The Gay Scene in Auckland

If you are gay or lesbian and are looking for a holiday destination that specifically caters for your taste in entertainment, you can do a lot worse that Auckland, New Zealand. There are several nightclubs and restaurants that are geared towards the gay community, and a big, warm welcome awaits both residents and tourists alike. There is a massive gay scene in New Zealand, and Auckland is one of the top spots.

The main concentration of gay friendly venues is along Ponsonby Road, Karangahape Road and in the CBD.  The best known bars in this area are the Family Bar, Naval and Family and Urge. The Family Bar is located on Karangahape Road and is open 7 nights a week. The bright fairy lights and neon colours of the smoking courtyard out front makes this bar impossible to miss.

They recessed their entrance when the no smoking ban came in and decorated the courtyard in such a way that they, in their own words, wore their hearts on their sleeves and shouted loudly and proudly that this was a gay establishment. The indoor décor isn’t any quieter and it prides itself that whether you are in a group or flying solo there is always a warm welcome awaiting at the Family Bar.

The Naval  and Family hotel and bar is a quieter venue than its neighbour above and has an altogether more laid back ambience. If you want to relax and be able to hold a conversation in between strutting your stuff then this is the place to go. Just over the road from the Family Bar,  the Naval and Family closes a lot earlier due to it being a hotel, but to carry on partying you just pop over the road.

Urge prides itself on being one of the friendliest bars you can go to, and has a chilled, cruising atmosphere. It it also the longest running male gay bar in Auckland and it’s easy to see why it has remained popular for so long. They have top DJ’s performing to the crowds in a club that is open ’til dawn at weekends, and have special events such as the upcoming Tri-Nations  night featuring DJ’s from England, Australia and New Zealand.

At the other end of the scale Auckland also has a lively selection of clubs that incorporate saunas and cruising. The Basement on Canada Street bills itself as both a shop and a playground for men. Open ’til 1am Sunday-Thursday and ’til 5am Friday and Saturday, this specialist adult store stocks quality products from around the world and cater for gay and bi men as well as those into BDSM.