Where to Celebrate Your Birthday in Wellington (and Not Send Your Friends Broke)
Eight top picks to celebrate another year around the sun.
Congratulations, it's your birth-week. Another year around the sun. I'm sure a series of celebrations will be on the cards, but that doesn't mean you have to propel your friends into crippling debt while doing so. Short of throwing a rager and ending up in your landlord's bad books, it may feel like there's not a lot of options in the city. Yes, all of your closest mates want to celebrate with you, but if you're dragging them along to a $60 dinner and drinks, chances are you might get a few no-shows. To avoid the influx of dreaded maybe replies and yet another birthday BYO, we've compiled some favourites for birthdays on a budget.
BEERS AT BAD GRANNIES
If you're after timeless tunes and questionable company, Bad Grannies has all of your bases covered. The Cuba Street corner pub dishes up tasty $10 jugs, and if you time it right you'll be able to pick up two for one at happy hour. The pub is a chill atmosphere and at times crowded inside, but you're bound to find excitable groups of all ages who're keen to celebrate with you. To make your birthday celebrations a little more memorable, head down on a Tuesday for the best pub quiz in the city. Just promise you'll come up with the most groan-inducing team name you can manage.
195 Cuba Street, Te Aro
STONEGRILL AT SOUTHERN CROSS
If a sit-down dinner is more your style, visit crowd favourite Southern Cross. The expansive restaurant offers live bands, outdoor cinema nights and the most gram-friendly courtyard, but for the budget conscious drag your friends along on Monday or Tuesday to make the most of their famous two for one stonegrill. The sizzling rocks are loaded with delicious morsels, crowd favourites being the surf and turf or Zany Zeus haloumi. No qualms here, all tastebuds are catered to with a mixed grill option and plenty of sumptuous vegan alternatives. The DIY dining experience would normally set you back around the $30 mark, but if you make it in before the rocks run out you'll pick up a decent dinner for $15. Word for the wise: they don't take bookings for the stonegrill sessions so make sure you're there by 5.30pm to nab your place.
39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro
KARAOKE AT THE FRINGE BAR
A favourite from my uni days, the karaoke at The Fringe Bar is unparalleled. This haunt is the source of embarrassing and hard to listen to snap stories of your friends the next day. The selection is large enough to impress the most pretentious of music snobs. The bar staff are friendly and tolerant of the tone deaf talent, and there's more than enough room to get up for a boogie. The venue often plays host to a wide array of comedy and open mic evenings, so it's best to double check the schedule before rocking up. Although, the calibre of performance is top notch so it's worth heading along if the purse strings allow.
26-32 Allen Street, Te Aro
COCKTAILS AT CHOW
Nothing says a grown up birthday like cocktails with the gals or guys. The city may often be a little pricey for a glorified G&T, but sharing's caring on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Chow with their tasty two for ones. The Rosebud is a favourite of every white-girl-wasted but break away from the norm and try a Pho Money, Pho Problems, with a Lychee't n Steal for dessert.
45 Tory Street, Te Aro
Deep Creek
THE CLASSIC KIWI PICNIC ON THE BEACH
Alternatively, you could grab a bite to eat and sneak out of the city to watch the sun go down. It can be refreshing to take a break from nightlife, so pack a picnic and head out to the beaches. Just last week we hunted down the best spots to grab some Friday night fish and chips and where you should take them, see if anything tickles your fancy.
LIVE MUSIC AT MOON 1
The best in live entertainment, the tastiest food to keep you going and no doubt the closest to your flat in this housing crisis; Moon 1 is a winner in anyone's book. This Newtown dive is unapologetically trendy in the most coincidental of ways, catering to a melting pot of music tastes. Entice your friends along to groove to affordable and up-and-coming talent and inexpensive craft beers. They've been known to serve UV drinks and gluten-free brews for the hipster crowds it draws.
167 Riddiford Street, Newtown
BRUNCH AT SWEET MOTHER'S KITCHEN
Maybe you're after the most affordable and jam-packed all day brunch in the city. Head down Courtenay on a Sunday morning to make the most of what this New Orleans kitchen has on offer. The seating is limited, but it's not often a first thought for brunch so you'll never be left waiting long. Best known for their po boy sandwiches, give one of their breakfast renditions a go. Burn off the jean-unbuttoning brunch with a walk to Oriental Bay and bask in the last of the summer sunshine with your besties.
5 Courtenay Place, Te Aro
BYO AT RED HILL
It's always busy at Red Hill. Book or be prepared to leave with your tail between your feet. Red Hill has some of the best Chinese food in the city, especially if your tastes lean towards the fiery. This, in itself, should be enough. However, from 9pm the restaurant transforms, butterfly-like, into a karaoke bar. This goes on above around the customers, some of whom have clearly not read the fine print at the bottom of the menu. Timing is everything at Red Hill. The trick is to be at the middle of your second bottle when the jams begin to pump to let the flow from dinner to party be a smooth transition. Do it right and it will make your night.
119 Manners Street, Te Aro
Additional writing by Jonathan Brumley.
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