Dinner and a Show
I’ve had an inordinate number of theatre shows lately - mainly because several performances that I purchased tickets for over the past two years were postponed thanks to lockdowns and border restrictions. The main theatre in Auckland is the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in Aotea Centre in the middle of the CBD. This is the primary stop for things like the ballet, musicals, international speakers, etc. One of the shows I just saw was Hannah Gadsby of Nanette fame and Esther Perel will be speaking in November. This is not where huge music acts will perform - they tend to go to places like Spark Arena, Mt. Smart Stadium, or Western Springs.
If you’re going to have a fun night out at the theatre, you should definitely attach a good downtown dinner to it. I thought I’d share a few good choices that are off the beaten path of high-profile restaurants in the city. You know, the Origine, Ahi, Amanos of the world. Not that those are bad restaurants; they have their reputations for a reason! But there are other places to try that are within walking distance of Aotea Centre.
If your show happens to be on a Monday, your choices are limited as many restaurants aren’t open that night. However, if you’d like something close by and casual, Depot Eatery by Al Brown is a great spot to try… especially if you are looking for an early dinner. (Seats are first-come, first-serve. This isn’t a place I’d try on a Saturday night.) Depot is a short walk to the theatre and has a yummy selection of sharing plates.
For something a little more upscale and unexpected, try Ghost Street - not to be confused with Ghost Donkey which is a Mexican restaurant in Commercial Bay. Ghost Street is a Cantonese restaurant that feels like it was once a speakeasy. The dishes are for sharing like at Depot, but are at a much more refined level. You’ll need to walk a bit further for this restaurant and have a reservation, but if you’re going to see something like PostModern Jukebox like I did last week, it will keep you in that 1920s frame of mind. (If the 1920s had lychee martinis and silken tofu with chilis.)
Finally, if you want an old classic standby, Le Garde Manger is a traditional French restaurant on Queen Street that is popular with the theatre crowd. Make sure to get a reservation if you are going to see something like the opera - there is a certain blue-haired crowd that really likes a pre-show escargot.
On a side note - use taxis, uber, or public transport. Yes, there is parking in the Civic garage, but it is more hassle than it is worth most of the time. The CBD’s perpetual construction and detours makes getting to the area unnecessarily stressful for a fun night out. Take advantage of alternate transportation so you can enjoy yourself.
