EVERYDAY EXCITEMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT

Set away from the busy, comprehensive selection of retail outlets at LynnMall, The Brickworks is a stylish world of fun and relaxation all its own – which is especially great if you’re not feeling like the traditional mall experience as part of your downtime. As soon as you’ve pulled up a spot in the generously sized and easily accessible car park you’re aware you’re in for some amusement.

(By the way best parking for The Brickworks is either in P1, off Great North Road or P2 Undercover off Totara Avenue).

Located right next to The Brickworks precinct entrance is the intriguing 7D Cinema which showcases a thrill ride for the senses as you’re part of a variety of exciting screen adventures; comprising motion, visuals, sound and more to aid the illusion. It’s a bit of cinema fun and great for groups. Flanking the other side of the entrance is one of the raddest of mini-golf courses in Auckland –  Lilliput Mini Golf: Dragon Quest. Defend the sacred nation of Golftannia from the scornful vengeance of a dragon with your mini golf skill – resulting in awesome fun for you your date, or families and friends hanging out. Perfect too for those GoT fans in your life, as you battle for mini golf supremacy around an innovative course.

Movies are my business though so for me; when I want to relax, it has to be the pure escape that slipping into a movie has, and I think my new favourite place in Auckland to do this would be at Reading Cinemas LynnMall. If you’re a LynnMall local then lucky you for having this opulent and well-appointed venue as your nearest cinema! If you’re not just round the corner, then trust me: it’s worth the drive to LynnMall for a date night at Reading Cinemas! The lobby space really sets the scene for your night out at the movies with red theatre-style wall curtains, soft dressing-room-mirror inspired bulb lighting above the concession stand, and with plenty of comfortable seating and tables available. And standard tickets are just $10!  You really feel like you’re going somewhere special compared to the large chain cinema complexes. On my visit however, I was there to experience Titan XC, the premium screen and sound experience for movie nerds such as myself.

Having not seen Marvel Studios’ Black Panther yet, I knew Titan XC would give this sure-to-be thrilling Superhero movie the treatment I was looking for. I was rewarded with a truly ginormous screen featuring a Dolby® Digital projection system inside a beautiful auditorium that carries through that old Hollywood glamour feel with its wall lighting sconces, red curtaining and roomy, comfortable seating. Yas!

I’d done my research though and I’d found out that Black Panther was created with special production consideration and compatibility to Dolby® Atmos™ sound systems for movie theatres so… Yup, you’ve guessed it! The Titan XC auditorium at Reading Cinemas LynnMall does indeed feature Dolby® Atmos™ so you can experience your chosen film in glorious 360º immersive sound and woo! Did this make Black Panther another level of awesome that I know I wouldn’t have experienced at a less technically impressive cinema!

Plus, Reading Cinemas LynnMall’s snack selection is no joke. Featuring Mini Donuts with hot jam and whipped cream (saaay whaat?!), amazing American hot dogs, fries, chicken strips and all the popcorn, confectionery, ice creams and sodas you can handle. Reading Cinemas LynnMall is also licensed so if you’re looking for a tipple for your date and yourself or your crew on a girl’s night at the movies, don’t worry, they’ve got you covered. What I also loved about Reading Cinemas LynnMall was there weren’t any surprises on the prices of anything; from snack prices to tickets, everything is clearly labeled, so no more feeling flustered at the counter when you’re budgeting your purchases – and there’s even some great self-service terminals if that’s more your buzz!

No movie snacks for my date and I though; we decided to take the opportunity to have a great meal beforehand at one of The Brickworks’ variety of delicious restaurants. Select Bodrum Kitchen for inspired Turkish and Greek fusion cuisine in a breathtaking setting featuring a colour palate of crisp white and Mediterranean blues with a stunning traditional glass ceiling installation. The reliability of Wagamama beckons, as does Meso just inside the centre’s doors which has a host of bubble teas, tempting sushi and a self-service donburi hot meal section. Pick out Cleaver & Co. for a slab of classic southern BBQ as their meaty selections all get acquainted with a traditional 14 hour cook time in their Southern Pride Smoker, transported all the way here from Tennessee to bring you slow cooked, locked in taste. If you’re hankering some `gram worthy soups, curries, noodle and rice dishes, then stop in for some expert Vietnamese fare at Hansan.

I was in one of those “Do I want Brunch or do I want a Burger” moods though, so we went to Shaky Isles and were not disappointed. We went to town ordering: a smooth and flavoursome, eight hour brewed Single Origin Cold Drip Coffee, a Premium Strong Roast Short Black with its Berry + fruit (Central Africa sourced), Choc + Malt (South America sourced) flavours. We got our Super Shaky’s Milkshakes on with a Carrot Cake flavour for my date and a Moro Bar flavour for me and they were incredible. For eats: Fried Popcorn Chicken with Huffman’s Mayo; and a Chicken Burger with Fries for my date; and I had an excellent Falafel Burger with Curly fries…because you know, I’m an adult. I just wish I’d saved room for some of the enticing looking baking and slices in the Shaky Isles cabinet.

For a great day or evening out that’s affordable, amusing and fun, The Brickworks definitely delivers. Whether it’s a scrumptious meal you’re looking for, adventure with Dragons at Lilliput Mini Golf or the 7D Cinema experience; or perhaps you want to catch up on the latest Hollywood movie releases at Reading Cinemas LynnMall? Either way, you can’t beat just grabbing a coffee an pitching up on some of the inviting seating in The Brickworks’ common area to chill by the grassy mound and wooden sculpture (which cleverly doubles as a place kids can’t help hopping on and around as they enjoy the space that’s sneakily created for them). It’s also the place to feel romantic with your date under the dreamy strings of lights as dusk settles. In short, The Brickworks is beautiful and I’ll definitely be back for more.