June 2026

Down an industrial side street near the river in Richmond there’s this splash of mid century neon ! It’s the Royston Hotel, cnr River Street and North Street, and I’ve got the date 1955, but I can’t confirm. Only that there was a pub here in the 1860s called the Curriers, a word which is some part of sheep skin tanning, back when this very smelly industry was located here. I love the rock wall, and the 50s timber windows, but the rest of it is a bit of a shed.

I remember my mother taking he here in the 80s, or maybe c1990? and she had a glass of white wine for 50c, and we had a counter lunch which came through a hatch and there was only one choice, fish & chips in a basket, no cutlery. It was great ! I think the corner room is much the same, but it’s been craft beers since 2005, and there’s a big dining room with pub food. A few people there on a Wednesday about 4.30, looks unpretentious. Not heritage listed.

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