5 Best North Shore Venues to Hire for an Event with a Photo Booth

Auckland’s North Shore has a venue for almost every kind of celebration: beachfront function rooms in Takapuna, a historic waterfront building at Devonport, and big, flexible spaces in Albany. A photo booth is one of the easiest ways to keep guests entertained at any of them, but it works best when the venue suits it.

At Kookaboo Photo Booth we hire out Glam Cam, Classic Booth, Giant Magic Mirror and 360 photo booths across Auckland. Here are five North Shore venues that work well for an event with a photo booth, and which booth we’d match to each one.

Venue details below come from public listings and can change, so always confirm capacity, catering rules and supplier policies directly with the venue before you book.

What makes a venue photo-booth friendly?

Before the venues, a quick checklist. A good photo booth venue has:

• Enough floor space. Our booths need at least 2m x 2m (3m x 2m is ideal). The 360 photo booth needs a minimum of 3m x 3m.
• Easy load-in. Close parking and step-free access make setup quick.
• A spot with foot traffic. Near the entrance, bar or dance floor is ideal, so the booth is part of the party and not tucked away.
• Supplier-friendly policies. Some venues have preferred supplier lists, so check before you book.

1. The Spencer on Byron, Takapuna

The Spencer on Byron sits in the heart of Takapuna, a short walk from Takapuna Beach, with views towards Rangitoto and the Hauraki Gulf. Its ballroom can run as one large room or be split into two smaller ones, and there’s a pre-function area just outside, plus on-site catering and parking.

Why it works for a photo booth: large rooms and a pre-function space give you flexibility. That makes it a strong choice for gala dinners, corporate events, school balls and big weddings.

Best booth: the 360 photo booth in the ballroom for a dance-floor moment, and a Glam Cam roaming the pre-function area as guests arrive.

2. Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna

Just steps from Takapuna Beach, the Bruce Mason Centre offers six flexible spaces and two spacious foyers. Rooms have natural light, some have views of Rangitoto and the beach, and there are two outdoor balconies for breakout space. Free Wi-Fi is included with room hire.

Why it works for a photo booth: the foyers are made for cocktail functions, awards nights, product launches and graduations, so a booth fits naturally into guest flow. Note that it isn’t a BYO venue (it works with a list of caterers) and venue hire charges apply.

Best booth: the Giant Magic Mirror in a foyer. It draws a crowd, suits a dressed-up crowd, and prints are included as a take-home keepsake.

3. McHugh’s of Cheltenham, Devonport

McHugh’s sits right on the foreshore of Cheltenham Beach, facing Rangitoto and the Waitematā Harbour, in a seaside landmark whose history goes back to 1909. It hosts weddings and corporate functions for roughly 50 to 160 guests.

Why it works for a photo booth: a mid-sized room, a relaxed atmosphere and a scenic setting make for happy, photogenic guests. It’s a lovely fit for wedding receptions and milestone birthdays.

Best booth: the Classic Booth, with prints included so guests leave with a favour. Add a Glam Cam for candid roaming shots.

4. North Harbour Stadium, Albany

North Harbour Stadium has function spaces for corporate events, banquets and cocktail functions, with easy motorway access and 1,200 car parks on site (parking charges apply).

Why it works for a photo booth: easy access and parking make load-in simple, and the larger spaces suit bigger guest lists. It’s a good match for corporate parties, product launches, sports club dinners and Christmas functions.

Best booth: the 360 photo booth. It creates short, shareable videos that suit big-energy events, and its larger footprint is easier to accommodate in a bigger space.

5. Milford Cruising Club, Milford

Set among pōhutukawa trees on Milford Reserve, the Milford Cruising Club clubhouse is listed as an affordable venue for corporate functions, wedding receptions, birthdays and engagement parties.

Why it works for a photo booth: a relaxed, community-style venue is ideal for birthdays and engagement parties where you want fun without a huge venue bill. Check the room size against the booth’s footprint when you book.

Best booth: the Classic Booth for a birthday or engagement, or a Glam Cam if space is tight and you want guests mingling.

Quick comparison

Which photo booth should you choose?

• Classic Booth: timeless prints that guests keep. Prints are included.
• Glam Cam: a roaming booth that goes to your guests. Prints are optional.
• Giant Magic Mirror: an interactive mirror that stops people in their tracks. Prints are included.
• 360 photo booth: slow-motion video your guests will post straight away.

Price depends on the season, hire duration, the booth you choose and any extras. See our photo booth prices page for details.

Book your North Shore photo booth

Have a venue in mind, or still deciding? Tell us your date, guest count and venue and we’ll recommend the right booth. Get a quote from Kookaboo Photo Booth.