A Toast to Tradition - Queensland's Top Pub Names Revealed
- Royal Hotel crowned the top name for pubs across Queensland.
- Grand Hotel came in second followed jointly by Commercial Hotel and Railway Hotel.
- Pub names also often reflect famous people and location.
The Royal Hotel has been crowned the most popular name for pubs in Queensland, according to the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.
Of the 1,401 active commercial hotel licences in the State, 23 have the name Royal Hotel, and a further 12 have a variation of Royal Hotel in their name.
Queensland's second most popular name for pubs was the Grand Hotel, with 17 venues across the State carrying the lofty name.
Coming in equal third were the Commercial Hotel and the Railway Hotel with 15 venues each.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington, whose portfolio includes the Office of Liquor and Gaming, said the list provided an opportunity to reflect on both of history of Queensland hotels and their role in society today.
"Even though many hotels have undergone extensive renovations in recent years, at their heart they have remained the same for generations, as a place to share stories and forge friendships," the Attorney-General said.
"When it comes to names, the number one choice is certainly a toast to tradition, and we have Royal Hotels from Brisbane to Beenleigh, and from Toowoomba to Thursday Island.
"But pub names can also reflect the location, a famous person such as the Prince of Wales, or even a significant event or development.
"For example, Railway Hotels were established as the train network expanded across the State.
"Even the 'hotel' part of a name reflects a long-held requirement for public houses to provide accommodation as part of a liquor licence.
"In my own electorate of Nanango, we have several pubs with the most popular names, including Royal Hotels in both Yarraman and Murgon, Grand Hotels in Esk and Wooroolin, and Commercial Hotels in Nanango and Kingaroy."
Queensland's most popular licensed hotel names in 2025
- Royal Hotel – 23 venues
- Grand Hotel – 17 venues
- Commercial Hotel and Railway Hotel – 15 venues (each)
- Australian Hotel and Exchange Hotel – 10 venues (each)
- Central Hotel – 7 venues
ENDS
