Sport is basically a religion here in Aotearoa, and meeting your mates to share a drink and yell sports-themed profanities is a rite of passage. And when you can’t make it to a game, there’s no better way to experience the nail-biting action than with a drink in your hand at a local sports bar.
Walls covered in flat screens and all the emotions of like-minded fanatics and sworn enemies will make it a night to remember. Pair all that with pub grub and cold beer and you’re in for a huge dose of sports vibes. Whether it’s rugby, UFC or the English Premier League that tickles your fancy, you can now get your fix all year round, regardless of where the game is played.
Here are the best sports bars Auckland has to offer—now there’s no excuse to miss a major play.
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Tyler St Sport
46 Tyler Street, Britomart, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Tyler St Sport | Michael White
A sports bar for people who aren't totally sold on the idea of sports bars? Enter: Tyler St Sport. The official home for the newly formed Auckland FC. As such, the venue hosts regular game days and also offers a very affordable food/drink/transport package to punters heading along to home matches at Go Media Stadium. And while football is undoubtedly Tyler St's baby, rest assured that other sporting events will also be playing out live and loud across their super-sized, state-of-the-art TV screens. As for the kai, think pub grub but elevated: cheeseburgers stuffed with 1/2 pound of premium wagyu beef, onion rings and dripping in bacon and bourbon jam; cheeseburger spring rolls; chicken salad, and more. Don't skip the sophisticated bevvies curated by pro mixologist, Hollie Wright.
Norma Taps
Shed 3D, City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Norma Taps | supplied
If you're after the game with a sensational eats, you ought to make a beeline for Norma Taps. With a spacious, sleek, mahogany fit-out inspired by Japanese listening rooms and a row of golden taps for beer (and kegged cocktails, just sayin'), the space is a visual feast that's prime for top tier viewing in great company. Don't leave without a round of chilli pork and fennel sausage pizza which arrives topped with XO sauce and shredded vinegar potato. Bowl of fries, who?
Full Time Sports Bar & Eatery
498 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland
The Bridgman
234 Dominion Road, Crn Valley Road, Mt Eden, Auckland
Image credit: The Bridgman | Facebook
For a plush, extra take on an Auckland sports bar, The Bridgman is your spot. With crushed velvet booths, lush potted palms and reimagined, seasonal pub grub you’re sure to have a ball. From prime rib-stuffed ‘dirty’ burgers with a jug of veal jus for good measure to spaghetti carbonara elevated with stracciatella and everything in between. Save room for the Valrhona chocolate tiramisu and be sure to indulge in their mean passionfruit martini—a magical concoction with vodka, vanilla and raspberry—basically, we could sip on this all night long.
Schapiro’s Sports Bar
224 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland
Image credit: Schapiro's | Facebook
Cream of the crop and relative newcomer, Schapiro’s Sports Bar serves the full sports bar fantasy. Inspired by the classy joints in San Francisco, it’s the best sports bar to watch American sports in Auckland at. Expect cosy booths, ambient lighting and more sports memorabilia than you can swing a bat at (not that we recommend doing that, mind you). As an additional bonus, you’ll find all the libations to tickle your taste buds, with Dr Pepper and grape soda on hand for sober drivers. As for the food, it’s everything you’re hoping for with cheeseburger smashies, fried chicken wings and refreshing wedges of iceberg in green goddess dressing. Hot damn.
The Clare Inn Irish Pub
274/278 Dominion Road, Mt Eden, Auckland
Five minutes up the road from Auckland’s sports sanctuary, Eden Park, is perfect for a pre or post-match drink. In true Irish fashion, the pub features a stone and wood interior of curved doorways, timber floors and wall furnishings, hefty chairs and of course, a roaring fireplace. Claiming to serve “the best Guinness pint in all of Auckland” this gem also features a menu filled with hearty pie flavours, meaty dishes like roasted lamb shoulder rack and potatoes on top of potatoes. Next time there’s a game featuring the Irish, you know where to go for a taste of that Emerald Isle hospitality.
The Brit Pub And Eatery
122 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: The Brit | Facebook
Ever wished you could smash a foot-long pizza while watching UFC fighters hulk out on each other? At The Brit, you can. Snarfed that back and still have room for more? (Impressive.) Treat yourself to a pudding of the week or partake in their “sweet liquids” inspired by Eton mess or even a snickers bar. Of course, if you’re feeling virtuous there’s something for you too with their green, poke, burrito and falafel bowls which you’ll almost definitely add halloumi to. This is sports viewing done very, very right.
