Brazilian Beats and Eats from DJ Bobby Brazuka

Brazilian music practically oozing out of his fingertips, Bobby Brazuka knows how to get the party started. A Brazilian-Japanese transplant from São Paulo, Brazil, Bobby first came to New Zealand as an Avondale College exchange student in the ‘90s. When he returned to Auckland in 1999, he didn’t look back.

Bobby quickly found a job working at the hip Santos Café in Ponsonby, a local joint where musicians, DJs, actors, and artists hung out, and was immediately inspired to start his own creative pursuits. Tapping into his roots, Bobby started his DJ career playing Brazilian vinyl and has since become the unofficial ambassador of Brazilian music in New Zealand. Owner of Ponsonby Social Club, he brings his homeland’s culture to Aotearora through events, parties, and radio.

What do you do on the weekends in Auckland?

If I’m not working at my bar or DJing somewhere, I like to go watch live shows or interesting DJ gigs. I usually check things out at Hollywood Avondale, Whammy, or East Hall, or eat out with my wee family. I love eating.

What is your favourite thing about the city?

Auckland is a beautiful, multicultural, and cosmopolitan city on the rise. It has everything you need to be happy if you know where to find it. I especially love my hood Ponsonby, but also flirt quite a bit with K Rd.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about Auckland?

There are so many incredible food joints and amazing cocktail bars that one weekend wouldn’t be enough to taste the real Auckland.

How would you describe Auckland to someone who hasn’t visited?

Auckland is a melting pot of cultures, a beautiful vibrant city, and where my heart is. My home. Come with me, I will take you out.

You have friends coming to stay for a long weekend and surprise, they’ve never been to Auckland! Where are you taking them?

We would start with a cocktail at Ponsonby Social’s back bar, Ante Social. Then we would watch a concert at the new fitout of Ponsonby Social, with jazz club vibes, where we would have Brazilian food for dinner. Then we would go to East St Hall for great organic wine and amazing DJs.

The next day we would go for a wander at Western Springs Park, then the Auckland Art Gallery, before driving east to Chocola, a beautiful Mexican joint in Glen Innes. We’d head back into town for a concert at Hollywood Avondale, to watch Avantdale Bowling Club play. We would then adventure into the city to take in the craziness of the viaduct, but not without stopping at Saint Alice for oysters.

Sunday, we would have more Mexican food by feasting at the Lucky Taco at Urbanaut. The next morning would be an early one, heading over to Piha for some sightseeing and a final lunch at Baklawa Café (also known as Shefco) in Mt Roskill. Bon Voyage!

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A truly vibrant human, Bobby has elevated Auckland’s music scene with his own flavour and cares greatly for the city. A lover of authentic food from all around the world and incredible nightlife, we can’t think of a better person to represent the flourishing underground of the city. Here are his picks for a guaranteed great time in Auckland.