Foreign Correspondent: Austral Hotel, Adelaide

The Austral Hotel
205 Rundle Street, Adelaide
Time of review: 3:30pm afternoon beer

Up My Nostril ; Adelaide Pubs Part 3


A quick trip across town from the Ed Castle and I'm in the 'East End' at The Austral Hotel, an establishment first opened in 1879, then known as "The Family Hotel". The Austral, or "the Nostril" to some, had been a popular lunchtime destination for me for a little while (and a little while back) and still continues to be for many others, with prime position arse-parking out front between the footpath and roadside. 40+ degrees is probably getting a bit hot for outdoors this day but still spotted a few loving the out-front vibe. I pulled up a perch by the bar and snuck a few drinks in from a $12 jug of Pale Ale. Slurp.

Foreign Correspondent: Edinburgh Castle, Adelaide

233 Currie Street
Adelaide, South Australia
Reviewer: Joe Blogs
Special guest: Spoz Spozington McSpozface of Spoz's Rant
Time of review: 3 January 2013

Ch-ch-ch-Changes! ; Adelaide Pubs Pt 2

Heading back to my old stomping ground, Adelaide, earlier in the year was a good opportunity to catch up on how some of the pubs were doing and to make note of the changes. It was a nice time to chill/cook in the 40+ heat with a beer and reminisce about some pretty crazy nights out. I've also asked Adelaide music scene blogger, Spoz of Spoz's Rant, to contribute his thoughts about some of the venues, including The Ed Castle.

Foreign Correspondent: Duke of York Hotel, Adelaide

Adelaide, South Australia
Reviewer: Joe Blogs
January 2013

Front bar, Exeter Hotel, Rundle St

The mini-tour begins; Adelaide pubs Pt 1

Having spent most of my pub years in Adelaide, I was keen to get back and check out how some of the establishments were doing since my migration to the east coast over 18 months ago. My trip back to the South Australian capital was brief so there was little time to dive into each establishment with the gusto I would have when I was a local. The resulting Adelaide reviews here are based on my brief yet enjoyable January visits, as well as my memories from years gone by.

Stardust Hotel, Cabramatta

84 Broomfield St, Cabramatta
Reviewers present: Robot Simone & Joe Blogs, guest bloggers Hydings
Review time: Lunch, New Years Day

"TAB Airport Lounge for Iron Chef"

The Stardust Hotel, right by Cabramatta train station, seemed to be simply a waiting lounge for the diners of Iron Chef restaurant. The mission on New Years Day 2013 was lunch. We came for the lunch, didn't stay for the pub.

Royal Albert Hotel, Surry Hills

140 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
Reviewers: Robot Simone, Joe Blogs, Burger Bot
Time of review: Lunch / evening drinks

"Hot Buns at a Cool Bar" 

Located in Surry Hills, The Royal Albert is a back-street corner pub only a hop, skip and cartwheel from Central station and a handful of other Surry Hills bars. The Bamboo Dumpling Bar is a bonus.

Pyrmont Bridge Hotel, Pyrmont

96 Union St, Pyrmont
Reviewers present: Robot Simone, Joe Blogs
Time of review: Boxing Day Lunch
Contributions: Burger Bot, Miller, Southy

"Burger Knockout on Boxing Day"

The Pyrmont Bridge Hotel (PBH) stands just on the fringe of the Sydney CBD, funnily enough right up next to the Pyrmont Bridge. It's a multi-level surprise packet with pleasant views over the bridge and the western front of the city skyline.

Barracks on Barrack, Sydney

Combined Services RSL
5-7 Barrack Street, Sydney
Reviewers present: Burger Boy, Blogs Boy, Danny Boy
Time of review: Lunch

The Stage Door Canteen

The Combined Services RSL, or "Barracks" as it is also known, serves up drink and tucker for your gullet pleasure. No fancy pants la-dee-da bollocks here (apart from the digital sign-in process), much like this review.

Sporters, Sydney

The Menzies' basement bar 
14 Carrington St, Sydney
Reviewers: Burgs, Blogs, BamBams
Time of review: Lunch

Man Cave ticking all the boxes?

Buried under the Menzies Hotel alongside Wynyard Station, there is a forgotten cave of sorta-treasures. A man-cave. But does it tick all the boxes?