After more than 75 years of service to veterans and the community, Club Rose Bay reopened late December following a year-long makeover by hospitality heavy-hitters, Justin Hemmes’ Merivale.
On December 20, 101-year-old World War II veteran John Ryrie joined Hemmes to cut the ribbon to reopen the club.
The venue had been closed since mid-2024, when it went into administration with reported debts of $600,000.
After months of deliberation, early 2025 members voted to accept a proposal submitted by Merivale to rekindle it.
This had followed a member vote to amend bylaws to allow outside persons to profit from club business, provided it arose from “contracts reasonably made” and delivered.
Plans by Merivale and architects Akin Atelier were lodged, which would convert the carpark into licensed area and expand the gaming area, and the club submitted an application to increase its EGM count from 16 to 36. The increase was approved by ILGA (Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority) on the basis that the entitlements were to be transferred from the Richmond Club, in what is a higher-risk LGA, and on condition gaming operations cease at midnight.
As part of the deal Merivale has provided a loan of around $800,000 to the club, at market interest rates but with provision the debt will be forgiven at the end of the contract, if not fully repaid.
The club has since undergone major structural works, bringing new kitchens, refreshed interiors and landscaping, in its first refurbishment since 1979.
Anchoring its identity as an RSL, there is a newly created memorabilia hall honouring over a century of service and sacrifice by the Australian armed forces, and the Ode of Remembrance is read daily at 6pm, followed by the customary minute of silence.
There is a revamped sports bar with pool tables, big-screen TVs and weekly events, but the work is highlighted by the expansive new courtyard, boasting lush greenery and a dog-friendly area featuring a full-size pickleball and half-size basketball courts, alfresco dining zones and a bar serving out of an Airstream caravan.
Merivale executive chef Mike Eggert has reworked the classic club menu, now including a new kids’ selection with six options, and introduced Notti’s – a casual take on the group’s successful Totti’s franchise, serving snacks, pizza, pasta and wood-fired mains.
There is also Mr Pop – a cocktail and record bar inspired by jet-age fascination of the 1950s that is a nod to the site’s history as Australia’s first international airport.
The original DA, citing costs of $82,000, was swiftly approved by Woollahra Council, but the cost of the structural works is understood to have ballooned to around $370,000, atop the expansive internal fit-out.
Having lived in the area and known the club all his life, Hemmes describes it as an “institution that has been a cornerstone of the community”.
“Working closely with the club, we have designed the venue to capture the nostalgia of classic RSLs while introducing contemporary elements to preserve its heritage and futureproof it for many generations to come,” said the Merivale CEO.
The collaboration is seen as a lifeline for Club Rose Bay and was, according to administrators, in November 2024, the only viable proposal.
In January members voted to reject an alternative offer, from Coogee Diggers, which had offered more for unsecured creditors and an upfront contribution of $1 million, but was conditional on the lease being transferred into its name.
This proposal did not attract the backing of the Rose Bay RSL sub-branch or the landlord, or the club’s directors, who stood to lose their positions permanently.
Later in 2025 Coogee Diggers was in the news over an amalgamation with Paddington RSL.
“This refurbishment was about protecting the future of our Club while honouring its past,” declares Club President John Bax.
“Our members overwhelmingly supported this partnership, and thanks to Merivale’s involvement we’ve been able to restore our facilities, preserve our military heritage and secure the Club’s long-term future.”
Under NSW laws clubs are entitled to tax breaks due to their not-for-profit status, prohibiting commercial interests profiting from revenue such as that from gaming machines.
As one of the state’s largest privately owned operators of EGMs, questions have been raised regarding Merivale’s involvement, despite the revised total of 36 machines being a fraction of the number in larger clubs, which are often located in precincts where the median house price isn’t a lofty $4.7 million.
