The name Hali is a girl’s name of Greek origin, meaning “the sea”. “I personally don’t believe there is something like this in Canterbury at the moment,” Levy said. The bottom floor of the restaurant has the feel of a beach with a bar and light blue furniture, timber finishings, a large central palm tree and three levels of seating – lounge chairs, booths and bar leaners. CHRIS SKELTON/Stuff Hali Bar and Bistro’s bottom floor is suited to more casual dining if you are sharing a plate or grabbing a drink. The choice of an aquarium-style lift or colour-changing stairs take you upstairs where a much darker and moodier level awaits.