Melbourne publican plans revival of Clifton Hill's Royal Hotel

Now, after securing the freehold for $5.51 million at auction, Feingold plans to restore the three-storey landmark and reopen its doors in late 2027.

“Having lived in and around Clifton Hill for years, I’ve always adored everything about The Royal: the location, the building, and the community that surrounds it,” Feingold says.

“I’ve always seen so much potential in it.”

A historical connection made the purchase feel even more fitting as Goldy’s and The Royal were once owned by brothers.

“I couldn’t, and still can’t, imagine a more perfect sister venue for Goldy’s,” Feingold says.

Round two for Melbourne publican

Feingold took over Collingwood’s Leinster Arms in 2020, reopening it as Goldy’s Tavern in 2021 after a makeover that preserved its original facade and warmth, but gave it a much-needed update.

It’s since become a local go-to, earning a five-star Time Out review for its atmosphere, food and drinks, and it’s this experience that Feingold brings to her next venture.

“Over almost six years at Goldy’s, we’ve also learned the value of continually adapting – paying attention to what’s working, how people feel in the space, and what they enjoy,” she says.

“We’ve tried never to get too set in our ways, and we rely heavily on feedback from our staff and customers to keep improving.

“We’ll bring that same approach to The Royal. Running a pub is less about one person’s vision than, say, a restaurant might be. It’s really about creating what’s best for the community around it.”

Feingold had been searching for another venue for about a year, ready to take on a new challenge, but nothing felt quite right, so when The Royal officially hit the market, she knew she had to give everything she had to acquire it.

“Because it meant so much to me, the lead-up to the auction was a real emotional rollercoaster, as you can imagine,” she says.

“Beyond the nerves, though, everything really did fall into place – some things are just meant to be.”

More than 200 people attended the auction at 35-41 Spensley Street, with three hospitality operators making nine bids.

Local residents also attempted to form a syndicate to acquire and reinvigorate the venue, underscoring the neighbourhood attachment to it.

“Like Goldy’s, it sits in a leafy, community-minded pocket of the inner north with an almost country feel, and community is such a big part of what makes a pub,” Feingold says.

A grand old local with room to grow

Dating back to 1889, The Royal is one of Melbourne’s few remaining original three-storey pubs.

It occupies a 736-square-metre corner site, with about 1447 square metres of floor space on three levels. The property includes multiple ground-floor drinking, dining and trading areas, a commercial kitchen, undercover outdoor spaces and a takeaway bottle shop.

Upstairs, 29 accommodation rooms add another dimension to a property about four kilometres from the CBD and within walking distance of Clifton Hill station.

Its surrounding residential catchment takes in Clifton Hill, Fitzroy North, Collingwood, Abbotsford and Kew, and the building’s scale will help shape Feingold’s plans.

“Goldy’s is a quaint, single-storey country-style pub, while The Royal is three storeys and has a real grandness to it,” she says. “That will shape our vision in a big way, and it’s going to be a lot of fun leaning into that grandness and everything it allows us to offer.

“When we first took over the old Leinster Arms, now Goldy’s, we quickly realised what a responsibility it is to look after a space that means so much to so many people, and how important it is to retain its integrity. Our goal is very much to revive and restore rather than reinvent.”

Feingold hopes women running pubs will also become more commonplace in an industry she describes as male-dominated.

“It’s certainly still a male-dominated industry, and honestly, it’s a real shame that being a woman in this role comes with its own set of challenges and critique, especially in this day and age.

“It shouldn’t be remarkable for a woman to run a pub, yet it still often is.

“That said, I believe a pub should feel like a home away from home, and I think women can bring a lot to that, particularly when it comes to creating warm, welcoming environments and experiences.

“I really hope it becomes far more common. For my part, I try to stay focused and put my energy into running the best venues I can, and let the work speak for itself.”

Inner-north pubs draw buyers with different ambitions

It’s increasingly rare for inner-north Melbourne pubs to come to market, as the popularity of the area means they’re tightly held assets.

The Royal Hotel hadn’t changed hands in over 40 years, with the Gudic family running the pub across three generations.

The Green Man’s Arms at 414-422 Lygon Street is another example of a tightly held inner-north pub on offer for the first time in more than 60 years.

Lucas Soccio, senior executive of Melbourne metro sales and investment services at Colliers, says The Royal’s location was one of its major selling points.

“Its location within Melbourne’s established inner north, surrounded by strong residential catchments and an established lifestyle precinct, adds to the appeal for an experienced hospitality operator and provides an exciting opportunity for the new owner to bring the venue back to life,” he says.