The Royal Derby hotel on the corner of Brunswick St and Alexandra Parade had a very slick South Yarra style makeover back in 2008, which had no vibe and which obviously did not retain customers. It’s now closed and undergoing another makeover. I don’t know why they bother. With the ambiance killing road outside and its traffic noise, the building is no good for entertainment or occupation. It may be alright for offices but otherwise I can’t see it ever working.
3 September 2012 at 9:07 am
Maybe they are anticipating most of that traffic going underground in the new tunnel?
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3 September 2012 at 9:41 am
Sitting on the corner of Alexandra Pde hasn’t hurt the prospects of The Fox or the Gasometer too much – it’s just a matter of putting together the kind of pub that will bring people through the door. Will be interesting to see what they come up with – I wouldn’t bet on them succeeding, but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.
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3 September 2012 at 10:06 am
That’s a good comparison, but there is something about this intersection that seems off-putting.
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3 September 2012 at 12:28 pm
Yeah, you’re right. Maybe it’s the seediness of Brunswick Street combined with Alexandra Pde. We’ll see I guess.
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3 September 2012 at 6:47 pm
Give me the seediness of Brunswick Street over the infusion of banal mediocrity which now exists in many parts of South Yarra.
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10 September 2012 at 1:52 pm
I seem to remember when they relaunched they put up signs about an exclusive party or VIP lists or something. I remember thinking it was a terrible tactic for the area. The Fox and the Gas do fine, but if you don’t have good food and beer you’re in a lot of trouble at that end of the road.
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10 September 2012 at 6:39 pm
I don’t like the VIP thing either. I got an invite back in 2008 but was unable to go as I was away so I didn’t have to think about whether I should or not. When Brunetti opened on Johnston St they had an ‘invite only’ sign on the door on opening day and I found that most unfriendly. The problem is it’s very hard to manufacture ambiance.
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14 September 2012 at 12:25 pm
This place was fantastic for the Rugby World Cup last year…decked out with grandstands etc
Gone downhill ever since.
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9 October 2012 at 12:12 pm
There was also a time during the late 90s? early 2000s when the Derby hosted Stagetime which was then one of the best comedy rooms in the country. The people running the place kicked them out because they didn’t think the show was funny enough. I haven’t been in the place since.
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14 December 2012 at 10:15 am
I know this article is a bit old now but I thought I would throw in my two cents.
The Royal Derby had no atmosphere after its 2008 renovation just like many of the same pubs owned by the same group of builders and publicans. They buy up pubs and do generic, tacky makeovers that all look the same.
They also own the Mountain View in Richmond, The Glenferrie (which has had a much fancier renovation in recent years), the Duke of Kent in the CBD and a bunch of others.
Not really the sort of style that would succeed greatly in Fitzroy or Collingwood.
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8 February 2013 at 4:30 pm
I’d recommend you all venture down to this fine establishment now the renovations are complete. The beer garden is super and the food is very good. Patrons are also afforded great selections of drinks.
Admittedly it wouldn’t be the most desired corner to operate a business on, however the new Publicans have done an outstanding job. As a customer the “dodgy corner” holds no relevance once you’re inside….especially all the way out the back in the beer garden
Again, you should all make your way down for a meal/pot or both It’s like “night and day” in comparison to the dive it once was…
Cheers
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8 February 2013 at 5:51 pm
It was slick after the 2008 makeover that stopped it being a scruffy dive. Why it needed another makeover is unclear apart from the aesthetic evidently being undesirable.
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