The Leon Pub

The Leon PubThe Leon Pub
The Leon PubThe Leon Pub
Bar

215 E 6th Ave
Tallahassee, Florida, 32303-6207
United States

(850) 425-4639 | map
leonpub.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.23
Reviews:
21
Ratings:
22
pDev:
9.93%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by hiker33:
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Reviewed by hiker33 from North Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
As others have said, a classic dive bar. But it has the only good selection in Tallahassee. Around 60 taps and 200+ bottles should keep anyone happy for awhile. Recent choices included several Belgians and many bottles from Great Divide, Lost Coast and Dogfish Head. DH 60 Minute was on draft.

No food is served, cash only, no tabs. But the wooden benches, pool tables and wall decor would be at home in any neighborhood joint. Prices are low compared to many other bars. Worth the effort to find parking.
Aug 16, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of cratez
Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)

2.93/5  rDev -30.7%
vibe: 1 | quality: 2.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5
Came here with my wife during a recent trip to Tallahassee.

Tried the following:
Cigar City Jai Alai Indie Pale Ale (draft)

Which was drinking decent. Massive bottle/can selection seems to be the big draw here, as the tap lineup was just okay. My wife wasn’t a huge fan of her wine.

Divey sports bar atmosphere, lots of people playing pool, almost every patron was smoking on our visit.

Service was good as the bartender was friendly and our drinks arrived promptly.

We just couldn’t hack all the cigarette smoke. And to be honest, I’m not sure how you’re supposed to appreciate the nuances of a beer when you can’t even smell it. Conflicting themes if you ask me.

Our overall experience was underwhelming, and we wouldn’t come back.
Apr 26, 2020
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Rated by twb0392 from Wisconsin

4.53/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
This place had a large craft beer selection before that was popular. Perfect shithole, this was my grad school hang.
Feb 05, 2015
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Reviewed by Florida_SC_Trojan from Florida

3.61/5  rDev -14.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Let me start off by saying please do not order any bottles in this place. This is the place where expired beer comes to live in the coolers.. I would only drink draft beer in this place, because they move through the kegs fairly quickly. This is a dive bar that reeks of smoke that has a pretty decent selection of beer. Do not drink here unless you love secondhand smoke or smoke yourself. Lots of cool beer signs and neons that don't work.
Feb 19, 2013
Photo of ClintGrice
Reviewed by ClintGrice

4.48/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
I have been going to The Leon Pub since I was 21, At 30 I still love this place. I rarely wait more than a couple of minutes for service, the selection is large enough that I still haven't been able to try all of the beers, and they fairly often will get new selections. I could see the smoking being a negative for some, though I'm a smoker so it really doesn't bother me. A lot of the reviews on here state that it is cash only, but this is no longer true. They now take credit and debit. The other turn off this place may have is that it's not very big, though they did recently acquire an addition which helps with the place being so crowded. have also never had a parking issue, as their is a bank across the street that doesn't tow after normal banking hours. If you are ever in Tallahassee I highly recommend checking this place out. It's always a good time, and there's always good beer.
May 15, 2012
Photo of jucifer1818
Reviewed by jucifer1818 from Florida

4.56/5  rDev +7.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
This place is the definition of a diamond in the rough.

from every appearance its fits the definition of a dive bar from the outside, looking very dreary with only 4 parking spaces in front of it located in a alley off of one of the main streets of Tallahassee.

however, just go inside and it feels like home. their are antiques everywhere as well as old broken Arcade machines and a jukebox. its is a very high quality place to sit down with friends and to enjoy a beer.

and O the beers they have! such a large selection.. when you see the menu your surprised that such a small bar can have so many beers ready to order.

they range in price, with some being more than others, but their is something for everyone at this establishment.

If you love holes in the wall, yet expect some quality to your atmosphere, this is the place to be.

HOWEVER... this place is VERY annoying to find a parking sport for...its only has about 4-6 spaces in front and everywhere around it towes. If it had more accessible parking it would be a truly amazing bar.

If you live in Tallahssee, you owe it to yourself to go to Leon pub at least once.
Jan 02, 2012
Photo of Chincino
Reviewed by Chincino from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Ahhh the good ol' Leon Pub in Tallahassee. This was one of my favorite dive bars in Tallahassee. Like other reviewers have noted, it was a deterrent that smoking is allowed in Leon Pub and there always seemed to be clouds of smoke in the place. This place was referred to by some as the "beer heaven" of Tallahassee.

