Prince Alfred Hotel
Editorial
The competition for the drinking dollar along Church Street, Richmond has ramped up with the arrival of the Prince Alfred to the big league.
Formerly a 'local' that boasted none of the boutique attributes of its neighbouring cousins, the Royal Saxon and the Public House, the Prince Alfred underwent a refurbishment 2011 style which saw it dump its former crop of patrons in favour of those who go by the mantra, 'if it's new, it's good'. The old school local pub charm is not entirely gone, but gone enough to send the former regulars packing, sulking all the way to the next swath of sticky carpet. The new breed of patrons are enjoying polished marble and dark timber finishes with a pulled-back approach to decoration and a new take on the notion of the typical Richmond pub. There are plenty of pubs in the area that are yet to succumb to the ubiquitous designer makeover but fear not, their time will come.
Eight tap beers are on offer, including Mildura's Stefano Brewery Pilsner ($6 a pot) and a decent range of bottled beers from around the world. Wines by the glass number about ten and typically for these sorts of pubs, include one or three tipples from our friends across the Tasman.
The bar menu is not cheap but it's, like the drinks menu, good. A Prince Alfred Burger will set you back $23 and plate of fish 'n' chips $31 but there are less pricey snacks such as salt cod croquettes or mini-burgers designed to set you up for the next round. If you are after a full meal, a dining room comes with its own menu.
Beware of Friday and Saturday nights if the local pub picture painted here appeals to you, for at these times, the Prince Alfred can morph into more of a club than a pub and any notion of a quiet drink becomes rather fruitless. It's a reflection of the change that Church Street apparently has to have.
Brenton Geyer, February 2011
User Feedback
Mattysars
March 08, 2008
True, true. If there's anything I miss about my old job, it's the long lunch on a Friday with a chicken parma and jug. Ah, good times.
Julie
February 22, 2011
PAs in 2011 is not the same pub that it was. Now over-renovated and over-priced, don't waste your time and money here.
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