This is a tough one to review, since I have been coming here my entire adult life…read more
It's been renovated a number of times now, and what I like about the RSL is that they've invested heavily back into the club to create a really great space for the members. The latest renovations include a classy lounge bar accessed by an escalator. What I really like about the place is that domestic beer is as cheap as you will find anywhere.
What I don't like about the place is that it seems like they've lost the youth. It has turned a bit into an old people's club. Whereas in my youth, the place was packed with people my age, these days it seems that they really cater to more of the senior end of the market, and this will be reflected in music choices, and other entertainment offerings. Unfortunately this means that on many of the days there is little-to-no atmosphere. You are really just coming for the cheap drink.
In terms of RSLs, Hornsby is quite big. It looks big from the outside, but once you get inside it's really all the different sections that make it seem gigantic.
I'll take you on a virtual tour of the club so you can get a feel for what's inside.
The foyer is a large open space with a fountain and the front desk to sign in. Directly ahead and up the stairs is a cafe that does simple food, coffee, and desserts. Swinging to the left is a front bar with a number of smaller televisions and loads of seating areas. This is also where trivia, live music and meat raffles happen. Directly opposite the bar is an outdoor section for smokers.
Moving past the bar there is a tiny kitchenette-sized TAB section, which leads into the large poker machine area. The pokie area is massive and also has an outdoor pokie section for smokers. Once you walk through, past the cashiers, you are in the bistro. Food is your pretty standard RSL bistro fare, nothing flash here. There is also another outdoor section. On the reverse wall of the bistro are big screen TVs where things like world cup soccer games pull a big crowd.
Adjacent to the bistro is the auditorium which is where larger events happen (two-up is held in here every year). Concerts are also prevalent.
Between the bistro and the auditorium is a stairwell that leads downstairs to the back foyer. The other entry to the downstairs area is at the front foyer. Instead of going up to the front bar, take the stairs down into the sports bar/lounge. This area is two-tiered. There is a lower floor which has professional-sized snooker tables, and requires etiquette. Also on the lower floor is ping-pong table room, also professional. On the main floor is a pub-style pool table, fully stocked bar, and a lounge area with a number of televisions for more of a laid back viewing experience.
Down here there is also darts and bowling available. Moving past the sports lounge there is a larger TAB area, whose doors open up to the back foyer and the bottle shop.
Moving back to the main front foyer there is also an escalator, once you head through the cafe, that will take you upstairs to the Level One Lounge. This is a newer space, post-renovations, that offers more of an outdoor cocktail lounge feel. Think Bungalow 8, with loungey chairs, trees, and funky design. The drinks here are more expensive, and its usually a place for bdays and other functions.
Speaking of functions there is also a function room on this floor with an indoor/outdoor section. As you climb off the elevator on this level there is digital roulette directly through the first auto-sliding door and more poker machines in a specialist outdoor smoking area, also accessed by a sliding door (requires a button push).
I'd be inclined to bump this to 4-stars if there was more of an atmosphere at the club. Obviously on days like Australia day or specialist sporting events, there is usually a crowd, but otherwise it can be pretty quiet.
