Theatre Royal

There’s always something going on at Theatre Royal. The 1854-built theatre was quietly slipping into retirement five music- and film-loving friends took it over in late 2016 and injected new life into this ageing beauty.

The space has been operating as a cinema since the 1930s (the longest continuously running cinema on the mainland) and still screens films ranging from critically acclaimed art house to children’s movies during school holidays. The old theatre stage has been repurposed into an excellent live-music venue, hosting names such as Sarah Blasko on the main stage. Newcomers such as Karl S. Williams play intimate Friday night gigs in the foyer or beer garden.

The front cafe here peddles choc tops made by local milk wizards Icecream Social, and acts as a stand-alone cafe, restaurant and bar. The concise breakfast and lunch menu features croissants, baguettes and salads, and house-made chunky apple pies and cakes from the counter. Temple Brewing, Boomtown and Maidenii feature among the beer, wine and cocktail selection.