EVEN Hotel Queanbeyan licensee Mathew Griffin admits the establishment affectionately known as 'Top Pub' has had a less than stellar reputation for some reason.
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But he hopes an extensive two-year renovation will breathe in new life into the pub and clean up its image.
Step into the establishment these days and you'll be greeted with chesterfield lounges, marble table tops and pendant lights dangling from the ceiling.
"It had a bit of a reputation as that [a rougher pub] but I don't know why. We've never had many dramas here," Mr Griffin said.
"I guess the pub was a bit of an eyesore before we did anything to it...most of the feedback we're getting now, people just think it's amazing."
The ground floor has been completely remodelled to feature a larger public bar, gaming room and outdoor area and resulted in doubling the seating capacity to 500.
The interior is a modern take on traditional elements of a pub like timber panelling on the bar and dark carpet featuring a paisley-like pattern.
There are plans to feature images of Queanbeyan sporting greats on a feature wall.
But the final piece of the puzzle is the exterior of the building. The tired, old yellow tiles have been removed and will be replaced with charcoal tiles and a new awning.
Mr Griffin has been the licensee for nine years and said the renovation had been a long time coming. He said seeing the transformation of the Royal Hotel a few years ago cemented the decision for him.
Another reason was morphing the traditionally tradie-orientated pub to a more family friendly establishment.
A new dress code states no hi-visibility work wear or caps will be allowed after 8pm from Thursday - Saturday.
Mr Griffin hoped the finishing touches will be completed in the next few months in time for a grand reopening in summer.
"It's a slow process but it's a very big pub," he said.
"It was a very old pub that hadn't had anything done to it for a long time. [Now] we're getting a lot of families in and younger people.
"Most feedback we're getting now, people just think it's amazing..."
Charming heritage features of the historic pub, which opened in 1927, have been retained including the interior timber work, beautiful stairwell and old phone boxes.
The pub also has accommodation on the top floor with 67 rooms.
These have remained largely untouched apart from a new bathroom area.
Hotel Queanbeyan is the latest pub in town to have a makeover with Walsh's Hotel and the Tourist Hotel also recently refurbished.
Mr Griffin said it's a positive result for the town overall.
"Queanbeyan is a really good pub town now.
"People can come from over the border and pick one of four good pubs to go to, so it's a good outcome," he said.