Whether it is the iconic position, heritage frontage, important relationship with the Launceston music scene, or simply the enchanting vibe it offers to those that set foot in the place, there is just something about it.

For Royal Oak owner Wendy Robbins, the story is no different.

She bought the pub almost two years ago and was immediately swept up by the history that is soaked into its floors like the thousands of spilt beers that once stained the carpets in the main foyer.

"Everyone in Launceston has a story about the Royal Oak," she said.

"I've employed people whose parents met here and then went on to get married."

Ms Robbins' relationship with the Royal Oak is different to many of those that may have sipped on an ale at the front bar or been to a gig out the back. She had the choice between snapping up the iconic pub - which has been licensed since 1854 - or buying a small one bedroom apartment in her previous home state of New South Wales. The choice for her was easy.

As part of a mammoth effort since the purchase of the pub, Ms Robbins has replaced every piece of equipment that had grown weary from the near 170 years of wear. She has upgraded the kitchen, polished the floor boards and painted everything - and that is just what you can see.

But for Ms Robbins, maintaining the essence of what makes the pub so special was of the utmost importance to her.

Not far into her cleanup of the offices she stumbled upon an old photograph of a typical Friday night at the pub. Some of the punters were snacking, some skulling and two others were snogging.

For Ms Robbins, the photo is an emblem of the serendipitous vibe that pervades the pub, and the whole town of Launceston.

Pointing to one of the photo's subjects Ms Robbins said, "that there is Tim. I took a picture of this and put it on Facebook and my daughter commented on it saying she knew his face".

"Now he actually lives three doors up from my daughter in Melbourne."

The picture has reminded Ms Robbins at every juncture that the pub transcends her occupancy. And that it is as much a living, breathing organism as she is.

"That's what this pub is like. And I've been very careful to keep things like that," she said.

As part of embracing what the pub has to offer, Ms Robbins has also made friends with the resident pub ghost, Cyril.

"Cyril is friendly, at least I think they're friendly," Ms Robbins said.

Cyril is said to walk the halls from time to time and has remained a source of inspiration to Ms Robbins, and even closes doors if they are left open.

While keeping the tradition of the Royal Oak alive Ms Robbins has refashioned it in a way that arguably makes its history even more clear.

Now, there is an extensive upstairs area with private dining sections and an impressive outdoor area - which Ms Robbins is planning to one day be a standalone bar.

Join the conversation on Facebook

There are also 10 taps offering up some of the best beer the area has to offer, something Ms Robbins thinks is important.

"I try to buy as much local beer as possible," she said.

As for food the Royal Oak is proud to plate up everything from its new state of the art kitchen.

There are classics - like every good pub has - but Ms Robbins has also incorporated a vegetarian and vegan menu. Something she hopes to continue to grow.

The pub is open three nights a week to get through the COVID pinch, but will open up again for five nights as summer hits and punters start flowing back through the doors.

Ms Robbins also made sure to note how important it was for her the pub to continue to enable a thriving live music scene in Launceston.

What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: