Papaiti Gin and Good Bones launch The Distillery in central Whanganui

Papaiti Gin owners Adrian Romney (left) and Nikki Oesterle at The Distillery on Drews Ave. Photo / Mike Tweed

Whanganui’s The Distillery has been open only one weekend but is already getting repeat customers.

It is the new venture from Papaiti Gin and vodka distillery Good Bones, which are now under the same roof on Drews Ave and operating a distillery, retail shop and bar.

The space also has a full kitchen.

Papaiti Gin’s Nikki Oesterle said interest had been building with “lots of nose prints on the windows” while they set up.

They did most of the fit-out themselves.

“We did a lot of research into how much other people spent to open bars and it was hundreds of thousands of dollars. That scared us,” she said.

“It took a lot of time and a lot of effort, but we made it.”

Oesterle said there had been several repeat customers over the opening weekend.

“We had some Wellingtonians come on the Friday and again on Sunday, they were deep into the martinis.

“Apparently, we are a martini bar now. We didn’t see that coming.”

She said the project began a year and a half ago, and the economy now looked vastly considerably different.

“And the world situation is vastly different, but we cannot influence that.

“We are just doing our thing and seeing how we move forward from here.

“This has always been part of our plan and our dream – moving into town and opening a bar.”

The Distillery’s Vaughan Campbell. Photo / Alanah Brown

Papaiti Gin began operating in Upokongaro, a 15-minute drive from Whanganui city.

Co-founder Adrian Rumney said the new venture future-proofed both businesses and hospitality gave them a new income stream.

“People might think it’s a bit crazy to be opening a bar now but it aligns with the experience side of things,” he said

“We are very transparent with how it’s made and where it’s made.”

Good Bones’ Vaughan Campbell said it was “pretty magical” to have the new space and it gave the business a chance to trial new drinks over the bar.

He and his wife Emma Campbell used to operate Good Bones at Lads Brewing at the bottom of Durie Hill.

Campbell uses surplus baked goods in his vodka-making process and won the Dragons’ Den-style Innovate Whanganui competition in 2021.

“If you told me four years ago that I’d own a bar, I would have called you crazy,” he said.

“It’s phenomenal to be a part of this.”

The Distillery complemented other bars on Drews Ave, including Porridge Watson and the soon-to-open Brews on Drews bar in the former SourBros bakery space, Rumney said.

Brews on Drews owner Chris Hayton also operates Teal Lounge on Drews Ave.

The Distillery is open from Thursday to Sunday over winter. Photo / Alanah Brown

“Drewtopia [music festival] is coming up at the end of May for New Zealand Music Month at the Whanganui Musicians Club, Porridge Watson and the laneway here.

“It’s about getting people into our area, showing them what’s on offer and keeping them for longer.

“There is no reason why [Whanganui] can’t have multiple, cool little sophisticated spaces where you can have a good time with high-quality beers or cocktails.”

Campbell said he would continue his other line of work, engine building with Pulse Performance Race Engineering.

“I just love it. We have built some pretty internationally recognised stuff, so it would be hard to throw that in.

“But I’ll be behind the bar three days a week. We’ve got amazing staff as well.”

Romney said the laneway next to The Distillery would get a roof in the future, providing the chance for more live music.

The acoustics suited “low-key, jazzy” acts, he said.

“We’ll leave the loud stuff to Porridge Watson.”

The Distillery is open from Thursday to Sunday over winter.

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.