Club Rose Bay in Rose Bay is undergoing a full restoration under a management agreement with Merivale after entering administration in August 2024.
Background And Financial Position
Club Rose Bay entered voluntary administration at the end of August 2024 after reporting financial losses in consecutive years. The club recorded a loss of around $350,000 in 2022, followed by just over $40,000 in 2023.
At a members’ meeting in January 2025, the RSL membership voted almost unanimously to proceed with an operations management agreement with Merivale to support the venue’s recovery.
Under the agreement, Merivale is responsible for managing hospitality operations, including food, beverage and events, while the club’s board retains ownership and full governance control.
Renovation Works And Planned Features In Rose Bay
Behind-the-scenes videos released in October 2025 confirmed that restoration work is well advanced. Planned features for the renewed venue include a sports bar with large screens and a games area fitted with pool tables.
The cocktail bar has been referenced differently across updates: Merivale material shared earlier in the year described a DJ record-style bar, while later plans highlighted a 1950s airport-inspired concept. Outdoor additions include a pickleball court, a half basketball court and dog-friendly dining areas. An open-plan kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven will also form part of the new layout.
Notti’s To Lead The Dining Offering
A central hospitality feature of the redevelopment is Notti’s, a casual Italian restaurant. The venue is being developed by chef Mike Eggert, known for Totti’s, and will focus on pizza as its primary offering.
Merivale noted that Notti’s is positioned as an approachable extension of its broader Italian dining concepts.
RSL Traditions And Community Connection
Despite the scale of the redevelopment, leadership from both the club and Merivale confirmed that the venue’s RSL identity will remain central. A daily moment of silence and the recitation of the Ode of Remembrance will continue, supported by a memorabilia display and honour boards.
Long-time members expressed strong interest in the reopening, including WWII veteran John Ryrie, who first visited the club in the late 1940s when it operated from a small shed. Community anticipation has been echoed by club representatives and Merivale, with acknowledgment that expectations are high.
Merivale chief executive Justin Hemmes has stated that the project is personally important, noting the pressure to meet community expectations given the club’s longstanding role in the area.
Next Steps
A confirmed reopening date has not yet been announced, although updates indicate that the venue is expected to reopen in late December. Both Merivale and the club’s leadership expect the renewed Club Rose Bay to serve as a long-term community hub, balancing new facilities with traditional RSL functions.
Published 7-Dec-2025
