It’s been 40 years since Royal Hotel Bondi has been up for sale. But the time has come for the pub’s owner Geoff Moulding to move on from the Bondi Road icon after years of “unsolicited approaches” from Sydney hospitality groups. 

With an expected asking price of $30 million, it looks like a bidding war is set to descend on the beachside drinking den. Its key competitors? Rumoured to be Merivale and the owners of the nearby Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel.

Not only is the 1904 pub itself of impressive size (sitting on a 1327 sqm block) but it comes equipped with a lengthy history in the local community. In 1907, the pub hosted the founding meeting of the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club and it went on to be used for a scene in Australian film They’re A Weird Mob. In 1978 Geoff and his father Albert entered the picture, purchasing a brewery lease before the hotel in its entirety in 1990. 

But times have changed, Geoff told The Daily Telegraph. He believes Royal Hotel is in need of a revamp. “What was designed for the 1960s doesn’t stand up in 2018 — people have different expectations,” he says. “They need to take it to the next stage. It’s time to rebirth the hotel.”

As to who will take charge of the sale, responsibility has been placed in the hands of JLL Hotels’ John Musca who has previously taken care of Coogee Beach Palace, Hotel Bondi, Golden Sheaf Hotel and Clovelly Hotel. “I can’t remember ever selling a hotel that attracted this level of interest,” he says, “It’s not surprising given its gateway location.”

Bidders, best pull out those piggy banks…