The Sky Tower is the beating heart of Auckland. The City of Sails’ north star. It dominates the skyline, and helps you orientate yourself in the maze of city streets. Seeing its familiar aerial stretch high into the sky as you come into land is an apt reminder that you’re home. Fittingly, the area in and around the Sky Tower has become a hub for drinking and dining in Auckland. So many of our favourite bars and restaurants call the precinct home, and this summer, SkyCity is set to become your one-stop shop for everything from festive feasting to al fresco gluttony.
Summer Garden Pop-Up
From now until March 1st, the SkyCity Summer Garden pop-up is open daily from 8am at the base of Auckland’s most iconic building. Bringing the classic Kiwi backyard BBQ to the heart of the city, this multi-purpose space has everything from cocktails and ice cream, to live music from the likes of Mal Lakatani, John Blackburn, Manoah Pickering, Lee Gray and Richard Murray, and bagels from Al Brown’s Fed Deli. From morning pastries and coffee in the day’s early rays before you head to the office, to impromptu post-work drinks with friends, expect your social compass to be firmly pointing to the Sky Tower this summer.
Tequila time
Should all that time outdoors get you thirsty, embark on the Margaritas Around the World trail, which sees restaurants and bars across SkyCity creating their own signature summer margarita with Patrón. Head to Depot for the hibiscus and lime leaf margarita crafted with house-made hibiscus syrup infused with kaffir lime, pop next door to Fed Deli for their refreshing watermelon margarita, and take a quick journey up to the 50th floor for SkyBar’s roots margarita made with golden kumara. Sip on a passionfruit, perilla and vanilla margarita at Masu, or the refreshing coconut and lime pour at Huami. Finish up at Metita for a Talofa Sunrise, made with cacao and Koko Samoa-infused Patrón, triple sec and spiced orange and lime.
After work drinks
Meanwhile, at Cassia, the courtyard has been taken over by Malfy Gin, bringing a slice of the Amalfi Coast to Midtown. Think tall, ice-cold gin cocktails and an interactive gin and tonic station, all fueled by Sid Sahrwat’s $45 classic snack platter or pick your own. And for after-work fun, Metita’s much-loved Afi Afi hour returns Tuesday – Saturday from 5pm til 7pm with refreshing drinks that capture the essence of the ocean side from $12.
Festive feasting
For city-siders entertaining at home this festive season, SkyCity has you covered there too, with Christmas at Your Table by The Grill. Executive Chef Patrick Ikinofo and the award-winning team at The Grill have crafted feast boxes that take the hassle out of hosting guests. Whether you go for a glossy, glazed ham, an impressive whole roast turkey or the classic aged beef scotch, these boxes come with all the accoutrements for an impressive festive feast. Pre-orders are open now.
