Auckland’s Best Cocktail Bars To Bundle Up In This Winter

With a large lantern lit patio, couch seating and overhead heating you’ll forget that winter has arrived when you visit La Zeppa. The indoor dining area is spacious yet cosy, with an outdoor styled fireplace sitting proudly in the room. This chic, contemporary bar provides a tapa-style menu with traditional Mediterranean flavours.

While their cocktail menu covers all of the classics and some with a twist like the dark chocolate negroni that nails the balance between bitter and sweet. And with the pink basil julep and a Toblerone-inspired beverage, you’re spoiled for choice before you even have a chance to check out their beautiful dishes.

Talulah is an intimate and cosy tiki-inspired cocktail bar, sitting on the second story above The Chamberlain. This rooftop bar is fully sheltered but still provides a stunning view of the harbour. Lounge around the roaring fire as you drink through their deliciously boozy cocktail menu and experience the versatility of rum.

They even boast a happy hour special from 4-7pm Thursday through to Saturday. With a selection of cocktails written up on the board for you to satiate your cocktail needs for the cheap price tag of $10. Their cocktails are served in a variety of vessels like coconut glasses, fish-bowls and tiki-men, if you’re looking for a little oasis to escape too, then Talulah is the spot. Make sure to add their apricot colada to your list, it’s the perfect combination of sweet and creamy.

Revelry is an iconic figure head amongst the more recent establishments to grace the Ponsonby area. With a fireplace that runs straight through the wall you can bask in the blazing heat from both inside and outside of the bar, it’s clear they take prides in offering a comfortable and intimate atmosphere.

Known for their multitude of spirits from all around the globe it would be rude not to try a few of them in a cocktail. Their seasonal cocktail list includes a handful of winter beauties like the Gunpowder, Blood and Sand which combines rum, brandy and fortified aromatic wine – this exotic and spicy cocktail will warm you up from the inside. And of course, we can’t leave out a winter necessity, mulled wine.

The Garden Shed offers many areas for dining purposes but their fully covered back-garden steals the show. With a cocoon of greenery and running water, this serene restaurant creates a bubble of warmth to ward off the winter chill. You can leave your jacket and scarf at home when visiting this spot. Add in the stomach-rumbling-inducing smell of freshly baked bread as you listen to the rain patter overhead.

Dig into the large grazing platters as you pursue the longlist of cocktails the Garden Shed has to offer. You can’t go wrong with a margarita, and this one comes with a twist; using strawberry infused tequila, agave and basil it reminds us of afternoons relaxing in the sun.

If you’re in need of a lowkey night out, a hearty pizza under the sparkling fairy lights and a good dose of cocktail love then Gypsy Tea Room ticks all of the above. This local watering-hole is cosy and snug with distressed décor and a welcoming ambience.

However, every second Thursday night this place turns into something more, hosting their live Funk Jam, this venue goes from casual afterwork drinks to a pumping night out. Serving all of our favourite classic cocktails and their signature boozy teapot concoctions this place meets all of our winter requirements!