Archived: Your guide to Social Hour this Restaurant Month

Bellini Bar at Hilton Auckland for getting that holiday feeling | 147 Quay Street

With breathtaking harbour views and five-star service, Bellini is the place to go for a relaxing evening with friends and family or even a business meeting with colleagues and clients. With dramatically suspended fireplaces for added ambience perfect for the winter months, nestle in and check out their Social Hour offer - a Frida Kahlo Patron margarita with tequila, yuzu, hibiscus syrup and lime, paired with two Jamon croquettes with truffle aioli.

Housebar for intimate art deco vibes | 2 High Street

Venture to the first floor of Hotel DeBrett and you'll find Housebar, an intimate hideaway in this art deco hotel complete with roaring fireplace, dark wood panelled bar, dimmed lighting and cosy seating for 20. What's on the Social Hour menu? Choose between the Grey Goose martini with Grey Goose vodka, vermouth, olives or twist or a Grey Goose Expresso Martini with kahlua, frangelico and espresso. Enjoy alongside a delicious charcuterie board.

Paname Social for a something new | 3 Lorne Street

Discover the newest gem in town, Paname Social, a charming bistro and wine bar nestled on Lorne Street within the exquisitely refurbished HB Building. During Restaurant Month, treat yourself to a visit and experience firsthand why it has garnered rave reviews from patrons. Make the most of their Social Hour offer and indulge in the choice of their signature Grande Margarita, expertly crafted to perfection, or venture into the world of flavors with their Sentier concoction. This unique blend showcases olive washed gin, house vermouth, and a lemongrass homemade syrup. Accompanying these exquisite drinks is their irresistible Chicken Liver Crème Brûlée, a harmonious fusion of textures and flavors that will leave you craving for more.

Brolly  for a waterside sundowner | Viaduct Harbour, 7/204 Quay Street

Brolly is an intimate aperitif cocktail, wine & shared plates style pop-up in Parasol & Swing's lower level, overlooking the boardwalk and harbour. It's perfect for a date night or intimate catch up given it's small space, but has a menu that punches above its weight! This August choose from their Crimson Spritz cocktail with Bombay Sapphire gin, raspberry grenadine, Bianco vermouth and prosecco or their Suncatcher with Grey Goose vodka, mandarin aperitif, pinot gris, elderflower, vermouth and citrus soda. Complement your choice of libation with a tempting snack plate: charred pumpkin with savory granola and goat's feta, cornflake chicken accompanied by Brolly's sweet and sour sauce, or Brussels sprouts adorned with sesame dressing and toasted almonds..

Bar Albert for a sky-high weekday tipple | VOCO Auckland, Wyndham St 

Restaurant Month is the perfect chance to try new places, and if you haven't paid a visit to Bar Albert yet, August is the month to do so. Travel 38 floors up for spectacular views across Auckland and make the most of their Social Hour offer, which includes their Jervois Road cocktail - juniper-infused Grey Goose Vodka, sweet vermouth blend, a dash of smoked orange bitters and garnished with expressed orange peel, matched with a delicious chicken liver pate with port wine jelly.

Pilkingtons for a girls catch up | 41 Shortland Street 

Within a Mediterranean style courtyard you will find a unique garden oasis – a utopia of calm, elegance and sophistication in the midst of Auckland’s urban jungle - the perfect setting to catch up with girlfriends this Restaurant Month! Their Social Hour offer includes a choice of either a chilli margarita or a 'Pilkingtons on the South Side' - which includes Bombay Sapphire gin, lime juice, mint and sugar syrup. Both matched nicely with kransky corn dogs with chipotle mayo and tomato chutney.