TotallyOz

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Saunas Wingate Club Bathhouse | 76 Wingate Street | 9-828 0910 | http://www.wingateclub.co.nz/ The Wingate is a nice big compound that has plenty of areas for canoodling, as well as great actual sauna and spa facilities. The outdoor pool is a big draw when the weather's nice – and it's heated! Note that a fire in May 2013 has closed the bathhouse temporarily; stay tuned for news of its reopening, scheduled for July 2013.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Clubs The Basement | 12 Canada Street | 9-302 2250 | http://basementnz.com/ The Basement is a sex shop with a cruise club attached to it. Plenty of porn films, obviously, plus a cruise hallway, private cabins with beds, a dungeon playroom, glory holes, sex sling, and full shower facilities for cleaning up before heading back out. They also have snacks and drinks.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Clubs Salvation | http://www.salvationparty.co.nz/Default.aspx Salvation fairly infrequent parties are roving, so sign up on their website to get info about their next one whenever you're in town. You're guaranteed a good time, because everyone looks forward to them and there's always a huge turnout. And they do it up right, from laser light shows to excellent DJ guests to hot themes that will get your juices flowing.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Clubs Lateshift | 25 Dundonald St | no number | http://www.lateshift.co.nz/index.html The front room at Lateshift is a definite pool bar with a bar menu, but don't let that fool you. They've got a maze, a playroom with a sex sling, the “Pump Room” in case you have some kind of action movie setting fetish, and other interestingly designed cabins and rooms to get your fuck, fist orfetish on. Sundays are nude.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Bars Everybody's | 44 Queen St | 9-929 2702 | http://everybodys.co.nz/ Everybody's bills itself as a casual restaurant with a Japanese menu, but make no mistake about it – drinks are the star here, and its massive space with a hint of seating definitely lends itself more to a bar scene than a place where you go for dinner. Sublime scene here, lots of power gays being fabulous. A truly wonderful space.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Bars Saloon | 280 Karangahape Rd | 9-309 0213 | no website Saloon is only open until 10pm during the week, so if you want some actual action than weekends are where it's at. It's a great dive bar that everyone goes to when they more rowdy places are packed, so it's got a “we're all in this together” vibe that makes for some fun antics

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Bars Kamo | 382 Karangahape Rd | 9-377 2313 | http://www.menumania.co.nz/restaurants/kamo-restaurant-bar Kamo is another restaurant that turns into a bar at night. Its outdoor seating on K Road in the gayborhood makes it a prime spot for checking out the local talent that's cruising on by. Karaoke nights are a popular draw.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Bars The Golden Dawn | 134 Ponsonby Rd | 9-376 9929 | http://www.goldendawn.co.nz/ While Golden Dawn does have a good enough menu to warrant an entry into our restaurant listings, later on in the night it's a legit bar with guest DJs, cool concert afterparties, and even a jazz night on Sundays. It can get a bit messy late at night sometimes, but it's a good choice for a chill night out in the gayborhood.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Bars Eagle Bar | 259 Karangahape Rd | 9-309 4979 | https://www.facebook.com/The.Eagle.Bar Eagle bar is a super-fun down-home gay bar that has its fair share of regulars who bring the fun to theme nights. Make friends, get silly, and keep coming back until you're a regular, too! Good happy hour specials.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Bars Urge Bar | 490 Karangahape Rd | 9-307 2155 | http://www.urgebar.co.nz/ This wildly popular bear bar has leather nights and underwear nights sprinkled among quiz nights and happy hour specials on their agenda. Paul and Alan, the couple that runs Urge, are sweetiepies, so make sure to say WOOF if you bump into them!