Dr Rudi’s Rooftop Brewing Co.
Level 2/204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
Watch the UFC from a rooftop, and a gorgeous one at that. Enter: Dr Rudi’s Rooftop Brewing Co., one of our favourite bars that just so happens to also have bowling lanes and, of course, large TV screens that are perfect for watching all the sports. Oh, and their snack game is strong which is important because what’s a sports-viewing sesh without snacks? Twice-cooked pork bites, free-range chicken wings, Bang Bang chicken noodle salad and more will keep you fuelled so you can jump up and down and yell encouragement (or abuse) at the screen all night long.
The Fox - A London Pub
85/87 Customs Street West, Auckalnd CBD
Image credit: The Fox | Facebook
Located on the Auckland viaduct, The Fox - A London Pub recently re-opened with a boujee London Pub theme and is decked out with quirky English-inspired interiors (check out Queen Lizzy with her tattoos and neon crown), this is one cool spot and in fact a much more upmarket version of the London pubs you may have experienced on your travels. This top sports bar broadcasts all the major sports from rugby, to UFC, FA and UEFA championships. And, if there’s a sport they aren’t screening (unheard of), they’ve been known to broadcast on request. This place is so dedicated to sports even the bathrooms are equipped with live sound feeds, so there’s really no way of missing out on the action. Known as a gathering spot for Liverpool supporters, The Fox is The Paddington’s arch-enemy, so don’t wander in wearing anything other than the Reds shirt.
Malt Public House
442 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Formally known as Malt Bar, Malt Public House is everything you want in a gastropub with sports a-plenty. Enjoy the game with an elevated pub feed—polenta chips and ceviche anyone?—or crack a craftie with their pie of the week. The possie also boasts some great specials including a schnitzel night on Monday, steak night on Tuesday, burger night on Wednesday, 50 cent chicken wings on Fridays, 2 for 1 pizzas and $6 mimosas and Bloody Marys every weekend. Score.
Lord Kitchener
6 Kitchener Road, Sandringham, Auckland
Image credit: Lord Kitchener | Facebook
For footie with a side of British fare—think beer-battered fish and chips with mushy peas, and pot pie with a side of bubble and squeak—make a beeline to Lord Kitchener. It isn’t just traditional eats on the menu, either, no siree. Their curly fries are paired with vindaloo mayo, their hand-rolled, stone-baked pizza could come topped with paneer tikka or a Nepalese-style chicken if you so desired, and their cocktails are some of the prettiest around. Located in the heart of Sandringham this popular haunt has lashings of good vibes and is definitely one of the best sports bars in Auckland.
The Paddington
117 Saint Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Auckland
Parnell’s The Paddington has a medieval-meets-industrial vibe with wooden pillars, tiled walls, numerous light fixtures and a warm ambience. Broadcasting everything from rugby and soccer to UFC, their bartenders get up seriously early to accommodate all sorts of sport-crazed fanatics. Big on the English Premier League, The Paddington is known as a Chelsea supporter hang-out, so if you’re a fan of the blue lions this is the place for you. The menu mainly focuses on the classics like eggs bene, caesar salad, steak and burgers. The drinks list is heavy on the spirits, featuring 20 Scottish whiskeys and more than 10 American whiskeys, a wide range of other spirits plus plenty of tap beer.
The Cav
68 College Hill, Freemans Bay, Auckland
Image credit: The Cav | Facebook
Located in an 1860s heritage building, The Cav is one of Auckland’s oldest drinking establishments. Legend has it that The Cav is the very place where Auckland Rugby League was born back in 1910. Since then, the pub has seen its share of sports games and accommodated many a fan. Shortening its name from The Cavalier Tavern to The Cav and getting a makeover in 2014, The Cav now features a contemporary design with light fixtures, funky tiles, and huge windows, bathing the room in light. There’s a range of menus, from bar snacks and light feeds to more substantial meals and mouth-watering desserts. More importantly, their extensive craft beer selection will ensure you keep well hydrated during those nerve-wracking time-on moments.
Sports bar not your jam? Take your pick of these watering holes instead.
Main image credit: Tyler St Sport | Michael White.