Five years in the planning, Freshwater’s Harbord Hotel is finally opening its next stage in renovations, Bombies.
The hotel is situated metres away from the place where surfing was introduced to Australia by Duke Kahanamoku, in 1914.
Previously the caretaker’s residence of the hotel, Bombies is named after the surfer slang derived from the Indigenous word ‘bombora’.
‘Bombora’ refers to offshore reefs that produce powerful, unpredictable waves – the kind that thrill-seeking surfers pursue for the ultimate ride – and the venue seeks to emulate that feel.
With uninterrupted ocean views of Freshwater Beach, rooftop venue Bombies is set to impress, with its laid-back 70s beach house party vibe and dedication to surf culture and live music.
The retro feel was created by architects Alexander & Co, with murals by Tiarna Herczeg, Ash Holmes and Paul McNeil.
“It’s like stepping into a friend’s beach house … Bombies is where the best nights just happen,” said Glenn Piper, CEO of Epochal Hotels.
Piper purchased the hotel in 2020 from longtime owners John Thorpe and Trish King. After beating multiple objections, development plans were approved to expand the hotel’s offerings.
Bombies will host live band karaoke, comedy, film screenings and local and international bands.
This weekend, the venue is holding a four-day opening celebration called the “After Dark Club”, complete with cocktails, “after-dark rituals”, moody music and tarot readings.
Later this year the next stage of the renovation will be revealed, when Harbord Hotel opens its state-of-the-art recording studio, for local artists.