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Bars Lolabar | 212 Ponsonby Rd | 9-360 0396 | http://www.lolabar.co.nz/ (doesn't work) This is an upscale cocktail bar, so come dressed accordingly and get your flirt on with swanky gays drinking swanky drinks and getting frisky as the night goes on. Watch your intake, though, lest you get down with the random stripper pole in the middle of the bar.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Bars Switch Bar | 309 Karangahape Road | 021 942 318 | http://www.yelp.co.nz/biz/switch-bar-auckland Switch Bar is a K-Road joint that is a go-to for all sorts of events, so if you're looking for just your everyday bar, check the schedule. But tit's worth it to stop in, as the recent renovations have brought the crowds back in full effect.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Bars Caluzzi Bar & Cabaret | 461 Karangahape Rd | 9-357 0778 | http://www.caluzzi.co.nz/ Hands-down the best drag show in town, Caluzzi brings in a mixed homo\hetero crowd that watch “The Girls” strut their stuff. They have a full dinner menu, too, so you can enjoy a meal while you check out the antics at this raucous evening of fun.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Bars Family Bar | 270 Karangahape Rd | 9-309 0213 | http://familybar.co.nz/ Family can seem more like a bar when it's karaoke night or there's a drag show on; more like a blub when they have a guest DJ or there's a theme party. But it's worth it go at some point every night you're in town, because sooner or later, every gay in Auckland passes through its doors. Go after 10pm for the most action.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels 23 Hepburn | 23 hepburn St | 21 633 472 | http://www.23hepburn.co.nz/ Each of the three rooms at 23 Hepburn is a study in shades of white and cream, with a few accents in sublime colors. Their beds are ridiculously comfortable, and the original details of this Victorian home are proudly highlighted. A true Ponsonby gem.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels Neil & Mike's Place | 40 Baildon Road | 9 376 8599 | http://www.neilandmike.co.nz/homestay.htm Neil and Mike are the gay couple who run this friendly B&B, and welcome visitors with winter discounts for lengthier stays and will even make an evening meal for you upon request. The rooms are nice, their garden is adorable, and Neil and Mike make their own pickles, chutneys and marmalade. Fabulous.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels Ascot Parnell Boutique Bed & Breakfast | 32 St Stephens Ave | 9-309 9012 | http://www.ascotparnell.com/ Ascot Parnell is walking distance from Hobson Bay, and has cute, spacious rooms and a nice personal touch – they'll even pick you up from the airport. It's not quite as design-y as the other B&Bs on our list, but it's a solid choice if you want to get away from the gayborhood.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels Ponsonby House | 8 Douglas St | 9-361 1368 | http://www.thebedandbreakfast.co.nz/ Ponsonby House is a boutique B&B. The rooms can stray a little into the fussy category, but they're comfortable, the en suite bathrooms are sleek and modern, and the location can't be beat. The charming front porch is a great spot to spend some time with a good book before heading out.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels Quest Ponsonby | 68 Ponsonby Rd | 9-360 4240 | http://www.questapartments.co.nz/Accommodation/140/new_zealand/auckland_suburbs/quest_ponsonby/welcome.aspx Another serviced apartment complex, Quest Ponsonby is walking distance of the K Road gayborhood, but is on a quiet street so you'll feel like you're coming home at the end of a long and fruitful evening. And because it only has 38 apartments, you'll receive a bit more personal service than at the Metropolis.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels Metropolis | 1 Courthouse Ln | 9-300 8800 | http://www.metropolisresidences.com/ Metrpolis is a high-rise residence, which is like having your own apartment in Auckland – but with housekeeping, a great gym, and all the amenities of a hotel. And if security while traveling is a concern for you, this is your place – they take residents' security very seriously.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels la's Bed & Breakfast | 33 England St | 9-378 8819 | http://www.bellasbedandbreakfast.co.nz/ This small B&B is nothing less than exquisite – modern design meets the Victorian bones of this house, with slavish attention to detail and a common area you'll never want to leave. Book the City Lights room for an outdoor space and fantastic views. Full breakfast included.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels Abaco on Jervois | 57-59 Jervois Rd | 9-360 6850 | http://www.abaco.co.nz/ This Ponsonby property has studios and apartments that are great for having a more private, personal space than a hotel or B&B. They're simple but nice, and it has free wifi, free parking, Sky TV, and a quiet location.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels Mollies | 6 Tweed St | 9-376 3489 | http://www.mollies.co.nz/ Mollies is a small – only seven suites – and luxurious boutique inn that seems more like your rich friend's amazing beach house than a hotel. The common areas are super comfortable, and the rooms are divine – make sure to book one with a water view.

Auckland Gay and Gay Friendly Hotels CityLife Auckland | 171 Queen St Auckland | 9-379 9222 | http://www.heritagehotels.co.nz/hotels/citylife-auckland CityLife, part of the Heritage Hotel brand, caters to business travelers and those who like the amentities offered to business travelers. The rooms and suites are crisp, clean, modern, and the bathrooms are nice and big. Also, the Queen Street location is ideal.

Lurker, I always use just uncooked Oats. To add a bit of variety, I'll put in some thinly sliced chopped almonds, etc. In Thailand, there is no way to get good protein bars. This tastes good for me and it is nutritious. If I were in America I would use Jay Robb Protein Powder. But, that is much more expensive. In Thailand I just an Australia company called Mikashi. If you play with the recipe, let me know what you add that you like. I'd be most appreciative. The boys here did up a batch last night for me and it tastes yummy!