Six Ounces

There’s nothing quite like a cosy neighbourhood spot and Six Ounces is exactly that. Clad in refurbished furniture, vintage lamps, plenty of greenery and hand-built cabinetry, the atmosphere inside this place is relaxed and inviting. Open from dawn till dusk (well, 10pm to be precise), Six Ounces serves a roster of top quality coffee and a curated list of wine, beer and cocktails as the sun sets.  

The brainchild of Avi Cohen and Lois Parmenter, Six Ounces was years in the making while the couple lived in London, but got off the ground within just a few months once the pair escaped the Covid-ridden city and arrived in Christchurch - Avi’s hometown - at the beginning of last year. Both Avi and Lois have years of hospitality experience under their belt, so they have an inkling of what’s required from a great bar and it shows.

Emphasis is on quality and speed; having lived the big city life these two understand how busy life can be and strive to keep convenience at the top of the priority list. If you only have a few minutes to grab a coffee and a sandwich to go, this is your spot. On the other hand, Six Ounces is also that perfect place to take time to sit and linger, catch up with friends and even bring your furry friend with you (there’s a hook at the end of each table where you can park your dog!). And if you’re lucky, you might even get to meet Brixton the puppy – rightfully nicknamed the cutest employee here.

Six Ounces cleverly blurs the line between coffee shop and bar with apparent ease. Their vision was to embrace the spirit of European hospitality where it isn’t uncommon to see café bars line the streets, open all hours of the day, and happily serve a beer or a coffee anytime. Six Ounces is much the same. Accompanying the nighttime drinks is a tempting smorsgardboard of antipasto treats - from Italian meats and cheeses to cornichons and blonde kalamata olives. You can even order a houseboard where Six Ounces do the hard work and choose for you (their Bit of Everything board gets our vote).

Whatever the hour, whatever the occasion, make sure you drop in next time you find yourself in Merivale. Chances are they’ll have something just right for that moment in time.