Bar Albert

The Verdict

It's time to level up your bar game Auckland, and we have just the place. Bar Albert's the name, and aside from being the city's newest rooftop bar, it's also the country's highest—sitting a staggering 38 floors above street level, atop the gorgeous voco Auckland City Centre hotel. Yes, if sipping tipples while taking in sky-high views is up your alley (hell yeah it is!), then Bar Albert is about to become your new fave drinking destination.

Expect all the glitz and glam of a sophisticated speakeasy, with art-deco-inspired furnishings including a velvet curtain at the entrance, sunken leather couches, and touches of tan and gold (Jay Gatsby, eat your heart out). If you're feeling especially cheeky, see if you can find their salon—a private function room hidden behind a bookshelf. However, the main drawcard here has to be the open-air deck. With stunning vistas spanning as far as the Waitakere Ranges, there really is no other place like it in Auckland, especially at sunset when the sky literally comes alive with hues of pink and orange.

As expected, the cocktail game here is strong, and it's all thanks to head mixologist and bar manager, Chelsey York, who has used seasonal produce to create a rather dangerous line-up, named after Auckland streets—think Eden Crescent, Chancery Street, and the lush-sounding Market Place featuring Broken Heart spiced rum, Tempus Fugit Crème de’ Banana, lime, house-made miso caramel syrup, and coconut milk. Yip, we're in trouble... Also pouring—signature G&Ts, local and international wines, and Sawmill and Peroni on tap.

Finally, you'll want to soak up all that booze (whilst simultaneously soaking up that view) by grazing over an antipasto platter or charcuterie board—downing a slice or two of handcrafted pizza—or picking over a couple of small plates. With an outlook like this, there really are no wrong choices.

Image credit: Bar Albert.