THE PUB: Queensberry Hotel.

WHERE? 593 Swanston Street, Carlton.

PHONE: 9347 2648

SCORE: 13.5/20

WHEN? February 5, 2016.

WEB: www.queensberryhotel.com.au

VENUE

Smallish old style pub on city CBD fringe. Split level bar and dining room with small beer garden at rear. Straight up and down furniture and fittings with little pockets here and there for anonymity if you choose.

Pub carpet of a bygone era (good) the pub is doing pub grub, and creating a good time. 

Table top arcade game at back of the bar is a throwback to the 80s.

MENU

Pub Grub 101. Appeals to masses be it students to office workers. No real surprises.

Mains: Seven different parmas, steaks, burgers,  pastas.

Entrees: dips/wedges.

Average prices for entrees $9, mains $24, burgers $17.50. Generous sizes.

TRIED

Pasta Special: Penne with chilli prawns and tomato, $20. It was OK. Commercial pasta, enough to be filling, gentle hum of the chilli through the prawns. Straight up and down grub.

Mexican Parma. Chips (commercial) and salad (good and fresh), $23. Very Good. Good handmade, thick cut parma with a bit of love and care in the supporting cast. Napoli had a kick; ham and cheese completed a very good pub meal.

DRINKS

Heavily Carlton and United on tap. Crown, Carlton Dry, Melbourne Bitter. Latter tried again this week ($5.30 a pot). Very well presented.

Wine is mainly commercial and easily identified brands. Snobs Creek Riesling for $8.50 a glass. Three sizes of wine offered – 150/250/750ml.

SERVICE AND STYLE

Table service for food and drinks, good happy vibe with cheerful staff. 

Wednesday night trivia was on and the pub was jumping.

SUMMARY

You would be a hard taskmaster to dislike this pub. For sure, it’s far from ‘knock em out of the park’ gastronomy, but good beer, grub, and vibe make it a welcoming pub.