Willoughby Hotel — Restaurant in Sydney

This was our first venture into a pub bistro since the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, and the experience was a positive one.

Four of us dined on a quiet midweek in winter. On arrival we were warmly greeted at the door by a friendly young lady with a list of names of booked diners, and ours was one of those on the list. Having confirmed that, we were directed to the upstairs dining room. On our previous visits to the Willoughby Hotel, we’ve always sat downstairs, which we’ve tended to find a tad chaotic and noisy. However, the upstairs area is more refined and genteel and especially now with the new health and hygiene regime in place, tables are well spaced out making for an even more pleasant dining experience. The area is carpeted, warm and comfy and with only a smattering of other diners, acoustics were good and we were easily able to converse.

Two friendly, efficient and helpful young ladies took care of us, and the whole evening went off smoothly without a hitch. Food and drink orders were both taken at the table, a big improvement on the previous arrangement of ordering at the bar counter, which invariably meant hanging around or jostling with others trying to get attention. Everything came out quickly and in the correct order.

We started with a couple of schooners of refreshing Stone and Wood Pale Ale. For the main event, we shared a crispy bruschetta toast and followed that up with chicken schnitzel for me and chicken parmy for my dining companions. All the food was fresh and tasty and served in generous portions. My schnitzel was a generous piece of succulent chicken in a crispy batter and served with crunchy chips, rich gravy and, just to add a healthful element, a serve of wholesome lettuce. Altogether, it was a delicious meal. The chicken parmy were of a similar high standard and everyone enjoyed their meals. Unfortunately there was no dessert on offer, so we had to head off elsewhere for that.

Ambience was relaxing, casual and laid back and we had a very pleasant evening. In a nice touch, as we left, we were thanked, by name, for our custom by a staff member at the door.

Toilets are clean, well stocked and easy to find. Parking is a breeze in Macmahon Street, where restrictions end at 6pm.

With our Ent Book discount we paid $110 for four of us and that included two beers, one glass of wine, a starter and four main meals. At $28 a head it was right...

AVOID – pathetic 4 drink limit and arrogant staff

On Saturday 23rd, after enjoying a meal and sitting in the hotel for 4.5 hours, I was cut off from the bar after having just 4 standard drinks. That’s right – 4 drinks in 4.5 hours. Apparently, according to this pathetic establishment, that’s “intoxicated.”

The bouncer and bar staff thought it was funny – laughing, joking, and deliberately humiliating me in front of everyone else in the pub. Not only was I sober and in complete control, I wasn’t making noise, causing problems, or acting like a fool. The only fool in the place was the bouncer, who clearly has no idea how to deal with patrons respectfully.

And here’s the kicker – this isn’t an isolated incident. A quick look at reviews shows a pattern. This hotel seems to have a habit of cutting people off unfairly and treating paying customers like garbage.

NSW is supposedly trying to revitalise the night-time economy, yet hotels like this are actively killing it with their ridiculous “rules” and their rude, power-tripping staff.

I don’t expect to hear from management – they clearly don’t care. But I’ll be sharing this across Facebook, social media, and with everyone I know in the area: AVOID this place at all costs. Spend your money elsewhere at a venue that respects its patrons.

May this hotel go the way of so many others – empty, irrelevant, and shut down from...

I’ve been coming to this pub since I was 8. My dad would bring me in for dinner and I when I hit 18 I started drinking here.

The hotel has been a home away from home and a place I can go to and feel great.

As the liscencee Lisa has done such a great job of showing her locals that we are a family that can belong here.

In my time I’ve seen bartenders come and go but one constant is the customer service level. Most of the time I come in just to see that smile when I get poured a fresh Carlton.

No matter if I’m having the best of days or the worst. I know I can count on the brown dog to cheer me up or keep me cheerful.

I’ve never had an altercation or fight here. Every staff member and every local are so respectful and it’s a priveldige to have such a great place as my local.

This hotel is not a place that just kicks you out if you’ve had too much. The team show empathy/sympathy and care and if you have had too much they will look after you and get you waters, check in on you and in some cases make sure you get home safe.

It really is a family to me that I can count on no matter what I’m going through and that’s something not only I but many many people have spoken about.

I’ve made so many great friendships through this hotel and I’m a better person for it.

Thanks for being my home away from home team. Keep up...