4. Restaurants

The Publick House

1648 Beacon St, Brookline, MA, 02445
  • (617) 277-2880
  • Store is closed

The Publick House Menu

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  • Steve L.

    Beer snobs unite! and empty your wallet on the bar and leave drunk, full, and satisfied. If that statement is your dream, then the Publick House is heaven. Frittes with habenero mayo for dipping, upscale mac'n'cheese with scallops, thick cut prime rib with beer glaze, to-die-for meatloaf. This place has everything except for a dead-night, it's popular, real popular, you may have to wait an hour for a table, you may not get a seat at the bar, and yes you may have to be a bit pushy in order to get your beer. That reminds me, they are geared only towards beer, with a large sign that states "NO PITCHERS", they do have whiskeys (bourbon, single malts), but "NO SHOTS" either.

    (5)

  • Sue D.

    This place thinks it's better than it is. It is always crowded. It's tap selections are diverse and they have a lot of lovely Belgians available both on tap and by bottle. The service sucks - so much attitude - good god. The decor indicates that it's some sort of Bosstones memorial - dunno... The food is odd. The cheese plate is good. The mussel pots - meh who cares - not bar food per se. The sandwiches are okay. Expanded bar area slated to open "soon".

    (3)

  • Heather H.

    If you drink beer, you must visit Publick House. Sure, it gets crowded and the seating is based on who can grab a table first, but the beer list is incredible. the food is good enough, but can be expensive. I was unimpressed by a cheese plate I ordered, so I'll stick to their burgers and sandwiches. I like coming to Publick House on a weekend afternoon and just wasting the day, but they have reduced summer hours, taking out their day hours! Sadly, they are officially off the official Beer Lunch (TM) rotation. It's your own fault, Publick House.

    (4)

  • Rob R.

    I love the Publick House. Fantastic beer selection, great chill place to spend a night chatting and drinking with friends. That said, I'm taking a star away for 'over-snobbery'. Yes, we understand, you have great beers. But whats wrong with liking a Bud Light or a PBR every once in a while? I know that they're crappy beers, but whats wrong with a light, refreshing, crappy beer sometimes? I feel like the menu and staff are talking down to you a bit, especially with the "No shots, no pitchers" rule. But, the Publick House is excellent, so I still HIGHLY recommend. Just be aware of the beer-snobbery you face when you walk in the door.

    (4)

  • Brenden L.

    I've only eaten here once and the food was decent but the beer is the draw. You will not find Bud or anything like that (though there are PBR tallboys). This place specializes in international beers (especially Belgians) and has a very wide variety of local and artisinal beer. If you enjoy beer for reasons other than that it gets you drunk this is your place. Try Delerium Tremens or one of their stronger IPA's. You will be drunk in three beers and you will have done your taste buds a huge favor.

    (5)

  • Ed H.

    I was very disappointed in the quality of the food that my wife and I got this past Wednesday night, which surprised us given the reviews on Yelp. I ordered the pumpkin ravioli, $16 for what came out as 8 pieces of pre-frozen ravioli that I literally thought was an appetizer, not an entree. I had to steal some bites from my wife's mac and cheese dish so that I wouldn't feel hungry. Her mac and cheese with brisket came out to $18, which I thought was overpriced for the small pan-sized dish it came in. It was better, but not by much. I've had way better mac and cheese elsewhere (Eastern Standard Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, etc.). I know Brookline is a pricey neighborhood because I live here, but our two appetizer-sized entrees and a $10 bottle of beer left us with a tab of $46. Add in tip and we're talking well over $50 for a meal that left us both hungry and underwhelmed. I will not come here again. There are simply other places to eat right down the road.

    (1)

  • Snowdrops C.

    Love the beer selection! I had the seafood dish - it was amazing. It's a cool place to hang out. The vegetarian burger is supposed to be great, but it was ok, we thought. But be prepared to wait esp Fri or Sat.

    (5)

  • Jonathan C.

    My girlfriend and I have been here a couple of times and the beer selection and food keep us coming back for more. One our most recent outing, we got two craft beers on tap from their extensive list of local brews. After enjoying our first few sips, we ordered the Moules Frites (Bot 2) entree size and the Mac and Cheese with asparagus and bacon. The Mussels entree was giant and delicious. The Bot 2 pairing of Allagash white beer with prosciutto was incredible. The Mac and Cheese was also fantastic. The cheese was creamy, the bacon added some saltiness and smokey flavor, and the asparagus added some hardiness and the thought of possibly eating something healthy. This is a great spot to stop for any occasion!

    (5)

  • Vanessa F.

    My friends and I have become regulars here. You seriously can't beat the mac and cheese, the beer selection is great, and the service is always solid. It's a bit loud, but that comes with the territory, really. It gets (unsurprisingly) pretty busy on Friday/weekend nights, but the waits are usually much shorter than estimated. Can't recommend this place enough if you're looking for comfort food with good company.

    (5)

  • Nate L.

    Love this place, great food, great beer. Vegetarian options, I'm a big fan of the Mezze Plate which was recommended by the waitress. The Monk's Frites are perfect for an app at the bar. Great atmosphere for dates, dimly lit and loud enough so you don't feel like everyone can hear your conversation. Publick House will continue to be one of my favorites and regular hangs!

    (5)

  • Chase W.

    The publick house would be one of t he best pub's in Boston if they could just keep a decent staff in this place. No matter when you are in here, th e service makes it completely intolerable. I've walked out of here more times than I can count, and I'll never go back. It's not that the service is just slow, its that it's NON EXISTANT. And when somebody does come over to 'help' you, they are usually pretty rude or careless. It's too bad because the decor, beer selection, and burgers are really top notch. Unfortunately, I'll be spending my time and money at the Tavern accross the street.

    (2)

  • Juliet P.

    Beer. They have an overwhelming number of beers. It's fun to stop in and try something new here but I feel it is too crowded and too many beer choices to stay here for an entire evening. Lots of different kinds of beers = headache.

    (3)

  • Mark T.

    Fantastic beer selections, especially Belgian offerings that are difficult to find on tap elsewhere. I only had frites and a cheese plate, but both were fantastic. It was extremely crowded, which means that there are quite a few others who also love this place. Overall, I would highly recommend the Publick House to anyone who loves good food and Belgian beer.

    (5)

  • Alyssa N.

