Bombies set to open at ‘Harbord Hilton’ in Freshwater after $2.8m makeover
A new 1970s-inspired music venue with enticing cuisine is set to open on the first floor of one of Sydney’s iconic seaside pubs that’s undergoing a $2.8m makeover. See the pics.
Manly
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A 1970s-inspired venue for musicians and DJs is set to arrive at one the northern beaches’ iconic seaside pubs.
“Bombies”, on level one of the Harbord Hotel at Freshwater, will start welcoming patrons on Thursday, ahead of a busy long public holiday weekend.
The new bar and eatery is the major part of an ongoing $2.8m refurbishment of what’s known to locals as the “Harbord Hilton”.
And it will be the first time since the pub opened in 1928 that patrons will have access to the first floor and its large “sun-drenched” veranda that fronts Moore Rd. It used to be the family living quarters for the pub’s previous owners.
The veranda, with views towards Freshwater Beach, can accommodate up to 90 revellers while Bombies – short for “bombora”, an Indigenous Australian term for large waves breaking over a submerged ocean reef – will cater to 350.
After concerns from neighbours about potentially loud music and party noise coming from the balcony, hi-tech sound dampening technology, including-triple glazed windows and special airlock doors, have been installed.
Hotel owner Glenn Piper said no one would be allowed on to the veranda, which also has noise-dampening balustrades, after 10pm.
“There’s not much noise escaping from this locked venue when we are in live music mode,” he said.
As part of the plan of management, the number of people on the balcony will also be gradually reduced as they night goes on.
Bombies has already booked some “large names” who will perform later in the year.
“We expect the balcony will become the premium place for the whole Harbord Hotel, Mr Piper said. “It will be highly desirable to get a seat out there. It’ll be a popular daytime venue.”
Bombies, which Mr Piper described as a “warm and inviting space” will feature a cocktail bar and a share plates menu to encourage group dining and get-togethers.
“We’re really looking forward to creating a separate space for the night life, here in Bombies.
“I’m expecting this to be a lively space from late afternoon into the evening.”
The ground floor will revert to becoming a traditional main bar with more of a sports focus. It will also host solo artists.
Work on the upstairs refurbishment is continuing with a “speak-easy” style bar being created in the second floor attic alongside a commercial recording studio that will be rented out to professional musicians and producers.
Mr Piper said viewing windows would be installed, with seating, to allow patrons to watch artists recording in the studio.
“We wanted a point of difference,’’ he said.
“Music creates a lot of ambience for a venue and so I thought it would be a great idea if we could make some music within the walls of Harbord Hotel.
“We’d like to think we’ll have listening parties up there and big name bands willing to have the public watch while they’re working in it.
“The grand vision for Harbord Hotel was to utilise the three storeys.
The speak-easy and recording studio will open before the end of the year.
To celebrate its official opening, Bombies is throwing a four-day twilight After Dark Club over the King’s Birthday long weekend (June 5–8), with a mix of glowing cocktails, moody music from artists including Keli Holiday and DJ Tommy Trash.
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