The atmosphere was definitely that of a dive bar-crowded, loud music from the jukebox blaring, smoke, and always a lot of people gathered there. It always had a large crowd of both FSU students and locals alike with everyone enjoying some of the really good beer selection. It's tough to find good beer in Tallahassee and this place had the best selection in town with both the on-tap and bottle selection. The service was always good and the prices are reasonable.

It's a comfortable laid-back place to relax, hang out, and have some good beers.

I recommend Leon Pub if you are in Tallahassee.
Dec 05, 2010
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
My CS host mentions that his crash pad is nearby to a quality place. A Beer Fly search uncovers this place. "Hey, Woody, where do you want to hang tonight?" "I dunno. Leon's Pub?" "Hell yeah, that's the place, man!" Pizza five blocks away, Leon's two blocks away, no wonder he digs the neighborhood.

It was on East Sixth Avenue, just down from North Monroe Street, next to Payday Loans. As we pulled up, the signage on the corner of the parking lot did not reveal much, but all of the neon was on the front of the building, a dead give-away. Entering, a short pathway with huge Heineken and PBR signage in the overhead led to the long, "U"-shaped, laminated blonde wood bar. Four banks of two-doored coolers full of bottles constituted the back bar. I counted seven (7) towers of taps on the bar, plus another wall of taps against the back left wall. Two blue-green felt pool tables sat in the center of the space with a couple of old pinball games at a button-hook right of the entry. Seating was mostly booths along the right wall, along with a few circular tables with chairs against the front wall. Lots of vintage signage throughout, esp. Stroh's. NO T.V. monitors! Lavs in back right corner. Cash only. Eclectic collection of stuff. Not as busy as at Chiodo's (RIP), not as dark as Delilah's, somewhere in between. A keeper if you are in the area, but a special trip? Probably not.

Mom: Noooo! Too dark, too smoky, too much like a bar and nothing else.
Dec 18, 2009
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Reviewed by jwitzleben from North Carolina

4.44/5  rDev +5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
Great beer selection something like 30 drafts, maybe 100 bottles. When I lived in Tallahassee I lived at Leon's. A negative for me is the smoking, especially when you are drinking really god beers. I brought my friends from Canada in and they loved the selection of Unibroue. Now that I live in Asheville I remember how nice it was to get good beer in pitchers. Also great jukebox with nothing past '79. Leon's has a special place in my heart they showed me what good beer is, in a town know for its Bud and Bud Lite drinkers. Don't forget to come with cash, it is cash only.
Oct 22, 2009
Photo of jda007
Reviewed by jda007 from Florida

4.45/5  rDev +5.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
Ahh the Leon Pub. Many nights have been spent playing darts over an IPA here.

The only negative is that smoking is allowed. The abundance of smoke in the air impacts the aroma and flavor of the beer in a terrible way.

The beer selection is excellent. The staff know their beer and are always up for giving a recommendation without being arrogant (I'm looking at you Liquor Loft/Proof!)

The new expansion is nice - high tops, a plasma, and some couches make the Leon seem a bit more relaxing when you want to escape the noise of the main room.

Overall, excellent. I try to stop in as much as possible.
Apr 02, 2009
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Reviewed by TheChauffeur1 from Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
This is a no thrills down in the dirt bar with smoking. That said I loved it. Our couch surfing hosts brought us there and we had a blast. Knowledgeable bartenders and a great selection of bottles. Lacking in the tap department, but that was ok with me. I think the list was five pages around 300 beers, enough to keep me happy. Parking good luck, room good luck. Tight squeeze with pool going on and several arcade games. All the people were very cool. But in Tallahassee I think this is the only game in town. Also you will not wait long for a refill. Later
Feb 20, 2009
Photo of hmf05
Reviewed by hmf05 from Colorado

4.88/5  rDev +15.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
ahh, the leon pub. the only place in tallahassee to get some craft beer variety. if you don't like smoking or if you want a bud light, this place isn't for you. the bar is relatively small but not too small. there's a pool table (might be 2) and a juke box that plays a few classics. there are some classic pinball and arcade games but i don't think they actually work. with hundred of beers available, you can't go wrong. i go there every few weeks or so and i definitely recommend it to people that want some good beer.
Feb 07, 2009
Photo of c28nole
Reviewed by c28nole from Florida

3.94/5  rDev -6.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 5
Best bar for Tallahassee beer lovers. Fantastic selection, both on tap and in the bottle.

