Merewether Surfhouse Is Becoming A Three-Level Beachfront Pavilion In 2027
Newcastle is set to get a major beachfront glow-up, with the team behind Burleigh Pavilion, Terrigal Pavilion and The Joey at Palm Beach taking over one of the city's most-loved venues.
Merewether Surfhouse will be reborn as Merewether Pavilion, with new owners Ben May and Rob Domjen revealing their plans for the three-level site for the first time.
Here's what's changing.
Know what you want? Skip to:
- What's Happening To Merewether Surfhouse
- When Merewether Pavilion Will Open
- What To Expect From The New Venue
- What It Means For The Newcastle Community
What's Happening To Merewether Surfhouse
May and Domjen will officially take over Merewether Surfhouse in October, with the venue continuing to trade largely as normal through summer.
The pair are also behind The Tropic and are the founders of Pavilion Venue Co., the group connecting their coastal hospitality portfolio across Queensland and New South Wales.
Key details include:
- The Tropic, the coastal dining concept from Burleigh Pavilion, joining the new food and beverage lineup
- A significant renovation of the three-level site opposite Merewether Beach
- The venue rebranding from Merewether Surfhouse to Merewether Pavilion
The site currently houses Surfhouse Restaurant, the Beach Bar, a rooftop bar, event spaces and a beach promenade kiosk.
When Merewether Pavilion Will Open
From February 2027, Merewether Surfhouse will close its doors for the renovation, before reopening later that year as Merewether Pavilion.
Only minor changes to the food and beverage offering, styling and programming are expected in the meantime, with May and Domjen saying the first few months will be spent getting to know the venue, its team and the local community.
What To Expect From The New Venue
While the full vision is still being developed, the long-term plan is for a venue that can be experienced differently throughout the day, from something casual straight off the beach to dining, drinks, events and celebrations.
Rather than working to a set formula, Domjen and May have said their approach comes down to a sense of place, with each Pavilion Venue Co. site designed to feel like it belongs to its own community rather than a concept that could be dropped anywhere.
The pair see Merewether Surfhouse as a rare opportunity, given its position overlooking the beach and its existing place in the local community. They plan to spend the first few months listening and getting to know the venue before making any major changes, taking their time to shape a Merewether Pavilion locals can feel proud of.
What It Means For The Newcastle Community
The move follows the pair's experience at Terrigal Pavilion, where the response from the Central Coast community reinforced their belief that a large, busy venue can still hold a strong local identity.
Burleigh Pavilion marked the start of the Pavilion journey, with May and Domjen since bringing their approach to other waterfront locations without replicating the same venue twice.
Further details on Merewether Pavilion, including its food and beverage concepts and renovation timeline, will be announced in due course.
Main Image Credit: Pavilion Venue Co. | Supplied