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The Publick House
1648 Beacon St
Brookline, Massachusetts, 02445-2101
United States
(617) 277-2880 | map
thepublickhousebeerbar.com
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Ratings by micmillon18:
Reviewed by micmillon18 from Massachusetts
4.25/5 rDev -4.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
4.25/5 rDev -4.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Ah the famed Publick House. I have been here on a number of occasions, usually after a large beer haul and I feel I need to celebrate my conquest. Lets get on with the details...
The place is usually relatively busy, both on week nights and ends. Its designed to look similar to the Belgian beer bars and it presents itself with a fun and homely atmosphere. There are essentially three different areas to the restaurant itself. To the far left is a room with its own bar with plenty of bar tables and stools. The center area houses the main bar along with various different areas to eat. Finally to the right is the main dining area, full of tables of all sizes.
Unfortunately they don't do reservations (even for large parties), as I usually go there for dinner. Therefore, you should expect a longer wait the later you decide to go. However, the hostess staff is quite good and receptive. I've been told I'd wait 45 minutes for a table but then am pleasantly surprised to be seated within 20 minutes. They do a pretty good job on coordinating the seating situation.
Now to the important stuff. The beer selection is incredible; easily the best menu I've ever seen. Belgian styles are abound (both imported and domestic). Organized by style, the menu is very easily read. There are a number of beers for each style possible. My friend became a huge fan of Flanders red ales, a style which he was totally unaware of, because of the Publick house. Another great thing about the Publick House is that each beer is served in its own glass, specific to the brewery. This place has a true respect for beer.
The food is quite good, especially the mac and cheese and the fish and chips. Definitely get the cheese platters; they give you four or five different cheeses and it can be really fun to pair them with your beer.
The beer prices were on par with most bars, though your getting better beer here so you have to expect to pay more than most places. Food was slighty pricey but the portions were large and filling.
The waiting staff is great and responsive. Many of them are very knowledgeable on the beers and happy to discuss them with you. Waiters are quick and always pleasant. I havent had a poor one yet.
Overall, a great place with an awesome beer selection and pretty damn good food. I'd recommend it to any aspiring beer consieur or full fledged beer snob!
Jan 08, 2011The place is usually relatively busy, both on week nights and ends. Its designed to look similar to the Belgian beer bars and it presents itself with a fun and homely atmosphere. There are essentially three different areas to the restaurant itself. To the far left is a room with its own bar with plenty of bar tables and stools. The center area houses the main bar along with various different areas to eat. Finally to the right is the main dining area, full of tables of all sizes.
Unfortunately they don't do reservations (even for large parties), as I usually go there for dinner. Therefore, you should expect a longer wait the later you decide to go. However, the hostess staff is quite good and receptive. I've been told I'd wait 45 minutes for a table but then am pleasantly surprised to be seated within 20 minutes. They do a pretty good job on coordinating the seating situation.
Now to the important stuff. The beer selection is incredible; easily the best menu I've ever seen. Belgian styles are abound (both imported and domestic). Organized by style, the menu is very easily read. There are a number of beers for each style possible. My friend became a huge fan of Flanders red ales, a style which he was totally unaware of, because of the Publick house. Another great thing about the Publick House is that each beer is served in its own glass, specific to the brewery. This place has a true respect for beer.
The food is quite good, especially the mac and cheese and the fish and chips. Definitely get the cheese platters; they give you four or five different cheeses and it can be really fun to pair them with your beer.
The beer prices were on par with most bars, though your getting better beer here so you have to expect to pay more than most places. Food was slighty pricey but the portions were large and filling.
The waiting staff is great and responsive. Many of them are very knowledgeable on the beers and happy to discuss them with you. Waiters are quick and always pleasant. I havent had a poor one yet.
Overall, a great place with an awesome beer selection and pretty damn good food. I'd recommend it to any aspiring beer consieur or full fledged beer snob!
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Sheppard from Massachusetts
4.69/5 rDev +5.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
4.69/5 rDev +5.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
This place is becoming the venerable beer bar in town, but it's still the best, in my humble opinion. I don't know if it's because it's not located in trendy Boston or hipster Cambridge or Somerville, but the place is unassuming. It hardly ever feels overrun by neckbeards, besides rare occasions like the now defunct Hophead Throwdown. The place has a chill neighborhood vibe. The beer list is well curated and has a good mix of Belgian and American options. It's not going to have every style, but there's something for everyone on there. The food is excellent as well, try the specials.
Feb 21, 2018Reviewed by fitzy84 from Massachusetts
4.41/5 rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
4.41/5 rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
Went here for my birthday lunch. This restaurant is very conveniently located with plenty of street parking, walkable for downtown patrons, and right off a T-line. The restaurant is mostly wood decor with plenty of Belgium brewery and cultural symbols across the space. Our party was not completely there yet, but they still seated us, which was incredibly nice.
Beer selection was incredible. Lots of US and Belgium breweries. Also, there is the treat of Trillium being served at this restaurant. The staff who served us were nice, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about beer. The food, which was served pretty quickly to us, was decadently good. I had the short rib hash which was so heavy and good.
Overall, this place is a gem in Brookline.
Nov 05, 2017Beer selection was incredible. Lots of US and Belgium breweries. Also, there is the treat of Trillium being served at this restaurant. The staff who served us were nice, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about beer. The food, which was served pretty quickly to us, was decadently good. I had the short rib hash which was so heavy and good.
