Auckland is often the first destination for those who wish to explore New Zealand, but it’s not just a mere stopover. As one of the biggest cities in all of the South Pacific, it’s nightlife is outstanding! The city is filled with restaurants, bars, shopping centers, and other entertainment options, especially in the central business district around Queen Street.
By Lizzy
Backpackers head to Auckland because of the attractions such as the city’s vibrant nightlife scene, beaches and water sports nearby, outdoor activities (you can visit the volcanoes!), and various cultural attractions.
The hostels listed below are always rated by guests as the best hostels in Auckland, and all of them have a social and fun party atmosphere. Whether it’s through on-site bars, daily drink specials, live music, or the atmosphere of the surrounding neighborhood, all of these hostels will guarantee that you have the time of your life while visiting Auckland.
Top 4 Hostels in Auckland:
The 4 Best Party Hostels in Auckland
Base Auckland
Price: $15.78 to $22.65
The Base chain of hostels has branches in a lot of cities throughout New Zealand, and are popular because of their reliable and usual amenities which make guests very comfortable during their stay while still providing a fun and active social vibe. The Base Auckland is not an exception, and in a lot of ways, epitomizes all that the chain has to offer: three on-site bars, dorms and private rooms, central location, clean and modern facilities (including updated bathrooms). Aside from that, the hostel also has large communal areas with a great shared kitchen, TVs in the common areas, internet and Wi-Fi, security (through key cards), a gym, job search, TVs in the private rooms, entertainment rooms with pool tables, and a lot more.
Just because you’re looking to have a great time doesn’t mean that you have to sleep in a filthy or shady environment and the people who run the hostel make sure that everything is kept neat and secure.
Late-night partying and dancing happens at the bars and in the common areas every night during peak season, and still quite regularly in the low season. If you want to have a great time and meet new people, you can’t go wrong with Base Auckland.
Note: Some reviewers give less than stellar reviews because of the occasional lack of cleanliness.
- Social atmosphere, great amenities, and rad parties
Nomads Auckland
Price: $12.87 to $25.67
Nomads Auckland belongs to the Nomads hostel chain, which is spread throughout the country (and the rest of the world). The chain receives consistently good reviews from guests. On offer at this hostel are dorm beds and private rooms and a long list of great amenities. They also offer multiple bars for having a great time and meeting new friends! Their top floor kitchen and common area spread out onto a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. It is the perfect place to have a drink and socialize with other guests. Also, don’t forget about the sauna or hot tub, where you can unwind after partying in downtown Auckland!
This modern hostel is situated in a historic building, but since it’s been renovated, so everything is clean, modern, and homey.
- Great amenities, nice views, and unique décor and vibe
QueenStreet Backpackers
Price: $18.07 to $27.10
With an amazing location, right in the center of all the places you want to see in downtown Auckland, QueenStreet Backpackers has the usual hostel amenities along with a fun, social vibe. The hostel’s common room is large enough to accommodate a fun, social party. A lot of guests also hang out late in the night while drinking the beer and cocktails from the bar. Still, some enjoy the good company around the pool table and other common areas.
They also have dorms and private rooms, all of which have shared bathroom facilities at reasonable prices. A functional, shared kitchen is available for those that wish to save some money by cooking their meals. Laundry is also available, as is the internet and Wi-Fi. Read more..
- Great location, social atmosphere, and good amenities
Fat Camel Hostel
Another hostel from the Nomads chain, but only a few blocks away from their first hostel, Fat Camel Hostel stands out because of its apartment-style design. The shared dorms come in various sizes, such as 6 or 8 beds, and each dorm area has a kitchen area. This hostel is a renovated apartment building that has been remodeled as a hostel. It can make for a great place if you travel with a group, or if you want to meet new friends in a more cozy environment, and then throw your party.
Even with all of these comforts, several large communal areas are also available, as is an on-site bar and a separate shared kitchen if you don’t want to use the one in your apartment area. They also have a steam room, key-card access for added security, free internet/Wi-Fi, and other typical hostel amenities. Read more..
Price: $15.92 to $13.03
- Convenient location, great for groups, and a lively on-site bar
How is Auckland’s Nightlife?
Boasting an eclectic and vibrant nightlife scene, Auckland is undoubtedly among the best in the country. The nightlife in Auckland is home to crowd-pleasing bars, waterfront nightclubs, live music venues, intimate late-night bars, and cocktail lounges, and you’ll find everything you want here.
Nightlife in Auckland is anything that you want it to be. A lot of visitors often hang out in the numerous bars and restaurants situated in the Viaduct Harbour. At the same time, those after live music might go to the notorious K-Road and the Ponsonby district. Stylish and intimate bars and restaurants are found in The Britomart Precinct, close to the ferry terminal. Of course, walking through the main downtown area, you’ll never far away from a club or bar. Just head into the backstreets off Queen Street, and you’ll find what you’re looking for.
