Gunners Arms Tavern — Restaurant in Launceston

Could have been a quaint old cozy place but we didn’t feel comfortable, or welcomed...

There were only 3 tables inside, all taken and only 2 outside, also taken.... (the upper deck hadn’t been setup at 4.30 yet) we asked about seating upstairs and were told ”its for dining only” (how did the lady know we weren’t in for dinner??). After a while my wife and son ended up leaving because they didn’t want to stand up. I was halfway my Guinness and eventually one table became available outside... but it was wet and sticky from old beer/food, ‘cause it hadn’t been cleaned yet!

The old man had only managed to set up a couple of tables on upper deck outside and ran out of breath and came sitting inside... Due to lack of seating, it soon became too unbearable to sit outside, with the old cigar smoke, so I left, but not before going to toilets - and what a disaster!! There was a rubbish bag in middle of floor, with all rubbish from urinnols spilling out and vomit all around... It seems jobs are started and left halfway to start another!

It’s when I noticed a nice and quiet room with tall tables setup as well dining tables, just behind the bar (where’s the male toilet). Why the lady at bar, didnt tell us to sit there? She knew we were struggling to find a place to sit (we asked twice), so we all could order drinks and nibbles etc.

We were looking for a cozy place to have dinner, but obviously they didn’t want our money. Perhaps anything else apart from pulling beer is too much effort?

P.S. looked around all the way out and in the bar and couldn’t find any gel!!

And no need to make up stories/excuses as I shared the pics...

We went on a Saturday night looking for a family meal (our "kids" are adults). Tables were full which was OK by us. We'd've been happy to wait in the bar and have a drink, but the bar staff made it clear we weren't welcome. Dunno if it was because we're not locals or what. Anyway, just a short walk down the road and around the corner was a beaut place called the Royal Oaks. Their tables were full too, but their staff went out of their way to seat us in the bar, and came and grabbed us when a dining table was free. Food always tastes better when the service is friendly and to top it off they had live music playing afterwards that we stayed to watch. Great Saturday night...

From the minute we went through the door, the publican Adrian was attentive and ready to answer any questions we had. The food was excellently priced, and the portions were generous and delicious. Plenty of different beers on tap, and a local Apple Cider and Ginger Beer to boot, which I heard from my fellow diners, was absolutely delicious and not too sweet like others can be. My husband had the steak, which was melt in your mouth tender, my mum had the scallops. They were both raving about their meals long into the afternoon. Do yourself a favour and get along to this beautiful historic pub. Adrian is terrific and the food...