Cook Brothers’ Bars Opens Christchurch’s First Roof Top Bar

Cook Brothers’ Bars Opens Christchurch’s First Roof Top Bar

November 5 2014: Cook Brothers’ Bars, which cut its teeth on the iconic Dunedin student pub the Captain Cook Tavern before expanding into other hospitality ventures in Dunedin, Auckland and Queenstown, will open Christchurch’s first roof top garden bar tomorrow (November 6).

The company set its sights on the St Asaph street building, originally occupied from the 1920s by the company Engineers and Merchants, after it became vacant following the February 2011 earthquake.

“We have always had Christchurch on the radar and the premises, leased prior to the earthquake by the Fu Hua Chinese restaurant, appealed to us because of the opportunity to create a roof top bar and fill a gap in the bar and the night life scene in the downtown area,” says Cook Brothers’ Bars CEO James Arnott. “It is a great building with a fantastic feel to it and its original use has inspired the name Engineers while the smaller downstairs bar will retain the Merchants name. “

Engineers will incorporate a range of dining zones both inside and on the roof top featuring a varied menu and bar snacks.

“We are planning live entertainment on the roof top bar and inside late at night D.J’s will set up and the space will transform into a dance floor,” says Arnott. “Our focus is on providing a fun venue which is line with our other outlets throughout the country.”

Cook Brothers’ Bars was launched in 2004, when Arnott and partner Richard McLeod bought the Captain Cook tavern as 21-year-old students, later opening the Alibi bar in Dunedin’s Octagon along with the Velvet Burger gourmet burger chain. The pair, who were raised in Queenstown, then opened Searle Lane & Social in the resort, followed by Fort Street Union and later Freeman and Greys in Auckland. Velvet Burger outlets are also in Auckland and Riccarton with this arm of the business run by former Christchurch man George Eason.

Cook Brothers’ Bars has a well-built reputation for delivering high energy outlets with an unpretentious approach.

“We have a successful formula and we are looking forward to our venture into Christchurch,” says Arnott. “It is exciting to be offering the first roof top premises and we expect Engineers will create a lot of interest amongst Cantabrians keen to enjoy themselves day or night.”

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