The Viva Team's Favourite Happy Hour Spots For Top-Notch Drinks

Viva
Orphans Kitchen is one of Auckland's coolest and cosiest spots for happy hour. Photo / Supplied

Annabel's
Happy hour negroni for $12 or an $8 prosecco at Annabel's is the ticket for cheap and cheerful after work drinks. 
 Dan Ahwa, fashion editor
Where: 277 Ponsonby Rd, Three Lamps   When: Saturday to Tuesday, 3-6pm   Visit: Annabelswinebar.com

Fresh fish tacos, addictive chicken wings and $5 lager are all on offer for happy hour at Orphans Kitchen.  Photo / Supplied
Fresh fish tacos, addictive chicken wings and $5 lager are all on offer for happy hour at Orphans Kitchen. Photo / Supplied

Orphans Kitchen 
Orphans Kitchen's happy hour is so good I almost don't want to share it. From 5-6:30pm on weeknights, they offer $5 Parrot Dog lager and $10 Grey Lynn Spritz, and for eats, there's $3 oysters with champagne granita and $10 tacos on kumara tortilla. It's also $10 for half a kilo of the most addictive chicken wings with horopito and honey you'll ever taste.
 Rosie Herdman, writer and fashion assistant
Where: 118 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby   When: Tuesday to Saturday, 5-6.30pm   Visit: Orphanskitchen.co.nz

Coco's always hits the spot for happy hour prosecco and spaghetti. Photo / Dean Purcell
Coco's always hits the spot for happy hour prosecco and spaghetti. Photo / Dean Purcell

Coco's Cantina 
My favourite spot for happy hour is definitely Coco's Cantina, for the $7 glass of prosecco served in a saucer, not a flute. Glamour on the cheap: which kind of sums up the K Rd people watching too.
 Rebecca Zephyr Thomas, photographer
Where: 376 Karangahape Rd, City   When: Monday to Saturday, 5-7pm, happy hour meal available Monday to Friday 5-6pm   Visit: Cocoscantina.co.nz

Bedford Soda & Liquor
Bedford Soda & Liquor in Takapuna is good for when the beach is a no-go zone, and you want a cosy shelter with nibbles.
 Janetta Mackay, beauty editor
Where: 21 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna   Visit: Bedfordsodaliquor.co.nz

Try out slick Japanese eatery Azabu for tempura tacos and a cold glass of Asahi. Photo / Suppled
Try out slick Japanese eatery Azabu for tempura tacos and a cold glass of Asahi. Photo / Suppled

Azabu
Tacos and Japanese beer...I'm sold. Ponsonby's slick and delicious Azabu serves up $6 tacos (I like the eggplant tempura) and Asahi for $7 a glass. There's also a $12 pisco sour special to brighten up winter and a bowl of guacamole with sweetcorn and tuna can be shared between four.
 Sarah Downs, writer
Where: 26 Ponsonby Rd, Grey Lynn   When: Monday and Tuesday, 5-7pm, Wednesday to Friday, 3-6pm   Visit: Azabuponsonby.co.nz

Conch Records
Settle into one of Conch's tucked away booths with a crisp $7 Hallertau beer or cider. The pizzas from their wood oven go down a treat with your drink too  or try their amazing homemade tacos.
India Essuah, writer
Where: 15a Ponsonby Rd   When: Monday to Sunday, 5-7pm   Visit: Conch.co.nz

K Rd's Carmen Jones has plenty of happy hour winter specials to keep you toasty. Photo / Jason Oxenham
K Rd's Carmen Jones has plenty of happy hour winter specials to keep you toasty. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Carmen Jones 
Carmen Jones has a great happy hour going on too. Sip on a house specials of wine, bubbles or red sangria and pair it with winter tapas specials like creamy onion and lentil soup with paprika oil, lemon juice and hot pide for $12 and an eggplant dip with finger toast for $9. They also do churros and hot chocolate sauce with coffee for $7.
Where: 382 Karangahape Road, City   When: Tuesday to Sunday, 4-7pm   Visit: Carmenjones.nz

Share this article:

Featured