Welly’s Tussock Café upgrades to T-Bar

The Wellington campus will be a little louder after Tussock, the staple café, rebrands half the room into T-Bar this month. 

Massey’s events coordinator, James Manttan, insisted that it’s more than a name change — it’s a refresh of what the café aims to be for students. 

The walls will be adorned with student photography and artwork, a DJ booth for music enthusiasts to spin their beats, and easy access to a performance space for singers and bands. 

“What we’re doing is reinvigorating the space a little bit more, we want to basically open it up to become a space which is diverse, accepting, safe, friendly.” 

He said Tussock was not set to make a “massive financial gain” from the expansion, with extra revenue mainly being absorbed by new staff.  

He could not say whether the costs of the expansion would lead to higher food and beverage prices.  

Part of their plan to keep costs low is to bring in a standard tap beer, including zero-alcohol beer, so that customers can avoid paying more for craft beers. 

“We’re really trying to keep the prices at a position where students can have an option.” 

Manttan encouraged Music students to use T-Bar to their advantage. “If you’re a jazz student, or you play acoustic or folky sounds, that’d be a perfect space for that.” 

Massey’s musicians will also have the opportunity to sell and display their CDs at the bar.  

“If students have any promos they want to do, they can bring it into the bar and put it up.” 

With closing times moving from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday and Friday nights, Tussock is currently on a hiring drive for casual staff as well as more experienced licensed staff. 

The new opening hours will be put in place once existing staff can get their liquor license. 

T-Bar's launch is expected to be this month, with a date soon to be confirmed.