Bar Yoku introduces ‘little sister,’ imōto
Imōto’s cosy lounge bar vibes – perfect for date nights or reconnecting with friends.
If you’ve watched action movies or scrolled through memes, you’ve likely come across the iconic phrase: “It’s all about family.”
At Bar Yoku and imōto, this motto rings true - just in a quieter, more deliberate way. A calm, considered approach to hospitality that makes you feel like you’re at a close family friend’s place. A friend who just happens to be a top-notch chef and host.For the people behind these two venues, family isn’t a theme - it’s how they do business.
From Melbourne to Christchurch — A steady build
Owners Juliana and Shawn McGowan’s hospitality roots go back more than 20 years, starting in Melbourne’s high-expectation restaurant scene - an experience they often refer to as their “Hospitality University.” It was there they developed a service style that’s guest-focused, detail-driven, and deeply personal.
Returning to New Zealand, they worked in some of the country’s most respected spots - Amisfield Restaurant in Queenstown, and later Pegasus Bay Winery and The Bicycle Thief in Christchurch.
Along the way, they built experience, relationships, and the beginnings of what would eventually become their own tight hospo family.
Juliana and Shawn McGowan, the heart behind Bar Yoku and imōto, bringing family vibes to Christchurch dining. THE PRESS
The leap to Bar Yoku
In 2020, with a one-year-old at home and the world emerging from lockdown, Juliana and Shawn took over the reins of what would become Bar Yoku—a modern Japanese-inspired restaurant in The Welder. Slowly but surely, it worked. They backed the team and focused on consistency, affordability, and a warm, welcoming vibe.
Even through loco lockdown life, Bar Yoku found its footing and grew into one of Christchurch’s most-loved spots to eat, meet, and return to.
Bar Yoku: Reliable big bro energy
Bar Yoku brings together Japanese precision and Kiwi creativity, from cult-favourite sushi tacos to chargrilled skewers, smooth sakes, and crispy karaage, everything is designed to be:
Affordable.
Consistent.
Irresistibly craveable.
Juliana and Shawn call it their “Holy Trinity.”
Bar Yoku’s signature sushi tacos – Japanese precision meets Kiwi creativity.
imōto: Meet the little sister
In 2024, the pair opened imōto, which means "little sister" in Japanese, just across the courtyard. A cosy, luxe lounge bar with small plates and cocktails, imōto was designed as both a standalone destination and a natural extension of Bar Yoku.
If Yoku is the steady, big brother, imōto is the vibrant younger sibling. A bit more playful, with a menu that blends Japanese and European flavours - perfect for a catch-up, date night, or pre/post-show graze.
Built on whānau as a focus
Juliana and Shawn quietly prioritise authenticity, building a workplace that people want to be part of and a hospitality experience that makes guests feel like they’re walking into a friend’s place, not a business.
Which is why, this winter, imōto is adding something new to the mix; Wednesday hospo nights.
From sushi tacos to crispy karaage, Bar Yoku is your go-to spot for Japanese-inspired eats.
Designed for those who work while the rest of the city plays, Hospo Nights offer hospitality workers a chance to unwind, reconnect, and enjoy a night made just for them. Expect good drinks, small plates, and a room full of people who speak your language.
Come through - join the fam
Book a seat at Bar Yoku for an always-on, always-comforting feed. Drop by imōto for luxe drinks, small plates, and slower moments.
And if you’re in hospo? Find your crew on Wednesdays - coming soon.
Because in this nook of The Welder, it is about family. Which means, they’ll always try to find a seat for one more. If not in Yoku, which often books out, little sis will look after you.