Sitting where it stands in Upper FernTree Gully for what must be 100 years now, The Royal Hotel, or "The Royal" to its customers, is a pub, hotel, bistro, gaming, live music venue.
Like others of its kind, its all flashing lights and open spaces here. With the front bar operating like a normal pub, and hosting live music a few nights a week, usually of the covers variety, The Royal is where you go if you want a bet, a meal or to play the pokies.
With a bunch of good live music venues in the area, you wouldn't hit the Royal to catch a band. The fact that its pen until 3am also gives indication to the clientele. Late night staring at a poker machine isn't for everyone, but the Royal offers those who like this form of 'recreation' a place to go that also does good food and warm hospitality.
If you took out the gaming machines, the Royal would stand as a good glimpse of a local iconic hotel that still operates pretty much as it always has.
Another local watering hole unfortunately now tainted by gambling. read more