Overview
Opening today in the CBD, Sunset is Auckland's pink-and-pretty new rooftop bar set to take you from afternoon drinks to after-dark dancing.
Located on the tenth floor of Auckland's Sudima Hotel, the bar is the brainchild of a stacked lineup of Auckland hospitality stalwarts, including Oyster Inn founder Andrew Glenn, 1885 and Pineapple on Parnell founder Dana Johnston and renowned cocktail expert Mikey Ball (Paris Butter). The result is a 132-seat chic space with a drink lineup of local and international brews — but it's the views you'll be really coming for.
All areas of the bar reportedly are positioned to catch natural light and evening sun, but if you can score a spot on the west-facing outdoor terrace, it's recommended you do so. Here you can enjoy the sunset (get the name?) and accompanying epic views across Westhaven, the Waitematā Harbour and Waitākere Ranges.
Inside, Sunset's 70s-inspired fit-out comes from interior experts CTRL Space (Hotel Ponsonby, Lilian) who've heroed pastel pink hues as an obvious nod to the name and thrown it back to disco days with curved ceiling details and banquettes. Meanwhile, touches of tiles, stone and timber keep it contemporary (and extremely 'grammable).
Childhood memories of Mumbai inspired the menu from executive chef Harmeet Singh Nanda (East), as well as collaboration with chefs Maximus Perry and Samson Stewart (5th Street). Given East's position on the hotel's ground floor, it makes sense that vegetarians and veterans will be well catered to — snacks like potato hash sliders and crispy poppadoms with whipped avocado, pomegranate and green chilli salsa are all on the menu. Larger plates including lamb skewers with Clevedon buffalo curd and coriander oil and vegan sunset koftas with whipped garlic toum and parsley salad are also available for those needing to line the tum. And yes, there's fried chicken.
Drinks-wise, a mammoth selection of local and international wines sits alongside a bevvy of local beers, while the cocktail list echoes some of the South Asian flavours of the food menu. A chai-infused whiskey and cold brew cocktail is sure to appeal to the espresso martini fans, while we've got our eyes on a gimlet infused with mandarin and cardamom sherbert and Pimento bitters.
For those in desperate need of a boogie after a couple of dry years sans dance floors, you're in luck. DJ Cam Robertson has curated a house and disco-heavy lineup on the decks, with DJ Sunset Sessions taking place on Thursday to Saturday nights year-round. Head in to check out the incredible sunset views — and stay for a boogie and bevvy or three.
Sunset opens to the public today on the tenth floor of the Sudima Auckland City hotel, at 63-67 Nelson Street in Auckland's CBD. Sunset's opening hours are 4pm until late. For more information, please contact the bar or check them out on Instagram.