Everyone is welcome at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Beneath the alpine mural in the sprawling front bar, you might find chunky, tatted rockers pushing wagyu beef burgers past their whiskers, while three year olds cruise past them on the complimentary trikes.
This is a true community pub, where families feel welcomed rather than just equipped. There are kids' meals, all $8, including a daily pie, schnitzel and a cheese pizza, plus crayons, colouring books, and high chairs. It’s energetic enough that both kids and hipsters can squawk loudly about various injustices without disturbing each other, but not so loud that you can’t hear Ben E King and Ray Charles keeping things soulful. You might come for ping pong or Tuesday's choir session, or for the folk gigs that take the stage on Sundays.
The front room is a wide, open range, decorated with train wallpaper, pitchforks and a doleful looking fish head. The non-DD can get a Margarita for $10 from 6-10pm on weeknights, and crafty Cavalier Courage, and 3 Ravens are on offer if James Boags is too big-brand for ya. Eggplant schnitzels with Japanese curry, sausages and white beans, and confit apple ice cream, bring some of the better eats you’ll find in the sparkly wedding-dress district of Sydney Road. It’s a regular old box ticker.
