Royal Saxon

Overview

It's always rather cool when a venue surprises you, exceeds your expectations and pulls out a trump card. Well, the multifaceted Royal Saxon has done just that. In fact, this double-story Church Street venue is full of surprises. While it may operate as more of a bistro during the week, serving Italian-style fare in a lax outdoor setting, it transforms on the weekends into rowdy Richmond bar with plenty of doof-doof beats and dancing.

Its design is surprising, too, thanks to the architects at Melbourne-based firm Six Degrees. The heritage red-brick facade is juxtaposed against a sleek and modern glass interior, while the leafy beer garden — punctuated with a Moreton Bay fig tree —gives some green relief. With ample seating and outdoor and indoor heating, the venue has any occasion covered.

Images: Giulia Morlando.