This pub is very "old Bondi"... I hope it stays that way as long as possible...
No fuss, full of locals, occasional live music, staff who aren't part-time models, cheesy old decor... it's by no means a fashionable place (unless you count the fact that it's cool beacause it's not fashionable?) and thank goodness for that! In an area packed full of pop-ups and shiny new venues with up-to-the-minute themes/furnishings, the Royal is a breath of fresh (ok... maybe a little stale) air. And not a Mexican/Día de Muertos embellishment in sight! (What is the deal with Sydney's obsession with Mexico these days?)
It's not the place to go if you're doing anything other than wanting to hang out in a low-key setting but if that's what you're up to, it's perfect. Have a few drinks, chill out in the courtyard... maybe grab some cheap dinner from the restaurant (No Names... a Sydney icon that has been cloned and squeezed into the back of the pub... deliciously carby comfort food).
Check it out.... just don't do it all at once... we need to keep this place not-too-popular so noone fills it with skulls, tequila, stripey ponchos and clean-cut-rich-kids-in-torn-denim... read more