Royal Exhibition Hotel, Surry Hills NSW

Best pub around Central. I'm sure Charles, Camilla, William and the rest of them would be right at home here. I had the steak and ale pie and a $12 pint. It was nice.

Now here is where things get serious. There is not one, but two non-pokie smoking areas. Where you could take your drinks. One of them was on the rooftop.

A thorough exhibition of what an Aussie pub can be.

Met up with Family and friends there.The new barmaid did not have a clue what she was doing.This put a strain on the barman.He had to pour a Baileys because she did not know how to.The barman then served me with two shorts and after i tapped my card on the machine,i turned round only to find that the barmaid had taken them and put one down the sink.Then a little later,she came across collecting glasses and i had to stop her from taking my S/malt off the table.I again went up for a round and the barman told me that they don't serve spirits and pints after midnight.I said that's OK,so i ordered a schooner of Bulmer's.He was just about to pour me a Bulmer's when the Barmaid got in trouble with the beer that she was pouring.So he stopped,went to her and poured her two schooners and then proceeded to pour me a beer from around the other side of the bar.I don't know if it was because he was flustered or if he was being racist be cause i don't have a Australian accent.But when i told him that he served me the wrong drink,he told me that that was my last drink as he could not understand me.This after he was about to serve me with what i ordered before he was called away.From the moment i walked into the bar until i left.I was courteous. If he has a problem with the barmaid,then he should not take it out on the customers.If he is a racist,then he should not be in hospitality. But i am led to believe that it was the first one because someone on my table told me afterwards that he was also short with another customer.

The manager is unfriendly and racist. Never smiled or responded to our greetings . Upon arrival, we were waiting for ages to check in despite he said check- in time is 11:30 but we waited until 2:00pm and he didn't even apologise for the delay. We paid over $ 900 for 3 nights and it isn't worth at all. Never come back to this place.

If you want to smell cigarette smoke by all means come to this hotel.
The bar area smelt terrible l approached the Manager when leaving and he said l was the first person to bring to his attention.....yeah right 🙄
I have been many times to this hotel over the years and it was always good.
Manager had the personality of a paper bag and really didn't care.
Last time lm going here.

Old school ie staff answers the phone promptly, not AI or machine 🤩check in at the bar. Staff friendly. 1908 old building, worn, wear and tear as expected, with renovations over time. Modern bathroom with the usual soap and hair products provided. Very close to central station rail. The nightly rumble of the train was strangely soothing. Some minor traffic noise at night and typical peak hour noise of the days but not an issue for me. Close and convenient.
Clean linen, comfortable beds, good quality furnishings and curtains to darken rooms. I grabbed the 2 bedrooms double and 2 single room adjoining with ensuite, it was spacious and lovely. Kettle and cups with basic teas coffee granular and mini uht milk supplied. Good size TV. Paid about $390 for 2 nights 4 people. It's perfect for us. Love it. I recommend it to non-fussy, low-maintenance people who love convenience, old-style pubs that are not a 4 or 5* Luxury collection chain hotel.