'London's best party' comes to Waiheke

London's hip CRATE Brewery is set to pop up on Waiheke Island this Valentine's day in the form of a day of music, street eats, craft beer and cocktails.

Last year, our Online Editor Alice Harbourne discovered a slice of New Zealand hospitality in the middle of London's bohemian art district, Hackney Wick. CRATE Brewery was set up by Kiwi brother and sister duo Jess and Tom Seaton and their Welsh expert brewer friend, Neil Finchley. CRATE was an instant success with the young and hip, its industrial canal location providing the perfect Instagram backdrop for a homemade pizza and a pint on hazy summer evenings. 

Never ones to miss an opportunity to expand, the trio launched Flamingo Pier - a monthly party on CRATE's adjacent canal. A floating pontoon and narrow boat hosted well-respected DJs, street food vendors and a bar serving cocktails and beer matched to monthly themes. It quickly gained a following, with London on the Inside declaring it 'London's best party'. 

For now, London's best party is on ice (probably quite literally as the canal freezes) as Jess and Tom have sought the sunnier shores of home, with Waiheke's consistent climate making it a safe bet for outdoor partying. 

The natural amphitheatre of Rangihoua Estate Olive Grove will play host to Flamingo Pier this Saturday 14th February . Art and light installations will pop up amongst native bush and olive groves, soundtracked by a series of renowned UK and New Zealand based DJs. 

The night prides itself on excellent food and drink - Bird on a Wire and Bearded Clam Burgers will be in attendence with bespoke Flamingo Pier menus, to be washed down with an exclusively brewed pale ale direct from London's CRATE (the brew will be available at selected bars throughout New Zealand subsequent to the event too). Bedford Soda and Liquor and Tom's Rum Shack will be providing a Club Tropicana feel with Pina Coladas and summer cocktails. Of course no Waiheke celebration would be complete without its fine grapes – represented on the evening by Waiheke Wine Bar. 

Tickets cost $69 and can be bought from iTicket, with the option of a pier-to-pier ticket ($99) including a place on a scheduled return ferry departing Auckland at 1pm and returning from Waiheke at 2.30am, and bus transfer on the island. 

For more information visit the Flamingo Pier Facebook page.