Venuestar Review Popular pub that appeals to the mainstream crowd. Once a very upmarket fine-dining pub, newer owners relaxed the feel a bit which worked well to attract more people through the door. There's still an upmarket aspect to the food, but the entire feel is now a lot more welcoming to all types of people.
A dedicated fine-dining room exists out the very back with restaurant quality food. More seating is available closer to the bar for those that like their old fashioned counteries. Outdoor Area / Beer Garden A handful of tables around both sides of the front of the pub are great during the warmer weather. Tony Clarke Second Opinion This place is a popular gathering point for a drink after work and for groups of people wishing to have a meal and a few drinks before heading to Festival Hall or Telstra Dome. At times like these, the atmosphere is extremely jolly!
Meals are of generous proportions and the wine list is worth a look. Liz Hinds
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Readers' Reviews The Hotel Spencer changed hands in late 2009 and some of its gastropub-icity appears to have departed with the old management and staff. The ambience is less up-market now and it appears to be aiming towards a more traditional beer drinking crowd. Hopefully it won't struggle, being so far out from the CBD and North Melbourne's strip of similar venues.
Aside from the obligatory new lick of paint, the interior decorations and furniture have not changed at all, they have just shuffled the chairs so to speak. The front bar menu however has been cut down severely. Gone are the exotic middle-eastern lamb pies and spicy Asian type meals. Luckily, the traditional pub grub remains, which includes a great chicken parma with a variety of options, fish and chips etc. There is still a great range of beers both on tap and bottled and the great range of white wine remains. You could fairly describe the new Hotel Spencer as a drinking pub similar to the Great Western Hotel. Josh, Flemington, 02/10
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