Beer—it makes the world a better place and, lucky for us hop lovers, Auckland’s craft beer scene is absolutely booming. Bars, free houses and breweries stocking some of the best international and New Zealand-made beers are popping up on the reg and it’s got us frothing with excitement.
Gone are the days of cracking open a can of Double Brown. These days it’s all about wrapping your taste buds around the latest hoppy, malty, carbonated creation. Whether you’re a lager lover, an ale advocate or an IPA enthusiast, you better believe there’s a brew out there for you. And, if you’re not the biggest fan of beer at all, then maybe you should try a sour beer, you might be pleasantly surprised.
But whatever it is that floats ya boat, you’ll be sure to find it in one of these spots. So read on to find out our top picks for the best craft beer bars in Auckland.
Oh hoppy days.
Saint Leonards Brewing Co
394 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland
Found within the vibrant Kingsland neighbourhood, halfway down the Auckland Beer Mile, Saint Leonard's is a former panelbeaters transformed into one of Tāmaki's sunniest garden bar breweries offering a delightful selection of craft beer. With a focus on fresh, innovative brews and a welcoming atmosphere, expect to find everything from hop-forward hazy IPAs to refreshing lagers. It's quickly becoming a must-visit destination for beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.
My Bar
12 Durham Street East, Auckland CBD
Tucked away on Durham Street East, My Bar combines contemporary cocktail lounge vibes with neighbourhood charm, making it an ideal destination for casual drinks and special events. With a fantastic selection of New Zealand craft beers alongside expertly crafted cocktails, this inviting venue truly embodies the spirit of Tāmaki's vibrant nightlife, all while being staffed by a super cool and welcoming team that makes every visit feel special.
16 Tun
10/26 Jellicoe Street, Auckland
Clueless about craft? 16 Tun can help with that. The Wynyard Quarter free house has some 70 craft beers on rotation, hand-picked from the best breweries and independent brewers around the motu. Rock up and chat to their friendly and super knowledgeable staff and they'll match you to your perfect brew of the moment. But they don't just do beers, while you're there house a burger, smash a salad (you know, for balance) and bring your pup—they've got dog treats too. Cute.
Small Gods Taproom
2/22 Shaddock Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland
Small Gods is the pure definition of a hidden gem. Tucked away down a windy street in Eden Terrace, it's known for showcasing the absolute best independently owned local and sometimes international craft beers. Word on the street is that they have one of the coolest run clubs in uptown every Monday and the quirkiest quiz night on Thursdays.
Fantail And Turtle
Goodside, The Avenue, Smales Farm, Takapuna, Auckland
If you're on the North Shore and in the mood for a crisp pint of New Zealand craft beer, swing by Fantail and Turtle at Smales Farm. This lively gastro pub has a chill vibe and a great selection of craft brews on tap, plus a solid wine list. It's the perfect hangout for locals and visitors to dig into tasty share plates and hearty pizzas while soaking up the friendly atmosphere.
The Tapping Room (Batsmen Brewing)
11 McDonald Street, Morningside, Auckland
If you've never tried Samoan craft beer then you're missing out! The Tapping Room is a family-run brewery pumping out some tasty beverages, all brewed with Samoan flair. Word on the street is that their Flying Bat Hazy IPA is one of the best hazy IPAs in town.
Twofold Brewery And Restaurant
195 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Twofold has transformed the old Woodpecker Hill into an elevated brewpub, serving some of the tastiest food in the area. Think freshly shucked oysters, fried chicken and their popular seafood roll packed with crab and lobster. Twofold isn't just the place to be for good grub; they also have an in-house brewery headed by Bernard Neats (ex-Alibi Brewing), who makes some of the best beers in the country. He's recently brewed a double hazy IPA called FO'G, which is thick, fruity and way too easy to drink.
Churly's Brewpub And Eatery
1A Charles Street, Mount Eden, Auckland
Churly's, the bustling home of Behemoth Brewing, is sitting pretty on the edge of Tāmaki's unofficial Chinatown at the city end of Dominion Road. Renowned for its fantastic brews, from easy-drinking lagers to rich barrel-aged stouts, this fun spot also boats an impressive selection of fine cuts of meat, making it the ideal place to savour delicious pairings with their extensive craft beer lineup.
Urbanaut Brewery And Tap Room
597 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland
Urbanaut Brewing is one of the OG breweries in Kingsland and it's the perfect spot for craft beer lovers. You'll be seated right inside the brewery—where the magic happens—enjoying some of the freshest and most innovative brews crafted by a dedicated team of beer enthuisasts. Swing by their tap room for a pint of their toasted marshmallow hazy IPA which tastes exactly like marshmallow. And the legendary smashburgers from Burgernaut are ideal for pairing with your favourite beer after a day at the skate park or just hanging out with friends.
Garage Project Taproom And Cellar Door Kingsland
357 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland
If you know anything about craft beer then you'd know Garage Project is a go-to spot for craft beer enthusiasts serving as the Tāmaki home for the Wellington-based brewery. With thirteen ever-changing taps featuring everything from pints to takeaways, plus options like alcoholic lemonade and hard seltzers, it's a fun place to explore new flavours or just stick with their classic BEER, a no-frills lager that's super crispy. Whether you're up for a tasting flight or want to grab a crowler to go, the knowledgeable bar staff will help you discover brews you won't find anywhere else.
