Classy but casual comes to Paihia

Paihia bar and restaurant 35 Degrees South has never been short of a point of difference.

Now it's gone a major step further in branding itself as a special location with the completion of a multi-million-dollar outdoor waterfront bar, with a luxurious outdoor lounge and dining furniture.

The restaurant has always made the most of the stunning views afforded by its location on the waterfront, a natural attraction complemented by a seafood-focused menu and its grand centrepiece, a 60,000-litre salt water aquarium inhabited by fish from the Bay of Islands.

And now the indoor restaurant is part of Alongside, an outdoor bar boasting a classy but casual social theme.

Enhanced with striking outdoor lounge furniture, an extensive beverage list and a bar menu primed for sharing, Alongside is designed to provide a relaxing experience for all. Auckland firm OceanWeave Furniture has helped to achieve this with rattan outdoor furniture to seat around 200 patrons.

"All of OceanWeave's furniture is specifically made to endure warm climates and coastal conditions, making it the ideal solution for this development," a company spokesman said.

"Alongside was supplied with 222 pieces of rattan furniture, including the Alps modular range, Shell day bed and Laiva dining furniture.

"Shade7, a New Zealand shade specialist who owns the OceanWeave Furniture brand, also supplied eight outdoor umbrellas, including the popular Riviera cantilever and Bistro Market umbrellas, offering protection from the sun while also serving as an eye-catching feature."

Paihia is a popular holiday destination for New Zealanders and foreigners alike, including cruise ship passengers, he added, and the Far North's moderate temperatures make it the ideal place for a year-round outdoor bar location.

"Alongside has already been a great success, and has been well received by the local community."

Ocean Weave Furniture