    Calling all beer enthusiasts--the beer menu is longer than the food menu. I'm not a huge beer lover and even I can find something to drink here. If you can manage to snag a table, the food is amazing too. (It wouldn't hurt them to invest in a host/hostess to do seat assignments. Or even to assign that task to the guy who checks IDs at the door.) The burgers and fries are among some of the best in the area. They'll also give you a salad instead of fries, if you desire. Their salad dressing are OK- it's an area they could stand to cultivate with sometime more creative, but they are serviceable overall.

    (4)

  • Ashley F.

    2 blocks away and my favorite Washington square haunt. You literally can't go wrong with a burger and fries. They have a rotating beer menu that's amazing. The service at times can be spotty by the waitstaff but great bar service always. Great on an early evening or late night drinks.

    (5)

  • Anne F.

    I find publick house to be very overrated. My boyfriend loves it, but I always have a hard time finding something I want on the menu.

    (1)

  • Andrea A.

    The selection of beer is awesome. The servers also suggest beers based on your preferred one which is always a huge help especially if you're not familiar with the ones that they carry. Ordered the caesar side salad and mac n Cheese with lobster. The salad was super creamy and the dressing was on point. Mac n Cheese was also creamy and delicious. We came here during lunch hours on a Saturday and it was pretty busy. A friend of mine referred us here and said it gets packed at night. Service was great. Our server was extremely nice and helpful.

    (5)

  • Nomi A.

    Best beer on taps the right way. Nightly specials and fantastic guys who really treat you right and help with beer and food suggestions. Always happy to be here. I love this place!

    (5)

  • Guillermo M.

    Had a great beer and a great hamburger. Excellent service and good music. Would go back to try more food and other types of beer.

    (4)

  • Chrysanthe P.

    Incredible beer selection and a cozy ambiance. Come here at the wrong time, though, and things could definitely get cramped as the bar area doesn't allow for much standing room. My bartender was very helpful and even brought me a sample of a beer just because she thought I would like it based on my previous order. Definitely a good place to drink a few too many strong, delicious brews and hang out with a couple of friends (seriously, no more than two or else you're just being greedy given the limited space).

    (4)

  • Veronique L.

    What do you do when you arrive on a 12 am flight Fri/Sat? Head straight to The Publick House (or at least that's what my boyfriend and I did)! Place was pretty crowded when we arrived, but we and the three others in our party didn't have much difficulty putting in drink orders. The waiters were good about coming around to make sure we had enough to drink and to ask about refills. They also gave us a heads up about last call. We closed the bar (a first for me!) and when it was time to go, they turn on the lights and definitely let you know it's time to go.

    (3)

  • Sara M.

    We came here on a Saturday night for beers and dinner. At 6 PM there was about a 20 minute wait, and the hostess will take your cell phone number so you can hang out at the bar and try one of the many beers they have without stressing out about missing your table We started with the fries and garlic mayo and chipotle mayo. I liked the garlic mayo better. My friends had the meatloaf and the mac and cheese. I had the waterzooi; an amazing blend of tomato-cream sauce and assorted seafood. It was delicious, and a large portion. Grilled bread makes for awesome dipping. I will admit, the service is leisurely, but the food and beer selection are worth it! I love this place!

    (5)

  • Donna J.

    Usually stop by every time I have friends in town. Huge beer selection. First time I went I had the Brendoni. The pieces of short rib where too large for the sandwich, but it was still juicy and full of flavor. Disappointing were the handout fries which are much larger and had more starch than the frites that come with the mussels. Now I go with the mussels and frites every time. Even if you have a large appetite, go with the appetizer portion, it is enough, trust me.

    (4)

  • Caroline H.

    I live up the street from this place, and frequent it regularly, so I figure it's about time I post a reviews. This is my go-to place for food and drink. Whether you are out with friends, or on a date, you cannot go wrong with this restaurant. Atmosphere: casual. Medium size bar area that can get crowded (although I've never had a problem getting drinks). Some outdoor seating if you're into that. Warning: it can get loud inside. This is a bar, and so if you're looking for quiet this isn't you place. Food: Everything I've had has been fantastic. Mussels are great. Pork chop dish was amazingly tender with a hash. Fried calamari is seasoned perfectly. Never had anything bad off the menu. Dranks: Huge beer selection. Good whiskey selection. Staff: extremely nice, conversational and attentive. There's a reason this is my favorite Washington Square bar/restaurant. It's great.

    (5)

  • Simone H.

    As with any pub establishment you primarily are judged on two things Beer and Pub snacks. As a Belgian Pub establishment you these metrics translate to an extensive Beer list on one end [Publick house - check], Frites, and any dish that has the word "Belgian" preceding it [Publick house - check]. Staff understood the Beer list and had ability to give suggestions as needed [check], food was served at moderate pace. Outside seating was pleasant [however you need to order food is you plan on this]. Overall A-ok. Reason for two star was the food was mediocre. Frites are served with two dipping sauces, taste is fine, but unfortunately the fries are cut too short to enjoy them until you scoop them onto a plate with a fork which I only got because I had a second dish. The Brussels sprouts are battered and fried rather than crispy fried as described on the menu and it's just not working. It's not easy getting the consistency of a dish that deals with two mediums [steaming surrounds sprout with water, frying evaporates it] and these two were not meshing up, it tasted wet. Also the bacon-horseradish aioli does nothing to cut up the fat or flavor the batter wraps the sprouts in. My coworkers impression of the Belgian meatballs was bland. Overall - make sure you come with good company, as the rest is rest is just fine.

    (2)

  • Steven R.

    It's a fun pub, and the food is reasonably priced, but I didn't think it was anything special. The food was good, but not great. They do have a very large beer menu which is nice. There's usually a wait during peak hours, but if you're a party of two you'll probably get a table pretty quick.

    (3)

  • Massielle B.

    This place is amazing with some of the best brews in town. The good here is fantastic. You have to experiment with additions to the Mac n Cheese. Somehow I won a game of thrones contest there a few months back without participating. Basically I think they loved my geek out over their special edition Iron Throne Blonde Ale.

    (5)

  • George H.

    Quite good! Tried the Mac and cheese with some addins and the mussels. Favorite place in Washington sq., and I'll come back to the neighborhood just for this.

    (5)

  • Anna T.

    Love the Publick House! Came here for casual drinks/food with a friend and totally fell in love. The bartenders were super nice, even though we needed to rush out of there because we lost track of time. The beer selection is prime (lots of craft beers, which is the only way to go in my book) and we had the frittes (french fries) with the choice of two sauce sides (chipotle mayo and beer mustard, both of which were fantastic), really really tasty and a good size too! Very well priced and a fantastic ambiance, this place has everything you would want in a neighborhood bar!

