The Monarch Bar & Function Room

You'll find The Monarch tucked into the heart of town on James Street, a proper neighbourhood pub that doesn't feel the need to reinvent itself every five minutes. It's the sort of place where regulars know the bar staff by name and visiting mates get a genuine welcome rather than a menu card thrust at them. The wood-lined bar has that comfortable, lived-in feel—worn leather stools, reliable pints, the kind of spot where you can nurse a drink for hours without anyone fussing you. What sets it apart is that function room upstairs: it's actually decent for gigs, parties, and events without feeling like a draughty community hall. The 4.5-star rating speaks volumes about the consistency here.