Nightlife

Auckland has something for everyone — the adventurous, the sophisticated, the young, and the young at heart. From 24-hour casinos and live theater to cinema, clubs, pubs, bars, and dance spots, you can party all the way to breakfast time.

The Performing Arts

The Edge, is the cultural core of Auckland City. Located in the central area bordered by Mayoral Drive and Albert, Wellesley, and Queen streets, it includes the modern Aotea Centre, the impressive Auckland Town Hall, and the Civic Theatre, which has undergone a NZ$40 million (US$22 million) refurbishment. Another new feature is the Force Development, which includes a 13-screen Village Force Complex, an IMAX cinema, a Planet Hollywood, and a host of stores, cafes, restaurants, and bars.

The Live Music Scene

Pick up the free Auckland What’s On guide from the visitor center for the latest on the music scene. You’ll find jazz and rhythm-and-blues gigs at places such as London Bar, Wellesley and Queen streets ; Deschlers, High Street , which is popular with the 20- to 30-something after-work crowds; and Gables Tavern, at Jervois Road and Kelmarna Avenue, Herne Bay . The Alto Casino & Bar at Skycity also has live jazz performances .

The Club & Bar Scene

If you want a night with the work-hard, play-hard business crowd, head for Parnell; although these days, the older, richer devil-may-care types are flocking to Viaduct Harbour and its many nighttime haunts. The younger, funky black-clothed set hangs out in High Street/Vulcan Lane in the inner city; most of the all-night clubs, drag queens, and gay bars are along Karangahape Road; and Ponsonby is a favored upmarket place for drinks, dinner, and a general wind-up before hitting the club scene.

Placing Your Bets: A Night at the Casino

Auckland’s Sky City Casinos, Victoria and Federal streets in NZ , receive over 12,000 visitors per day! The Sky City Casino is the largest in New Zealand, operating 24 hours a day. This vast expanse of 88 gaming tables (blackjack, roulette, craps, Caribbean stud poker, baccarat, tai sai, pai gow, and money wheel), an 80-seat keno lounge, and more than 1,200 slot machines is not the most stimulating of environments — unless you’re keen to try your luck. Everyone is so earnest and intent, as well they might be, given the amount of money changing hands. Still, it’s worth a look if nothing else. The much more upmarket Alto Casino & Bar, on the third level, is also much more stylish. It’s more intimate and has live music with a strict dress code (jackets for men; jeans, shorts, active sportswear, and sports shoes not permitted). It opens at 4pm and continues through the night. The Sky City Members Club is a more exclusive, invitation-only gaming room.

You may not be interested in gambling, but I think a visit to Sky City is essential at some part of your visit to Auckland. The casinos, in fact, are not the only aspect of this multifaceted complex. There are several excellent restaurants, the Sky Tower, the Sky City Theatre complex, and one of the best contemporary New Zealand art collections in the country. The casinos are open 24 hours a day, every day.