If you’re going to be raising a glass, you should do it in style - and let’s make sure it’s a glass of some of the finest wines in the country while we’re at it. Waiheke Island promises you all of this and more when you’re planning your next cocktail party. There’s no better location for a celebration than a dreamy, sun-soaked island, trimmed with sandy beaches, aquamarine waters and luxe venues that know how to make all functions sing. Waiheke is one of the country’s best locations for cocktail parties with good reason, offering superb service, tailored menus, fabulous drinks, and so much more. For our complete guide to Waiheke’s venues for hire, click here.

Wild Estate

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Find yourself at the home of Wild Estate Vineyard & Restaurant and Waiheke Island Brewery, otherwise known as Wild Estate. This cocktail party venue invites you to host your Waiheke event at their stunning yet laidback venue, ideal for an elegant soirée with a chill edge. Essentially an extensive and well-designed garden that doubles a space to host all kinds of functions, this Waiheke venue knows how to make your cocktail party a true hit. Choose between their Cellar Door, Vineyard and Brewery for your Waiheke cocktail party, with the spaces holding anywhere from 19 to 100 guests. Wild Estate offers sumptuous catering options, on-site parking and plenty of natural light. When it comes to activities at this comprehensive venue, you can expect everything from archery to clay bird shooting. Wild Estate boasts a variety of packages to pick between as you plan your cocktail party, customising them to your liking to result in an event that takes your breath away.

Mudbrick

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If you want to go with one of the island’s most well-known and -loved venues, why not choose Mudbrick? Swing by this award-winning winery and restaurant, located on the west-facing hills of Waiheke Island. This cocktail party venue looks over the Auckland Harbour and sprawling cityscape, offering glamour and natural beauty in spades. Their buildings are constructed of hand-hewn mudbrick, lending it a characterful and timeless appeal. You'll receive nothing but the best food and wine when planning your cocktail event; Mudbrick is internationally recognised for its excellent dining and wining. They have a dedicated functions team who will take the organisation of your Waiheke cocktail party into their own hands, catering for up to 200 guests. This Waiheke venue features boutique accommodation options, team-building activities, unparalleled views and much more. Choose between a selection of their spaces, from their warm Dining Room to their beloved Lodge, and host a Waiheke cocktail party like none other.

Delamore Lodge

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Enhance your intimate cocktail party experience at Delamore Lodge, the pinnacle of luxury and comfort as it stands elegantly on the cliffs overlooking Owhanake Bay. Their first-class service and delicious cuisine are combined to create a faultless setting for your Waiheke cocktail party. The premium facilities and experienced and attentive staff at Delamore Lodge will guarantee that you have an incredible time at your cocktail event, helping you to take care of everything from styling to accommodation. Whether you're after an intimate gathering or a slightly bigger function, Delamore Lodge can comfortably host up to 80 guests. Their seasoned events team are experts at putting together the perfect Waiheke cocktail party, so you can rest easy and sip on local wines all night long. You can make your event even more memorable with a stay in their sought-after suites or indulge in fine dining and their day spa for some rest and recovery after the big event.

Tantalus Estate

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A Waiheke venue situated in the heart of the island’s wine-growing country, Tantalus Estate spans 5.3 hectares of vineyards, a winery, a craft brewery and a restaurant and are masters of intricate Bordeaux-style red wines. If you’re keen on an outdoor option, the fabulous setting for your cocktail event is accompanied by native trees, an olive grove, macadamia trees, and an apiary. You can choose to host your cocktail party on the Northern Lawn surrounded by wildflowers or on the Northern Deck overlooking the native wetlands, or at this Waiheke venue’s restaurant area that can host more expansive cocktail parties of up to 200 guests. The indoor-outdoor flow from the vineyard to the main restaurant brings a seamless transition for guests. Tantalus Estate offers you so many options when planning your Waiheke cocktail party, alongside bespoke catering and impeccable service, making it one of the most stylishly comprehensive venues on the island.

Poderi Crisci

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It doesn’t get any better than a stunning vineyard set on 7.7 hectares of emerald hills and picturesque vineyards. Poderi Crisci is a Waiheke venue that outdoes itself in its surroundings, atmosphere and service. They’re a family-owned vineyard sporting an Italian-infused restaurant, with gorgeous old buildings blanketed with flourishing vines. The family has a passion for traditional winemaking and have been producing the Poderi Crisci range since the 90s. They have a variety of spaces to host your upcoming cocktail party, including the main restaurant, a rustic and Tuscan-inspired building that can host 60 seated or 100 in cocktail-style; the wine cellar, a lovely winter option, moody and romantic, that can host 50 seated or 70 standing; and the cellar roof, their most significant space that can host up to 100 seated guests. Poderi Crisci is a Waiheke venue with a plethora of talented and experienced members in their events team, all at your beck and call to ensure your cocktail party is the hit of the season.

Oyster Inn

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You can get cosy at Oyster Inn, one of the island’s favourite restaurants that is, luckily, available for hire for your upcoming Waiheke cocktail party. Offering seaside views, fresh air and a menu like none other, this Waiheke venue hosts up to 90 guests with a duo of spaces to choose from: The Pearl Room, for something more intimate, and Main Dining Room for open celebrations. Oyster Inn chef and owner Josh Emett has carefully put together a mouth-watering menu to ensure that only the very best is offered at this Waiheke venue; it’s the perfect place to host your cocktail party and celebrate in quiet style. With its central location and relaxed ambience, this Waiheke venue makes its mark as one of the island’s most outstanding restaurant venues, bringing you lavish meals and warm service, and elevating your cocktail night to new heights.

