Jason King
AmyHuangThe Forbes Hotel
May 31st 2009 01:51
Last night I headed into town to meet some friends as we were going to the premiere of Warren MIller's new skiing film and I was asked for a suggestion of somewhere to go that was nice, not too expensive, close to The State Theatre and open on a Saturday.
I remembered about 10yrs ago prior to another State Theatre engagment my mum took me to this pub that blew me away. It had that Olde Worlde charm to it with dimpled leather couches, old men smoking pipes and cigars and wearing suits. It had the feeling of ladies and gentlemen enjoying an ale by stepping back in time within the walls.
So I suggested we return to this beautiful pub to enjoy a few bevvies and a nice meal.
The Forbes Hotel opposite The Grace on York Street is characterised by its Anglo/Dutch architecture. It was built in 1836 during the Queen Anne Revival period, making it one of Sydney's oldest licensed Hotels. It is the city's oldest continually licensed hotel.
The Forbes has a long history.
It was built in the Queen Anne Revival period and was named in honour of one of the leading government officials of the time.
Guided by the period and the Anglo-Dutch architecture style of the building, antique fittings were found and combined with rich colours, paint finishes, and woodwork, restoring the interior faithfully to its original splendour.
The four levels of The Forbes all offer their own special atmosphere.
The Forbes had a relaxed and comfortable feel and combined the old with the new, with flair.
With four levels The Forbes offered many different things.
The Ground Floor Bar with its rich cedar wood finish and original metal pressed ceiling is full of character. The friendly bar staff and ambience make it a very popular drinking hole for city drinkers and tourists alike.
Level One - Enjoy the old world charm of the Cocktail Bar sit back on the leather lounges in comfort or enjoy a game of pool or party with D.Js Friday & Saturday till late.
Level Two - This beautiful dining room is The Forbes jewel in the crown. It has a large variety of aged steaks and fresh seafood, combining pasta and risottos with flair at very reasonable prices.
Level Three - Newly refurbished Level Three Fuction Room. Smart, plush and comfortable with leather lounges. Can be utilized for both small and larger functions of up to 150 people.
I arrived early and ordered a beer from the downstairs bar and was immediately disappointed as soon as I walked in. From the outside it still looks amazing but the inside has just deteriorated into a regualr crap pub. The beer on tap was your minimal standard beers you can get in an RSL club. This style of pub should also serve pints not schooners. The bar staff were nice and polite, although some off duty staff member was leaning on the bar discussing whatever with the workers. The staff were nice but I wanted an older gent behind the bar that had been there for years and wore long sleeved white shirts with sleeves rolled up. These were just out of high school staff who work for the money and to party together. The charm had faded already. Dimpled leather couches were now missing, instead, a few bar stool tables and a couple of lounge chairs I enjoyed my beer on while reading a great book (Absolute Brightness) while waiting for my friends to arrive.
Friends arrived and we had to head upstairs to eat quick - one hour until showtime. On the way up we got to walk through the cocktail bar that was just saddening - the pics on the website make the bar look quite nice. We got to see it with lights on full, no patrons and no music. Just rundown - would be great to use as a photo shoot backdrop like they do with abandoned warehouses - faded wallpaper and peeling paint, curtains not in existence any more and horrible old couches. None of the charming dimpled leather of the past. We actually thought we had taken a wrong turn on the way to the restaurant. "No, it's one more floor up" the girl behind the abandoned bar informed.
The restaurant was in a similar state - it just seemed like an older style chinese restaurant had been set up on the level and they had yet to decorate. The staff were all very friendly, surprisingly a Chinese family running what appeared to be English winter food. We ordered our meals, Brooke had a chicken and mushroom risotto, which was deliscious - I got to help finish it
. Brendan had a rib eye served on mash - it looked yummy but BJ described it as OK, Selina had a garlic prawn pasta, standard fair, Piers had the rib eye also and asked for medium rare. He asked that I mention in this that when you order medium rare that delivering the meal blue is probably not OK service. I swore I could still see a pulse coming from his cut of meat. I ordered the lamb shanks also served on mash and loved them. I wanted to pick up the bones at the end and chew on them Fred Flinstone style.
The food was delivered promptly, although Brooke's organisation had them prepped for fast service and this may explain a blue delivered dish. One gripe I did have was the half the table's meals were delivered 5minutes prior to mine. Not cool - I didn't realise for a while and then told them to start eating without me. One thing I will gladly brag about is the Mojo Shiraz - bloody beautiful and it was a mini race between Brooke and myself to finish the bottle. The meals came to $40- each with drinks which was not too bad but I have had way better at that price.
Overall I have to say the experience at The Forbes was a damn shame. My memories may have been tainted by history and the joy of seeing things through youthful eyes but overall this venue came across as VERY mediocre. I probably will not return unless I read about a grand renovation restoring it to its old glory.
