Turning 125 Years Young, the Lord Roberts Hotel Is Celebrating Its Huge Milestone with a Throwback Menu and Venue Revamp
Marking a milestone worth celebrating, this historic Darlinghurst pub is winding back the clock with a month-long specials menu and a retro renovation.
Birthdays come and go, but you'd be silly not to do something special for your 125th trip around the sun. In 2026, the Lord Roberts Hotel is ringing in this massive milestone by winding back the years and paying tribute to everything that has made this storied corner pub a go-to local spot for one generation after the next. To do so, the Bob (or to some, the Lord Rob, or even the LoRo) has put together a throwback menu, available for one month from Wednesday, April 8.
Presented as a retro riff on the venue's immense history, guests are invited to tuck into Bunnings-style snag tacos, an elevated chicken kiev and a fairy bread sando. Plus, this nostalgic selection is rounded out by a Golden Gaytime-inspired cocktail. With each creation bringing a modern-day twist to a time-honoured favourite, the menu's prices start at $10. Not quite as cheap as a threepence in 1901, but plenty good for 2026. Then, you can sip back schooners of Tooheys New or Old for $12.50 throughout the month.
Alongside this culinary tribute to the pub of old, the Lord Roberts is also undergoing a significant refresh for its birthday. With the bones of the place still solid, a ground-floor renovation builds upon the venue's enduring character, bringing a burgundy-and-mustard palette and framed walls showcasing sporting memorabilia, famous locals and moments from Darlinghurst's history. You'll also see playful new branding that heroes Lord Bob himself, aka 19th-century military figure, Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts.
What's more, the pub's outdoor spaces are also refreshed, featuring lush greenery curated by local plant shop, cafe and bar, Stanley Greens. Then, running alongside Stanley Street, guests will find new picnic tables, with new umbrellas also added to the rooftop, providing extra shelter on a sun-soaked day. For sports fans, Lord Rob also installed two 100-inch screens, and the bottle shop's range has been updated.
"The concept has always been simple — be the best local pub in Darlinghurst," says co-owner Lewis Barnes. "The Lord Roberts is a pub for everyone: the CBD crowd drifting in after work, the couple grabbing a BYO before Bar Reggio, sports fans settling in for the big game, tradies knocking off, families settling in for an easy dinner, dogs parked happily under the table, and the local who's been pulling up a stool here for decades."
This rejuvenation extends beyond the pub's walls, too. With the broader Stanley Street precinct on the road to re-establishing itself as a leading Darlinghurst dining and nightlife destination, recent statement openings include the Claret Club and Bones Ramen. Set to begin in 2027, the City of Sydney is also embarking on a $5 million streetscape upgrade, ensuring the Bob is well-positioned to make even more history in the decades ahead.
The Lord Roberts Hotel is open at 64 Stanley St, Darlinghurst, operating from Sunday–Wednesday from 10am–midnight and Friday–Saturday from 10am–1am. Head to the website for more information.
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Images: Trent van der Jagt.
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