Ashfield Hotel, Ashfield

202-204 Liverpool Road, Ashfield
Reviewers present: Burger Bot, Joe Blogs
Review time: One for the road

 

"Ashfield. Yeah, that's where it is."

After a failed journey to The Crocodile Farm Hotel down the road, we scurried up to The Ashfield, equaly as close to Ashfield Station, to give it a speedy review and crossing off of the list.


Two security out front seemed a bit much but perhaps the place has a "reputation". Strolling through we immediately felt the difference (positive) over the Croc. The music playing overhead was okay, the bar was less sleazier looking and the patrons in tonight seemed more... normal.

Ashfield Hotel front bar

After ordering up a drink (James Squire Golden Ale at $5.60) we headed further into the guts of the hotel. Up the back is where you'll find the bistro and dining set up. Bit quiet on this particular night. I think a bit too late for meals.

Bistro / dining

In an effort to find a comfortable pozzy, we pulled up stools in the front bar. While the tunes were okay and the vibe fine, we were up for something else and noticed a beer garden out to the side, noting a hallway of wasted space on our way out. Out here was a nice little private area but we were quickly turned around by the smokers who had claimed the space. An area good for smokers perhaps but we're not the smoking kind so it kind of ruins it for the rest of us.


Wasted space hallway

On the other side of the hotel, and again via an entrance towards the back of the front bar (note, toilets hidden out here too), we found the pool table room and sports bar. Friendly enough, although pool table seemed to be overpowered by the multiple TVs.

180 degree turn from here and you are instantly smacked in the face by the maccas-esque glow of the gambling room (read: castle). Rather than be turned backyet again, we decided to settle in and get into the spirit. And so we put some money on the dogs. We spent $6 and won $2.60. Yay?

Ashfield Hotel gambling fun-house

Not a bad pub, not a bad pub at all, but I guess it depends on your locality, as with any public house. The beers are reasonably priced, with Draught coming in at around $5 or less if we can remember correctly, and James Squires at only $5.60. Meals on for all, beer garden on one side and sport and gambling on the other, and we would have no trouble pulling up in the front bar. The vibe of the place and the fit out seems a bit same-old-same-old to us though, and maybe that's something that holds it back for us. It doesn't really have much of it's own character. But still fine.

A reasonable open-late watering hole for the locals with plenty on offer, well priced beers included, and for those not in the direct area, Ashfield Hotel is only a short walk from Ashfield train station. Sydney Pub List gives it a 2.5 schooner rating (based on not eating here - who's to say which way the rating would go then). Not bad!

Trading hours, according to the website:
- Open from 10am every day
- Close 4am Monday to Saturday
- Close Midnight on Sundays

Website: http://www.ashfieldhotel.com.au/