FINALLY! AND YES, IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT

 
So The Imperial Hotel has been open for just over a week now, and yes, what a difference a week can make. Last week and last night mates and I decided to join the hundreds of followers and venture down to the iconic pub in Sydney's inner west suburb of Erskineville.

Opening night, look at the crowd!

Front bar: great! The whole hotel has had a refit, but when you step into the front bar it still feels the same. The same salmon pink walls, pool tables and jukebox in the same place, the bar has grown and of course the carpet doesn't stick to your feet anymore, but it still feels the same. Hell, there were people there that I hadn't seen since it was open 3 years ago - did they actually leave?

The front bar from the front of the hotel, with the statue still!

The service: hmmm. A little left to be desired. Yes, I get that it was opening weekend. Yes, I get that it was busy. BUT - the opening night really needed a mass overhaul in planning. By almost 9pm all tap beers were dry, the fridges were empty, the wait staff looked like they'd been up for 48 hours... oh, it was a tragic mess. I'll leave it at that.

The new outfit: wow - they certainly did some additional excavating didn't they? The downstairs "disco" looks like it's about 3 times the size it previously was. There is a massive dancefloor that is surrounded by what I'd call a "viewing area" where you can eye off all the trash on the dancefloor partying away. It's like being in a totally different club and it's very well done.

Downstairs, overseeing the massive dancefloor

The caberet bar out the back also looks great. I'm yet to watch a show (as it was just too busy to see anything!), but from what I've heard they are good, showcasing some of Sydney's newest drag talent.

However, on saying all of that about the new outfit, a $20 surcharge to get in any where but the front bar? I know it's been closed for 3 years and Shadd needs to make some cash, but jeez, it's the inner west dude - not Oxford St.

Fast forward to last night. It was still fairly busy, but there was such a difference in service, drinks, crowd, the works. It looks like the week just gone was all about getting their act into gear, and it certainly paid off. Lucky, or they'd start losing the crowd before they even got it.

Final comment - welcome back Impy. We've missed you terribly, and at last, I feel home again. Much love.

Join The Imperial Hotel's Facebook page.
Thanks to Jason Nichol Photography for the pictures.