DO NOT HIRE THIS PLACE OUT!!! Booked the garden bar at Empire Tavern this weekend (Saturday), WITH EMAIL AND PHONE CONFIRMATION only to receive an EMAIL (not even a phone call) from the event co-coordinator Hilda, this evening (Monday) to tell us that she has now hired it to someone else instead and do we want another day? After a desperate late night call in hopes that it was all a mistake, she very rudely and unapologetically tried to tell us it was our fault for not paying the deposit first. Firstly, we had asked her via email when she wanted it (I stress we have a record of all of this), she could have had it on the day we booked it had she asked, and secondly, this is certainly NOT how a business should be run.I believe it is a very underhand way of ensuring a venue is booked and I am utterly disgusted as well as gutted (the hire-age was for my birthday party). Furious too. As we do, in fact, have email records of the whole exchange, we intend to take this further. BOOK AT YOUR OWN RISK.* I see there is another review for a similar incident. Not a coincidence!

DISGUSTED!!!Spent alot of money on a family 21st and have never been treated so RUDELY by anybody as the BOUNCER did the whole night.Before my partner and I stepped in the place we were insulted and treated like prisoners.Once inside everyone had a BAD story to tell about the "TOUGH" man at the door.He preceded to treat my family and I like dirt. Threatening and yelling in our faces!I cant believe how we were treated especially since we made no trouble and our grown, respectable, well employed and good moral-ed adults.Illl never step foot in the Empire Tavern again and Il make sure I spread the word.

Hmm so booked our 21st party here for December. Well in advance of course. Got 300 invites printed and all the planning was well on its way. When my friends dad went in to talk to them about a bar tab they realized a wedding was booked for the same day. So when were they gonna tell us this. Very unimpressed by this service. The least they could do is pay for the invites. Never going to them again and will also be letting friends and family know of the situation because this is unprofessional and overall annoying. We are now down to look at a limited amount of places as it is a busy time of year for events. Thanks a lot Empire Tavern

Went to a suppliers function here recently in the outdoor area, heaps of space and the staff looked after the large numbers exceptionally well.

Great night on the chop! good band, awesome garden segment and heaps of space. it was packed out but seemed like plenty of space. Awesome spot.

What a great bar! Came in with some work mates for a Xmas break up and stayed until closing time. Great food - not sure if being the last day of work made the beer taste better, but it SURE DID! The band in the outside bar was outstanding, and the drummer is from OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE! Classic! Great energy and repertiore.

My friends and I were at the Empire last night. Staff were ok, ambience was what you'd expect from an inner city pub. What made the difference was the band. Their resident band (DNA I think?) was the best pub band I have seen (having lived in London and Ireland, I've seen a few!). Heaps of old school rock, modern stuff, the works. Really amazing guitarist, great singer, excellent sound and lighting, these guys were pros. Would recommend to anyone looking for a night of live rock.

The Empire Tavern is a fantastic venue. The two bars and the ambience make this pub a great night out. Best on Friday when resident band DNA rock the house with tunes of old and new. This is a truely awesome venue and my absolute favourite. Avoid the pretentious Viaduct bars: go straight to the Empire Tavern.