Bellini Bar

Okie, dokie, folkies — here is the deal with Bellini Bar. Stunning location, I mean really could not get any better. Perched over the harbor, stunning views of the Waitemata — it’s just great. This alone is a reason to drop nearly $ 20 for a premium cocktail.
The staff is cute and welcoming, lovely.
Though all that glitters is not gold. Part of the Hilton hotel, you do know that you are in a hotel chain with a vibe that is defined by bellboys, hotel lobby entrance and furniture that is soiled and overdue for repair.
We stayed here a 5 nights, and during that time Bellini was only open to guests (and therefore the public) one of those nights, closed for private corporate functions. You get that in hotels I guess, but if I was planning a night out that included Bellini, it is likely hit or miss as to if it would be open.
Has its pluses and minuses for sure. I would probably pass next time around.

If you want to go to a bar that is not crowded and breaching noise level limits and whose patrons are not either drunk or trying to get drunk or laid or both, then this is the bar you are looking for. First off it is in the Hilton so expect sophistication. The dress code is not as strict as you might think but dress to a 5 star standard anyway. Inside it is all class, a nice fireplace, couches and bar areas that are spaced out to give you privacy and comfort.
Bellini has both excellent drink and food menus, food options include both light meals and shared plates and the staff are also very attentive. So overall coming to Bellini is an absolute pleasure. What I like the most is the view out over the water to the cloud. Set against the night sky, the ever changing coloured lights which illuminate the cloud make for a nice backdrop while you can enjoy the company of whomever you are with. Overall a very nice bar to sit and spend time with someone and actually be able to talk to them, not yell at them over loud music or slightly intoxicated individuals.

We stopped in here to have a few quiet drinks the night before a wedding — the bridesmaids and bride had a sleepover at the Hilton :) We had great seats by the water, with lovely views of the Cloud. Lovely setting to be relaxing in before a big day…
Attentive waitresses catered to our every whim, and were happy to make us any sort of non-​alcoholic cocktails we liked (let’s face it, we didn’t want the next day to be ruined!). And even though it was late night, they had some really interesting food items available, and we really enjoyed the fancy bread and dips selection.
We stayed til closing time!