The ignition's been checked, the engines are on, and now the countdown has begun for Mount Maunganui bar Major Toms.

With a fresh focus for the future and new ownership, the Maunganui Road bar is throwing an official opening party tonight, from 5pm.

Major Toms new owner David Stanway is inviting everyone down to the Mount Maunganui bar for its official opening party tonight. Photo: David Tauranga.

New owner David Stanway wants everyone to pop down to Major Toms tonight to meet him and the team and check out the changes that have been made to the bar.

'It's almost unrecognisable from the old Major Toms,” he says. 'We've lined it out with wood panelling and it's got a slight hunting lodge type feel to it. I'm really happy.

'We'll be putting on some delicious canapes for everyone, it'll be happy hour pricing all night and there's some unique live music from Alice Sea and Aaron Saxson, starting at 8.30pm.”

David took ownership of Major Toms in October and carried out a 'soft opening 'earlier this week to favourable reviews.

The bar's name has been kept but the logo has been altered slightly with the black and white colour scheme ditched in favour of 'hop green”.

This decision is in line with David's plans to make Major Toms the 'home of New Zealand craft beer in the Mount.”

'My passion is New Zealand craft products - beers that are unique to us,” he adds. 'We'll also be the Bay's only bar with traditional hand pumps, dispensing beers the way the English do.

'We're also looking at hosting regular craft beer tastings for cruise ships as there's a growing beer tourism market which has got BOP Tourism really interested.”

A kitchen is also currently being installed that will provide bistro-styled meals and Major Toms will also exclusively offer coffee from a boutique roaster in Waikato.

David says before he took over the bar was one of the leading music venues in Mount Maunganui.

They will still offer the live music experience but his plans are for Major Toms to be a 'champion of New Zealand acoustic circuit.”

'It's part of the philosophy of ‘going back to the roots' but also it's less noisy for local residents which is an issue at the Mount,” he explains.

David is keen to show off his hard work to locals and says everyone and anyone is welcome down at Major Toms tonight.

'There will be something for everyone, for those wanting the familiar and for others wanting to try something different,” he adds.

'I'd love people to come in and see what we're up to - I think they will love it.”

The Major Toms Official Opening Party is on tonight at 297 Maunganui Rd, from 5pm. For more information visit their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/majortomsbar

Mount Maunganui musicians Alice Sea and Aaron Saxson will be on stage from 8.30pm. Watch a video of Alice and Aaron jamming below.