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FRESHWATER’S NEW ROOFTOP BAR BRINGS LIVE MUSIC & SURF CULTURE TO HARBORD HOTEL

5 Jun 2025

FRESHWATER’S NEW ROOFTOP BAR BRINGS LIVE MUSIC & SURF CULTURE TO HARBORD HOTEL

Freshwater’s iconic Harbord Hotel is raising the bar with the debut of Bombies – a 70s-inspired rooftop bar and music venue that captures the spirit of surf culture’s golden era. 

This sun-drenched oceanfront bar evokes the laid-back energy of a beach house party, set against the stunning backdrop of Freshwater Beach. 

With state-of-the-art staging and uninterrupted ocean views, Bombies will showcase and champion Australia’s best homegrown and international talent. Blending surf culture, live music and electrifying late nights, Bombies is poised to become Sydney’s most exciting new stage. 

Perched just metres from the iconic break where Duke Kahanamoku introduced Australia to surfing in 1914, Bombies builds on Harbord’s storied history as a gathering place for surfers, locals and beach lovers. Once the hotel’s caretaker’s residence, this space transforms into an elevated and vibrant gathering place for the entire community to enjoy. 

In Australian surf slang, “bombies” (from the Aboriginal word bombora) refer to offshore reefs that create powerful, unpredictable waves - the kind surfers chase for the ultimate thrill. Bombies embodies that same spirit of spontaneity, adventure and unforgettable moments. “Bombies is more than just a bar - it’s a feeling,” says Glenn Piper, CEO of Epochal Hotels. 

“It’s like stepping into a friend’s beach house where the night unfolds effortlessly - live music, cold drinks and an electric energy that just clicks. Whether it’s post-surf beers, sunset sessions, or a late-night dance floor moment, Bombies is where the best nights just happen.” 

Bombies embrace the fresh, coastal spirit of Freshwater with a bold menu of salty, sun-drenched flavours, perfectly paired with an elevated drinks selection. Signature dishes include Mortadella Skewers with smoked mortadella, buffalo curd, green olives, mint, and pickled peppers; Spiced Prawn Tacos; a Crab Sambo with pickled eschalots, avocado, and chives on thick-cut white bread; Chicken Espetada with achiote marinade, gem leaves, peppers, red onion, salsa roja, and housemade flatbread; and the Bombies Sambo - a next-level club sandwich featuring chicken schnitzel, pancetta, avocado, egg, mayonnaise, gem leaves, and potato crisps. The tropical-inspired drinks menu mirrors the carefree essence of a summer beach party. 

Highlights include the Grey Goose Pico De Mango, the Bombora—a mix of Patrón Silver, triple sec, pineapple acid, and orange, and the zesty Piper Perch, crafted with Brookie’s Slow Gin, hibiscus, Peychaud’s bitters and lime. With live-band karaoke, curated film screenings, comedy, and a lineup that champions both Australian and international live music, Bombies is more than a rooftop—it’s an electric, ever-evolving hub for entertainment. 

By night, the dancefloor comes alive, fueled by Harbord’s legendary Harbord Saturdays, now taking over the rooftop and channeling Bombies' unpredictable, anything-goes energy. 

To create Bombies, Epochal Hotels once again partnered with esteemed architects Alexander & Co, crafting a space that blends 70s beach culture with a raw, creative edge. The design heroes artists, musicians, and tastemakers, with murals by Ash Holmes, Paul McNeil, and Tiarna Herczeg bringing the walls to life.

Warm wood tones, deep browns, and terracotta are layered with eclectic fabrics, mid-century modern furniture, and bold geometric textures. Glass blockwork, mural-covered brick, and polished concrete floors capture the unfiltered energy of a buzzing beach house party—a space made for music, art, and spontaneity. Jeremy Bull, Principal Designer at Alexander & Co, shares, “Bombies is the level one rejuvenation of Harbord Hotel, transforming the old caretaker’s flat into a sun-soaked band room and bar in the heart of this surfer’s motherland.” 

To celebrate opening its doors, Bombies is throwing a four-day twilight ‘After Dark Club’ over the King’s Birthday Long Weekend (June 5–8), with an electric mix of glowing cocktails, moody music from the likes of Keli Holiday and DJ Tommy Trash, after-dark rituals, and fortune telling that blurs the line between the mystical and the magical. 

Bombies is the next chapter in Harbord Hotel’s loving restoration. A state-of-the-art recording studio for local artists is set to open in late 2025, carving out a home for the best Australian and international artists, followed by the return of a boutique hotel, ensuring Harbord remains a cultural and community hub for years to come. 

Bombies Harbord Hotel – Level 1, 29 Moore Rd, Freshwater NSW 2096 www.bombies.com.au 

For more information, please contact: 

Daniel Goldstein E: daniel@weareexample.com

Ellie Lee E: ellie@weareexample.com  

 

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