Nothing beats catching sports live at the stadium – the roar of the crowd and incessant sledging making the day or evening an event to remember. But having to queue for ages for the toilet, being served up a maximum of four flimsy cups of warm overpriced beer (half of which ends up on the stand on the way back to your seat) and being stuck outside in the rain and cold are all pretty major drawbacks. So, whether it’s the Bledisloe Cup, the EPL, or the AFL, here the ANZA office’s top picks.
Fern & Kiwi, Clarke Quay, Tel 6336 2271
Plenty of room downstairs to watch the big screens, and for special events (such as ANZA Bledisloe Cup party) they can turn the upstairs restaurant into a mini grandstand.
Hog’s Breath Café, 30 Victoria St, Chijmes, Tel 6338 1387
Good Aussie tucker and styling, and owner David will make sure you feel right at home. Catch a game at the Chijmes venue before the bar relocates.
Boomarang Bistro and Bar, #01-15 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay, Tel 6738 1077
This Robertson Quay Aussie mainstay is massive, and you can stumble back there on a Sunday morning to brunch away the previous night’s indulgences.
Harry’s Boat Quay, 28 Boat Quay, Tel 6538 3029
The rowdy home of the Wanderers footy club is a well-known Boat Quay landmark.
Bungy Bar, 3E River Valley Rd, Clarke Quay, Tel 6339 5707
Great place to catch the game and people-watch as the tourists stroll past. If the match gets boring, you can always watch adrenaline-junkies getting launched with the bungee next door.
This article was originally published in August 2013.
