Marys Wine Bar is a slice of trendy culture, fine wine, artisan beers and sophisticated cocktails in the heart of Havelock North. Our brief was to create a great neighbourhood restaurant that exceeds expectations through an elevated food, wine and hospitality experience. To create a place where locals and visitors to Hawke's Bay can frequent time and time again. An experience that can pivot to what a guest needs it to be, whether it be a 30-minute quick lunch or a 3-hour drink and dining experience. As Mary's is linked to Craggy Range, it needed to demonstrate humbleness, evolution and innovation. The menu at Mary’s showcases a range of beautifully prepared cuisine perfectly matched to a selection of premium Craggy Range wines.

Studio South was engaged to work alongside Izzard Design to develop the brand for Marys. An electric yellow brand colour was selected which is seen throughout the brand's tools, signage and graphics. As we were working with an existing, quite modern, architectural shopfront, we wanted to ensure the signage caught the attention of locals and visitors alike.

It was important the fit-out reflected the offer, which is intelligent and fun bar food that compliments Craggy Range wine. The space is presented as a casual, approachable venue with underlying quality throughout. All fixtures, fittings, and finishes selected were considered and during the build process, it was crucial that an exceptional level of quality and craftsmanship was maintained.

Using a space of approximately 105 square metres, we designed the restaurant with the kitchen at the forefront. It runs straight into the bar with customer seating around the perimeter. The whole restaurant melds together; the food, wine and environment which in turn creates a more focused experience.

It was important to create an intimate ambience that still felt friendly. We used deep blue leather, dark timber, aged brass finishes and Coombes and Gabbie feature lighting to create that nighttime smokey atmosphere however juxtaposed this with vibrant yellow branding for that fun factor. Framed artwork showcasing photography from the owners' personal travels added that layer of humbleness.

It was key that the brand referenced the occasion and vision of the space. A relentless pursuit of quality, a feeling of warmth, friendliness, and a little fun while remaining considered. Studio South did a great job in balancing these elements through all brands assets such as logos, illustrations, menus, coasters, business cards, and napkins.

The concept of Mary's is quite different to the formal fine-dining atmosphere of Craggy Range. We wanted to create a space that was more casual, approachable, with underlying sophistication throughout. Throughout the design process, we worked closely with Fit Out Solutions to ensure the client’s budget and expectation for the space was met.