2024 PHOTOS
2024 EVENT MAP
2024 EVENTS
RED BAR LINEUP
59 Pitt Street
7pm + 8:25pm
at Red Bar, 57 Pitt Street
The sensational Kiki Kisses will perform self-love burlesque numbers during Anti-Valentines. Twice at Red Bar, then twice at Lovers' Den.
7:05pm — 8:25pm
at Red Bar, 57 Pitt Street
Everyone is invited
to an open mic discussion with stories about those who love the drama of love — a night for those that don’t fall into the Valentine's bubble, and are over the presumption that relationships are the beacons of life.
Hosted by Keelan McCafferty.
8:30pm — 9:45pm at Red Bar, 57 Pitt Street
Love is not as funny as not-love. Here is an evening of jokes dedicated to this fact, from Auckland's alt-comedy connoisseurs — Matthew and Barnie.
8:30pm — 9:45pm
at Bruce Tattoo, 59 Pitt Street
Flash tattoos available by multiple artists at Bruce Tattoo. Chill on the beanbags outside Red Bar watching comedy while you wait.
LOVERS' DEN
Corner of Pitt St + K Road
6pm — 10pm on the corner of Pitt St & K' Road
Stop by the Lovers' Den at any time to find an array of unusual activities to take part in or observe. From Deliciously Unromantic Dining to burlesque and even free 15min sessions with a sexologist. The den decor is by Legit Events.
6pm — 10pm in the Lovers' Den, cnr Pitt St
Stop by the Lovers' Den on the corner of Pitt ST and K Road to try feeding a friend a scrumptious dessert with a 2m spoon, while blindfolded.
6pm — 10pm in the Lovers' Den, cnr Pitt St
Sexologist Maire Joy will be on site to answer our queries around sex and consent. Drop in anytime for a free 15 min session.
6pm — 10pm in the Lovers' Den, cnr Pitt St
Drop in to the Lovers' Den to add swirls of colour to your skin with body painter, Patsy Skeet.
6pm — 10pm roaming Karangahape Road
Watch out for the mesmerising moves of Swandre. Spinning a variety of toys while it's light, then switching to fire after dark.
9pm + 9:30pm
at Lovers' Den, cnr of Pitt St and KRD
The sensational Kiki Kisses will perform self-love burlesque numbers during Anti-Valentines. Twice at Red Bar, then twice at Lovers' Den.
ST KEVINS ARCADE
59 Pitt Street
8pm — Late
at Whammy Bar in St Kevins Arcade
Australian noisy punk & metal band Totally Unicorn make their NZ debut appearance.
8pm — Late
at Wine Cellar in St Kevins Arcade
Twine are a noise rock band from Adelaide, South Australia. Among other highlights they
recently played Big Sound.
5pm — 1:30am
at Underground Bistro in St Kevins Arcade
Live jazz by Supplement J & happy hour.
6pm — 10pm
in St Kevins Arcade, 183 K' Road
A makers market filled with handmade items of all shapes and sizes. Find something for a loved one, friend or send some love your way.
6pm — 10pm
at Celestial Corner in St Kevins Arcade
Twenty specially crafted bouquets of dried flowers available from Celestial Corner.
4pm — 2am
at Tomfoolery in St Kevins Arcade
Live music, in an Anti-Valentine's vibe, will accompany three special cocktails: The Hater, The Lover, The Player.
All of February
at True2Life in St Kevins Arcade
Couples scans turned into candles! 10cm for $199 or 13cm for $250. Available throughout February.
Coco's Cantina & Carmen Jones
374 / 382 Karangahape Road
7:15pm — 7:45pm + 9:15pm — 9:45pm
outside Coco's Cantina & Carmen Jones
Keshia Paulse will perform two stunning sets in between Coco's Cantina and Carmen Jones. Be sure to nab a seat outside.
6pm — 7pm + 8pm — 9pm
outside Coco's Cantina & Carmen Jones
Ruckus will play two one hour acoustic sets in between Coco's Cantina and Carmen Jones. Diners will also be touched by the breathtaking voice of Keshia Pulse.
4pm — 10pm
at Coco's Cantina, 374 K' Road
Drop into Coco's Cantina for a refreshingly crushing cocktail. And while you're there take in the sweet serenading sounds of acoustic duet Ruckus, and singer Keshia Paulse.
4pm — 10pm
at Carmen Jones, 382 K' Road
Fried chicken wings with
chili and mango lebneh sauce for $15.
MORE EVENTS
Various Locations
6pm — 10pm
at Verona, 169 K' Road
A mini movie screening accompanied by DJ Massmaya and a special Anti-Valentines menu of cocktails and food. Verona is celebrating and embracing self-love and independence with an evening dedicated to empowering friendships and fabulous singles.
10am — Late
at Otautahi Tattoo, 155 K' Road
Who needs love from someone else when you can love yourself with a new tattoo. Discounted flash sheet available. Pop in store from 10am till late.
5pm — 9pm
at Small Rave, 74 K' Road
The Bows & Bread audio and visual experience intertwines the essence of love with the comfort of bread. This is a homage to the warm embrace of love and the timeless comfort of bread.
