Royal Derby Hotel Bar
Editorial
Let’s face it, for a while there one of the oldest hotels in Fitzroy sure looked it. In fact, she was quite the eye-sore. Then when the Royal Derby closed down a couple of years ago for renovations it was anyone guess what the final product would be. When the old girl reemerged she wasn’t the show pony nor the grunge paradise she had once been. She was a middle of the road, comfortable, spacious and non-pretentious addition to a strip that can often try too hard.
As soon as you enter the Derby you can relax. There’s no need to fret about a lack of seating or owners who are more interested in the number of people they can fit in rather than how can they make those people comfortable – yes, large couches, accommodating tables, stools and armchairs abound. There’s even cushions.
Then there’s that beer garden. You could drag ten of your closest friends here and still hardly make a dent. An outdoors plasma screen means the sports mad will be happy indeed.
As far as the drinks go, don’t expect anything too adventurous but do expect all the staples such as Carlton Draught and Boags on tap. Reasonable prices and good service are all part of the deal.
On the weekends the chequerboard dance floor gets a workout and a good range of DJs keeps the party rolling along.
While there is a mixed crowd during the week, the twenty-something’s rule the roost of a Friday and Saturday night. The $5 pizza deal keeps the young ones happy too.
Rachel Cook, Citysearch
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