San Francisco Bath House is great for gigs (good bar too). Malthouse for beer selection. Matterhorn for great food (a bit pricey), and a great bar. one beach in the city (oriental pde), mostly they are iron beaches (black sand). Try Days or Scorching Bays, or up the coast to Otaki. The Cuba Street Festival is on in Feb, as is the International Sevens. The 7's is a big party for 2-3 days, and ood times are to be had in town even if you can't get tickets.

Most of the bars are in Courtney Place (right in town) and if your staying in town, Oriental Bay is the closest, a nice easy walk =) Hope your enjoying it here.

Cuba St. is wiked. Check out St. John's Heineken bar down at the harbour! quite chilled out and especially good when its a nice day cuz you can sit outside on bean bags and enjoy the sun that so rarely comes out

For party life stick to Cuba st, heaps of pubs/clubs lively area. The water front can be busy in Summer, in Feb they have Dragon boating which is really a site to see.

check out www.couchsurfing.com. Heaps of tips and co-travellers. really easy way to meet locals too!!!