Mosman Rowers reopens with new 140-seater food space

Born again after a "near-death experience", the past six months and the headlines that followed proved quite a ride for Mosman Rowers.

The waterfront venue reopens next week after sliding into administration late last year, with a new food operator stepping in to open Archie Bear in the historic space.

While the future looked bleak for Mosman Rowers last year, the combination of $150,000 raised by the local community, a spike of 500 new members and getting its financial house in order saved the club, which has been going about its business since 1911.

Emma Marshall, co-owner of Foys Kirribilli and the Sandy Bear at Clontarf, is part of the new crew drafted in to reboot the food offering. "We're working in partnership with the club," she says.

Etic design studio has recrafted the space, but Marshall says there has been good sense to know when to leave something alone, such as the timber panelling, which Marshall describes as "1950s ski chalet-esque".

"Archie Bear is really light, with a few pastels," she says of the 100-seater, which has another 40 seats outside.

The menu stretches from grilled haloumi, avocado and radish on the breakfast menu to an all-day menu with an entry-level reuben with wagyu pastrami ($15) and topping out with a $119 seafood platter.

Marshall says the Rowers Bar hasn't changed, in no small part due to its name being etched on a mirror. But it has been repainted and has new furniture.

The good news is the venue is open to the public. Typical NSW red tape applies, but visitors outside a five-kilometre radius can sign in (free of charge) as temporary members and any residents within the area will need to sign in as a guest of a member (also free).

Open The Rowers Bar: Mon-Fri 4pm-late; Sat-Sun noon-late. Archie Bear: Mon-Wed 7.30am-3.30pm; Thu-Sun 7.30am-late

Mosman Rowers, 3 Centenary Drive, Mosman, phone from mid-March 02 8006 8880