Side Hustle Bar
16 McDonald Street, Sandringham, Auckland
Side Hustle Bar is Morningside's chillest spot where the vibe of a lane bar meets the cosy charm of a wine cave. Enjoy a drinks list that slaps (including pretty cocktails) while indulging in bites from Phat Philly's and the Seoul Food pop up. As the spiritual home of Morningcider and Yeastie Boys, this bar's a must-visit, especially during happy hour from 4-6pm and 8.30-9.30pm daily.
Northern Line Bar And Social
6 Beresford Square, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Northern Line Bar And Social is a hidden gem just off Karangahape Road offering vibrant escapes for everyone—from partygoers to those looking for a breather. With an impressive selection fo local craft beers and classic pub grub, this spot is perfect for kicking back and enjoying a drink surrounded by retro video games and vintage pop culture memorabilia.
The Birdcage Tavern
133 Franklin Road, Freemans Bay, Auckland
Many may recognise the historic Birdcage Tavern—originally the Rob Roy Hotel built in 1865. It sits at the foot of Franklin Road, just a stone's throw from Victoria Park. What you might not know is that this tavern boasts an impressive craft beer selection with rotating taps featuring some of Aotearoa's juiciest brews. Plus, with food and drinks specials throughout the week, you can enjoy a delicious pint without breaking the bank.
Hallertau Brewery
26 Clevedon-Kawakawa Road, Clevedon, Auckland
There's no denying that Hallertau Brewery is one of Auckland's craft heavyweights. Hallertau’s founding 2, 3 and 4 beers have been their staple brews with the family then expanding to accomodate 5 and 6. But the beer doesn't stop there. They’ve also got their “Heroic range” which includes the Maximus beer, a much loved IPA among the locals. Then there’s the sour beer range—which, for all you non-beer lovers, might just surprise you. If you can get your hands on the Funkonnay beer, we highly recommend you give it a whirl. Finally, they’ve got their seasonal range which are styles of beer made to compliment the changing seasons—think light and crisp for summer and dark and complex for winter. So how’s now for a Hallertau?
Vultures' Lane
10 Vulcan Lane, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Humming away on Vulcan Lane, this craft beer bar is serious about brews. With a cool English pub vibe and a team of bar staff ready to share their crafty knowledge, the Vultures' Lane crew have 22 rotating taps and more than 75 bottles chilling out in the fridge. Its popularity with this city's beer-loving punters make it one of the best craft beer bars in Auckland.
The Lumsden Free House
444 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland
The Lumsden is a ‘free house’—free from the shackles of big breweries. You’ll find only quality, local craft beer being poured from their 15 taps, and with more than 120 canned and bottled brews, even the most loyal of 24 box drinkers will find something to get hooked on.
Brew On Quay
102 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Three friends, affectionately dubbed 'the brew boys’, are behind the awesome craft brew bar, Brew On Quay. They’ve drunk their way around the globe, sourcing the best craft beers the world has to offer—all of which you can try at their inner city bar. Brew On Quay has a sweet rooftop bar, an excellent selection of grazing platters, and is a short wander to the bus station, in case you have a few too many.
The Sawmill And Smoko Room
1004 Leigh Road, Matakana
A wee way from Auckland CBD is the ultimate roadie pit stop, Sawmill Brewery. This brewery makes a damn fine pilsner, packed with fruity flavours, and the extra pale ale is a welcome refreshment during summer. If you happen to live close to the brewery and enjoy a beer or two, why not sign up to become a beer taster at the brewery #dreamjob.
Galbraith’s Alehouse
2 Mount Eden Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland
This iconic Mt Eden pub has an epic beer garden, hearty nosh and a great selection of craft beer. Galbraith’s makes their own brews as well as stocking an impressive number of bottled brews. We’ll take a pie and a pale ale, thanks.
605 Morningside Drinkery
1021/605 New North Road, Morningside, Auckland
Housed in a small, feels-like-home space off New North Road and pouring a brilliant range of craft beer, 605 Morningside Drinkery (formerly Flight 605) is the place to go for a few weekday casuals. Their beer list is updated on the reg, and the team are more than happy to make suggestions. Oh, and we’ve said it before but we’ll say it again—605 have free popcorn. Sold.
The Brewers Co-operative
128-132 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Brewers Co-operative couldn’t get any more Kiwi. Pairing the classic fush’n’chups with some seriously delicious brews. This eatery stocks tried and true labels they know beer enthusiasts will love. Fork, Epic and Garage Project, just to name a few. Pair your brew with some good old fashioned Kiwi tucker with dishes such as ginger scallops, salt and pepper squid and of course, ya beer battered fish and voilà! You’ve got the perfect place for a Kiwiana kinda date and a way to tick off another on the list for the best craft beer bars in Auckland.
Image Credit: Andrew Wilson