    (5)

  • Howe L.

    Awesome pub. Extensive beer list, elevated pub food, and fun service. Nuff said.

    (5)

  • Rachel J.

    Okay, what's with all their weird house rules? No sending back beers if you don't like it because they cost too much? Our beer is never skunked? Way to be welcoming! I would have given more stars if not for this beer snootiness. The food was actually pretty good - Mac & Cheese was some of the best around and I like how they offer mussels about 5 different ways. The service wasn't great, but it also wasn't as bad as some of these other reviews say. Maybe they've read them and gotten the point.

    (3)

  • Devon H.

    I have been 2x times - bar once, tables outside once. Tables are fantastic. Our server was amicable and did not mind explaining to us about various types of hops. I ate the BLT with fried green tomato which was novel for the sake of taste (some restaurants put odd ingredients together simply as attention grabbers, not so here). Ie., delicious. BLTs are my favorite and this one is up there tied for, or the, best. Also, portions are very generous. Now, the beer -- best selection I have seen. If you want to sip down a cold one of quality that you have not tried, this is the spot. The sheer novelty and variation also makes it a fun spot for a date. The conversation over which beer to get is fun. Pro tip: if you are thinking 'girls do not like beer' a) not true b) chocolate stouts are liked by even typical non-beer drinkers. Sitting at the bar was also great. Service was nice enough. The bartender was busy and used the usual ploys to cordially hurry our departure. I did not hold it against him much as we had had a nice meal and had gotten a good if terse beer recommendation. Overall, a really great spot for a group gathering (at tables outside) or a date.

    (5)

  • Marie M.

    Great selection of beer, the waitress offered samples as well to make sure we would be comfortable with our choice. I had the mussell pot, which was tasty & filling & huge consdering I ordere the appetizer portion. Pork chops were well cooked & burger were tasty as well. Would definitely come back again.

    (4)

  • H T.

    When I start to miss Europe, this is where I go The beer selection is the best in the Boston area. You can get real German and Belgian beers on draft. The beer menu is much longer than the food menu. Don't order by price point here. Indulge in a 9% , or a cold Frambouise. (I dont think those are spelled right). You can get meat and cheese platters or a normal meal. I don't recommend the Zuchini balls, however. They are dry and bland. I havent had much in the way of food here. I ususally eat before I go there and save my money for the beer!

    (4)

  • Erin C.

    Its hard not to give this place a great rating simply for the fact that its just down the street from me. Fortunately, the food is great and the beer even better. Be prepared to spend a bit of money on the beer, but its so worth it. Weekend nights get super crowded and forget trying to get seating on Sunday during their trivia night. Great people watching though! The only downside...the service staff. There are a few great ones here, but I never seem to get them. The last time I was there I asked my server for a glass of water 5 times. I never got that glass of water. At least I had that great beer though. :)

    (4)

  • wsl l.

    A review is looong over due. This place is awesome. I love the atmosphere here - The fact that there is a wide selection of beers and that it's not warped with all college students is a plus. Ex: Sunset Bar and Grill. It's a great place to have good comfort food with a beer in hand. This is also the only pub where I won't be scared to order seafood from the menu. Try the mussels or fish and chips... it's pretty darn tasty and portions are big to share. ohh.. mac and cheese.. don't forget the mac and cheese.!! It's no 5stars because the service is SLOW and really can be better

    (4)

  • Brian D.

    Get over yourself. Wipe that smile off your face young man. Have a seat. Order a beer (pick any one of these like 1,000 choices). Relax. Look around you. See all those people stuffing their faces? See them? Yeah, well that could be you. So, order some food. Look no further than the pot of mussels and fries. Shut up. Just do it. Pick a flavor, try the Allagash and citrus combo. No, I did say shut up. In fact, stuff your face with bread and fries and mussels and wash it all down with beer until you have learned your lesson. Once you have had a good cry proceed to the bourbon list. Sweet, sweet bourbon will wipe those tears away.

    (4)

  • Nisreen G.

    And then cheesus looked upon the world and ordained, " let there be endless truffle, bacon, peas, chicken, blessings, and love (aka 5 cheeses) in your Mac and cheese. And grab a beer--don't forget your craft beer." I don't usually write a review after a one stop restaurant shop but I'll be damned if I wouldn't sing about publick house to the choirs. First off, the craft beer and cider list is happiness. So let's all drink to that. Secondly, the Mac and cheese complete with five different cheeses and endless levels of salty, savory, meaty, and sweet addins makes this Mac pretty much one of the cities greatest. While my companion made nice with jalapeños and peas I savored every delicious moment of my truffle Mac and found every last buttery crumb at the (now clean) bottom Of that hot skillet. The fried Brussels sprouts did hold attention well enough but when the Mac arrived, well, I can only serve one deity at a time ya know? Atmosphere was great--several TV's sporting the celtics game at night. Be advised for the kiddies this place becomes 21+ in the evenings so plan your night right.

    (5)

  • Dina F.

    The Publick House is quite the happening place! The food and service are excellent, and it's a fun lively bar as well. It is very crowded on Saturday night so be prepared to wait about an hour for a table! They do not take reservations, but you can mingle at the bar and order from the extensive drink menu. My boyfriend got the FISH N CHIPS and said they were the BEST fish n chips he'd ever had, and he does not use that phase willy nilly. I will be getting that next time we go! The Mac and Cheese is great with great add-on options! The procciutto comes in chunks and it's very good baked in. It gets loud in there so bring your yelling voice!

    (4)

  • Geoff P.

    If you like beer, this is a good place for you. It is busy, so if you go during a prime time, be prepared to wait 45 minutes to an hour. That said, the beer selection can't be matched and the food is delicious. Prices are fair considering the quality and care given to the beer and food. I'll definitely be returning.

    (5)

  • Sebastian Y.

    The food is phenomenal, the bartenders incredibly knowledgeable and the beer is incredible. Easily 5 stars and one of the best bars in Boston.

    (5)

  • Mike G.

    The mac and cheese was tasty, but more expensive and not exceptionally better than others I have had. They do have a good selection of beer, though, which my beer snob friend enjoyed.

    (3)

  • Kim L.