Man O’ War

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One of Waiheke’s hidden gems found at the eastern end of the island, Man O’ War, is a go-to venue for functions that want a little added privacy. This Waiheke venue sits on Man O' War Bay, a private beach that backs into the open dining area. The idyllic setting is home to 150 acres of vines first planted in 1933. Drink in serene views from the waterfront lawn as you sip on champagne at your Waiheke cocktail party, or step into this Waiheke venue’s bistro to enjoy a seated dinner, suitable for up to 100 guests. Man O' War Bay provides an unforgettable backdrop, with service to create a day you and your guests will always remember. Their experienced team will ensure that your cocktail party goes off without a hitch, organising everything from transport to the menu. If you wish it, you can even arrive via the sea, directly to Man O’ War’s doorstep for a touch of something extra posh. Now there’s something your guests won’t soon forget, right?

Stonyridge Vineyard

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Stonyridge Vineyard is Waiheke’s Mediterranean-style vineyard and is situated between the undulating hills of a vineyard on the island, serving as a fantastic location for cocktail parties that want to emphasise exclusivity. For a little background, this vineyard started growing its first crop in 1982 for a Bordeaux-style red wine. Since then, they have only expanded, growing into an internationally recognised and award-winning vineyard. Stonyridge Vineyard's spaces reflect this European influence, with a large café, dubbed the Veranda Café, overlooking the vineyard, as well as the option of a quainter and private marquee, with the choice of exclusive hire for more personal affairs. They host a small number of functions each year to preserve the uniqueness of their venue, accommodating up to 120 guests. You’re treated to mouth-watering catering, friendly service and a dedicated team when you host your cocktail party at Stonyridge Vineyard, a Waiheke venue that loves to go the extra mile.

Goldie Estate

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Goldie Estate awards you with a boutique vineyard, a celebration of all the best parts of Waiheke, nestled on the western side of the island. This Waiheke cocktail party venue is tucked away among 30 acres of native bush, sporting Pohutukawa trees and views overlooking Putiki Bay. They have a range of spectacular spaces that can cater for small or large functions for up to 250 guests. You'll be spoilt with gourmet food, fine wines, superior service and more as the events team helps create, organise and run your Waiheke cocktail party. They offer all-inclusive packages, so you don't have to lift a finger, with a menu that is crafted with only the finest and freshest local produce. When it comes to hosting cocktail parties, this Waiheke venue is an old hat and will make things especially spectacular for you and your guests.

Casita Miro

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A vineyard and restaurant infused with Spanish and Mediterranean culture, Casita Miro is also, fortunately for us all, a wondrous space to host cocktail parties. This Waiheke venue is known for its beautiful location on the island, as well as its high-quality wine and dining experience. Part of your function package is the exclusive use of their restaurant and grounds, so you can plan at your will when organising your cocktail party. Casita Miro has a dedicated space for your hire, their main restaurant, with floods of natural light and plenty of open air. This Waiheke venue has everything covered when it comes to catering: their menu is crafted from only the finest, freshest products and sourced locally where possible. Casita Miro hosts up to 80 guests, making it the ideal choice for intimate to moderately-sized cocktail parties. With a highly competent events team for your personal use, you’ll find yourself spoiled in all the nicest ways by Casita Miro as you plan your cocktail night.

Batch Winery

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Picturesque as can be, Batch Winery is a Waiheke venue with 5 options for you to choose from when planning your cocktail party, including The Greenhouse, Hedge, Dining Pavilion, Veranda and Tank Room inside the state-of-the-art winery, accommodating up to 112 guests. This stunning Waiheke venue is as flexible as it gets, allowing for both partial or exclusive hire, as well as full use of their sprawling lawns for marquees, outdoor games, photography and more. When it comes to catering, you’ve got all the menu choices you could want and more, from decadent courses of gourmet cuisine to grazing platters and their signature high tea. Batch Winery is all about providing as comprehensive an experience as possible when it comes to your Waiheke cocktail event, including plenty of parking and audiovisual supplies. You’re treated to a detail-orientated team, sunny service and a stunning backdrop when you host a cocktail party at Batch Winery.

Te Motu

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Step into Te Motu’s best-kept secret: The Shed. This award-winning restaurant doubles as a Waiheke venue that you can host a cocktail party at, all in a rustic shed that sets the tone for excellence. The Shed at Te Motu mixes shed dining with rural roots, resulting in a blend that is unmatched by any other restaurant on the island. They serve up their award-winning wines, fresh produce from their own gardens and contemporary meals packed with flavour. This Waiheke venue invites you to have your intimate cocktail party indoors or outdoors, inspired by their green surroundings and the carefully crafted menu that will delight you and your guests. The Shed at Te Motu believes in sustainability and ethical practices, making it one of Waiheke’s most revered vineyards. Don’t hesitate to step into their Cellar Door to learn more and make your cocktail night all the more memorable.

Passage Rock Winery

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If you’re going by the number of awards, then Passage Rock Winery should be first on your list of Waiheke venues. Resting on the eastern end of Waiheke Island and surrounded by lush gardens and vineyards, Passage Rock Winery is undoubtedly one of the island’s favourite wineries. Established in 1993 and now producing 14 varieties of wine,  their vineyard is the perfect setting for your cocktail function, hosting up to 100 guests in a trio of spaces: the Bistro, Sheltered Outdoor Area or Cellar Door. The skilled chefs at this Waiheke venue will craft a personalised menu just for you and your guests. Passage Rock Winery has over 20 years of experience in the events industry on Waiheke Island and can assist in all areas, from theming and styling to catering and entertainment. If you're after an extraordinary Waiheke event, then look no further than this versatile venue for your cocktail party.