Greenbank R.S.L. Services Club

The food is reasonable both in price and taste in all three of the clubs eateries. I don’t like that the medallions bar is cash only it’s irratating. The pokies are reasonably loose and they do massive raffles on a weekly basis where members can win goods and cash.

Dropping into Greenbank RSL was interesting for me as a Melbournian as I am used to a different level of service. I went to the bistro for a meal and found the roast meals very reasonably priced ($ 7.90 at lunch time) and was served relatively quickly. The strange thing about the service was that I had to pay for my meal and then queue up while someone different loaded my plate with yummy roasted goodness.
It was also a bit strange that you had to buy drinks for a separate counter than where you ordered your meal from. But this is Queensland right, so things are done differently here. :)
I loved how while I was eating there was a line dancing lesson happening down in the main area for the oldies. Very feel good.

Let’s start with the buffet — cheap and cheerful, particularly if you’re a Greenbank RSL member $ 10 or thereabouts. On offer in the buffet is a small selection of salads, roast pork, roast veges, gravy, crumbed fish pieces, chips, fried rice, battered pork and southern fried chicken pieces of nuggety size, noodles and soup. Desserts extend to jelly, custard, ice cream and topping and trifle. Wash it all down with free water, tea and coffee or avail yourself of cash bar within the buffet area. The buffet is fine for an occasional cheap nosh up but if you’re a regular visitor you’ll soon get bored by the same offerings week after week.
The Southern Cross Restaurant offers budget priced dining, including the daily specials as well as alarcarte selections. The quality of the food can be variable, particular the Tues steak & chicken schnitzel specials, however there is generally little to complain about for the price. The serving sizes are usually very generous. No bookings required and the food service is quite quick; however, if ordering drinks at the bar you can sometimes expect to wait. Table service is available for drinks but is generally no quicker.

Tacky is the first word that springs to mind upon entering Greenbank RSL. Looking around your eyes are assaulted with brightly coloured neon, flashing lights and gaudy carpeting. I know RSLs need to move with the times, but this is beyond ridiculous. Plasma screens take up most of the wall space and classic rock is constantly pumped through the loudspeakers. The food is overpriced and a good portion of the Club is dedicated to pokies. Why anyone would want to come here of there own accord is beyond me??? I have to visit this Club regularly for work, otherwise, I would never walk through the door.
The only reason I am giving Greenbank RSL any stars at all is that they are very generous to the local disabled community. That counts for a lot in my book.

Ok, let’s just get one thing straight before we go any further. I am not the kind of girl who hangs out at the local RSL downing cold ones and playing pokies. However, one weekend I did find myself at an RSL, and was actually pleasantly surprised.
Getting over the initial shock of a very brightly illuminated building, where the entrance actually looked like Christmas had thrown up in there (think oversized Christmas tree, more tinsel than there actually was wall space, copious amounts of cotton wool balls masquerading as fake snow… getting the drift?). Also the shock of being looked up and down, and bluntly asked if I was a member. «No…» then just receiving a blank stare. «Umm…I’m here for a 21^st… Should I fill out a form?» The unfriendly lady pushed a form in front of me, had me fill out all things personal and private (may be exaggerating here). Then I was ushered into an elevator just as I caught a glimpse of a massive pokies room, packed with families bopping along to an old croonie playing ‘classic country’.
I couldn’t have escaped fast enough. The doors ever so dangerously slowly, creaked open and I was at the rooftop function area. It was here that I was pleasantly surprised. There was a modern layout, with tonnes of cosy little booths, ideal places to sit with a large group and get to know new people.
The staff running the event were friendly (nice contrast) and the bar stocked an average variety of beers, ciders, wines and spirits.
Despite my initial forebearing, it turned out to be a good night. And though I can’t see myself rushing back there anytime soon; if you’re bored one night in Greenbank, why not check out the local RSL?