Overall, this place is a gem in Brookline.
Reviewed by SebastianMandeville from New Jersey
5/5 rDev +12.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
5/5 rDev +12.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
This place has everything you could possibly want:
VIBE - Amazing. On any given night you can walk in and hear The Roots station on Pandora. Very chill.
QUALITY - Very clean for a bar/pub. Some of the seats look like miniature thrones. Very clean bathrooms. Hostess will quickly wipe down a recently vacated table for you to sit, even if you're not eating.
SERVICE - Ask for a beer menu and it's in your hands in seconds. Very friendly employees.
SELECTION - Best I've seen in the Boston area. Multiple choices by Trillium (including one that they brewed specifically for Publick House if you're fortunate enough to go when it's on tap) and Night Shift. Lots of Belgian choices as well. Bottles, cans...can't go wrong here.
FOOD - Didn't get a chance to test out the food, but by all accounts it's very good.
Outstanding place to grab a couple beers. The only mark against it would be that the crowd can be a little young. However, that is certainly not the establishment's fault and it's a big enough place that you can shift over to one of their other rooms if things get rambunctious.
May 30, 2017VIBE - Amazing. On any given night you can walk in and hear The Roots station on Pandora. Very chill.
QUALITY - Very clean for a bar/pub. Some of the seats look like miniature thrones. Very clean bathrooms. Hostess will quickly wipe down a recently vacated table for you to sit, even if you're not eating.
SERVICE - Ask for a beer menu and it's in your hands in seconds. Very friendly employees.
SELECTION - Best I've seen in the Boston area. Multiple choices by Trillium (including one that they brewed specifically for Publick House if you're fortunate enough to go when it's on tap) and Night Shift. Lots of Belgian choices as well. Bottles, cans...can't go wrong here.
FOOD - Didn't get a chance to test out the food, but by all accounts it's very good.
Outstanding place to grab a couple beers. The only mark against it would be that the crowd can be a little young. However, that is certainly not the establishment's fault and it's a big enough place that you can shift over to one of their other rooms if things get rambunctious.
Reviewed by EdwardAbbey from Washington
4.6/5 rDev +3.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
4.6/5 rDev +3.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
One of the places I always visit when I go home to Boston. The well-curated mix of first-rate local, domestic, and international beer, and the pleasant vibe and knowledgeable service, make this a must-visit for any beer geek in Beantown.
Apr 03, 2017Rated by Kmadnesss from Massachusetts
4.5/5 rDev +1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +1.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
One of the best beer bars in the Boston area for a nice selection of Belgiums and Belgium food!
Jan 25, 2017Rated by Sammy from Canada (ON)
4.14/5 rDev -7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4
4.14/5 rDev -7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4
major league bar. 40 taps. mostly as good as available in the city. brian is a major league bartender. fresh andgreat variant of styles.
Aug 23, 2016Reviewed by DMcGirr from Massachusetts
4.48/5 rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
4.48/5 rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
Great selection of beers, especially of the Belgian and Belgian-esque variety. Food is significantly better than normal bar food, with highlights including the frites, short rib grilled cheese (lunch menu) and the Belgian meatball appetizer (dinner menu).
Aug 20, 2016Reviewed by socon67 from New York
4.86/5 rDev +9.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5
4.86/5 rDev +9.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Great place off the Green Line C. Two bars with one dedicated to Belgians, and the other an emphasis on local craft. Trillium, Treehouse, and others here. Great atmosphere to grab a beer. Would certainly come back.
Aug 15, 2016Reviewed by Abbbp from Texas
4.47/5 rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
I wish we had time to eat here, but we had time to drink and that's really all that mattered. Enjoyed the selection, got to try something different based on the bartenders suggestion, and of course they got bourbon!
Aug 09, 2016Reviewed by kffoster40 from Massachusetts
5/5 rDev +12.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
5/5 rDev +12.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
My go to spot in the Boston area. The beer selection is always solid with a good mix of American and Belgians... They rotate the tap list pretty regularly so there is always some variety. Typically they have Trillium on tap now since they scaled up production. In addition the food is amazing! It can get lively and crowded on weekends but still have never waited more than 30 min for a table which I think is reasonable and worth it.
Jun 12, 2016Reviewed by Sound_Explorer from Washington
4.41/5 rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.75
4.41/5 rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.75
A great Belgian themed beer bar in the suburb area of Boston. They have more than just Belgian beers or Belgian style beers available and on tap. Have a fun, unique bottle list of US stuff and some European options too. Food is more the Belgian themed but some pub grub too. Maybe a touch expensive but, if you like Belgians or just good eats and beers, definitely give this place a visit.
Jun 07, 2016Reviewed by Hyptochrons from Massachusetts
4.64/5 rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
4.64/5 rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
great selection. probably the best bar in boston... as a result it can be pretty crowded but the beer is worth it. food is pretty good too but lets be honest you go to this place for the beer selection.
May 12, 2016Rated by Macsimus from North Carolina
4.59/5 rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
4.59/5 rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
Great spot with amazing tap list and very good food.
May 12, 2016
The Publick House in Brookline, MA
Place rating:
4.45 out of
5 with
365 ratings
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