RA Bunning was the first licensee of the
Rising Sun Hotel in 1869. Its former address was 44 Eastern Road. Architect T
Edwards called for tenders for alterations and additions in 1886.
Since the mid-1990s, members of the 1st
Australian Field Hospital Association have met at an ANZAC day luncheon at the
Rising Sun after the march to the Shrine. Involved in Science Week on 8 May 1999, were Sir Gustav Nossal and Laurie Garrett, who presented a lecture on the
effect of the increasing virulence of various microbes on the human
species.On 29 April 2003, the hotel hosted an evening with young British
design engineer Damini Kumar. Live music has also
featured heavily in the recent history of the hotel.Jazz vocalist Emma Sidney held a residency at
the Rising Sun between 1999 and 2000, while the Ted White Big Band played jazz
on Tuesday nights.