Hey, Beer Snobs. Ready to Find Leichhardt’s Best Pubs?
If Leichhardt were a person, it’d be that friend who always knows where the best beer is. Spoiler: it’s probably this list. We’re not here to waste your time with generic pub reviews. This is the real deal—bars with a vibe, a menu, and maybe even a hidden gem of a craft beer you’ve never heard of. Let’s get this started before the third wave of 2023 hits.
1. The Pub with a Secret Garden (and a Secret Recipe)
Picture this: you walk into a pub, and the first thing you notice isn’t the beer. It’s the garden. Yeah, this place has a lush backyard that smells like it’s been kissed by a hops field. But don’t worry, the beer here isn’t just for show. The homebrew-inspired menu is a love letter to hopheads and lager lovers alike. Pro tip: Order the ‘Surprise Me’ flight. You might end up with a beer that tastes like it was brewed in a lab or a bunker—either way, it’s adventurous.
2. The Dive Bar That’s Not a Dive
If you’re into the whole ‘authenticity’ thing, this pub is your new church. It’s got the charm of a 1980s karaoke bar, the lighting of a horror movie, and a beer menu that reads like a scientist’s journal. The owners are craft beer fanatics who’ll argue with you about IBUs like it’s a debate on climate change. Bonus: The jukebox plays everything from ABBA to The Prodigy. You won’t get a ‘Cheers’ vibe here—you’ll get a ‘Wait, did I just time travel into a pub from a video game?’ vibe.
3. The Pub That’s a Museum of Bad Decisions
Ever been to a bar where the decor is a mix of ‘I found this on eBay’ and ‘I clearly won a bar bet in 1995’? This place is it. The walls are covered in questionable art, the menu includes a beer named ‘The Regret’ (we’re not joking), and the bartender will tell you stories so wild you’ll question your life choices. But the beer? Solid. The lager here is like a hug from your childhood—familiar, comforting, and occasionally sticky.
4. The Vegan Pub That’s Still (Somehow) for Meat Eaters
Yes, you read that right. This bar serves vegan beer and vegan snacks, but the crowd here is 80% carnivores. The secret? The vegan stouts are so rich, they taste like they’ve been aged in a bourbon barrel and kissed by a dairy cow. The menu is a masterclass in irony: vegan cheese plates, vegan sausages, and a ‘Vegan Porter’ that’s so malty, it could double as a steak sauce. Bonus: The staff will pretend to not notice your meat-eating shame.
5. The Pub That’s Just a Room in Someone’s House
If you’re into the ‘hidden bar’ trend, this one’s for you. It’s technically a room in a private residence, which means you might accidentally walk into someone’s living room and see their cat judging your life. But the beer here? It’s like a start-up brewery’s dream come true. The owner brews in a closet, and the menu changes weekly. You could get a beer that’s only available to people who know the secret code word (it’s ‘hops’—no, really).
6. The Pub That Thinks It’s a Michelin Star Restaurant
This place is fancy. Like, ‘we charge $20 for a pint and a side of pretension’ fancy. But here’s the thing: the craft beer here is so good, it makes you forget the $18 truffle fries. The bar is a shrine to small-batch brewing, and the staff will describe each beer like it’s a 10-year-old Bordeaux. If you want to feel like you’re in a pub from a prestige TV show, this is your spot. Just don’t order the ‘artisanal’ pretzels unless you’re ready to be judged.
7. The Pub That’s Just a Tent in the Backyard
Summer in Leichhardt? You’ve got to hit this pop-up tent bar that smells like sunscreen and good vibes. It’s the kind of place where the bartender is also a DJ and the beer is served in mason jars. The menu is all about experimental brews—think ‘IPA with mango and ghost pepper’ or ‘Stout with burnt toast.’ It’s like a science fair for your taste buds. Pro tip: Bring a lawn chair. The seating is ‘first come, first served,’ and the last time someone got there late, they ended up sitting on a cactus.
8. The Pub That’s a Bookstore
If you’ve ever wanted to drink a pint while reading a book that’s slightly more pretentious than your personality, this is the spot. The beer here is custom brewed by a guy who used to work in publishing, and the menu is named after literary classics. The ‘Great Gatsby’ is a sweet, malty lager. The ‘Catch-22’ is a dry-hopped IPA that’s confusingly priced. The vibe is ‘intelligent, but still fun,’ which is exactly how you should feel after your third beer.
9. The Pub That’s a Board Game Café
Yes, this exists. It’s a hybrid between a bar and a board game café, which means you can drink a beer while playing ‘Catan’ like your life depends on it. The beer menu is split into ‘Strategic’ (for the serious players) and ‘Casual’ (for the people who just want to win). The staff will let you play for hours, but if you lose, you’re on your own. Bonus: The owner once hosted a ‘Monopoly’ tournament that ended with a duel over a property card.
10. The Pub That’s Just a Garage
Here’s the deal: this bar is literally a converted garage. The walls are covered in DIY beer equipment, the menu is handwritten on a whiteboard, and the owner will tell you a story about how this place ‘started as a passion project’ (it’s been here for 10 years—passion projects don’t usually last that long). The beer is homebrew at its finest, and the price is so low, it’ll make you question your life choices. Just don’t ask about the plumbing.
FAQs: Because We Know You’re Curious
1. Are These Pubs Good for Big Groups?
Depends on the pub. The board game café can handle a team of 10, but the tent bar? Try to come early. You might end up sitting next to a goat.
2. Do They Have Vegetarian Options?
Yes, but the vegan pub is the real MVP. Even the meat lovers swear by their ‘Vegan Porter’—it’s like a beer and a moral victory rolled into one.
3. Can I Get My Beer Online?
Absolutely. If you’re running a pub and want to sell your beer online, check out Dropt.beer. They’re the beer delivery service that’s less ‘here’s your beer’ and more ‘here’s your beer and a business plan’.
Actionable Steps: What to Do Next
- Visit the pubs: Start with the one that sounds most like your personality. The DIY garage bar? Bold choice.
- Make your own beer: If you’re inspired, check out our guide to homebrewing. It’s like cooking, but the mistakes taste like molasses.
- Sell your beer: If you’re a brewer in Leichhardt, Dropt.beer can help you get your beer to the right pubs. No goats involved.
Conclusion: Let’s Get This Party Started
Leichhardt’s pubs are a playground for beer lovers, misfits, and anyone who’s ever wondered if a tent can legally serve alcohol. Whether you’re here for the secret garden, the tent, or the board games, these bars are where memories are made—and where your next favorite beer will be. So what are you waiting for? Go out there and find your ‘liquid gold.’ And if you don’t like these? Well, we’ll take the money you saved and buy a keg of something weird. Cheers.
