New restaurant, cocktail and live music venue Drifters Wharf set to open at Gosford

In just a few days, 2021’s most highly anticipated venue in Gosford will open its doors. Here’s a sneak peek inside the seafood, cocktail and live music domain.

The countdown is on for seafood, cocktails and live entertainment on the waterfront at Gosford.

The highly anticipated Drifters Wharf is set to open on Friday at the iconic site which was once home to the former Iguana Joe’s along with Coast Bar and Restaurant.

The Express had a sneak peek inside the venue which is still undergoing the final stages of its transformation.

Owners Isaac Adele and Stephen Sewell are also the duo behind the popular Mumbo Jumbo’s at Terrigal and Shady Palms at Avoca.

Mr Adele said they chose the iconic Gosford site due to its size.

“We needed somewhere big to do live entertainment,” he said. “Our other venues are big but we are limited in what we can do there. We needed somewhere we can grow into.”

Mr Sewell said the pair had been concert promoters for 20 years.

Owners Isaac Adele and Stephen Sewell at the venue this week as work continues in the lead up to the opening.

Location of one of two bars and the wood-fired pizza oven, under construction.

“Here our concert promoting and hospitality businesses have collided,” he said.

“It’s pretty special. A lot of people are used to going to the Enmore in Sydney but will now be able to see big acts here.”

However he stressed that the venue’s main focus was as a restaurant and cocktail bar.

“We are a waterside cocktail bar and dining venue,” he said.

“Our focus is seafood by the water, wood-fired pizzas and cocktails on the deck with special events featuring Australian and international artists.

“We will also do a lot of corporate functions and weddings.”

Mr Sewell said he hoped the venue would attract more artists touring the country to stop on the Central Coast.

Finishing touches are being made to the entrance of the venue.

Construction underway on the live music stage area.

“Artists usually do Melbourne Sydney Brisbane with Newcastle and the Central Coast competing,” he said.

“We also want to have sit down theatre shows, dinner and comedy shows.”

Some big names booked in the coming months include Holy Holy, Client Liaison, Sneaky Sound System and Young Franco.

Drifters Wharf will be open seven days for lunch and dinner. The venue is set to open to family and friends on Friday and will be open to the public on Saturday from lunch time.

Saturday night will see the first major event featuring Hot Dub Time Machine which is sold out.

Hot Dub Time Machine DJ Tom Loud is the first major act at Drifters Wharf on Saturday night. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Sunday afternoon will feature Sneaky Sound System with free entry. People can sign

up to the guest list for guaranteed entry before 5pm with first in best dressed after 5pm.

Visit: drifterswharf.com.au