Looking for something spesh to do for this year's Christmas party? We got you.
From shared feasts in private dining rooms to classes in clay-making and cocktails, boozy mini golf and arcade sessions to archery, there's something to suit all manner of festivities and indeed, frivolities. So grab your Santa hat, your appetite (be it for food or to simply get lit) and of course, your fellow guests—because it's time to party.
Without further ado, here are the best ideas for an epic Christmas party In Auckland.
Try Your Hand At Mixology
Image credit: Black Pineapple Co. / Facebook
Forget sleigh bells ringing, its all about cocktail shakers shaking when you bring Black Pineapple Co. onboard for your Chrissy party. Their team of expert mixologists can be hired to host a cocktail-making masterclass at a venue of your choosing or to make life even easier, opt for one of their selected partners (Wynyard Pavilion, Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen, The Lula Inn, and Fantail & Turtle).
Suitable for groups of 20 or more, you'll get to make several signature BP cocktails using only the finest quality spirits and liqueurs. And the sober curious needn't miss out, with equally beautiful booze-free options also available.
Play A Round Of (Mini) Golf
Get into the competitive Christmas spirit with a round of mini golf. Even better, do it while holding a cocktail in one hand. And there's only one place in Auckland where you can do this—Holey Moley.
This wonderfully wacky spot with 27 pop culture-themed holes (including our personal fave, the Iron Throne from GOT) is an absolute banger of a Chrissy party venue, with packages to suit groups of all sizes. This one gets brownie points for its fab food and of course, the aforementioned cocktails, which some might say are the key to par-teeing hard.
Throw An Axe Around (Yes, Really)
Image credit: Sweet Axe Axe Throwing / Supplied
Now we wouldn't usually encourage throwing axes in the presence of your colleagues, but when done under the guidance of professionals—well why the heck not? Enter Sweet Axe Axe Throwing, who will bring a real edge (sorry not sorry) to your festive get-together no matter what the size, by letting you chuck axes at targets for a few hours inside their sweet CBD venue.
Super fun (and strangely therapeutic), this is definitely one for the Christmas party memory books. Oh, and they also have some epic food and drink add-ons up for grabs.
Cook Up A Chrissy Storm
Think of this one like an episode of Masterchef, only the set is Social Cooking's Parnell digs, and you and your fellow party-goers are the contestants. At least, that's how best to describe the anything-but-ordinary cooking classes on offer at Social Cooking this holiday season.
These guys have a number of options to pick from, all with a decidedly festive theme—and yes, that includes a Christmas Masterchef challenge. Here you and your colleagues will break off into teams, raid a pantry laden with quality ingredients then work to create a memorable Chrissy feed; all under the guidance of professional chefs. Your reward? A lunch featuring the final result, naturally.
Unleash Your Inner Artist (Or Lack Thereof)
Image credit: Paintvine / Instagram
Bust out the brushes and create your very own artistic masterpiece with Paintvine. For those of you unfamiliar with this hugely popular concept, the premise is simple: you and your workmates will get to paint a pre-selected artwork, while sipping on some sweet, sweet vino.
Happy little accidents are welcome here, with having fun the aim of the Paintvine game. And best of all, you can do it from the comfort of your own workplace—at Paintvine HQ—or from one of their partner venues. P.S. Kill two birds with one stone (just don't let Bob Ross hear you saying that) and gift your masterpiece to a friend or family member for Christmas.
Bliss Out
For something a little different this Christmas party season, ditch the usual tropes of booze and loud music for a tranquil day retreat outside the city (NGL, this actually sounds like a dream scenario). Enter Kula Murawai, a haven offering a day of nourishment and connection in an absolutely stunning setting on Auckland's west coast.
There are three different packages to choose from, each including a three-hour session complete with tips for navigating stress and overwhelm in your daily life, a 90-minute yoga and sound journey, and a bonding exercise for and your workmates; all run by Yin yoga and meditation teacher Selina Ailini. Add-ons include a three-course holistic plant-based lunch, and sauna and ice bath sessions (bliss!).
Get Your Game On
Image credit: Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq / Facebook
If all you want for Christmas is to sip on cocktails while racing your colleagues on Mario Kart, consider a party at the crème da la crème of Auckland arcades, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq. This buzzy spot in Westfield Newmarket is dishing up holiday party packages big and small, and already has the festive atmosphere on lock with its twinkling lights and colour-splashed fit-out.
Combining ten-pin bowling, arcade games and bumper cars with epic eats and drinks—who could ask for anything more?
Potter About
So we've talked about throwing axes, but not throwing wheels. We don't mean this in the literal sense of course, but the pottery one. And fashioning something increds out of clay sure seems like a fun idea for a festive function (or at the very least, a good laugh).
Enter The Clay Centre, the leading Ellerslie-based clay-making school who are prepared to fire up their kilns for your end-of-year party. Choose from wheel-throwing and hand-building classes (less intense, but also—no chance of an awkward Ghost moment with Nigel from accounts) and again, the end result might make a sweet Chrissy gift.
They'll even let you bring along your own catering/food and drink for the occasion (AND supply the wine glasses for you).
Fine-Tune Your Archery Skills
Image credit: Wild Estate / Facebook
Sometimes you just gotta get out of the office and let off a few arrows, are we right? All in a no-one-one-gets-hurt environment of course, aka Wild Estate. This spot (actually a winery on Waiheke) is all about embracing your wild side with archery, laser clay bird shooting and other 'untamed' activities, coupled with plenty of top-notch libations to keep the festive/competitive/team spirit high.
They can cater for anywhere between 14 and 120 guests and word has it their Chrissy parties are so popular, that many groups return on the yearly.
Make Friends With Whales And Dolphins
Image credit: Whale And Dolphin Safari / Supplied
If you wanna get outdoors with your work pals and see some cute animals in the process, how about a spot of whale/dolphin watching? Explore the natural beauty of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park on a 65-foot marine vessel with Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari and become one with the wildlife during an epic 4.5-hour tour. They even have a sustainable cruise option.
An incredible eco safari direct from downtown Auckland—all this beauty at your doorstep—how could you say no to that?
Ski The Seas
Get on the water (and get your blood pumping!) with an epic jet ski tour hosted by Sea Auckland. Their popular 'Harbour' tour comes highly recommended; and gives you and your crew the chance to explore and enjoy spectacular views of the Chelsea Sugar Works and more, throughout the upper harbour region.
This tour is perfect for first-time riders with a limited time of 1.5 hours to get around. Who knew your work wife/boss/derpy colleague was such a daredevil?
Eat, Drink, And Be Merry
Image credit: Azabu Mission Bay / Supplied
And finally, you can't go past the tried-and-true combo of food and drink for your Chrissy party, which you'll want to enjoy in one of the many gorgeous private dining rooms/spaces available for your perusal this festive season.
It's hard to narrow it down just one, so here are a few of our personal faves: the stunning and aptly titled kingi Private in Britomart; the divine upstairs mezzanine at BOSSI; multiple spaces hidden away inside arguably Waiheke's best winery, Tantalus Estate; the gorgeous sea-facing fairy-lit courtyard at Azabu Mission Bay; the swanky upstairs bar at Origine; and the contemporary cellar room at Somm Wine Bar aka Auckland's first urban cellar door and wine bar.
Alternatively, if the budget allows, you could rent out an entire resto for the occasion—Rose's Dining Room, for example.
Looking for somewhere to eat in Auckland on Christmas day? We have a list for that.
Main image credit: Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq / Facebook.