The prices are reasonable, about $3 to $4.50 for most everything.

Service is good for what they have to deal with. A lot of people come in and don't know what they want and are overwhelmed by the menu, but the staff is good at handling questions and making recommendations. It is cash only, which can be a pain in the ass for some.

One negative, at least for me, is the smokiness. Since no food is served, smoking is allowed. But I like it so much that I don't mind smelling like a chain smoker after I leave.

Good place to have a beer with friends.
Jul 11, 2008
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Reviewed by Getinthevan from Illinois

4.34/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5
Went out for a drink last night to the Leon Pub and not only was it great, I was amazed for how small this place is, they pack in a whole lotta beer!

The atmosphere was great. There were beer caricatures strewn all over the place, two pool tables, an old Galaga machine, and millions of beer signs and newspaper clippings everywhere: the way a true bar really should be.

Service was awesome. The bartender recommended me some great beers to try and they were very helpful and assertive.

Selection was crazy! They must've had at least over 200 beers, just for the U.S. alone! Either way, the Pub had a ton of microbrews that I definitely want to try the next time I go and they're pretty cheap too!

Value was awesome. Most of the beeers were $3 a piece...and there were some awesome ones too! Compared to other bars who like to overcharge the micros, The Leon Pub is a steal. What a great place to go, seriously!
Jun 15, 2008
Photo of weisenguy
Reviewed by weisenguy from Florida

4.7/5  rDev +11.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
I was very impressed with this pub. It is kinda in the middle of nowhere and there isn't much parking, but it is by far the best bar for craft beers in Tallahassee. This place has one hell of a menu of hundreds of beers separated by what country their from. The bartenders are always knowledgeable of what they have, what they are getting, and what they can order special for you if you ask them. I think the greatest thing about this pub is even though it is quite small it is never crowded. It is almost as if no one knows about it. Even when it is pretty full it's always full of a good quality of people, because thats the kind of people that know about it and go there often. Overall I'd say it is about the best pub I've ever been to in selection and atmosphere.
Mar 06, 2008
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Reviewed by nycjaacks from Florida

4.6/5  rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
The Leon Pub, as stated before is the best “beer bar” in Tallahassee, which is a pretty bold statement considering Tallahassee is a college town. The selection is outstanding and the service is good. My biggest complaint is the excessive amount of smoke, yes I know “if you don’t like it go home”. They actually advertise the fact that you can smoke in the bar. That being said, it’s still the best place to find great beer on tap and in the bottle.

The atmosphere is tolerable; you can actually carry on a conversation with the person sitting next to you and even play some darts. It’s a great place to sit, sip and converse with a small group of friends.

The bar itself is pretty small but for some strange reason it never really seems crowded, the last time I went there was probably about 50 people and it was still comfortable, it’s a small place.

The parking is bad but if you can find a spot without getting towed you’re doing pretty well.
Jul 26, 2007
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Reviewed by BucBasil from Rwanda

4.14/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
This is the first bar I ever saw in Tallahasssee that didn't serve "buckets o beer" or gallons of Natty Light, and that's a good thing. A nice, down to earth bar with a great selection is hard to come by in a college town like Tallahassee.

Atmosphere: Small but cozy with beer memorabilia everywhere. Cleaner than your average bar. The centerpiece of the entire establishment (other than the bar) is what looks like the front of a train with "LEON" in bold red letters across the front. Several booths and tables around a couple of pool tables. Good music selection. The focus is definitely on your drink and your friends.

Quality/Service: I never wait more than a couple of minutes, even at their busiest. The staff is friendly and helpful, and aren't snobs. Since this was my first foray into the world of beers that don't start with Bud, Miller, or Natural, they were very understanding and helpful.

Selection: I was handed a menu with wall to wall text for 4 pages. Overall I think they have over 250 different beers there. I got a Spaten Optimator on tap (one of about 45 draught beers) my first time. Perfect pour as well.

This was the establishment that got me into the world of good beers, and I can't thank them enough for that. Leon's is a place to which I will be returning again and again.
Apr 21, 2007
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Reviewed by FenwaySquid from Florida

4.14/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
The Leon Pub is a rather small bar off Monroe St in Tallahassee. From the outside it looks like a hole in the wall dive bar.

