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Rocklea Hotel Guide: Brisbane Pub and Blackpool Hotel

The name “Rocklea Hotel” appears in two very different places: a historic Southside pub in Brisbane, Queensland, and a seaside hotel in Blackpool, England. This review focuses on the Australian side of that name — the Rocklea Hotel at 1337 Ipswich Road, which has been serving the local community since 1874 according to its own website. We examine the pub’s menu prices, specials, customer sentiment, and what you need to know before visiting.

Last checked: 2026-10-01

Name: The Rocklea Hotel · Type: Pub and Dining / Hotel and Accommodation · Locations: Rocklea, Queensland and Blackpool, UK · Known For: Brisbane Southside charm, cold beers, live sports, Blackpool sea views · Online Presence: Website, OpenTable, Booking.com, Facebook, Instagram

How we researched this guide

Last checked: 2026-10-01.

Sources reviewed: official property website (rockleahotel.com.au), OpenTable Australia listing, TripAdvisor reviews, EatDrinkCheap specials guide, official social media profiles.

No on‑site inspection, staff interview, or independent price verification was conducted. Pricing and specials are date‑sensitive and should be confirmed directly with the venue before publication.

Rocklea Hotel at a glance

1 Claimed history
  • Operates “since 1874” according to the venue’s homepage (Rocklea Hotel)
2 Menu anchor item
3 Customer rating
  • 4.0 out of 5 from 22 TripAdvisor reviews (TripAdvisor)
4 Wednesday special
Aspect Detail
NameThe Rocklea Hotel
TypePub and dining / Hotel and accommodation
LocationsRocklea, Queensland and Blackpool, UK
Known ForBrisbane Southside charm, cold beers, live sports, Blackpool sea views
Online PresenceWebsite, OpenTable, Booking.com, Facebook, Instagram

Who owns Rocklea Hotel?

Public ownership records for the Rocklea Hotel are not included in the captured sources. The venue’s official website presents a tagline “The Rock of the Southside since 1874” without naming a specific owner or corporate entity. For the Brisbane pub, the website provides a phone number ((07) 3848 1608) and a booking form, but no direct ownership information. The Blackpool branch is listed on Booking.com as a hotel, but its ownership structure is also unclear from the available data.

A small inconsistency appears between the official website’s historical claim and the absence of any independent verification of continuous operation since 1874. Without a liquor licence or business registration record, a clear attribution of ownership remains out of reach for the available sources.

What is the management structure of the Rocklea Hotel?

The Brisbane pub operates as a traditional Australian hotel‑pub, with a bistro, bottle shop, and sports screens. The Blackpool location is marketed as a hotel. No public documents detail the legal entity managing either venue.

Who operates the Rocklea Hotel Blackpool?

Information about the Blackpool operator is limited to the proximity metrics reported in the content plan (300 m from Coral Island and 800 m from Blackpool centre). No operator name or corporate registration surfaced in the research.

The bottom line: Neither location’s ownership is publicly confirmed in the sources reviewed. The official Brisbane site may be the best starting point for direct inquiries.

What is Rocklea Hotel known for?

The Brisbane Rocklea Hotel positions itself as a Southside institution. Its official website emphasises “cold beers, hearty pub meals, big screens for live sports, and a bottle shop”. The venue was voted Brisbane’s Best Pub by triple m Brisbane, but no direct source link was captured to verify this claim. Customer testimonials on the venue’s homepage highlight “the best steaks from a pub that you will get” (Gavin Porter) and “the food quality, portions, atmosphere and customer service” (Leo McKeen).

The Blackpool side of the name is described in the plan as offering “city views near Coral Island”, but the research notes contain no independent verification of its services.

What are the signature features of the Rocklea Hotel?

Steaks are a clear hero on the Brisbane menu. The official dine page lists a 250‑gram rump at $28‑$29, a 200‑gram eye fillet at $47, a 350‑gram rib fillet at $43, and a 500‑gram rib eye on the bone at $58. A “hot rock” preparation is promoted in an uncredited customer quote: “Have the steak on a hot rock!! You will not regret it.”

What makes the Rocklea Hotel a popular destination?

Wednesday specials are a major draw. EatDrinkCheap reports that a 250‑gram rump goes for $19 on Wednesdays, using New England‑region beef that is grain‑fed for 100 days and aged at least 28 days. Lunch specials priced $17‑$19 run daily, including steak sandwiches, schnitzel or parmy meals, barramundi and BLT options, according to the same source (EatDrinkCheap).

What to watch: Menu prices differ slightly between the official website and OpenTable — for example, bruschetta listed at $15 on the official site appears at $16 on OpenTable. Always confirm before ordering.
Why this matters: The Brisbane pub’s reputation is built on steaks, specials, and a longstanding community presence. Its Blackpool counterpart remains less documented in public sources.

What is the history of the Rocklea Hotel?

The Brisbane venue claims an 1874 founding, supported by the tagline “The Rock of the Southside since 1874” on its official homepage. No external source — such as historical society records or local council documents — was captured to verify this date. The venue recently underwent a refurbishment, described as “newly refurbished” in the available sources.

For the Blackpool location, the Booking.com listing suggests a hotel operation with sea views and proximity to Coral Island. Its establishment date is not mentioned in the research materials.

When was the Rocklea Hotel established?

The Brisbane pub asserts an 1874 establishment date. No evidence confirms continuous operation for that entire period.

What is the background of the Rocklea Hotel Blackpool?

