Public House Management Group (PHMG) has recently completed a $1 million refurbishment and makeover of its heritage pub The Royal Hotel, at Five Ways Paddington.
The building, erected in 1888 and purchased by PHMG in 2015, has seen all floors extensively refurbished after work began last year.
The design prioritised the local community, recognising their renowned inclusivity and creativity.
Works began with the absorption of the bottleshop into the sports bar, creating a larger social area and TAB room. The sports bar now boasts the biggest screen in the East, with the addition of a 3×2-metre TV wall.
Level one has seen the Veranda Bar and Balcony shift to embrace a maximalist feel, while the Elephant Bar’s eclectic interior boasts an overall design somewhere between British private club and old Hollywood glamour.
The next two rooms of the Elephant Bar, which are dedicated to functions and private events, can be configured to seat between 25 and 75 guests, or between 40 to 120 for cocktail events.
Crowning the lot is the well-loved rooftop area, which, with its expansive views across the city, has been continuously awarded as one of the best Sydney has to offer.
The menu has also received attention, with PHMG’s executive chef Scott Greve (a One Hat recipient from the Good Food Guide 2024) creating fresh, seasonal offerings to match the hotel’s opulence.
Food offerings continue to take into account the culture of the area. The weekend menu includes bottomless brunch or lunch, and the hotel’s famous Sunday Royal Roast has been retained.
Owners Mitchell and Harriet Waugh of PHMG have carefully curated a wine list in conjunction with many leading suppliers in Australia, leaving no stone unturned in their vision to ensure a world class hospitality experience at The Royal.
PHMG extends this attitude across its stable of venues, which include Glebe’s The Toxteth, Cremorne’s Minskys Hotel and The Marrickville Ritz, ensuring a community-centric vibe across each hotel.
Second-generation publican Mitchell Waugh commented on the works at The Royal.
“As custodians of such an iconic venue our aim was to re-invigorate the space for our multigenerational clientele and offer a premium contemporary gastro pub experience within the envelope of the building’s traditional heritage aesthetic.
“Community consideration was at the forefront of our vision with a significant extension to the Public Bar offering vastly improved sport viewing facilities while the Elephant Bar levels and dining room have seen a complete overhaul.
“Filled with vibrant hues and bespoke interiors these spaces allude to a distinctly youthful and playful visual, ensuring the Paddington and wider community feel indulged and appreciated every time they join us at The Royal,” he says.