Atmosphere: The atmosphere is that of a blue-collar bar with a mix of working people and some college kids. Simply put, this isn't a place to get all dressed up for. There are a few pool tables in the middle and some video games off to the side. There are old beer tap handles and breweriana all over the place.

Quality/service: No complaints here. There was one bartender handling the place and even though it was crowded I never waited too long.

Selection: Excellent. I counted aroud 45 taps, of which only 10% were out. Draft selection varied from Coors Light to Youngs double chocolate stout, and I think some Belgians as well. The bottle menu was broken down by country, then alphabetically. They had well over 100 different bottles, everything from Unibroue to Schlitz in a can. Prices were decent.

Food: I didn't see a kitchen or food menu.

Overall: If you're in Tallahassee for any reason visiting this place is a must. I could do without all the smoke, but that's a small complaint.
Oct 23, 2006
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Reviewed by IPAcraig from Tennessee

4.3/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Simply the best bar in Tallahassee. Small bar with great atmosphere and the best selection of beer in Tallahassee. They have approximately 40-50 taps, and another 150 bottles or so. They could have a few more Belgians on the menu (only about 10) but hey, its tallahassee. Their jukebox selection is a little slim, but they do have old school arcade games; like Galaga. Tons of old beer memorabilia decorate the place, including a wall of Strohs mirrors from different states.

It does get a bit too smokey in there at times, and the owner is reluctant to change anything; but it is the best we got in Tally.
Sep 30, 2006
Photo of Jredner
Reviewed by Jredner from Florida

3.73/5  rDev -11.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4
I used to go to The Leon a few times a week when I was in Tally. It’s been years. What PorterPounder mentioned about towing....VERY TRUE. They got me once. Then they got me again another time when I parked at a nearby Dunkin Donuts. Tiny as mentioned, but it has immense character and a great selection.

It sounds like the selection has actually grown from when I was there, but that is only a good thing. I really need to get back up to Tally and see how things have changed in the 10 years since I left. Lest i know I can find someplace to have a beer.
Jan 18, 2006
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Reviewed by jerryj from Japan

4.58/5  rDev +8.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
This is absolutely one of the best places to go in Tallahassee for beer. Leon Pub is a little hole-in-the-wall place right behind Dunkin' Donuts on Monroe St (US27). Fantastic beer selection (they have a menu listing what they have) with quite a number of beers on tap (some of my favourite beers on tap include Maudite, Young's Double Chocolate Stout, and Franziskaner Dunkel). Prices are very reasonable, usually averaging about $3-$3.25 per pint/bottle. The staff is rather friendly and definitely know their beers. They are quite capable of making suggestions if you're looking to try something new. The only thing I don't really like about the place is that it's cash only (who carries cash these days?), but I guess it's a blessing in disguise, as you don't end up racking up a tab bigger than you meant to when you came in. Also, the place does get rather smokey, so be prepared to come out smelling like an ashtray. Other than that, great atmosphere, friendly staff, wonderful beer selection, and reasonable prices make this a great place to go for beer in Tallahassee.
Nov 14, 2005
Photo of PorterPounder
Reviewed by PorterPounder from Florida

4/5  rDev -5.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
The Leon Pub is half of a converted convenience store that splits the other half (and its tiny parking lot) with a used car dealer - so it is quite small - but do not let that deter you. They have at last count 42 beers and ciders on tap - everything form PBR to Fuller's London Porter to Corsendock. They have bottled beer from at least 30 countries with a decent selection of beers from Belgium, Germany, England and assorted other countries. They also have a decent selection of wine - but no liquor. Prices are reasonable - average about $3.00 a bottle or pint for tap beers. Cash only and no tabs - pay as you go! One of the only places in Tallahassee that still allows smoking because of the new law - so it does get rather smoky. Also - pay attention to the signs on the door indicating where it is safe to park - they will tow!

The staff (usually one bartender) are fairly knowledgeable of beer - not in a beer-geek kind of way - but they know what they are talking about. One day a girl came in and asked for a "Corona with a lime" and the female bartender promptly and curtly replied - "we don't carry beer with fruit in it". Also - no Miller or AB products - but they do have Coors Light for some reason. Give it a try if you are in the area - the best way to find it - look for the Dunkin Donuts on Monroe Street (US 27) and it is right behind there.
Aug 08, 2003
The Leon Pub in Tallahassee, FL
Place rating: 4.23 out of 5 with 22 ratings