only like, 4 people) has seemed to like it. I, however, found it great. I went here on a date and ordered a few drinks and the risotto de pollo which was delicious. I have a faint idea about why this may be - being that I am easily pleased by any meal that is put in front of me as I just love food so much. The waiter was very nice and helpful with menu item information and the service was quick, also the prices are reasonable. Perhaps my friends are just snobby.
- 31Satay Noodle HousePapakuraI came to this place with my friend when I was around South Auckland for work because I heard it was really good here. I’m never one to turn a blind eye to a good restaurant recommendation so thought I’d try it out. This place is relatively new so I noticed there were no online menus yet. We ordered the satay chicken kebabs as entrees, and I got the won ton soup as a main. My friend ordered a fried rice dish I can’t remember what exactly but I ended up eating half of it as well as my own which my friend was not pleased about but I certainly was. It was so good and the wonton soup tasted different to others I had before (i.e. better). I noticed a lot of people were getting take aways here too so good to keep that in mind if you want to eat your food at home! Definite 10/10 here, can’t wait to go back.
- 414Caffe e CucinaAlbanyI came here with my family to get lunch one day because my mum heard it was new and pretty good. It was a beautiful day so we sat outside in the sun on their nice deck. They had a lunch menu special on where you got an express lunch menu item plus any glass of house wine, beer, or a soft drink for $20. I got the seafood risotto which was so good. My families lunch choices looked equally nice but this family does not share food so there was no chance of me trying them, I’ll just have to go back again which is fine by me as there was heaps of other stuff I wanted.