Auckland’s appetite for a Negroni has clearly outgrown the confines of a single week. While the official celebrations run from 21st to 27th of September, a number of the city’s best bars and restaurants are stretching proceedings across September and well into October, giving Campari’s unmistakable red aperitivo plenty of time in the spotlight. Some are keeping things pleasingly classic, others are pushing the formula considerably further. These are the Negroni Week activations worth knowing about.
Bivacco
Few places make quite as much sense for a Negroni as Bivacco’s waterfront terrace, and for Negroni Week the Viaduct restaurant is pouring three variations for $20 each. Purists can opt for the Classico, made with gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, while the sparkling Sbagliato replaces gin with prosecco. The more adventurous choice is the Mexicano, where tequila and mezcal meet Campari, a vermouth blend and Amaro Montenegro for a smokier, more assertive interpretation. Savor has also made a donation to Slow Food on behalf of each of its participating venues.
Amano
At Amano, the Negroni gets a characteristically thoughtful reworking across three versions. Alongside the requisite Classic, made with gin, Campari and Antica Formula, there’s a Bianco Negroni combining gin, Campari, Cocchi Americano and Bénédictine with the unexpected savoury addition of tomato and olive. The Amaretto Negroni takes things in a richer direction, bringing Disaronno into the familiar combination of gin, Campari and Antica Formula.
SOUL Bar & Bistro
SOUL is taking a predictably maximalist approach, turning Negroni Week into an entire month dedicated to Campari. Under the banner SOUL Goes Red, the bar team has developed five limited-edition cocktails exploring the Italian aperitivo in different forms, with the classic Negroni naturally retaining its place at the centre of proceedings. There’s a charitable element too, with $1 from every Negroni sold donated in support of the Slow Food movement. For anyone who prefers their aperitivo accompanied by a long lunch and a waterfront table, this is an easy place to settle in for the afternoon.
Rooftop at QT
Rooftop at QT has devoted the whole of September to Negroni Paradiso, its collaboration with Campari. Four pours are on offer, starting with the Classic before moving to the Director’s Cut, which introduces a local gin-led twist. Original Chaos goes further, pairing Bulldog Gin and Campari with acidified strawberry coulis and charred grapefruit syrup, while The Uncut offers the bitter profile without the alcohol. Each arrives with Campari-dusted popcorn, and on Friday nights from 8pm to 10pm the Classic drops to $15. It is perhaps Auckland’s most convincing argument for taking Negroni hour upstairs.
Advieh
At Commercial Bay, Advieh is giving the Negroni considerably longer than seven days. Running from 21st September until 19th October, its collaboration with Imbibe and Campari sees Head Mixologist Zac create four special interpretations of the cocktail exclusively for the occasion. The activation also supports Slow Food, tying Advieh into the wider charitable purpose behind Negroni Week. Given the restaurant’s penchant for spices, aromatics and Middle Eastern flavours, it is a setting particularly well suited to exploring the drink beyond the traditional gin-vermouth-Campari formula.
Andiamo
Herne Bay favourite Andiamo has rather sensibly decided that one week is nowhere near enough. Its Negroni Week(s) runs from 21st September to 18th October, introducing four different takes on the Italian classic across four weeks, with drinks starting from $20. It is a simple proposition, but a good one: return each week, try the latest iteration and decide which deserves permanent residency on the drinks list. For a neighbourhood restaurant already well versed in the pleasures of Italian drinking and dining, the Negroni needs little introduction.
Atelier
Atelier has gone one better again and handed over the entirety of September to the cocktail. The Karangahape Road restaurant is pouring three markedly different versions: a Classic with Bulldog Gin, Campari and Cinzano Rosso; a lighter Negroni Blanc built around Italicus bergamot liqueur and dry vermouth; and the more unusual Negroni à la Française, where Earl Grey-infused Cognac meets Bénédictine and white vermouth. Indecisive drinkers can sidestep the problem entirely with a $30 tasting flight featuring all three, which might be the most compelling way to approach the month.
Non Solo Pizza
Naturally, one of Auckland’s most enduring Italian institutions is getting involved. Non Solo Pizza is serving two variations for Negroni Week, including its established NSP Negroni with Bulldog Gin, Campari and Antica Formula. The more intriguing option is the Dolce Negroni, which layers Malfy Gin, Campari and Punt e Mes with Cointreau and crème de cacao, introducing a subtle dessert-like richness without abandoning the cocktail’s essential bitterness. Pair it with a table in the courtyard and something suitably Italian from the kitchen.
Panacea
Panacea is approaching Negroni Week with a little more theatre. Every Negroni ordered during the week comes with a limited-edition Panacea x Negroni Week scratch card, with prizes ranging from complimentary Negronis and cocktails to tasting vouchers and merchandise. The O’Connell Street bar is also releasing a limited-edition merchandise collection for the occasion. Given Panacea’s reputation for taking its cocktails seriously without taking the ritual around them quite so seriously, the playful format feels entirely fitting.
Flush Golf
Britomart’s Flush Golf is bringing a little competition to aperitivo hour with three Negronis running from 21st to 27th September. There’s a straightforward Classic, while the Smoky Negroni folds mezcal and Aperol into gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. More unexpected is the Strawberry & Black Pepper Negroni, where fresh strawberry and cracked pepper sharpen the familiar combination of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. A convincing reason to linger at the 19th hole, regardless of how the round went.
