Paddington icon The Royal enters a new reign with $1m refurbishment
Heritage pub The Royal Hotel is fresh from an extensive refurbishment and interior makeover of its four buzzing floors, elevating it to the crowning glory of the East’s social scene.
The heritage hotel stands proudly at the Five Ways junction, with the historic building dating back to 1888 and the Commonwealth reign of Queen Victoria. The Royal purchased by Public House Management Group in 2015 and work started on the renovation last year, with a design paying homage to the creativity and inclusivity of the Paddington community.
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Starting from the ground up, the Royal’s sports bar has been expanded to take over the previous bottle shop area and provide a huge social space and TAB room boasting a 3m x 2m TV wall with multi-screen viewing. The screen is the biggest in the East making The Royal Bar the best destination to catch the State of Origin matches and winter sports with your mates.
Up to level one and you’ll discover the Veranda Bar and Balcony, a social space decked out in maximalist sophistication. Evoking the vibe of the seasonal facades of British members’ clubs, the Elephant Bar features a pastel pink and blue-hued palette with custom furniture including decadent banquettes, terrazzo slabs and kiln baked tiles. Intricate wallpapers bring a touch of Old Hollywood glamour and the whole space is a sumptuous backdrop for The Royal’s fresh, seasonal menu and drinks.
The Elephant Bar is dedicated to private events and functions, continuing the eclectic interiors theme with with rich burnt orange velvets, a marble-topped bar and bold brass features. Two rooms span this floor offering an unrivalled event location in the East with capacities starting from 25 seated / 40 cocktail standing space up to 75 seated / 120 cocktail. The Royal is a perfect place for every celebration including birthdays, engagement parties, family gatherings, baby showers, bachelorette parties and more. Its event spaces are easily adapted for corporate events too, from board meetings and workshops through to immersive press launches.
The jewel in the crown is The Royal’s famous rooftop, continuously awarded as one of the best in Sydney. With an enviable location in the East and views over the city skyline, The Royal’s rooftop has a loyal following all of its own. This month it’s had a takeover from beloved drinks brand Archie Rose, with bespoke illustrations and limited edition cocktails.
With the new-look Royal comes a fresh menu, designed by PHMG executive chef Scott Greve – Scott recently received One Hat in the Good Food Guide 2024. Beloved classics like the Royal Burger, LPs Hot Dog and Steak Frites with Café de Paris Butter complement innovative menu choices like the Poke Bowl, Prawn Toast with Miso Mayo and Yuzi Gel and Duck Breast with Charred Carrot, Beetroot, Endive and Raspberry Jus.
With the new-look Royal comes a fresh menu, designed by PHMG executive chef Scott Greve – Scott recently received One Hat in the Good Food Guide 2024. Beloved classics like the Royal Burger, LPs Hot Dog and Steak Frites with Café de Paris Butter complement innovative menu choices like the Poke Bowl, Prawn Toast with Miso Mayo and Yuzi Gel and Duck Breast with Charred Carrot, Beetroot, Endive and Raspberry Jus.
Venue owners’ PHMG work with some of the leading suppliers in Australia including Young & Rashleigh, Oatley Wines, Accolade and Clarity Cru to curate its wine lists. The well-stocked bars include a wide variety of spirits from Campari and Moet Hennessey to Four Pillars and Asahi Premium Beverages and a signature cocktail list that includes the ‘Fiveways Fairy’ – a blend of sohi vodka, lychee, rose, lemon and apple topped with fairy floss.
The Royal offers a range of onsite dining options, whether it’s a casual dinner and drinks while watching sports to a special dinner in the restaurant with cocktails. Saturdays mornings are dedicated to a banquet-style bottomless brunch and a long lunch of shared dishes with unlimited cocktails, and Sundays are all about the famous Royal Roast – a huge hit of comfort food this winter.
Good times are the order of the day, every day at The Royal:
Monday – Friday
- Happy hour, 4-6pm weekdays with $6.50 house wine, beer and bubbles
- Monday – Sunday
- Bottomless dinner, from 5.30pm – 7.30pm every evening dive into a two course sharing menu with friends including bottomless selected cocktails, wines and beer for $105 per person
Tuesday
- Trivia Night at 7.30pm
Wednesday
- $20 Steak Frites every Wednesday from lunchtime
Thursday
- $5 Tacos and $15 Margaritas from 5pm
Friday
- 2 for $20 Aperol or Limoncello Spritz Sundowners from 8-10pm
Saturday
- Bottomless brunch
- Bottomless lunch
- 2 for $20 Aperol or Limoncello Spritz Sundowners from 8-10pm
- DJ from 10pm
Sunday
- The Royal Roast
- Special offers on drinks for Hospo workers from 2-10pm
Live and loud sports
- The Royal Bar offers a sharing menu for groups watching live sports, with a selection of dishes including short rib croquettes, beef sliders and prawn rolls for $40 per person
A sanctuary for sports, socialising, fresh seasonal food and party times – the new look Royal is open now.
Instagram: @royalhotelpaddo
Facebook: Royal.Hotel.Paddington
