A new bar and champagne lounge, said to be the highest in Aotearoa, will open next month in Auckland's iconic Sky Tower.
The newly minted SkyBar, created in partnership with luxury champagne house and French fine winery Moët & Chandon, is slated to open on June 23, SkyCity announced on Friday.
A representative for SkyCity confirmed to Newshub the new bar-cum-lounge will be situated on the 50th floor, 182m above the ground - just two floors below Orbit 360° Dining and one below the main observation deck. Level 50 currently houses the Sky Cafe.
At that height it will tower over Auckland's growing collection of rooftop bars, which include Bar Albert on level 38 of the Voco hotel, The Churchill on the 20th floor of the Four Points by Sheraton and Hi-So's Rooftop Bar on level 16.
In a statement, SkyCity's general manager of hospitality, David Allott, said SkyBar will feature "luxury surroundings" accompanied by "the best view in town".
Promising elevated 360-degree views of Auckland's skyline, the bar promises premium local and international wines, a selection of vintage Moët & Chandon bottles, top-shelf spirits and cocktails, as well as a menu showcasing "immensely talented local producers", Allott said. Share plates include smoked green lip mussels, duck liver parfait and a smoked vegan cheese fondue.
The curated cocktails have been designed to reflect the surrounding geographical features of Tāmaki Makaurau, Allott said, including the 'Aoraki', featuring Central Otago Riesling, honey and pink grapefruit, and the 'Rūaumoko Paloma', infused with red bell pepper cordial.
"We've been looking for the perfect location to bring our world-class offering to New Zealand and we've found that here at SkyCity," Tom Gilbert, Moët Hennessy New Zealand's general manager, said in a statement.
Bookings will be essential, with a minimum spend required to secure a table, SkyCity said.
