Ministry of Works Bar & Eatery — known around town as MOW Bar — has been part of Twizel life since it was founded in 2015, and is now owned and operated by Twizel locals Sebastian and Jacinda Burke. Set on Market Place in the heart of the Mackenzie Country, its industrial fit-out pays homage to Twizel's 'Ministry of Works' era, and it has grown into the town's social meeting place: a casual, welcoming spot to pop in, kick back and relax.
The bar pours award-winning Burkes Brewing Co beers on tap alongside a great selection of other brews from independent New Zealand breweries, curated NZ wines, signature cocktails and spirits. In the kitchen, the team creates contemporary fusion cuisine — mouthwatering dishes inspired by street food from around the globe — made from scratch with fresh, organic and local products, and New Zealand made or grown ingredients wherever possible. The menu spans innovative small plates, hearty mains and delectable desserts, plus a relaxed weekend brunch.
There's cozy indoor ambiance as well as vibrant outdoor seating, with a sunny beer garden and a playground directly in front of the venue, so families and friends can easily settle in. Functions and group bookings are welcome, gift cards are available, and as an official Alps 2 Ocean partner, MOW Bar is a natural part of any Mackenzie Country trip.
Ministry of Works Bar & Eatery — known locally as MOW Bar — has been part of Twizel life since it was founded in 2015. These days it is owned and operated by Twizel locals Sebastian and Jacinda Burke, who describe their team as a passionate, fun-loving and hardworking family. The idea is a simple one: a social meeting place with a casual dining setting, where locals and everyone passing through Mackenzie Country can pop in, kick back and relax.
The name is a nod to where the town comes from. The bar's industrial fit-out pays homage to Twizel's 'Ministry of Works' era, giving the space a character you won't find in a template city bar. Step inside and it is vibrant and inviting, with a cozy indoor ambiance for cool Mackenzie evenings. Outside, a sunny beer garden catches the afternoon light — and there is a playground directly in front of the venue, so families can settle in while the kids play.
The kitchen leans contemporary fusion, with a menu of mouthwatering dishes inspired by street food from around the globe, crafted from the finest local ingredients. Everything is made from scratch using fresh, organic and local products, and the team works with New Zealand made or grown produce wherever they can. The menu spans innovative small plates, hearty mains and delectable desserts, each thoughtfully prepared — and on weekends there is a relaxed brunch for slow starts in the high country.
Beer is clearly close to the family's heart. Award-winning Burkes Brewing Co beers feature on tap, backed by a great selection of other brews from independent New Zealand breweries. Wine drinkers are looked after with an extensive collection of New Zealand wines, handpicked to complement the food, and behind the bar there are signature cocktails alongside New Zealand spirits. Whether it is a casual lunch, a lively dinner with friends or a quiet evening drink, the list is built to match the moment.
MOW Bar has grown into a genuine community hub in a town of around 1,850 people. The team's stated values — hospitality, team, personal growth, and food and drink — show up in how guests are treated: they aim to deliver a world-class experience every single time and, as they put it, to be the highlight of everyone's day. The venue hosts functions and group bookings, gift cards make an easy local present, and the team hires people who share their commitment to doing the right thing for staff, guests and community.
Location does a lot of the work here. Twizel sits in the heart of the Mackenzie Country, surrounded by mountains and lakes. In summer there is boating and chilling out at Lake Ruataniwha, a popular venue for big rowing competitions; in winter the ski fields take over; and year-round there are enough hikes to do one a day, plus fishing and hunting that never get boring. Mount Cook is in the backyard, Tekapo is only a 45-minute drive up the road, and MOW Bar is an official Alps 2 Ocean partner, tying it into one of the region's best-known journeys.
MOW Bar opens seven days a week: Monday to Friday from 2pm until late, and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm until late. Bookings can be made online, with group bookings and functions catered for, and both the food menu and drinks menu are available on the website. Follow the bar on Facebook for special events and openings — or better yet, come down to 2 Market Place and see what's on tap.