ABOUT
With a history that dates back to 1893, The Royal Muswellbrook offers customers a modern hospitality venue with great food, great service and traditional family values.
History
The Royal Hotel Muswellbrook is located on the site of the first block of land sold in Muswellbrook in 1834 to George Forbes. Licensed premises have operated on the site since 1835, under different names, with various Licensees.
Circa 1890, a local Muswellbrook architect John Charles Luscombe designed what is now the present Royal Hotel. The new building designed by Luscombe, was built by Joseph Lowe, of Muswellbrook. The Hotel as designed by Luscombe, and opening as The Royal Hotel in 1893, has retained many of its external architectural features to the present day.
The site is of rare historical significance to the area as the it was the first block of land sold in Muswellbrook. Establishing a hotel building and centre of social life for the town, the continuous and ongoing use of the site for social/entertainment purposes is of historical significance, for Muswellbrook.
The building displays intact examples of quality craftsmanship both internally and externally of the period.
The Royal Hotel - Circa 1924
The Royal Hotel - Circa Early 1950’s
The Royal Hotel - Circa 1954
The Royal Hotel - Circa 1959
Recent Refurbishment
After a period where The Royal Muswellbrook was closed to trading in 2017 and 2018, Jonathon (Jono) McTaggart and Daniel Kelly leased the hotel in 2019 and commenced works to refurbish the public bars and dining facilities, and upgrade the accommodation and functions rooms.
The Royal Hotel Muswellbrook was relaunched in October 2020 with Jono as Licensee, and found itself in the midst of COVID-19 venue restrictions. Despite the challenge, the team pivoted and built its reputation for great food, offering an exceptionally popular take away menu, and providing patrons a safe and friendly environment that observed social distancing.
Front Bar
Beer Taps
Dining Room
Dining Room
Jonathon (Jono) McTaggart – Current Licensee
Hotels, the country and entertaining have been part of Jono McTaggart’s family for over ninety years. William Heath, Jono’s grandfather, was the publican of Narrabri’s Tourist Hotel during the 1930’s and 1940’s, and his father was a respected member of The Rotary Club, hosting events and exchange guests. As Licensee of The Royal Muswellbrook, Jono McTaggart takes great pride in welcoming patrons from all over the world to the traditional, family friendly establishment the team has created at The Royal Muswellbrook.
