Auckland for music lovers: record stores, live music bars and pre/post-show spots

Whether you're in town for a sold-out show, hunting down a rare vinyl pressing or just after a great bar with a soundtrack to match, Auckland has plenty to offer music fans. Spend the day browsing record stores, grab dinner before doors open, catch a gig, then keep the night going with late-night drinks and live music nearby.

Start with the record stores

Find your way to Real Groovy on Victoria Street West, Auckland's enduring temple to vinyl, where it's easy to lose an hour or more among the records, books, posters and music memorabilia. Real Groovy is a cultural institution, and has been introducing Aucklanders to new (and old!) artists for decades. Situated above Woolworths Metro, just head up the escalators and you'll find Real Groovy at the top.

A short walk away is Holiday Records on Wellesley Street West. The boutique space focuses on a tightly curated collection of around 1000 essential records spanning genres and eras, making it feel welcoming whether you're a seasoned collector or buying your first vinyl. There's usually something excellent spinning through the speakers and complimentary coffee from Underground Roasters on offer. Through the viewing window at the back of the store, visitors can catch a glimpse of the record pressing operation that made Holiday Records home to New Zealand's first vinyl pressing facility in more than 30 years.

From there, head up towards Eden Terrace, where Southbound Records feels almost like a library for serious music lovers. Collectors will easily lose track of time here, with jazz, soul, alternative releases and beautifully reissued classics sitting alongside audiophile pressings.
 

Follow the sound to Karangahape Road (K’ Road)

Auckland’s musical heart beats on Karangahape Road. Within a few city blocks you'll find bars for pre-show drinks, independent venues, and late-night haunts. 

Public Bar inside St Kevin's Arcade has become a reliable pre-gig meeting point. The space was created around community, conversation and supporting emerging artists, with free performances and events regularly filling the calendar. If your timing lines up, you might even catch Monthly Record Riots in the courtyard, where stalls selling vinyl, cassettes, CDs and music memorabilia spill outdoors. The daily happy hour from 5pm to 7pm doesn't hurt either.

Public connects directly through to Double Whammy and sits alongside Whammy Bar, one of Auckland's most beloved live music venues. Tucked beneath St Kevin's Arcade, Whammy has earned a reputation for championing local talent alongside international touring acts.

A few minutes away, Neck of the Woods boasts one of Auckland's busiest gig calendars, regularly hosting local bands, international artists and club nights that run into the early hours. Not far from here, Galatos has a legendary status in Auckland's music scene. Indie gigs, underground raves, international touring acts and local favourites have all passed through its doors over the years. Split across multiple levels, it offers everything from packed main-room shows to more intimate performances downstairs, making it one of the city's most versatile live music spaces.

Big gigs and landmark venues

There’s more to Auckland’s music scene than just K’Rd’s eclectic strip. Nearby, Powerstation in Eden Terrace remains something of a rite of passage for music fans. The unassuming venue near the top of Mount Eden Road has welcomed some of music's biggest names and brightest rising stars over the past three decades, earning a reputation for exceptional acoustics and remarkably good sightlines. There's not a bad spot in the house, which perhaps explains why both audiences and artists continue to hold it in such high regard.

For international tours and the biggest nights on the calendar, all roads lead to Spark Arena. The city's largest indoor venue has welcomed everyone from global pop superstars and rock legends to major comedy tours and sporting events, often serving as the New Zealand stop for world tours heading through Australia and Asia. Its position on the edge of the city centre is part of the appeal too. With Britomart and Commercial Bay within walking distance, as well as Parnell nearby, pre-show dinners and post-show drinks are easy to organise.

Built into one wing of the arena, The Tuning Fork offers a more intimate experience and has become a favourite among gig-goers for exactly that reason. The venue has a knack for hosting artists just before they explode onto much bigger stages, with acts like Billie Eilish and IDLES having played their first New Zealand shows here. A glance at the poster-covered wall inside the bar tells the story of a venue that punches well above its weight, with a programme spanning everything from indie rock and folk to electronic music and hip hop.

Sitting alongside Aotea Square, Auckland Town Hall remains one of the country's great performance venues, with its celebrated acoustics making it a favourite for orchestras, musicians, comedy and artists whose music deserves a more magical setting.

 

Post-show drinks and late-night energy

After a show at Spark Arena, it's only a short walk to Commercial Bay where you’ll discover Kemuri Hi-Fi. Hidden beneath 1 Queen Street, this intimate listening bar revolves around its custom-built high-fidelity sound system and carefully curated vinyl selection, much of it drawn from the owners' personal collections. Enjoy excellent cocktails and an extensive whisky list while sampling exciting new tunes on vinyl. For a different vibe, head upstairs to Queens Rooftop. Perched 21 floors above the waterfront, it offers harbour views and a vibrant late-night atmosphere. For a club night experience, head to The Mothership, which hosts various live performances and artists.

For those not quite ready to head home, Ding Dong Lounge remains Auckland's unofficial headquarters for post-gig drinks and loud music. DJs, craft beer and cocktails keep the downstairs bar buzzing late into the night, while upstairs at Dead Witch you'll find everything from live bands to comedy and themed nights celebrating punk, emo, indie and alternative music.

Some music lovers prefer to head into Ponsonby. Among this popular late-night precinct, Nami Record Bar combines vinyl culture with cocktails and conversation, while Ponsonby Social Club remains a reliable option for DJs and live music. If your group isn't ready to call it a night, Grand Central is where you’ll find nightly live music from 9pm til late.