Rocker turns eight: reflecting on the journey to date
- Bondi Journal
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 16 hours ago
Where has the time gone? Eight years ago – on a chilly June day no less – we opened Rocker’s doors, and from first entering the close-knit neighbourhood to the Covid days, it’s been a journey to say the least.
We're pretty proud of what we've created for the community, but put it out to some of the legends who have known us since the early days, to see what they had to say…
DOLSO, DJ
What's it been like seeing Rocker evolve?
Having seen Rocker go into north Bondi I couldn't have been more excited! Having a place close by that really was your type of bar and restaurant, it felt like it was your extended living area in your own place.
Great staff, great drinks, great food and always something to look at, be it the sun or friends passing by... Over time more locals started dropping in and then it turned into the North Bondi local.
Adrian Mezzina, Strategic Marketing Consultant + Startup Advisor
Happy birthday, Rocker!
Eight years of the best fried chicken, good tunes, spicy margs, and even spicier hangovers.
Cam, Stuey, Mez and the whole team – you have nailed the Bondi local’s local.
Rocker's one of those rare spots where the food always over delivers and the vibes are always high.
Sit-down discos post-lockdown? Iconic.
Burgers? Silly good.
Pastas? Truffle season, forget-about-it.
Cheers for all the late nights, cruisy Sunday arvs and the many good times. Here’s to many more!
Callum Morse, Rocker Regular + Sometimes FOH Crew
Wow, there's honestly been so many favourite dishes over the years that it’s hard to place just one up on the pedestal of deliciousness.
From the earlier menus, the Welsh rarebit croquette as well as the Rocker fried chicken and hot sauce take up a lot of residence in my food memory and will do so for a while I think. Simple, moreish, and absolutely necessary with a few Bondi XPAs.
Other brilliant standouts have to be the malt vinegar roast potatoes, beef ragu and the hazelnut tiramisu. Like I said, it is difficult to choose only a few. The food at Rocker is always honest, unpretentious and bloody tasty.
Cam Northway, Rocker Co-Owner
What I love most about Rocker?
Perched up on the hill looking back down at the Bondi, waves rolling by with the sun shining down in the afternoon. I know I am biased, but there's no better spot in Bondi to enjoy it.
To still be here eight years on in a place where so many come and go makes us very proud and humbled. We're so grateful to be part of the Bondi community.
Lizzie Fiducia, Founder, MessySpoon + Rocker Regular
Rocker has always been my favourite place to go for good food, drinks and relaxed feels in Bondi. It sort of feels like home, its hospitality as it should be, always relaxed and always welcoming.
Darren Robertson, Chef, Restaurateur, Cookbook Author, Rocker Co-Owner
What has your most memorable Rocker moment been? I've had some pretty special dinners celebrating the kids' birthdays. Stuart always makes a fuss of them, the family love it, makes me proud to be a part of it!
What's your favourite dish or drink been over the years, and why?
The original rye treacle tart with vanilla ice cream. Reminds me of home.
James Taylor, Rocker Regular
It's our home restaurant, like a home town or a home house – it’s ours and the entire family’s, with family. Love Rocker. Love the hospitality. Love the T-bones. Love the Negroni.
Rocker Bondi. Forever home, thanks for everything Stu x
CALLYY, DJ + Rocker Regular
What makes Rocker so special? That’s easy! It’s the people.
Rocker truly feels like family. Everyone is looked after so well here.
I first came as a customer over five years ago, and now, barely a week goes by without stopping in, whether it's for a quick beer or a long lunch.
The food, the drinks, the service, they're always perfect.
Geoff + Gayle Roberts, Rocker Regulars
Our most favourite experience is our ‘moving onto the next phase of our life party.’ The night was very special. We had invited 80 people and 100 RSVPed. We suspect that this was more about Rocker than both of us. The date was 30 June 2023 and all our friends were there, Stu, Merryn, Gus – it was so fun.
We got there early convinced that no one would turn up. Stu gave us a settler which was most appreciated. Stu had been putting together a charcuterie and cheese plate all day which was about two metres long. By 8:30pm everyone was there and the charcuterie plate was empty. Amazing!
The drinks were delicious and the small plates were beautiful. But the best thing about the night was the service and the way all the team made us feel like we are the most important people who ever come to the restaurant. This is the essence of Rocker!
Ian (Clarky) Clark, Rocker Co-Owner
What makes Rocker so special?
Firstly, I think that it is the team. Stu is such a natural leader and genuinely cares about his team and that they are happy at work.
Secondly, I think that it’s how we have listened to our locals, neighbours and guest feedback and used that as our centre to create offerings that people genuinely want.
Jess Harris, Rocker Regular
Eight years! Wow. I’ve just spent a moment going through all my Rocker pics in my phone and there’s too many amazing memories to choose from.
My most memorable moment was NYE 2019, Rocker turned into a club and it was one of the last dances I had with a very good friend, Neil before he moved back to the UK. There’s also the truffle dinner in July 2022! Shaved truffles and truffle butter with the most amazing melt in your mouth steak.
The most amazing dish is 100% the Sunday roast. Those potatoes! Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Perfect.
We are guaranteed a good time at Rocker and feel very proud of what Stuart has achieved there. There is always such a vibe when you walk in, the staff are all happy and there’s a real ‘family feel’ mentality across the room. We are very lucky we get so well looked after and I’m constantly raving about it to everyone.
If you want a fun time where time stops and you feel like your responsibilities can be left at the door – Rocker is the place.
Jess Saunders, Rocker Regular
Eight years of loving Rocker. Eight years of memories, shared plates, and perhaps one too many Rocker Spritzes.
The heart and soul of Rocker lies in the people who bring it to life: Stuart, Merryn, Gus, Ethan, and the whole Rocker team. Their warmth, care, and consistency make every visit feel special, whether it’s your first or your fiftieth visit.
Over the years, we’ve celebrated life’s big moments within those artsy familiar walls—pregnancy announcements, milestone birthdays, engagements, new jobs, goodbyes, and everything in between. It’s a place where our memories are almost woven into the furniture.
Rocker is more than a restaurant. It’s a feeling. A community. And I’m grateful to have had it as the backdrop to so many chapters of our lives.
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