Freshwater’s iconic Harbord Hotel has recently unveiled a 70s-inspired rooftop bar and music venue.
Bombies is a new sun-drenched oceanfront bar on top of Harbord Hotel that evokes the laid-back energy of a beach house party, set against the beautiful 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.
Once the hotel’s caretaker’s residence, this space has been transformed 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. The name has been given to the rooftop bar to embody 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’ menu will include signature dishes such as 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 includes 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 of both Australian and international live music, the aim is for Bombies to be an ever-evolving hub for entertainment.
To create Bombies, Epochal Hotels once again partnered with esteemed architects Alexander & Co. The design heroes artists, musicians, and tastemakers, with murals by Ash Holmes, Paul McNeil, and Tiarna Herczeg bringing the walls to life.
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. This will be followed by the return of a boutique hotel. Stay tuned.
Bombies, Harbord Hotel
Where: 29 Moore Rd, Freshwater NSW 2096
Website: www.bombies.com.au
Instagram: @bombies_harbord
