The Best Birthday Party Bars & Restaurants in Auckland
Aug 10, 2021
Looking for a good birthday party idea in Auckland? We’ve got you sorted, no matter the age or occasion. From Auckland’s tip to toe, we’ve got over 20 spots lined up that don’t break the budget.
Bottomless Birthdays at The Lula Inn
What’s better than going out for a birthday meal? The same thing, but bottomless. The Lula Inn is one of Auckland’s favourite waterfront establishments, nestled right in the heart of a hustling and bustling viaduct.
Perch your group in front of sparkling water views and go for the bottomless brunch on weekends, known across Auckland to please crowds endlessly. Can’t do weekends? Try the bottomless beer, bubbles and dumplings on Thursday evenings which is scored by the live jukebox cover band. If you can’t make either of those, Lula Inn has top-notch cocktail making classes and gin tastings which can be booked in a couple clicks.
Birthday Brewery Bonanza at Sweat Shop
Nobody says “bonanza” anymore, but don’t let that age you - let your birthday do the talking instead. Sweat Shop is one of Auckland’s best bars for celebrating birthdays, leaving guests spoilt for choice when it comes to ideas.
The Lad’s Crafternoon is a good shout, which rounds up the boys for an ‘enlightening’ session with the master brewer while they sip away on the subject matter. After that, they’ll wrap their chops around a proper pint and food pairing before finishing up in the lounge for another feed. Similarly, the Mixology Masterclass is a perfect birthday activity which has you and your crew learn how to make 3 picture-perfect cocktails from one of the Sweat Shop masters.
Still not enough? Turn things up a notch with the Sweet Axe Throwing Co, which will test your axe-tossing abilities for a bit of a laugh - or, dial it way back with a private, intimate gathering in the Velvet Room.
Pool and Banter at Coops
If you haven’t been to Coops yet, try it. Located in Auckland’s Viaduct, Coops is a bar frothing with character. Even the cutlery holders are hilarious. It opened late 2019, and has quickly become talked about by Aucklanders for its tongue-in-cheek humor and hearty food. When it comes to birthdays, the private upstairs area can be booked out for a few rounds of pool and plenty of banter, while served by your own wait staff. Choice.
Stunning Birthday Water Views at Five Knots
Known for its wedding events, Five Knots is a private-only establishment that is planted perfectly on the corner of Mission Bay’s edge, overlooking the entire harbour and Rangitoto. You’ve probably been envious of the photos on Facebook already - but most people don’t realize you can book it out for private events like birthdays too. They have dedicated event staff who will fine-tune all the details for you so you can just turn up and enjoy.
Mexican Birthday Party at Mama Loco
Looking for a more festive birthday? Mama Loco, located up in Westfield Albany, is known for its bright colours and energetic vibes. From the music to the decor, everything is undoubtedly primed for parties. Even better is their menu containing finger-licking street food that goes down a treat for larger crowds.
Beachside Birthday Parties at Franc’s and Regatta
Get some of that sea-salt air in you at Takapuna, North Shore. Both Franc’s and Regatta sit side-by-side to welcome guests with sun-baked outdoor areas and plenty of fresh seafood. Franc’s is a chill, laid back beach bar with bloody good cocktails and plenty of energy, where Franc’s is a refined take on sea-side bliss with covered cabanas, cold bubbles, and an unbeatable indoor-outdoor flow in summer.
Book Franc’s here, or Regatta here.
Auckland’s Rooftop Bars, Perfect for Birthdays
Everyone is keen on a bit of rooftop action, especially when the sun’s out. Unfortunately, Auckland seems to have a severe lack of them. Lucky we found a few that do the trick, and do it well.
Basalt, over in Howick is one of Auckland’s original Monteith’s bars, which quickly saw it become a local favourite. They came for the Monteith’s, but they stayed for the rooftop bar. Similarly, The Zookeeper’s Son in Royal Oak has a jaw-dropper up top, except theirs is splashed with a bit of greenery and a retractable roof for when the cold snap arrives. Finally, although not always on the roof, all of the Goode Brothers locations have an “alfresco” area which soaks up the sun while happy birthday guests dine on the best Italian-Kiwi food around. They’re also known for the pasta making classes, which is a sure crowd pleaser for any birthday group.
Book Basalt here, Zookeeper’s Son here, and Goode Brothers here.
Honourable Mentions for Birthday Events in Auckland
Those are just a few of the best spots in Auckland to celebrate a birthday, but they’re not the full list. Joylab happens to have over 20 bars and restaurants across Auckland, each with their own character and private event spaces (excluding their Airport establishments). From The Postman’s Leg with its outdoor deck and contagious charm in Glenfield, to the hard-to-beat tucker of The Merchant, to the beautiful views at Moretons, St. Heliers - there’s truly something for everyone.
Check out the full list of over 20 Joylab establishments ready for birthday bookings here.
