PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIAThe Normanby Hotel is an iconic Brisbane landmark. The original publican, Matthew Burton, built the pub in 1872, which originally featured nine guest rooms upstairs and a few bars, a dining room and a parlour downstairs. Since then it has come a long way indeed. After a much needed makeover the Normanby has gone from strength to strength attracting large amounts of regular weekend and weekday clientele all year round. The Normanby is comprised of the Patio Bar upstairs and it’s here that you’ll also find the Gold Bar, which doubles as a nightclub in the evenings. The Deck Bar is where the food is served, making it the most popular destination within the hotel.
The menu has been taken seriously at the Normanby and offers some surprisingly top-notch meals. The steak is quite a popular choice among the punters, having been promoted through the community radio station, Nova. Giving new meaning to the term “surf and turf”, the Steak Nova is a 200 gram eye fillet topped with extra large grilled king prawns, crispy fried onion rings and roasted potatoes drizzled in jus. Another of the Normanby’s tried and tested favourites are their famous pizzas – the pumpkin and spinach with pine nuts and fetta is enough to tame even the most seasoned of pizza fans. Striking a great balance between being a top spot for a meal and a friendly weekend drinking locale, you’ll be hard pressed to visit at a time when the Normanby is not bulging to the brim with merry locals.
Ben Upton, April 2008
