Glowing technicolour mini golf. It’s scary, it’s sexy - it’s perfect for a first date. $15 each so it’s a cost effective option.

With exposed brick and red and white checked table clothes, Coco’s Catina makes for a very cute first date option. The food is amazing and the staff are super cool and know their stuff.

Peacock Sky is located in the middle of Waiheke, a short walk from the nearest bus stop. The staff are super friendly and they have a great paired wine tasting which makes for a perfect first date. Make sure to give Sky, the canine, a big cuddle.

For a cute american style first date - Timezone is a great option. Nothing like a bit of friendly competition to check out your compatability. I suggest checking it out on half price thursdays! Or go for one hour free play for $10.

The museum is free for Aucklanders - it makes a great date option. Their collection is always changing and they have great seasonal exhibitions. Grab a coffee and chill in the Domain afterwards - perfect.

These guys really know how to have fun. They have everything you might need to throw an awesome party - costumes, balloons, lighting, fun props! The staff are super helpful - definitely ask for their advice.

If you’re planning a fancy party - definitely check out first scene not only for attire but for general ambience! They have lots of props and dressing to put around your house to really sell your party’s theme.

This is a great place to go if your organizing a larger party or event. They have a whole lot of stuff you might need like furniture, catering equipment as well as neat lighting and special effects solutions. The staff are really helpful and the prices are reasonable.

If you’re looking to throw a snazzy party on a budget then Look Sharp is a great place to pimp your party. They have all kinds of decorations and fun costumes to suit any kind of party.

Mt Albert pool has a lazy river with currents that float you along, a hydro slide, spa pools as well as a 25m lap pool - great for fun for all of the family!

Amazing place to go with friends and share fish’n’chips and a few drinks! So relaxing - it’s a wonderful way to end the work week.

They have a 25m lap pool for keeping fit as well as a 15m teaching pool for splashing around with family and friends. Located right in the middle of the city this is great for all the CBD dwellers!

With their 60m salt water pool, spa pools and aquatic playground Parnell Baths make for an amazing summer time swimming location. They also have facilities for hosting birthday parties!

Excellent place to go to work on your fitness or they have so many fun family activities from their wave pools to their recreation programmes.

$15 for over an hour of rock climbing! with all the equipment and training you need provided! Great family weekend activity - perfect for birthday parties.

Good wholesome fun! They also have a bar for the 18 plus members of the family and a great restaurant for everyone. You can take over the separate mezzanine bowling area for all your rowdy victory dances!

I loved loved loved being taken to the observatory when I was a wee lass. I’m sure kids these days are still fascinated in the great big universe out there. A family pass is $30 for two adults and three children - what a bargain!

A full day family pass (2 adults and 2 children) at $180 is pretty reasonable given the convenience of being located in Auckland. Great way to get the kids active for a day.

Entry is $6, skate hire is $3 and spectating is free - this is an amazing afforadable family activity and a good way to wear the kids out!

Unity Auckland on High Street has a well curated collection but more importantly they have very talented staff who can help find anything you are looking for and have it ordered in!

This is a sweet little bookstore located in the hub of Newmarket. The staff are very friendly and it’s a very inviting space - so inviting in fact that you can arrange to hold your book club meeting there! Adorable.

Any bookstore with a live-in cat is doing things right in my opinion. They have an interesting mix of books - great for browsing with no specific purpose. Time Out also has an amazing children’s section!

Great for people looking for rare and collectable books. Also, those looking for something for something a little different. Their staff are remarkable. Books are as-new quality with fair prices.

An excellent first port of call when looking for collectable books. Based in Ponsonby these guys have corridors stocked with over 30,000 books! Definitely worth a browse!

With their cute kitchy design (featuring pages from comic books) Brothers is the perfect environment to test some of the 18 beers on tap or experience some of their bottled craft beers from around the globe.

Stop in to Lumsden Freehouse in Newmarket for your craft beer fix. Their great outdoor area is perfect for enjoying a Tuatara, Epic or even a Renaissance Stonecutter.

O’Carroll’s is a freehouse meaning it has no affiliation with one particular brewery but they do have ‘tap takeovers’ from different craft breweries around NZ. The friendly staff and dark wood and stone aesthetic make for a very enjoyable evening.

A delightful wee spot on Princes Wharf. The perfect place to watch the game while enjoying a fine selection of craft beer. Whether it’s a Moa, Yeastie Boys or Hallertau - you’ll find something to wrap your laughing gear around in Andrew Andrew.

Located in Browns Bay, Deep Creek Bay brew onsite. Their selection is vast - I recommend giving their IPA - pontoon in a monsoon - a try! Open 11am to 11pm, 7 days.