Bars and Nightclubs
Melbourne CBD, Melbourne

Queensberry Hotel

593 Swanston St, Carlton, VIC
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Built in 1890, the recently renovated heritage listed hotel has become a funky yet traditional hotel. Conveniently located a short distance from the CBD and walking distance to Melbourne Central, the Queensberry is easy to get to via public transport and there are plenty of parking spaces in the area.

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The Queensberry Hotel Review


By James Vellar

Located on the corner of Queensberry and Swanston Streets, The Queensberry Hotel is a disparate but cosy pub that has long been a favourite among uni students for its locality and laidback ambience.

Catering to this mainstay patronage, The Queensberry offers indefinite drink specials that frequently draw a crowd from both Melbourne and RMIT universities. In saying this, don't be surprised to see the occasional suit or safety jacket amidst the student garb. Drink specials run all day and include jugs of Carlton Draught which are priced around the $10 mark, and basic spirits which begin at $5. They also offer a house draught, which is slightly cheaper but probably not worth the risk.

Despite the crowd, it is often a subdued atmosphere in the main room of The Queensberry—a scattering of stools and chairs filled with small groups of friends enjoying a moment of quiet contemplation over a drink or two. The interior is dimly lit and made even more so by a variable palette of dark browns and burgundies that cover the walls and do little to illuminate the conversation. At the back of the room there is an old TV set that looks like it hasn't been switched on since the last renovation—something this century-old pub has seen many of, the result being somewhat eclectic.

The traditional wooden floorboards and regal red carpet awkwardly contrasted by a new modernist disposition—that of cube seating, clean lines and several shades of gray. Another anomaly, and perhaps the major drawcard of The Queensberry, is its beer garden. Given a more tropical treatment, the garden backs onto a large open site that was once home to the Carlton Breweries and, if the weather is right, is always filled to capacity.

The Queensberry also regularly lends itself to private functions and many a weekend I have found myself being turned away for this reason. These seem to be held sporadically and without much warning so before heading to The Queensberry, a call ahead may be warranted.

In all there is nothing uniquely special or spectacular about The Queensberry Hotel. It is a traditional pub that has undergone some ill-fitting renovations but still draws quiet a crowd. What it lacks in cohesion it more than makes up for with friendly bar staff and student specials that are hard to beat.

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