Few venues are as instantly recognisable as Bondi Icebergs. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and home to its world-famous ocean pool, the Sydney institution has long been synonymous with coastal dining and community. Now, following an extensive multi-stage redevelopment, the venue has entered a new era under a new identity: The Bergs.
More than a refurbishment, the project reimagines the venue as a modern hospitality and events destination designed to host everything from casual dining and private functions to live entertainment, often all at the same time. Making that possible is a completely redesigned audiovisual infrastructure delivered by Showtime Production Services in collaboration with MadisonAV, built around solutions from JBL Professional, Crown and BSS by HARMAN Professional.
The redevelopment introduces new bars, expanded dining spaces, upgraded amenities and dedicated function areas, all supported by an AV platform engineered for flexibility. The goal was not simply to improve sound quality, but to create a venue capable of adapting quickly to changing event requirements without adding complexity for staff.
“On a typical Friday or Saturday, we’re turning over spaces every couple of hours while running multiple functions,” said Cassie O’Brien, General Manager of Bondi Icebergs. “One area might be general trade with sport and background music, another a private function with images streamed to screens, and elsewhere a live band performing. The upgrade allows us to create very different experiences within one venue.”
Future-proofing became a central design objective from the outset. Showtime Production Services worked alongside MadisonAV from the initial specification through commissioning to ensure the system could evolve alongside the venue’s programming.
“In registered club environments, change is inevitable,” explained Scott Masters, Director at Showtime Production Services. “The AV system needed to be flexible, intuitive for staff, and designed so the venue can expand or adapt without major rework. MadisonAV played a key role in helping us align the right technology to that goal.”
At the heart of the installation is a distributed multi-zone audio network built around BSS BLU signal processors, giving staff the ability to combine or isolate spaces as events change throughout the day. Whether accommodating background music, corporate presentations, DJ performances or live entertainment, the venue can quickly adapt its audio routing to suit each scenario.
JBL Control Series loudspeakers have been selected to meet the acoustic needs of each environment. JBL Control 424 in ceiling loudspeakers provide discreet, consistent coverage throughout reception and dining areas, while JBL Control 25AV surface mount models serve general hospitality spaces. Higher energy zones utilise JBL Control 29AV loudspeakers, complemented by a JBL ABS6112B subwoofer to deliver the low frequency impact required for DJs and live performances.
Powering the system is a combination of Crown CDi and CSA Series amplifiers, providing dependable performance across the venue’s multiple audio zones. Local audio sources, from background music to visiting performers, are easily connected through the BSS BLU-100 signal processor, giving staff straightforward control without sacrificing system capability.
“Modern hospitality venues need systems that deliver consistent sound quality across multiple zones while remaining easy to operate and robust enough for constant use,” said Nick Screen, VP & GM of HARMAN Professional Solutions, APAC. “The JBL, Crown and BSS ecosystem used at Bondi Icebergs supports that balance, allowing venues to shift seamlessly between use cases without compromising the guest experience.”
The transformation of Bondi Icebergs into The Bergs demonstrates how modern AV design has become an essential part of hospitality strategy. By combining adaptable infrastructure with intuitive operation, the venue is now equipped to support a diverse calendar of events while maintaining the guest experience that has made it one of Australia’s most iconic destinations.
