Nundah's 135-Year-Old Royal Hotel Has Relaunched with a New Music Venue After a $1.1-Million Makeover

Take a Brisbane pub, spruce it up, get the beverages and bites flowing: it worked for Australian Venue Co at The Wickham, the Cleveland Sands, Salisbury Hotel, the Crown Hotel in Lutwyche, Bribie Island Hotel and Capalaba's Koala Tavern, and now that tried-and-tested plan has been put into action at the Royal Hotel, too.

Earlier in 2023, AVC announced that it was revamping the Nundah pub, giving it a $1.1-million refurbishment. The results have just been unveiled, complete with a 200-person entertainment space upstairs that can host everything from bands to comedy, plus a refreshed bistro that's slinging brisket burgers and doughnut fries.

Before its makeover, this watering hole was known as The Royal; however, that hasn't always been its name. A pub has sat at the Sandgate Road location in Nundah since 1888, pouring brews for Brisbane's northsiders. Back when it first swung open its doors 135 years ago, the site was also known as — you guessed it — Royal Hotel.

Reclaiming its original moniker, adding that 200-person first-floor entertainment venue, refreshing the food range and outdoor terrace: that's all part of this do-over. The heritage-listed pub's facade remains the same, of course, as designed by the same architect as Crown Hotel all those years back. Now, Mel Porter Design has taken care to blend the pub's heritage features with modern details.

The upstairs space has been dubbed Royal Quarters, and will cycle through different entertainment options on different nights. Head along on Thursdays to get giggling, Friday nights for piano bar sessions, Saturday evenings for live gigs and Sundays for bingo. Downstairs, the public bar is also doing trivia on Tuesdays.

As for Royal Hotel's bistro and terrace, that revamp spans greenery aplenty, marble-look tables, checkerboard floors and wooden accents, giving the pub a 120-seater — and family-friendly — dining space. The new menu covers pub classics and seasonal dishes, with other highlights including Moreton Bay bug rolls, pressed lamb shoulder, pan-seared barramundi, Stone & Wood-battered fish and chips, and four types of pizzas. Pasta marinara, mini fish ceviche tacos and baked brie cheesecake also feature.

And yes, both chicken schnitzel and chicken parmi are on offer, too, plus three steak options.

The front bar and al fresco area have also received a new lease on life. Here, five big TV screens show sports t0 80 folks if you're just keen to catch whichever game you prefer over a pint.

"Royal Hotel is a Nundah institution, and we are thrilled to open the doors again to our community. It is a historic pub and a space for the entire family to enjoy no matter the occasion, with weekly entertainment and an exciting new menu and interiors," said Venue Manager Naomi Franklin.

Find the Royal Hotel at 1259 Sandgate Road, Nundah — open 10am–3.30am seven days a week.