“We want people to come in hungry and thirsty, and leave thinking ‘damn that was good’,” John Austin tells me of his new venture, Twofold — a retro-modern, Americana-inspired pub in the heart of Parnell.
Austin co-founded Twofold with friend (and fellow beer aficionado), Bernard Neate — a partnership that, he tells me, was a long time coming. “Twofold has been stewing away in our collective heads for a good few years now,” says Austin, “We wanted to create a place to enjoy with our friends, families, and workmates, and while Twofold is a brewery, we want it to be more than that. We want it to become a place that fosters community; where customers can really get to know one another.”
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The beer list (and entire drinks list, which spans beer, cider, wine, and cocktails on tap, plus a considered list of bottled wine, made-to-order cocktails, and several non-alcoholic options) is concise and incredibly considered. There are six beers and one cider on tap — featuring a range of styles that will pair perfectly with the tasty food on offer, served alongside three tap wines (a white, rose and red), and three tap cocktails, with a bottle list that spans a range of options from local and international makers, and a short list of inventive takes on classic cocktails thrown in for those looking to indulge.
Here, the offering is approachable but refined, and there really is something for everyone and anyone — something the duo placed much emphasis on. “We’ve worked extensively on our beverage programme with our front of house manager, Harry Huxley, who has recently been nominated in the Lewisham Awards for Outstanding Bartender,” Austin tells me, “We wanted a drinks list that catered to a range of beer, wine, cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverage drinkers alike, and a food menu that boasts a mix of fresh and bright options served alongside some inventive bar snacks and pub classics.”
The concept for Twofold was shaped and inspired by visits to breweries and restaurants across New Zealand, and the pair’s time spent exploring Australia, the United States, and Europe over the years. The European influence in particular is evident in the contemporary, all-day menu, which is split into sections based on what guests are in for. The ‘larder’ section is perfect for light snacking, and includes the likes of duck liver parfait and gabagool, while the ‘raw & oyster’ section is perfect for those looking for a tasty morsel to pair with a glass of sparkling. The ‘small plates’ section is perfect for sharing with the table, and the ‘large plates’ are best for those seeking the perfect, comforting feast to enjoy alongside a crisp drink or two, with the likes of steak de jour and burgers both featuring. A few stand out dishes across the board are the buffalo oysters, venison carpaccio, anchovy po-tada, lamb ribs, charred cabbage, and chilli oil chicken.
The fit-out is light and bright, with cleverly conceived details injecting life into the ex-restaurant. The Twofold team worked with hospitality design experts Millé to help bring their vision to life, changing the layout of the interior to breathe new life into the space and creating a clean and modern look. “We worked with brand specialist and graphic designer Carly Black through Millé, who was spot on with our retro-modern American themes,” says Austin, “They wove everything together to create a space that is great for people getting together for a good time.”
Given the pair’s collective background, it’s little wonder that an establishment of their own was on the cards. Neate is the head brewer and has just finished an eight-year stint leading Tantalus Estate’s on-site brewery, Alibi Brewing Co. where the ex-winemaker honed his skills (and picked up a few awards along the way). Austin, the brewery’s general manager, got his start in brewing at a small brewpub outside Aspen, before a stint in craft beer importing, distribution, retail and events, followed by a role that saw him visiting nearly every brewery in the country managing kegs, studying beer and brewing along the way.
Pooling their diverse skills (and calling on the skills of their families, too), Austin and Neate have created something novel in Twofold — bringing together the casual and convivial vibe of gastropubs and the more refined and considered nature of modern breweries to bring a new kind of hospitality venue to Auckland’s vibrant dining scene. And one that is proving a very welcome addition indeed.
Austin finishes our chat by telling me, “We want people to enjoy a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, with great food, great beverage, great service, and some good old-fashioned fun,” and it seems like what they’ve created is a space where people can do exactly that.
Opening hours:
Wednesday, 4pm until 10pm
Thursday to Saturday, 12pm until 11pm
Sunday, 12pm until 9pm
TwoFold
196 Parnell Road
Auckland 1052
