The Boathouse at Rose Bay has suddenly shut its doors, much to the surprise of local patrons.
The eastern suburbs institution quietly closed on January 11, with the news shared via a notice taped to the front door.
‘After five wonderful years, Sunday 11th of January was our final restaurant and café service at The Boathouse Rose Bay,’ the note began.
The sign went on to explain that the decision to close was a result of the lease agreement ending.
‘With our lease coming to an end, we’ve made the difficult decision not to extend as we focus on a new chapter for the Boathouse Group, with several new venues and projects on the horizon.’
The note concluded by offering ‘a huge thank you’ to past guests and staff who have ‘made this venue so special’.
‘We look forward to welcoming you into our sister Boathouse venues in the future,’ the notice ended.
Daily Mail reached out The Boathouse Group but did not receive a response prior to publication.
Popular Sydney restaurant The Boathouse Rose Bay closed its doors permanently on January 11
The waterside restaurant, located on Rose Bay Marina, opened in 2021 and became a hotspot for the elite inner Sydney crowd and local celebrities
The closure has come as a shock given that it is a renowned dining hotspot for the elite inner Sydney crowd and local celebrities.
Devastated diners took to social media to share their dismay over the closure of the once-popular venue.
‘Oh no, I did love The Boathouse,’ read one reply.
‘Cost of living I’d say. Sad. It was good,’ added another.
‘Sign of the times, sadly. Going out for a meal is a luxury,’ mused another.
For now, The Boathouse Rose Bay still has an active Instagram account, but it has been dormant since October last year. The venue has, however, been removed from the list of venues on the hospitality group’s website.
The Boathouse Group operates several iconic waterside hospitality venues across Sydney, as well as regional NSW.
Their flagship restaurant, The Boathouse, now has four outposts: Shelly Beach, Balmoral, and regional locations in Patonga and North Wollongong. Other venues within the group’s current stable include Barrenjoey House in Palm Beach, Manly Pavilion, The Espy Manly and The Mona Social.
The Boathouse venue was divided into two dining areas – a casual breakfast/brunch spot downstairs and a more formal dining area upstairs
The Boathouse Rose Bay was popular with the who’s who of Sydney. Back in 2024, Michael Clarke was pictured on his way to celebrate Mother’s Day there with mum Debbie (left), ex-wife Kyly Clarke, and daughter Kelsey-Lee
The Boathouse Rose Bay opened with much fanfare in 2021 – establishing itself at a location that already had a long history of hospitality businesses.
The Rose Bay Marina site on New South Head Road was previously home to modern restaurant Regatta and, before that, Pier restaurant helmed by chef Greg Doyle.
This latest incarnation as The Boathouse saw the venue divided into two dining areas – a casual breakfast/brunch spot downstairs and a more formal dining area upstairs. It was also the Boathouse Group’s first foray into the competitive eastern suburbs of Sydney.
The Boathouse Group’s history began in 2008 with the launch of their Palm Beach waterside café – which was became an instantly popular and sought-after venue for Sydney’s who’s who.
But in 2019, the group famously landed in financial hot water, as reports emerged that the hospitality business was struggling with mounting debts, unpaid suppliers, and threats of wind-up action.
New investors were brought in, with property developers and brothers Ben and Jono Isaac stepping in to keep the group afloat.
The original owners, the Goldsmith family, later exited the business in 2021.
The Boathouse Group is now owned by the Isaac family, along with chief executive officer Antony Jones.
