If you’ve walked along Brisbane’s Caxton Street, either on your way to a game at Suncorp Stadium or a dance at Lefty’s, you have strolled by Lord Alfred says Elyssa Crooks.
Formally known as The Prince Alfred, then Hotel Lord Alfred and most recently Hotel LA, this longstanding corner pub has gone through an extensive refurbishment, stripping it back to its 1800s roots and has re-launched as Lord Alfred.
Inside the new Lord Alfred
Sitting proudly atop of Caxton Street, this three-storey establishment features six bars, great views and eight private rooms, all of which are able to be booked for private functions year round.
Each space is designed to offer a different dining experience. From its classic sports bar setting and outdoor lounges to small broody cellars, the venue has been designed to provide something to suit everyone.
Duke’s and The Quarterdeck bar are home to the venue’s sports section and feature indoor and outdoor seating, making it the perfect spot to have a beer or two and watch a game from one of the many plasma screens throughout. The pokies have been stripped out, but the iconic sports environment and feel remains.
Where’s The Watch-House
Last but certainly not least, underneath the venue, you’ll find The Watch-House, a one of a kind dining space featuring the building’s original gaol cells which have been transformed to create a space full of rich history. It’s also the place to be if you’re looking to be treated with aged-old whiskeys and delicious menu pairings.
Speaking of the menu, the inspiration comes from bar snacks with a modern day twist. The small and medium dishes and banquet-style feasts have been designed to be shared and paired with the array of drinks available throughout the venue, and thanks to a newly installed wine fridge (my favourite kind of fridge) there are more than 900 bottles of wine to choose from.
Lord Alfred is a relaxed place to come and meet with friends and family and offers something for everyone. The venue’s motivation is simple; ‘to give back to the locals a place they can call their own, to visit, to relax and to meet’ and with it taking a prime position at the top of Caxton Street, Lord Alfred will be a sure hit, no matter the occasion.
A brief history
In 1868, His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, son of Queen Victoria, became the first Royal to grace Australian soil. To commemorate his visit, Brisbane’s Terrace Hotel was rebranded The Prince Alfred, later becoming Hotel Lord Alfred.
Over the next 150 years the hotel saw many changes and lost some of its historical relevance, however always maintained its purpose; to capture the imagination of locals and visitors and to provide an abundance of fond memories.
Disclaimer: Everyday Elyssa was a guest of Lord Alfred.