    When I think "The Publick House," I think beer and cheese. Oh, but it's so much more than that. Let me give you a short run-down: -The most exquisite selection of Belgian ales (bottle AND tap) in town. -Sandwich or dinner, it's never disappointed me. -Cheese boards. Need I say more? -Generally knowledgeable and jovial service. -If you've got the time, it's easier to get a table than you think, even if in a group. Things to know before you go: -Since you can't make a reservation, it can be a wait. You don't get seated until your whole party is there...and even if they're there on time, you still might be waiting a while. -You need to be in the mood for a raucous, dive-y atmosphere. No quiet dinner dates here. Bottom line: Beer lovers, come one and all. Food lovers, eat your heart out. I live in Somerville, and I make the trek because it's awesome.

    (5)

  • Cate K.

    More Belgian beers on tap than just Chimay, but not so many that you can't figure out what to order. The food is always good and the place is always packed and loud, which makes it more fun, IMHO. Go here on a week night so you don't have to wait too long.

    (5)

  • Di L.

    Excellent food, excellent service, excellent beer selection. Get the macaroni and cheese, it's absolutely amazing.

    (4)

  • Mike D.

    Five stars for beer, three stars for food, one star for please stand awkwardly around by the crowded bar until a table opens up so we don't have to make the effort to take your name down and let you know when a table is ready even though we offer table service. Would go up to four stars if they would open and serve us beery brunches in the summer, not just during the academic year. EDIT: went for dinner the other night and they finally will take your name if there's a wait instead of making you hover for a table. The food was better than the last time we were there (which was for lunch).

    (4)

  • genevieve r.

    I love the authentic European atmosphere which goes well with the awesome beer selection... I can get hooked on those Duvels! Jim, the chef, recommended their mussels (and I must say, I really never care to try them). I now love mussels. Thanks Jim! It can get loud in their but that's part of the ambiance. Everything else was awesome too! I take one star off for the hostess situation! Sometime they get such a large volume of customers, their system for checking people in isn't the best.

    (4)

  • Emily R.

    This is a great place to go for a casual dinner. Excellent food at cheap prices in a nice low-key pub atmosphere. Hooray!

    (5)

  • Trevor S.

    It was a Saturday and one of the final warm evenings of summer. A place with a huge beer selection and outdoor seating? How could this not be awesome? The hostess told us the wait would be an hour. Well it's popular and they don't take reservations. And it's Saturday. So that seemed fine. The bartender got us beers super quick, despite having a mob of people around him. A few tables around the bar sat empty. I asked the hostess if we could take one. No no no, she insisted, they're about to be taken. We got a table after a half hour. Nobody ever came across those empty tables. Our server walked us through the Belgian menu. Monk's frites? French fries that are the speciality de la casa? Yeah! Waterzooi? Belgian fish stew? Sure! Except the fries were soggy and bland. If Belgians do crazy things like double temperature frying or blanching the potatoes, it wasn't done to these. They were like thin strips of boiled potatoes. The Waterzooi had none of the delicious amped up ocean goodness of a good bouillabaisse or cioppino. It was basically tomato soup with bland fish chunks thrown in. The server heartily recommended the fried brussels sprouts. We love brussels sprouts, so sold! What we got were basically boiled sprouts that had a thin breading on them. Totally lame. They were 0 for 4 with the dishes we ordered. Give this place a miss.

    (2)

  • Scott E.

    The Publick House is definitely my favorite beer bar in Brookline, and possibly my favorite in Boston. A lot of the beer focus is on the Belgian side, but there is also a huge selection of craft domestic IPAs from some fantastic breweries. This is the kind of place that I like to wander into and see what is on tap. The food is also very nice. One of my favorite "go to" items is the mac 'n' cheese, which can be customized with a bunch of ingredients (e.g. bacon, jalapeños, sausage, chicken, etc). Also, the fries with the dipping sauces are great as well.

    (5)

  • Tony N.

    Went here for dinner with some friends recently. Somehow my first time here ever! I'm torn between three and four stars. Here's why: Beer list is amazing. Amazing. The place gets packed! Getting a drink can became insanely difficult. I get it; being packed means it's a good place. I just hate going out to kick back and then having to stress over getting served. Service is great. Bartenders have their eyes open for struggling patrons trying to find the bar. Waitstaff very attentive and friendly. Food is good. Just good. Mac and Cheese and mussels were enjoyed by all. Fries were horrible. The prices were ok. I think a little steep for the max and cheese, esp with the requires add ons. I'll be back but maybe for lunch.

    (4)

  • Alexandra A.

    Killer beers. Ridiculously delicious food. Always an informative and fun bunch of bartenders to chat with while sluggin' the good stuff. Been here a handful of times and I have to say, The Publick House definitely lives up to it's great reputation. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Jennifer J.

    I admit I can be something of a beer snob so I was super excited to find that the Publik House has an amazing selection of foreign and regional beer on tap or in the cooler. The staff was great at giving recommendations; I loved the Belgium beer I ended up with and my only disappointment was that I couldn't hear the bartender telling me what he was giving me. They also have all the right glasses to go with the different beers, which of course is always fun. I haven't tried the food yet but plan to my next time in town. The only downside was that the space was a little crowded. On nice nights though you could sit outside and not even notice the crowd.

    (4)

  • Margot G.

    Okay, let's break this down as though we were reading a sample exam answer from my law professor. Arguments for the Plaintiff (or Publick House)? -Overwhelming draft and bottle beer menu -Delicious mac and cheese, frites, burgers, salads, food in general -Fun pub ambiance -Best service in Boston Counterarguments by the Defendant (or against Publick House)? -The wait is often an hour plus -Pricey for Boston-crowd, though normal for those of us coming from NYC -Crowded and loud, even during week. Analysis by the Court (what's the bottom line)? -Publick House is worth the wait. The food and beer is spectacular and good service is hard to come by in this town. -It's also worth the price tag. It's just not that bad. We ended up spending around $50 between two people for appetizer, 2 entrees, 4 beers, and tip. Verdict? -Get your buns to Publick House before they close in the near future!

    (4)

  • Vinny M.

    Awesome beer bar. Too many Belgiums and unique craft beers to explore! This would probably be my favorite bar if it were closer to home. Only have tried the burger with the Dogfish BBQ sauce; very tasty. My friend had the Belgian Onion Soup... twice, so I'm guessing that was pretty delicious as well. Bar staff is friendly; a lot of places like this that specialize in craft bar tend to have surly bar-staff (see: Bukowski's), but The Publick House is a welcome exception.

    (5)

  • Sean W.

