Transforming Hospitality with AV at The Bergs

Bondi Iceberg’s club and function spaces have undergone a generational uplift

Bondi Icebergs. Everyone knows the name. It might evoke images of hardy types doing mid-winter laps in the Icebergs saltwater pool. Or memories of a fancy Italian meal in the fine diner. The club and events spaces are equally important to Icebergs, and has recently undergone a big-time multi-stage renovation and a name change – The Bergs.

The refit brings with it two new bars, a refreshed and expanded kitchen, larger dining areas with elevated finishes, new bathrooms, and dedicated function spaces. The look and feel is chalk and cheese from the dated interiors it replaces.

And it’s way more flexible and multifunctional.

The Bergs General Manager, Cassie O’Brien, paints a picture of the new, upgraded venue thrumming on a weekend: “On a typical Friday or Saturday we turn over spaces every couple of hours while running multiple functions, sometimes back-to-back with different needs. On the beach side of the venue we might have general trade with sports on the big LED screens –horse racing, footy – plus background music for a sports-bar feel. At night one area could host a 50th birthday with photos streamed via AV inputs. We can silo off zones: the beach room might have lively sound, the main dining room just gentle background music for dinner service, and another end could have a 25th with a live band fully sectioned off.

“The work has elevated every space and allows us to create different experiences in one venue. It’s now multifunctional, expanding our opportunities greatly – we’re no longer stuck in one type of offering.”

In the reception area we used the new JBL Control 424 in-ceiling speakers with waveguides and low-profile magnetic grilles – superb quality, minimal visual impact, paired with a Crown CSA amp for warm, clear ambience. The Sydney demo of those in-ceiling speakers really impressed me. I rarely get wow’ed by much these days, but that launch excited me. - Scott Masters

FULL ATMOSPHERE

The renovations were completed in two stages, which came with its own complexities but Scott and his team prevailed. “The two-stage installation had challenges, but the modular design made staging and expansion straightforward. That said, I’m grateful to our MadisonAV Account Representative, Scott Montebello, who at times moved heaven and earth for us.”

Cassie and the club couldn’t be happier. “The renovation gives us opportunities we didn’t have before. The physical facelift needed matching ambience and experience, and the tech provides that finishing touch – the glacé cherry. A great fit-out alone isn’t enough; the right music and control create the full atmosphere. We’d be lost without it.”