The Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel at Five Ways in Paddington has always had a solid pub offering – it’s a local institution that’s been going strong since it opened in 1888. For decades the corner pub’s rooftop has been beloved by locals as a meeting place for a schooner and views of the city. Downstairs, its sports bar is a go-to for footy fans on match days.

In 2019 the boozer closed for just four days, reopening with updated interiors and menus across its four levels. Each floor now has a distinct offering, from the revamped ground-floor sports bar all the way up to the rooftop bar made for sipping rosé at sunset.

You’ll find an updated version of the pub’s original aesthetic on the ground floor. Expect polished concrete, bentwood bar stools and brass finishes. There are all the features you’d expect from any great sports bar, including a classic pub grub menu of schnitzels, seafood and burgers. The big screens on the walls and a slew of craft beers on tap hint that this is still a spot for locals to enjoy big games.

Once you’ve taken a seat, you’ll want to get comfortable. The menu is best enjoyed shared, and uses flavours and ingredients you’d expect to find along the Mediterranean coast. Start with grilled Western Australian octopus; follow it up with Italian buffalo mozzarella with melon and prosciutto; and finish with chilli spanner crab linguini with garlic, lemon and tomato.

The final piece of the puzzle is the revamped rooftop space. It’s had a retractable roof added to allow for year-round al fresco drinking, and now has rosé on-tap. With the weather warming up and summer not far off, it’s likely to be a new favourite for regulars and new visitors alike.