The entertainment options in New Zealand are diverse and exciting. Cuisines offer a variety of both distinctively Kiwi and international food. The nightlife is quite active as evidenced by the proliferation of concerts and shows in most major cities. There are also a number of casinos that would guarantee non-stop action and entertainment.
New Zealand’s performing arts gets a big boost from the cultural core of Auckland – The Edge. It includes the modern Aotea Centre, the impressive Town Hall and the Civic Theatre. The Aotea Centre features theater, ballet, dance, opera, major stage productions, art exhibitions and a dose of local drama. The Auckland Town Hall houses one of the finest acoustically tuned concert halls in the world. Regular performances by the Auckland Philharmonic and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra are done in this great hall.
The Sky City Theatre is the latest addition to the country’s performance venue. It seats to a capacity of 700 and features state-of-the-art technology and major local and international performers in dance, theater, rock, pop, jazz and cabaret. The Maidment Theatre at Auckland University is well known for drama and theater sports while the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna offers a little of everything.
The live music scene in New Zealand is pulsating with activity courtesy of the jazz and rhythm and blue gigs at places such as London Bar, Deschlers, Gables Tavern and the Alto Casino and Bar. Java Jive, Temple Bar, Davenport Bar and Brasserie offers rock, blues and jazz jam nights, solo acts and bands. Danny Doolan’s is the place for Irish music while The Dogs Bollix and the Bog are for piano nights and jam sessions. The Mexican Café offers live Latin music twice a week. A long line of bars, cafes and restaurants are prepared to provide entertainment to the country’s visitors.
The casinos of New Zealand provide its own brand of entertainment as it caters to its own crowd. Auckland’s Sky City Casino is easily spotted through its Sky Tower which is one of the tallest buildings in the world. The Sky City Casino in Hamilton is in a building designed to maximize its superb riverside location on the banks of the Waikato River. Its floor to ceiling glass ensures the gaming and restaurant customers enjoy spectacular views.
The Christchurch Casino exudes charm and elegance reflective of the style of the city. It houses a fine-dining restaurant and top class bars aside from its well-known gambling games. The Dunedin Casino can be found in the Southern Cross Hotel, parts of which have been restored to create an opulent Monte-Carlo-style atmosphere. The Sky Alpine Casino in Downtown Queenstown is located above the Hard Rock Café in Beach Street.
Dressing is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at night spots. Some places however, do not allow boots, black jerseys, sweaters and even jeans.
New Zealand has this thing called pub crawl which is essentially a bus rented out for the night by a group of people. The bus drives around to different pubs within a city. Some of the buses have converted the place previously occupied by back seats to a dance floor. Almost all pub crawlers feature loud and thumping music. It is a unique idea for a birthday party or any similar event.
If a person’s idea of entertainment lean towards the quiet side, an evening walk along State Highway 6 can do wonders. Even finding a secluded spot and safely building a fire to spend a night taking in the beauty of New Zealand can be a welcome treat from the noise of the busy nightlife. The final choice is simply a matter of personal decision.