North Hobart. In its day, the former Empire Hotel was one of Hobart's roughest pubs, hosting a shoot-out during the 1980s. Australian cricketer Max Walker grew up in the Empire, which was run by his parents. After a re-modelling and re-branding as the Republic Bar in the mid-1990s, it has become one of the State's most popular pubs.Today The Republic Bar is Tasmania's premier music venue, with live music 7 days. It hosts an award winning restaurant, art gallery and a large covered beer garden that is good all year round.