Town's so cool, say bar's new owners

Karina Hailwood carries baby Lola with one hand while pouring a glass of water with the other, as partner Jimmy McKinnel emerges from out back after dealing with plumbing issues.

It's been a hectic weekend for the pair, who opened a new bar and restaurant in Martinborough three weeks ago and have been run off their feet ever since, but both are the picture of peace - they are living their dream.

Three years ago, Jimmy sat enjoying a quiet beer in Lagerfields in Wellington, where he met Karina who worked there at the time. A combined love of music and hospitality brought them together and has resulted in Cool Change, Martinborough Square's latest addition.

The pair have a long list of bars and restaurants on their resumes. Karina worked at Dockside in Wellington in its prime, Jimmy opened Lone Star in Wellington, and they both managed the Colonial Carrying Company, or "3C", before moving to Martinborough.

Housed in the old post office building on the corner of Kitchener St and Martinborough Square, Cool Change is as relaxed as its owners, who fell in love with Martinborough after many pre-baby weekend trips to the camping ground in Jimmy's old Combi van.

"We used to come over pretty much every weekend and park up at the camping ground to enjoy the region," Jimmy said. "We would explore the place, check out the beaches, try the wines at the vineyards, so when we saw the building on Trade Me, we thought we would give it a go."

Although they are now living on site, the Combi van has not retired and probably never will if Karina, who once travelled the country in a house bus in a gypsy fair, has her way.

"I used to be a real hippie - I lived in a house bus and travelled with the gypsy fair doing hair wraps."

Karina and Jimmy have big plans for the already buzzing bar, which is named after the Little River Band song and has its walls adorned with pictures of Ozzy Osbourne, Elton John, and Pink Floyd among others, and the music to match always playing.

"We're only halfway through decor-wise, I've got big plans for this place," Karina said.

As for the food, most of it is sourced locally and the menu includes hearty Kiwi meals cooked by South African chef Jurgens Snyman, like his unique dish, Beer Can Chicken, when a whole chicken is put on top of an open can of beer and cooked in the oven.

"The can marinates the chicken and infuses it with flavour," Karina said.

Cool Change has enjoyed an extremely busy three weeks, with curious locals and Rugby World Cup tourists filling up the place, which is a sign of good things to come, says Jimmy.

"Martinborough is a great place, and I think it's really coming to life - it's got a good buzz about it and we're loving it so far."