    I have been to The Publick House and American Craft at least a doen times since moving to Brookline and I absolutely love it (and not only because I love beer and I can walk to it). The beer list is top notch and includes the best Belgium has to offer, as well as a number of rare and special american craft brews. The restaurant has great decor - it's like the common room in a small european watering hole. Before I even ate anything, I could see why this place is so popular. It's a really relaxed and cool place to hang out, and we hang out for quite each time we go. The menu is not huge (certainly not as large as the beer menu), but there is a good amount of variety. Lots of traditional pub foods have a slight spin to them, upping their quality. I can't wait to go back and try some more!

    (5)

  • Christina V.

    The food here is amazing. I'm not a big beer drinker so I can't comment on that but my friend enjoyed hers. They have an enormous beer list. I was more interested in their Mac & Cheese which was to die for. I got mine with braised short ribs, caramelized onions and peas. We also had their Fried Brussel Sprouts (we were trying to be healthy lol) they were super crispy and had a delicious bacon-horseradish aioli. The reason for leaving off a star is because our waitress seemed to be high. She often went missing, it took FOREVER to get our check, etc.

    (4)

  • Sergio M.

    I just want to say that every time I have gone here the food and beer selection is awesome! Publicly house is a really good restaurant. It does get very busy but that's because it's a awesome Belgium beer and craft beer restaurant. I also did leave my phone at a booth one day after dinner, and thanks to the host who went to check on the table after we left found my cell phone!! When I called to see if I had forgotten my phone she said she found it at the booth and I can come pick it up. Thanks a lot!! It's things like that the keep customers coming back!

    (5)

  • Joaquin X.

    You like Belgian and trappist beers? This is your spot. Excellent selection of bottles & tap and wine. The food is expensive but very good. Fries are excellent. The mac & cheese is rightfully "famous" but for the price I can make my own at home. But I come here for the beer. There is a TV with sports but it is unobtrusive. Pretty young and hip crowd for Brookline. I've been here many times and never once had a problem.

    (4)

  • Mitch H.

    I've only really been for their beer selection, which is great. I haven't tried the food but it looks like your standard pub menu.

    (4)

  • Rebecca C.

    As I typically pick restaurants based off reviews, I read great things about the Mac n cheese. So the Mac n cheese is what I went for- and it was everything I wanted and more. I chose lobster, caramelized onions, asparagus and truffle cream. Be careful though because the toppings add up quick- my totaled $25. They have beers for every taste. The service was just okay- I don't know if our waitress had too many tables or what, but she was really slow and didn't check on us much.

    (4)

  • Ardavan S.

    Usually I am weary of bar food, because the concept of a place to drink usually doesn't lend itself to quality food. Publick House bucks the tide. They have a great selection of food (as well as drinks) that brings life to an otherwise dimly lit restaurant. Suggested Food: Order the Monk Frites with your choice of two dipping sauces. The fries were great, but the real stars of the meal are the homemade dipping sauces that could stand as their own appetizer. At times, I found myself eating the fries bare just so I don't compromise the flavor of the sauces. But of course they taste well together, as they are one of many delicious appetizers on the menu.

    (5)

  • Diana L.

    Deep Ellum used to be my favorite bar in greater Boston but this place has recently usurped it in terms of quality, service, & atmosphere. I have only eaten here once. It was today. My boyfriend and I shared an order of the moules frites (app size - at just 10$ - and was very generous!) steamed with Allagash white, pancetta (I think), garlic & tomatoes. OMG it was so good. The broth was dreamy. For 5$ each, we were both about as full as if we got a hefty appetizer each - so yeah, although the prices might be high, the volume & quality is there. The beer list does lean Belgian, but really not too ridiculously. You'll find your IPA fix here, as well as all new offerings from Trillium in downtown Boston (local goodness, order immediately). As of my most recent visit (today) they had FOUR different trillium beers on tap - only one of them a Belgian style, the rest hoppy. So for those that say the beer list is overwhelmingly Belgian, I disagree. What I really love about publick house is the ambience. Whereas Deep Ellum is constantly showing black and white silent films on their TVs (which I like, don't get me wrong!) Publick House will play soccer, and even WWE wrestling! They aren't snobby and in my experience the bartenders are awesome and friendly. And yes this place is ALWAYS packed! Part of why I never came for a while, but just start coming during off times! Get there when they open, or even 15 minutes early at 4:45 and wait. Or come at 12:30am. Or not on the weekends. It's worth it! I feel like this place is for Boston what Prohibition Pig is for Waterbury, VT in terms of local craft beer nirvana. Yeah I said it. Kitchen closes at 11pm by the way but after that you can bring in food from elsewhere and they don't mind.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    I always get the same thing when I come here: a small Caesar salad and crab cakes. I've never been disappointed! The salad is prepared as a real caesar should be, and it shows. This salad is killer. It's absolutely phenomenal. I've yet to be satisfied with a Caesar salad anywhere else since I ate here! The crab cakes are also fantastic, crispy on the outside and perfectly creamy on the inside, with no 'fishiness' to speak of. The remoulade is just sweet and tart enough to counteract the savory nature of the crab, and it does so excellently. I can't comment on the beer selection, but the ambiance and quality of the food is absolutely five star worthy.

    (5)

  • Matt C.

    -Things that are amazing: The beer selection, the atmosphere, the mac & cheese I'm a repeat customer because of these things. -Things that are almost amazing: The service, the mussels A little bit more variation here, but you'd expect that. Things that ar

    (4)

  • Kim B.

    Greg and I had been wanting to try here for a long time. We both had heard very good things about it, and knew we needed to check it out ourselves. It took many missed nights and my parents to come up for us to make it here. It is a Belgian/German type resturaunt, and when you walk in you certainly feel like you are in a different country. It has a great bar, that looks very comfortable to get a drink at. We were seated in the dining area, which was very dark. It did set a relaxed vibe, and made it feel like we were in the backcountry of Belgium. The floors are lined with old, authentic oriental rugs that are just beautiful that make you feel like you are at your Belgian uncles waiting to lie on the floor with your golden retriever puppy. It is interesting. The darkness was a problem... my parents needed to use their flashlights! A little more light would be nice (or I was too nice to tell them they were old!). It is unique, fun, different... Greg and I got the Mac n Cheese, my mom got a burger and my dad got fish. All of the meals were satisfactory, and my mac n cheese being excellent. There are many options to change the mac n cheese, so it would be fun to go back and try different combinations. So many things on the menu looked amazing! The beer and wine list is remarkable and very impressive... having many foreign beers. It has a great laid back atmosphere for stuffy Brookline, and it is a great spot to get interesting food, good beer, and affordable prices. Greg and I will definitely be coming back!