The Skytower, home to the SkyCity Casino, is open all hours while the Aotea Centre is where you’ll find all things cultural. Karangahape Road, known as ‘K-Road’ with locals, is home to Auckland’s gay scene.
The Best Bars and Clubs in Auckland
1. Impala
When Auckland’s iconic CODE club closed, Impala was ready to take its place. The nightclub was established by Red Rum Touring International event organizers Reuben Rivers Smith and Daniel Farley, who are recognized for bringing some of the top international DJs to the country. Suffice to say, Impala’s regular lineup of local and visiting musical performers will surely get all night owls dancing until the early hours of the morning.
2. 1885
A classy party joint that is an absolute Auckland favorite, 1885, is known for its seamless transition from a sophisticated cocktail bar into a buzzing club venue as the clock strikes midnight. It has a lot of bars and rooms for those who want to groove and socialize and, if you’re feeling a bit fancier, they offer a VIP-like bottle service as well.
3. The Roxy
Located in the Imperial Building on Fort Lane, the Hollywood-themed Roxy is a hub of activity when its DJs start playing. As soon as you go inside this vibrant club, you’ll be welcomed by all the elements that make for a great party night: a dance floor, a bar, and a rooftop deck with stunning views of Auckland’s skyline.
4. Bungalow 8
Something for the Latin lovers among us. Hit up the Viaduct Harbour’s Bungalow 8 on any given weekend for house music with a distinctive Latin American flair – South American DJs liven up the dance floors regularly. An enticing interior, luscious cocktails, and a diverse food menu adds to the bar and nightclub’s dynamic experience.
5. Family Bar
A legendary part of Auckland’s LGBT club scene and among the most iconic bars on K’Road, Family Bar is owned by the gay community, and its mainly famous for its exciting, inclusive, and occasionally naughty environment. Along with a smashing nightclub crowd, karaoke nights are a daily specialty.
About Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest city, home to 1.49 million people, nearly a third of the country’s population (it has more people than the entire South Island). It is the main economic and travel hub, home to an international airport. It’s lucky enough to have its beautiful landscapes, waterways, and other attractions to draw tourists to visit. But it is not New Zealand’s political capital – that honor is given to Wellington.
Auckland is called the “City of Sails” because of the countless yachts that dock at the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf, and for the city’s love of sailing. More than 135,000 boats and launches are listed in Auckland. Also, several America’s Cup regattas have been held here in the past few years. Auckland is also known as the “City of Volcanoes.” Much of its natural charm comes stems from the fact that it was founded on the Auckland Volcanic Field, which is composed of about 50 volcanoes. All of the volcanoes are extinct, but the volcanic field itself is not. The city also houses a large number of urban parks and beaches, numerous cultural and arts events and institutions, and is home to a lot of sports teams.
Lizzy
Traveler & Blogger
Hi, I’m Lizzy! In the past 10 years I’ve travelled 60 countries and I’m still counting. While I was backpacking I could not find a website that provides valuable information about hostels. After months of thinking, doubting and brainstorming, hostelstobook.com was born.
I hope to make your trip easier, so you’d only stay in the best hostels around the globe. Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to send me a message.
Related Questions
Everybody’s every night. It is the perfect place to wind down after a long workday and give your mind a break to get you through the week. Buy a board to share a few drinks, and you’re set for the night. Indulge in the Everybody’s platter, which gives you a taste of everybody’s faves—Tokyo chicken nibbles, calamari, olives, beef fat fries, charcuterie, AND toasted sourdough. Add some friends to your order, and you’ll have everything you need.
New Zealand has A LOT of fantastic beaches, waterfalls, and islands that you can explore. After exploring the “City of Sails,” you can head to Whitianga, Rotorua, Raglan, Mt Maunganui, and Hamilton to top off your vacation. Besides Auckland you could also go to Melbourne and Sydney.
The short answer is 14 days as a minimum time frame for visiting both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. That’s roughly one week’s travel time for both islands and is just long enough for any visitor to experience the best of the country.
The majority of ex-pats will head to New Zealand’s major cities of Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch, with Auckland being considerably more expensive. Also, buying a home in New Zealand can take as little as three to four weeks. On average, a two-bedroom apartment in the city will cost around $350–$500 per week.
New Zealand is famous all over the world for its incredible scenery, ranging from sweeping mountains to vast underground cave systems, gigantic glaciers to hot springs, golden-sand beaches to the rough coastline. It’s also packed with cool cities, hidden spots, incredible wildlife, and more.