CNR King and York Street
30 York St
Sydney, NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 9299-3703
Fax: (02) 9262-4021
Email: tradition@theforbeshotel.com. au
I remembered about 10yrs ago prior to another State Theatre engagment my mum took me to this pub that blew me away. It had that Olde Worlde charm to it with dimpled leather couches, old men smoking pipes and cigars and wearing suits. It had the feeling of ladies and gentlemen enjoying an ale by stepping back in time within the walls.
Forbes Hotel Sydney
So I suggested we return to this beautiful pub to enjoy a few bevvies and a nice meal.
Forbes Hotel Sydney
The Forbes Hotel opposite The Grace on York Street is characterised by its Anglo/Dutch architecture. It was built in 1836 during the Queen Anne Revival period, making it one of Sydney's oldest licensed Hotels. It is the city's oldest continually licensed hotel.
The Forbes has a long history.
It was built in the Queen Anne Revival period and was named in honour of one of the leading government officials of the time.
Guided by the period and the Anglo-Dutch architecture style of the building, antique fittings were found and combined with rich colours, paint finishes, and woodwork, restoring the interior faithfully to its original splendour.
The four levels of The Forbes all offer their own special atmosphere.
The Forbes had a relaxed and comfortable feel and combined the old with the new, with flair.
With four levels The Forbes offered many different things.
The Ground Floor Bar with its rich cedar wood finish and original metal pressed ceiling is full of character. The friendly bar staff and ambience make it a very popular drinking hole for city drinkers and tourists alike.
Level One - Enjoy the old world charm of the Cocktail Bar sit back on the leather lounges in comfort or enjoy a game of pool or party with D.Js Friday & Saturday till late.
Level Two - This beautiful dining room is The Forbes jewel in the crown. It has a large variety of aged steaks and fresh seafood, combining pasta and risottos with flair at very reasonable prices.
Level Three - Newly refurbished Level Three Fuction Room. Smart, plush and comfortable with leather lounges. Can be utilized for both small and larger functions of up to 150 people.
Forbes Hotel Sydney Bar
I arrived early and ordered a beer from the downstairs bar and was immediately disappointed as soon as I walked in. From the outside it still looks amazing but the inside has just deteriorated into a regualr crap pub. The beer on tap was your minimal standard beers you can get in an RSL club. This style of pub should also serve pints not schooners. The bar staff were nice and polite, although some off duty staff member was leaning on the bar discussing whatever with the workers. The staff were nice but I wanted an older gent behind the bar that had been there for years and wore long sleeved white shirts with sleeves rolled up. These were just out of high school staff who work for the money and to party together. The charm had faded already. Dimpled leather couches were now missing, instead, a few bar stool tables and a couple of lounge chairs I enjoyed my beer on while reading a great book (Absolute Brightness) while waiting for my friends to arrive.
Friends arrived and we had to head upstairs to eat quick - one hour until showtime. On the way up we got to walk through the cocktail bar that was just saddening - the pics on the website make the bar look quite nice. We got to see it with lights on full, no patrons and no music. Just rundown - would be great to use as a photo shoot backdrop like they do with abandoned warehouses - faded wallpaper and peeling paint, curtains not in existence any more and horrible old couches. None of the charming dimpled leather of the past. We actually thought we had taken a wrong turn on the way to the restaurant. "No, it's one more floor up" the girl behind the abandoned bar informed.
Forbes Hotel Sydney Restaurant
The restaurant was in a similar state - it just seemed like an older style chinese restaurant had been set up on the level and they had yet to decorate. The staff were all very friendly, surprisingly a Chinese family running what appeared to be English winter food. We ordered our meals, Brooke had a chicken and mushroom risotto, which was deliscious - I got to help finish it
. Brendan had a rib eye served on mash - it looked yummy but BJ described it as OK, Selina had a garlic prawn pasta, standard fair, Piers had the rib eye also and asked for medium rare. He asked that I mention in this that when you order medium rare that delivering the meal blue is probably not OK service. I swore I could still see a pulse coming from his cut of meat. I ordered the lamb shanks also served on mash and loved them. I wanted to pick up the bones at the end and chew on them Fred Flinstone style.The food was delivered promptly, although Brooke's organisation had them prepped for fast service and this may explain a blue delivered dish. One gripe I did have was the half the table's meals were delivered 5minutes prior to mine. Not cool - I didn't realise for a while and then told them to start eating without me. One thing I will gladly brag about is the Mojo Shiraz - bloody beautiful and it was a mini race between Brooke and myself to finish the bottle. The meals came to $40- each with drinks which was not too bad but I have had way better at that price.
Overall I have to say the experience at The Forbes was a damn shame. My memories may have been tainted by history and the joy of seeing things through youthful eyes but overall this venue came across as VERY mediocre. I probably will not return unless I read about a grand renovation restoring it to its old glory.
CNR King and York Street
30 York St
Sydney, NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 9299-3703
Fax: (02) 9262-4021
Email: tradition@theforbeshotel.com. au
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