    (4)

  • Jayne M.

    Last night my family met two of our Boston friends at The Publick House for dinner. As visitors to Boston for the weekend we chose the restaurant based in the positive Yelp reviews. We we're not disappointed by the great beer selection, creative twist on pub food, or the (somewhat rushed) service. The problem came after that. My husband paid the bill and told our server it was all set (tip included- no change needed). A few minutes later, another server came by and asked us if there was something wrong with the service because we "only" left a 15% tip. Everyone at the table was speechless but this new server pressed on- insisting that it was her duty to find out why we left such a small tip. It was rude and embarrassing to say the least to be shaken down for an additional $6.00 and turned what would have been a nice dining experience into a negative one. Our Boston friends were embarrassed too and assured us that was not customary at other places in town. We won't go back to The Publick House.

    (2)

  • Lindsay C.

    This is a place I always used to harp on being great food but terrible service but the curse has seemed to reversed. I went in last night PSYCHED for their fish stew which I'd had there before and was fabulous. To my disappointment, the stew itself was bland and the fish were rubbery and overcooked. The service, however, has improved greatly, our waitress was very attentive and nice. Guess you can't have it all!

    (3)

  • Jeff S.

    Possibly the best beer place I've ever been to and the food is good too. I love Belgian beer and the Chimay rocks. I would definitely recommend this place for a 2nd or 3rd date.

    (5)

  • Catherine S.

    I want to give this place more stars. The beer is amazing, the food is amazing, the location is great, but what I can't get past is the attitude of the waters and waitresses. My boyfriend and I are obsessed with beer, and very knowledgeable on local and craft brews. But despite this, the staff still has this elite temperament. I applaud that they don't offer shots, but I heard about a sign they had on St. Patty's that basically spoke down to those people who order car bombs. We get it, you're a top-notch beer place. But there's no need to be such assholes about it. Let your great beer selection and fantastic food do the cocky thing for you, cause the menu and drinks truly speak for themselves!

    (4)

  • Amy S.

    I had been CRAVING their mac n' cheese and "made" my friends go here with me on Friday. Let's talk about their mac n' cheese. They use orrechetti pasta, several delicous cheeses, bake (so the edges are crunchy cheese...mmmm)...and you can add in a ton of goodies(veggies, meat/seafood, truffle oil, etc) to make it even better (b/c who wants a bowl of plain mac n' cheese)! It was packed as usual, but after putting our names in we went to the bar in the side room which apparently no one knows about (and I never noticed before myself) since we were the only ones there. Nice. They have a pretty good selection of beers ranging from around $6 - $10 and everyone who works there seems to know a good amt about the beers which is a plus if you are looking to try something new (which I always am). There was a very long time between when we ordered and when we got our food and I feel this is pretty typical, but you could always get an order of their fries (very good) which come with "unusual" dipping sauces. Or just enjoy your beer.

    (4)

  • Shea D.

    There is a sign prominently displayed over the bar that states "no shots and no pitchers," and if that wasn't clear enough, it is also included on the EXTENSIVE beer menu. Alright, we're off to a good start. No shots for idiot undergrads and no pitchers for the new graduates who forgot they graduated and have to start acting like big boys and girls now. They do offer liquor, but it is strictly a straight up or cocktails kind of liquor. Came here last night while visiting Margot G. in Boston over the Labor Day weekend, and I'm currently writing this review while she has her face inside a law book that looks to be 4 inches thick. Sucks to be her! I get to sit here and remember how wonderful the Publick House was last night! Luckily for us, Margot's apartment is within walking distance, so I'll be able to make this a regular hangout of mine whenever she's busy with similar 4 inch thick behemoths containing case law and commonwealth statutes (yeah, MA is a "commonwealth," which means its statutes are just plain WEIRD). Anyhoo, we walked in and they said it'd be about a 15-20 minute wait because the place was hopping. Took my cell phone number down, and we had enough time to walk across the street to 7-11 for a deck of cards and come back. As soon as we got back to the sidewalk, my phone started ringing and we were inside. The seats were still warm from the last two people at the table, but everything was clean. Now that's fast. The server came over and offered to let me taste a new Dogfish Head (still no luck finding Punkin Ale yet, boo) and seemed willing to entertain any requests for others. The Dogfish Head ended up being a peach flavored ale, which, while interesting, was not something I could consume an entire pint of. So I opted for the new fall brown ale by Sierra Nevada. I feel like this is kind of a copout given the nature of this place and its beer selection, but it was late, I'd spent the past 48 hours packing stuff and driving a U-Haul to the apartment and moving Margot in, so I didn't feel like being adventurous. I just wanted dinner and a beer. Oh, but I will be adventurous in due time. I will come back when I am feeling up to the challenge of exploring this beer list. They even pay attention to the appropriate serving glass for the beer you're ordering, so this is definitely a craft beer lover's paradise. Normally, if an establishment has a beer menu like this, the food tends to only be so-so or even kind of "meh". Not this place. I had the traditional mac & cheese and Margot had the burger. We also ordered a starter of their frites, and boy oh boy, it was all divine. And huge. Despite a valiant effort, we did not finish the frites, and ended up taking some boxes home after we'd obtained self-induced food comas because there was so much food on our table. My only complaint about this place is how LOUD it was last night. The music was blaring, and I wonder if that was just because it was Sunday night during a holiday weekend, or the bartender was trying to drown out an obnoxious group of yelling guys standing right in front of the bar, but we had to almost yell in order to hear each other. I've been here once before, and I don't remember that, so maybe it was just the fact that we were in here late on a Sunday night. The total bill for 2 pints of craft beer, a huge appetizer, and two entrees? $44. That's perfectly okay for this New Yorker. I'll definitely be back, and I'll be bringing some friends.

    (4)

  • Zsolt M.

    Great beer and food. Good place to meet up with friends.

    (5)

  • Dara C.

