Sergeants’ Mess, Chowder Bay

Sergeants' Mess sits at Chowder Bay on the southern side of the Middle Head peninsula in Mosman, looking across Sydney Harbour to Rose Bay, Watsons Bay and Camp Cove. The bay was a military site for decades, first a submarine miners' depot and later army barracks, before it opened to the public.

The building was where sergeants from the Georges Heights army base gathered to eat and socialise, and the name stays as a nod to that past. Grand Pacific Group now runs it as an events venue, with an expansive harbour deck and native bush all around. There is no accommodation on site.

Ceremonies take place in a tiered amphitheatre beside the harbour, kept for couples who book Sergeants' Mess, with indoor options if the weather turns. The team works with many traditions, including mandap and poruwa setups, chuppahs, tea ceremonies and civil unions. The dining room seats 50 to 250 for the reception or takes 350 for cocktails, while smaller weddings can use the bar with its panoramic harbour views. Guests can even arrive by boat at the private wharf. Ask the team about finish times, menus and minimum numbers.

There are no bedrooms at Sergeants' Mess, so plan a hotel base in Mosman or central Sydney and ask the team for recommendations. A water transfer to the venue's private wharf is the smart way to move a group, and it makes the arrival part of the day. Guest parking is free for anyone driving. Sydney Airport is the international gateway, so allow for a cross-city transfer. Guests making a holiday of it can spend the days around the wedding exploring the harbour and its beaches.