The Prince Consort

Sydney-based group Tilley & Wills Hotels acquired the old Elephant Hotel on Wickham Street in early 2020 and spent the year carefully restoring the heritage-listed site with fresh paint, plants and other light, bright touches. The pub is now known by its original name, The Prince Consort, which dates back to 1888.

Inside there are a total of eight distinct venues, four separate food menus, 89 beer taps and room for a whopping 2000 people. The Prince Consort is a gastropub, and The Naughty Corner is a semi-private booth inside the pub, which can be booked separately. The menus here (and elsewhere, too) revolve around a coal-fired rotisserie and woodfired pizza oven. Snacks and shared starters include burrata, kingfish crudo and Southern fried chicken with a cheddar waffle. For mains, there’s Wagyu rump cap, whole baby barramundi and slow-roasted lamb shoulder. There are also burgers and several pizzas.

Out back, The Garden Bar features lots of natural light, plants and pastels, plus a stadium screen and a 1948 Chevy hanging upside down as if it’s been driven off the roof. In the basement, the dark, American-themed Greaser provides a platform for comedians and up-and-coming bands to play to their first crowds. The walls are adorned with vintage photography and diner-style burgers, hot dogs and fried chicken dot the tables.

Then there’s the Los Cabos-inspired tequila and taco restaurant 400 Rabbits Cantina, luxe supper club and live-music venue La La Land, cocktail bar The Bowie Rooms, and upstairs studios The Yorke Suites. Finally, the attached bottle-o, The Prince Cellars, is open to midnight every day of the week. For drinks, there’s a short wine list with most options available by the glass, as well as a range of cocktails. You’ll find classics like Espresso Martinis and Negronis, and signature cocktails such as a Dragonfruit Mojito and a mango-infused Pimm’s Punch.