EVENT LISTING
ANTI-VALENTINES: A CELEBRATION OF LOVE AND EVERYTHING MESSY ABOUT IT.
Roses are red, violets are blue, escape the saccharine trappings of conventional romance with Anti-Valentine's — an event just for you.
Self-indulgence takes precedence on Karangahape Road on Thursday 15th February. From 6pm to 10pm, join in the defiant embrace of individuality against the heart-shaped grain.
Visit the Lovers' Den on the corner of Pitt St and K' Road for a free 15 minute session with Sexologist, Maire Joy. Join in on the blindfolded escapades of Deliciously Unromantic Dining. Or have your body painted in vibrant hues by Patsy Skeet... Lovers' Den will be a sanctuary for those seeking an antithesis to the cliché.
At Red Bar, love will take a backseat to laughter during Letters to An Ex, an open mic session hosted by the fabulous Keelan McCafferty with stories about those who love the drama of love — a night for the people that don’t fall into the Valentine's bubble, and are over the presumption that relationships are the beacons of life. This will be followed by alternative comedy with Matthew Crawley and Barnie Duncan, rolling on the topic of 'love is not as funny as not-love'. Interlacing this side splitting evening will be the sultry burlesque of Kiki Kisses.
Roaming performers will interrupt with fire and arrows. Look out for Burnt Soul and Cupid, who will be ready to capture your heart at any moment.
The Broken Hearts Happy Hour at Coco’s Cantina will be duly complemented by live music from Keshia Paulse and Ruckus. Each artist will play two stunning sets out the front of Coco’s Cantina and Carmen Jones.
Seek refuge of a cinematic escape at Verona's Mini Movie Screening with special cocktails and DJ Massmaya. Or leave a permanent mark by dropping into Ōtautahi Tattoo where discounted flash tattoos will be on offer till late. Small Rave's Bows + Bread will present an artful homage to the timeless comfort of bread — book a timeslot for this immersive experience via their website.
Through St Kevins Arcade, take yourself on a shopping spree as The Celestial Valentine's Market holds space for many of Tāmaki Makaurau's designers and makers.
Live music and a menu of three special cocktails titled ‘The Hater, The Lover, The Player’ will be available at Tomfoolery. Plus a three course menu at the special price of $60pp will be available at Bar Magda.
Anti-Valentines will be a night where sedition against romance meets delight.
Besides the consumption of kai at K’ Road’s many award winning establishments, this event is free to attend. For a free treat, feed a friend dessert using a 2m spoon while blindfolded in the Lovers’ Den at Deliciously Unromantic Dining.
Multiple locations of sprawling fun at:
Red Bar, 57 Pitt Street:
Kiki Kisses — 7pm
Letters to An Ex — 7:05pm to 8:25pm
Kiki Kisses — 8:25pm
Stupido Cupido — 8:30pm to 9:45pm
Lovers’ Den, corner of Pitt St & K Road:
Deliciously Unromantic Dining — 6pm to 10pm
Sex Education — 6pm to 10pm
Body Painting — 6pm to 10pm
Kiki Kisses, Burlesque Show — 9pm & 9:30pm
St. Kevins Arcade, 183 K’ Road:
The Celestial Valentine’s Market — 6pm to 10pm
K’ Road Roaming Performers:
Burnt Soul, Cupid's Arrow, and the gifting of roses — 6pm to 10pm
Coco’s Cantina 374 K’Road:
Broken Hearts Happy Hour — 6pm to 10pm
Outside Coco’s Cantina & Carmen Jones, 374 K’ Road:
Two live sets by Keshia Paulse — 7:15pm to 7:45pm & 9:15pm to 9:45pm
Two live sets by Ruckus — 6pm to 7pm & 8pm to 9pm
Verona, 169 K’Road:
Mini Movie Screening w. DJ Massmaya and Cocktails — 6pm to 10pm
Ōtautahi Tattoo, 155 K' Road:
Flash Tattoo — 10am to Late
Small Rave, 74 K’Road:
Bows + Bread — 6pm to 10pm
Tomfoolery, 183 K' Road:
The Hater, The Lover, The Player — 4pm to 2am
Bar Magda, 25b Cross Street:
Land & Sea Lovers — 5pm to 1:30am
____________________________________
Anti-Valentines is run by The Karangahape Road Business Association and supported by Auckland Council and Link Alliance. Many thanks to everyone who supports and enjoys this event — you make it a night to remember!
2023 PHOTOS
6pm — 10pm
Everyone is invited to a street-wide celebration of love and everything messy about it.
This event is free to enjoy. Book in for dinner and cocktails at your favourite Karangahape Road restaurant for a truly special Anti-Valentines evening. All singles, couples, throuples and groups are welcome.
Anti-Valentines is run by the Karangahape Road Business Association and supported by Auckland Council and Link Alliance.
Artwork by Chris Stapp.
Thank you for signing up for our newsletters.
Karangahape Road Business Association © All Rights Reserved 2020
Made by Monster Valley & This Needs Doing
AUCKLAND TRANSPORT JOURNEY PLANNER:
Find out your best route to Karangahape Road by bus, ferry or train.