    I'd hate to state the obvious but you're PROBABLY not going to like The Publick House if you don't like beer. I know. I know. That sounds almost stupid to say because they've got a magibillionzillion beers in this place. But I'll warn you again. The menu says "no shots, no pitchers." And we were sitting next to a group of girls who asked for birthday shots, and I actually felt a little bit embarrassed. Like when Drew Barrymore eats a pot brownie and gets super stoned and dances sexually with a boa in "Never Been Kissed." It's that cringe-worthy to do so. So again. Do NOT ask for shots or pitchers. (And if you can afford a pitcher of fine Trappist ale, I don't want to be friends with you.) But for serious beer drinks--and people who like things that simply taste tasty, like myself--there is a fantastic, well-rounded beer list with some excellent, seasonal tap suggestions (which at the time included Delirium Tremens. SOGOOD. Finally, a delirium tremens I'm not ashamed to have.) As for the nom component: I've only had frites and a salad here. The frites were served with a great beer-y, garlicky dip. The salad was a non-traditional Caesar or sumfin like that, with a somewhat strange but tasty (and yes, rather non-traditional) dressing. Food was on the pricier side for a pub but cheap for the quality of the ingredients. I love that they have cheese and charcuterie, for next time. And mussels, for the time after that. Bartenders were nice, even though it was, and is, massively packed at all times. A little hard to get someone's attention, what with a variety of ladeez attempting (in vain) to nab some Birthday Cake shots and some veddy, veddy seeedious beer snobs sharing absurd and pointless questions they--presumably--ganked from BeerAdvocate.com . ("Did you know that the Dominus Vobiscum Lupulus has a zingy, lemon-y nose and that Mad King George liked to pour some down his pants?" etc. etc.) But really. A fun night.

    (4)

  • Anna B.

    I can't say enough about this place. Great beer selection, amazing food, good service. The location is great, right off the C line. Do yourself a favor and order the swedish meatball appetizer. Ah-mazing! Go there on the off-nights for really fast service.

    (5)

  • Esther W.

    The Publick House is solid all around. Have been wanting to come here for a looooong time for their Belgian beers and was pumped to finally hike out to brookline, crossing our fingers that the labor day weekend would mean a smaller crowd at the Publick House. We had about a 30 minute wait which was much better than we could have hoped for and were more than happy to study the very extensive beer menu and start the evening at the bar. The bartender was super helpful in helping us choose beers and most of our choices were awesome. We shared the Monk's Frites for an appetizer with chili aioli and truffle ketchup and pretty much cleaned it up in about 5 minutes. Came to the Publick House thinking it was just about the beers, but was really impressed with the food also. My burger was pretty good (not the best) but the variety of other dishes among my pals were great. Our favorite was the Waterzooi Aux Poissons, the Belgian seafood stew -- so flavorful! Other recommended choices were the very tender braised short ribs and the seared salmon. Next time, definitely will try the mussels and the mac and cheese which was making us drool as we watched others eat it. Would recommend coming with smaller groups and have heard of bad experiences with the long lines/wait on weekend nights, and you'll definitely put down more money than your standard pub restaurants but I'd say it is all well worth it!

    (4)

  • Mike H.

    Everyone wanted to be something cool growing up. Apparently, all I wanted to be was a fat kid since until I was 8, since I was solely driven to be a "Macaroni & Cheese Taste Tester/Critic." What that entailed? I really don't know, but I knew that it was what I wanted to be. At the Age of 8, I was told to man up and be something worthwhile that wouldn't kill me by the age of 35. So I chose to be a lawyer. What does this have to do with The Publick House? Well, read on. Anyways, I was completely fine on my path of being a lawyer until I came here one night with a friend since it was right up the street from my apartment, and my life was seriously rocked. First of all, I'm not really a beer person, but my friend was. Apparently he was in 7th Heaven. I took a gander at the menu and instantly my heart almost stopped (Either from the shock of seeing the Mac & Cheese spread or as a preemptive move from the clogged arteries). There was a list of add-ins. A LIST. Never before have I seen a place with a full list of add-ins to your Mac & Cheese. Oh the options before me. Our poor waitress. First time she came over, my friend asked her about a billion questions in regards to the beers. The second and third times she swung by, I was on the verge of a panic attack since I couldn't decide what I wanted in my Mac & Cheese. I knew I wanted it, but didn't know what I wanted it WITH. The fourth time she *cautiously* stopped by, my friend ordered the fish & chips, and demanded I just close my eyes and point. I went the little twerp route and pointed with two fingers. Came out with Andouille Sausage and Mushrooms. The wait for the food, (which wasn't long at all since I'm guessing the waitress was probably like "Dude, this kid needs Mac & Cheese ASAP or he's going to stroke out") was excruciating, but so worth it. My friend's Fish & Chips and beer were top notch and My Mac & Cheese was DIVINE. Definitely make the trip here. The beer is good, and the Mac & Cheese is to die for. I actually contemplated dropping the lawyer bit and chasing the Macaroni & Cheese Taste Tester/Critic gig again. (Yeah, I bet the other food is good too since it seems that everyone else was enjoying whatever they ordered.)

    (5)

  • Julia M.

    Great beer, staff are very friendly and the food is excellent! I had the famous mac&cheese (delicious!) and also worth of noting is the combo board ( great cheese!) to share with friends who wish to split a starter before ordering the food.

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    A favorite. A little pricey, so I can't go all the time. Good, and interesting food. Delicious Mac n' Cheese (try it with the asparagus). Also, the fry cone for the appetizer is always delicious (truffle ketchup = some kind of wonderful). Like I said, the foods a little pricey (mare than I feel it should be), but what brings me back each time is the beer selection. It has a monk theme, and they have enough beer to keep any monk drunk for at least a year. Go!

    (4)

  • Matthew P.

    I came here on a Sunday night on a whim with a friend. We had heard great things about it and decided it was time to finally go. We got into the very crowded interior and put our names down for two. The hostess was very nice and said it would only take 30 min. So we grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered a few drinks. I was very excited to see they had Delirium and a plethora of other awesome Belgium beers! We only had to wait about 10-15 minutes until my cell phone rang alerting me that they had a table open. We were sat down and eventually greeted by a nice hostess. We decided to try the potato cheese croquette's and the "famous" macaroni. We added some bacon for fun but there are plenty of things you can add. Maybe we should have added more, but that gets pretty steep. I have to say that I was a little disappointed by the food. There were only three croquette balls but I will admit these were the highlight. The potato and cheese worked well and I loved it with the mustard sauce. The macaroni I found nothing special about. It was good, but to me it didn't justify it's great acclaim. Overall I did enjoy the meal. It's a bit pricey if you are looking to just hang out with a few friends, but you can really get some quality stuff here. I saw a lot of people on dates and that's kind of the atmosphere it exudes. The staff is friendly and the beer selection is superb. I'd come back for more of a formal setting and some quality Belgium beers.

