LOCATIONBetween Richmond’s Burnley Road and the Yarra River, not far from Walmer Train Station.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAStill located on Richmond’s riverside road, but well hidden by the industrial buildings of the area, The Royston is a delightful mix of traditional pub atmosphere and retro lounge. It also mixes up the crowd by catering for all types and groups, rather than just the blue-collar workers from its next-door tannery, as it did when it first opened its doors half a century ago. The Front Bar’s traditional U-shape design is jazzed up with wooden slats above the bar and comfy leather couches that give the space a groovy feel, without losing any old-school charm.
The cosy Pool Room sports film-noir wall-paintings and provides relief from the more hectic Front Bar, while the Dining Room gives couples or small groups a place to enjoy some of Chef Rob Clark’s dishes which, although enjoyed in a room with distinctly pub-like red patterned carpet, are a cut above your usual pub grub. The pea, leek and glazed asparagus tart and the lamb shank pappardelle rub up against the traditional fish and chips and The Royston Bar Plate, which includes marinated olives, chorizo, smoked salmon and a selection of warm breads. The Royston Hotel is also “Richmond’s new micro brew pub” with a list of tap ambers that includes Hargreaves Pale and the Mountain Goat Hightail, as well as six other taps which show off local and interstate micro brews on a rotating basis.
Frank Trimboli, June 2009