Brew On Quay

This place gets crazy busy on Friday nights but during the week it’s a good spot for a quiet night out — good food, casual but helpful service and an epic beer list. There’s an undercover upstairs bar which is perfect if you’re just in for a drink or three (and I believe its available for functions) and I believe there’s live music and other entertainment some nights. Well worth a stop and the best beer list for a few blocks.

This is now my second time to Brew on Quay and I enjoyed it even more the second time. I was there early on a Saturday so it was pretty quiet. After flying in the from US, I chose to stand at the bar and had some good talk with the bartenders, who were all friendly and knew their beer pretty well.
The beer selection is good, as is the full bar selection. Wine seems like a decent selection as well, but probably the most lacking of the three simply based on what I saw. But, this is New Zealand — the wine selection is still pretty decent.
Prices are fair. WiFi is free. The place, including restrooms, are clean. No idea about the food, but as a bar I enjoy it quite a lot. Great location too.

Great place for a beer — huge range of craft beers with a great roof top area. Often not really busy with some good music playing in the background. Reason for only 3 stars is the food is only OK and service is average.

I was drawn in by the artwork on the wall; a large outline of New Zealand filled with beer cans. I was further drawn to the bar to order a beer when I saw that they carried Voodoo Doughnuts Rogue Ale from my home city of Portland Oregon.
My brother and I had already had a few beers so we settled on sharing an amber ale. We then took it up to the lovely rooftop garden to enjoy.
This made for an excellent pit stop on the way back to our hotel.

Decided to pop in for a night-​cap with my most beloved on a weeknight. It was pretty empty, but other times when I’ve walked by it has been pretty packed. I get the feeling that it really turns into a sports bar for big games and especially now during the Cricket World Cup (especially with the drop down projector screen). As their name would suggest they do have quite an impressive selection of over 102 beers from throughout NZ and the World. We opted for an American IPA and a handpulled ale. Both were superb and price reflected their ‘crafty’ nature.
On a whim we also decided to order some hot wings. I consider myself a harsh critic of hot wings and thought that the buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing were pretty spot on, but the wings were a bit over cooked and the meat was dry. However, what was the biggest stand out what the heritage of the building that they have preserved. It used to be the headquarters for the Chelsea Sugar company and then became a wharf police station. I really loved the bathroom and the giant bench seating parallel to the bar! They have blended old infrastructure with the workings of a modern gastropub. The bartenders were attentive but the music was terrible (both Avril Lavigne and 3 Doors Down made a cameo). So for all the pros and cons Brew on Quay earnestly wins 3 stars!

Good selection of craft beers from around the world, very friendly staff and a fun vibe to the place. Sidewalk tables let you sit outside and take in the summer sun if you prefer, but watch out for smokers (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
We happened upon the whole Britomart complex while strolling down Quay Street. This is a great mix use facility with retail, restaurants and bars. This bar did not disappoint with its selection… I dare someone to say they can’t find something they enjoy here.
My only shock… wait for it… was, after ordering, the bartender said $ 28 for two pints! After I collected my jaw from the floor, I of course paid the very helpful, sample offering bartender, but I was still amazed. I assume there are no alcoholics in New Zealand… it would take you an entire paycheck to get drunk. Yes, the location is prime, the beer imported… but this was higher than Tokyo prices. We moved on to a place with happy hour.

Brew on Quay is one of those hidden gems, perhaps it’s because you’re not quite sure what it’s all about if you’re walking past. Once inside, it’s got an old-​school pub vibe. It is slightly disjointed but somehow still has charm. One of the best kept secrets in downtown Auckland is the rooftop bar! It has a more modern fit out, with cushioned benches and different pods for group gatherings. The beautiful brick walls have gaps for open-​air windows to remind you you’re in the city but still make you feel like you’re far far away!
They pride themselves in their wide range of beers and have many unique craft beer options. I came with a group of friends and we shared some snacks. The wedges, buffalo wings and arancini balls were all good portions. The arancini needed more flavour. Seeing some of the main meals go past looked delicious.
The staff were awesome! Efficient but left us to it when was appropriate. They have a portable EFTPOS machine so that made table service nice and easy for buying more drinks!
They get super busy on a Friday & Saturday night, particular if there’s a show on at Vector. Cosy in winter and that rooftop bar is the ideal spot for summer. I used to go there on my breaks from work in the afternoon, the perfect hideaway spot right in the city.

I’m actually quiet surprised to see only 3 and a half stars, this place is really good we only had starters cos im on a diet, but it was so good that I wouldn’t mind ordering the mains, as a vegetarian I ordered bread and dips with potato cubes and picoh and red sauce, oh man it was yummy or what I absolutely loved it, I felt like I was having dinner at a cool old-​school cave or sumthing bahahaha… it was a great feeling I was sitting right next to a bunch of encyclopaedias… Woah the ambience :). defo won my heart :)

I went back and forth between two and three stars. The atmosphere and feel is great. Love the different style of seating. The bathroom was also very nice. Can feel cozy and fun at the same time. Came here first with new friends for drinks on a Saturday night. The bar was full from patrons after an All Blacks game. Live band playing great music. Only drank that night and didn’t eat.
I popped in here again on a Sunday afternoon when I was in the neighborhood. It was raining and I stopped in to get a bite to eat and a drink. I stopped in right after the kitchen had closed for lunch, which was disappointing but they had a snack menu. I ordered potato wedges which were pretty good. The wait staff although were not so great. I know service is not quite what it is in the US, but they seemed annoyed I was there and that they would have to serve me. I was one of two people in the bar when I came in. I asked for help in selecting a beer. The server was not knowledgeable about the beers on tap and what she suggested I try was opposite of what I told her I wanted. I was disappointed in the beer but drank it anyway.
I think this place has lots of potential to be great and would give it one more try. I’d like to go for a meal and try one more time. I love the atmosphere, but my second time there made my opinoin of the place a little lower.

I went here for a few drinks after work one evening and was really impressed with everything about the place. The extensive beer menu was an absolute treat and it was so hard to pick just one to drink. However, I feel like we made the right decision with the Brew’s Brew homebrew. A fruity delight that just gave a bit more of a personal touch than you’d find in most other bars around the area. The drinks were fairly expensive, but no more so than I would expect to find in other CBD bars and the staff were really knowledgeable about the beer.
The bar itself is really tastefully decorated and has a real upmarket feel about it, as if it wouldn’t look out of place around Wall Street selling beer to yuppies in suits after work and the upstairs seating area on the rooftop meant it was the perfect place to enjoy the late afternoon sun.
I regret now not eating at Brew. We only had a light bite to eat: Mexican chicken nibbles, which were really tasty and some fries, but I will definitely return for dinner soon as the plates coming out of the kitchen looked amazing.