Former Darlinghurst police detective now in charge of famous Sydney club

The prospect of returning Bondi Icebergs Club to the locals has coaxed former Darlinghurst Police Detective turned publican Bob Tate back onto the pub floor.

Former police officer turned publican Bob Tate has taken over Bondi Icebergs. Photo: Tim Pascoe

The prospect of returning Bondi Icebergs Club back to locals has coaxed former Darlinghurst Police Detective turned publican Bob Tate back onto the pub floor.

Tate was considered one of the toughest Darlinghurst Detectives and worked in the 80s when the area was given the nickname “The Golden Mile.”

After leaving the force, Tate ran the Clovelly Hotel and made it one of Sydney’s destination pubs.

Tate, 65, still owns The Glasshouse in Maroubra, however has been working as General Manager of Bondi Icebergs Club for the past five months.

Former police detective turned publican Bob Tate has taken over the running of Bondi Icebergs Club. Photo: Tim Pascoe

Tate jokes that when it comes to 6pm, he’s asking himself “why did I do it?” however it’s become a passion project.

“It’s a legacy piece for me. My father was born and raised in Bondi and I have such a history with the club. It started with me learning to swimming at the ‘Bergs as a kid. I want to rebuild the legacy to be bigger and better than what it is and then I’ll ride off into the sunset and every now and then people will say, “remember that fat bastard?”

Since taking control of Bondi Icebergs Club, Tate has removed the poker machines, allowed people to make group bookings and reintroduced live bands every Sunday. Photo: Tim Pascoe

In recent years the club has focused its energy on the tourist market which “alienated the Bondi tragic,” said Tate.

“So the idea is to keep our tourist market but integrate with bringing Bondi back to the Bergs.”

Social membership has been reduced from $150 to $25, the poker machines have been removed, people can now make group bookings and now the venue, which was a favourite of the likes of the Hoodoo Gurus, has reintroduced live bands every Sunday.

New Bondi Icebergs Club General Manager Bob Tate learnt to swim at the Bergs. Picture: Daniel Boud

Tate said his straight shooting nature has also brought the locals back.

“I’ve always thought pubs and clubs to be a bit irreverent and a bit tongue in cheek and we are getting this wave coming back that’s quite refreshed that it’s not rule after rule after rule,” he said.

“We want people want to have laugh, let them loosen up when they come to the Bergs. It’s an extension of lounge room when they come to the pub.

“There has always been a sense of entitlement in the Eastern Suburbs but for me being a Bondi local, its’ water off a ducks back.

“But there is a real sense if you say no to someone, it’s like what? Those rules aren’t for me. That’s the biggest thing I’m finding.

“It intimidates the younger staff but being a tough old copper and being in the hospitality for 50 years, I don’t get phased to saying no to someone who deserves being told no.”