Only the location data — 300 m from Coral Island and 800 m from Blackpool centre — and the fact that it is listed on Booking.com as a hotel are available. No historical background is recorded in the inputs.

The catch: The history of the Brisbane pub is self‑reported and lacks independent corroboration. The Blackpool hotel’s history is absent from available sources.

Timeline of known facts

  • 1874: Rocklea Hotel (Brisbane) claims to have opened (Rocklea Hotel).
  • Feb 2025: EatDrinkCheap records Wednesday rump special ($19) (EatDrinkCheap).
  • Feb 2025: Official menu captured with steak and seafood pricing (Rocklea Hotel Dine).
  • Mar 2025: Homepage reaffirms “since 1874” with testimonials (Rocklea Hotel).
  • Aug 2025: EatDrinkCheap reports daily lunch specials $17‑$19 (EatDrinkCheap).
  • Sep 2026: OpenTable menu snapshot shows updated prices (OpenTable Australia).

Rocklea Hotel (Brisbane) – Pros and cons

Pros

  • Wide steak range from $28‑$58, including Wednesday rump special at $19.
  • Daily lunch specials in the $17‑$19 range.
  • Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.
  • Bottle shop on site.
  • Live sports on big screens.

Cons

  • Limited independent review sample (22 TripAdvisor reviews).
  • Price discrepancies between official site and OpenTable.
  • No verified allergen or gluten‑free policy beyond pizza base surcharge.

Pricing band at a glance

Official menu prices (Australian dollars, as of June 2025):

  • Starter / sides: garlic Turkish bread $13, chicken wings (½ kg) $15, bruschetta $15‑$16.
  • Mains: spaghetti bolognese or chicken carbonara $19, steaks $28‑$58, beer‑battered barramundi $26, crispy‑skinned barramundi $32.
  • Lunch: steak sandwich $16, lunch chicken schnitzel $16.
  • Wednesday special: 250 g rump $19.
  • Add‑ons: garlic prawns to a grill +$7, gluten‑free pizza base +$2.

Prices are sourced from the official menu and OpenTable; always confirm current pricing before visiting.

Location and how to get there

Brisbane: 1337 Ipswich Road, Rocklea, Queensland (EatDrinkCheap). Located in Brisbane’s Southside, accessible by car with on‑site parking. No public transport stop is explicitly stated in sources.

Blackpool, UK: Approximately 300 m from Coral Island and 800 m from Blackpool centre. The venue is listed on Booking.com; driving or taxi is the most direct method based on input proximity data.

Alternatives to the Rocklea Hotel (Brisbane)

The same area and search terms often mention:

  • Rocklea Tavern – a nearby venue often conflated with the hotel.
  • Rocklea Motel – a short‑stay accommodation option.
  • Rocklea Pub – another local pub reference.

These entities are co‑located in the same suburb; review sites should be consulted for specific offerings and pricing.

Our recommendation

For a Southside pub meal with a solid steak selection and budget‑friendly lunch specials, the Brisbane Rocklea Hotel is a reliable choice — especially on Wednesdays for the $19 rump. The Blackpool branch, while less documented, suits those seeking seaside accommodation. Confirm direct with either venue before planning a visit.

“‘THE ROCK’ OF THE SOUTHSIDE SINCE 1874”

— Rocklea Hotel, venue

“The best steaks from a pub that you will get.”

— Gavin Porter, customer quoted by the venue

Related reading: Commercial Hotel Clermont Menu · Grand Hotel Gayndah

Additional sources

opentable.com.au, opentable.com, eatdrinkcheap.com.au, opentable.com, eatdrinkcheap.com.au, opentable.com

Frequently asked questions

What is on the menu at the Rocklea Hotel (Brisbane)?

The official menu includes steaks (rump, eye fillet, rib fillet, rib eye), barramundi (battered and crispy‑skinned), chicken schnitzel, pasta, pizzas, and a range of starters. See the pricing band section for specific items and costs (Rocklea Hotel Dine).

How much does food cost at the Rocklea Hotel?

Lunch specials range from $17‑$19; a 250‑gram rump steak costs $28‑$29 on the regular menu and $19 on Wednesdays; a 200‑gram eye fillet is $47. Prices are in Australian dollars and may vary across platforms (Rocklea Hotel Dine).

Does the Rocklea Hotel have a bottle shop?

Yes — the Brisbane venue operates a bottle shop on site, a common feature of Australian hotel‑pubs (Rocklea Hotel).

Is there accommodation at the Rocklea Hotel?

The Blackpool (UK) location offers hotel accommodation listed on Booking.com. The Brisbane pub does not advertise accommodation; it is primarily a dining and drinking venue.

Can I watch live sports at the Rocklea Hotel?

The Brisbane pub advertises “big screens for live sports” on its official website (Rocklea Hotel).

How do I make a reservation at the Rocklea Hotel (Brisbane)?

Bookings can be made online via the official booking page or by phone at (07) 3848 1608. OpenTable also accepts reservations.

Is Rocklea Hotel the same as Rocklea Tavern?

No — the Rocklea Hotel is a distinct venue at 1337 Ipswich Road. “Rocklea Tavern” is a separate entity, though often searched together.

What is the address of the Rocklea Hotel (Brisbane)?

1337 Ipswich Road, Rocklea, Queensland (EatDrinkCheap).

The bottom line: 1337 Ipswich Road, Rocklea, Queensland (EatDrinkCheap).