    (3)

  • Cecilia Z.

    I have a twee big stomach for beer. One 12-oz glass is enough to make me feel like a water balloon. So all the beer aficionados may ask: why the hell are you writing a review for the Brookline beer central?! Well, the answer is: THE FRITES! I love love the sauces. It's sooo much better that the recently opened establishment that claims that they have the "real Belgium thang". NOPE. the Publick House's got it DOWN. And mac and cheese and the combo board. So next time, if you are hanging out with a bunch of dudes who claim that they are absolutely not hipsters but only want to drink artisan beer, while you are only in need for non-carbonated stomach-stuffings, GO TO THE PUBLICK HOUSE!

    (5)

  • Derek W.

    Yeah, it's pretty tough to beat The Publick House. In case you live under a rock, The Publick House is a fantastic beer bar with quite the Belgian slant. Everything about the place screams rustic, laid-back, hearty, real, good. The beer selection is, of course, phenomenal. It highlights a wide variety of Belgians, as well as a great selection of Belgian-style beer and plenty of other non-Belgian, but still delicious, craft beer. The food's pretty great, too. I got the meatloaf which features not one, but two Trappist beers. Now, I don't even like meatloaf, but this meatloaf was incredible. The best I've ever had, I would say. All in all, pretty much everyone knows that The Publick House is one of the best craft beer bars around and a damn good restaurant, as well.

    (5)

  • Igor S.

    Great selection of Belgian beers. Tried all the three lambics they have in stock right now. The food was really delicious and authentically Belgian, too; although I had only appetizers as I wasn't that hungry. Reminded me of what I ate in Brussels (mussels in beer sauce, meatballs, charcuterie, etc). Really nice family friendly atmosphere. They have an outdoor area as well for a lovely day and people watching. I will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • George S.

    Publick House has a very good beer and food selection so I'm definitely a fan: HOWEVER: 1.) I do not know if this is a Brookline thing or what, no chance you can just sit at a table and drink without ordering food....until after like 11 or something idiotic like that. Its ASININE. I was getting together with a group of 5 people and we couldn't get a table there just for drinks. We left and spent a good chunk of change elsewhere. 2.) Their beer list is pretty good, but good hoppy high alcohol beers come in little wussy glasses. Sorry, I normally drink at least two or so 9-10% alcohol beers in 16 oz glasses. Not those dill-hole 11 oz glasses. I actually had a waitress go "Oh but you wouldn't want to drink one of those high alcohol beers in a big glass", and well her tip deserves to suffer for such matronly stupidity. Yes...bars serve American double IPA's in 16 oz glasses everywhere I've been, except apparently Publick House in Brookline. Oh yeah...their little 11 oz glasses are maybe $.25 cheaper than 16oz brethren and well if you go buy these beers in a store they come in "bombers" or 16oz bottles so STOP WITH THE PIDDLY LITTLE GLASSES.

    (3)

  • Nho H.

    If you are in the mood for some heavy carbs and beer, this is your place! From the endless amount of beers to choose from... no really, the beer selection is pretty awesome. I love Belgian beers and this place definitely does it for me. The Frites are a must get. Belgian style fries? How could you not want? You can also choose 2 from 5 different dipping sauce. I've had the macaroni and cheese and I thought that was perfect. Not too salty, not too creamy and right in my belly. This place definitely gets crowded so I would plan ahead.

    (4)

  • S L.

    I lived in Washington square for 3 years and would frequent the Public house as soon as I hit 21 at least once a week. Wayyyy back in 2004 they offered PBR tallboys and still had 15 dollar killer brews on tap (the best of both worlds). Fast forward to the extension, provisions and other smokehouse but not a smokehouse that closed and reopened as another overpriced joint..something changed that makes me not even want to go back for the half decent food they serve. I think if they stop overcharging my card EVERY TIME I GO BACK and remember that the residents, not the bc students, were the ones who frequented the establishment first they could make up for the other 3 stars I neglected to give my review.

    (2)

  • Brian S.

    Yes, the Publick House is great. But the sad part is, it used to be better. I don't mean the days when it wasn't packed at any hour (yes, there was a time) or the days when it was the only place around to get good craft beer. I mean the days before about a year ago when they lost their chef. Ever since then, I just can't bring myself to like the food. Aside from cutting customer favorites, like the Stoemp Saucisse, the classics that remain just don't compare. The mac 'n' cheese, in particular. It went from being a treat to being a chore. As the new chef has gotten used to the place, they have added a few nice things back, but the menu still just doesn't come close to what it was. For me, it no longer justifies the long waits, large crowds, and high price. This used to be one of my favorite places in Brookline. But sadly, in the past year I've only been there a few times and I don't see that changing.

    (3)

  • Kerry M.

    Good atmosphere. The Belgian frites are a little disappointing but overall good food.

    (3)

  • Jennifer R.

    I really, so really want to like this place. Their Mac n' Cheese is delicious, for sure, and they do have a great beer selection. However, the service has just sucked every time I've come (admittedly only two times). Both times, my fiancé and I were left waiting for ages just to be seated - with absolutely no apologies given. This last time, on Friday, we waited for nearly an hour and fifteen minutes just to be seated - a good forty minutes longer than they'd said the wait would be. The food was still good once we got it, but our appetites dwindled when we noticed that the group next to us horrifyingly had a cockroach visitor along the wall next to them. I'm sure the place is clean, passes laws, etc but this combined w/everything else just confirmed that I won't be returning. The sad thing is that we will be moving literally around the corner in September, which would ideally be perfect. Sad.

    (2)

  • Amanda G.

    I really love the Publick House despite the sometimes pretentious bar tenders and wait staff. I realize you aren't serving bud light, that's why I came, so you can start being a tad more friendly. I mean, I like great beer too. It's why I am willing to pay 10 dollars a glass. Relax. Recently I went to the publick house for a birthday and although we were a large crowd they were able to find us a table within 30 minutes. The fries are great and the dipping sauces are even better.

    (4)

  • Abhi M.

    Awesome place to bring some friends too. Go to the bar in the back. It's not as crowded.

    (4)

  • Lo F.

    After a long time of supporting this place, I will never go back there again. The staff usually has an attitude, but I figured they are just beer snobs. However, this last time the staff were exceptionally rude to everyone I was with, my credit card was charged TWICE, and two of us in the group got violently sick after leaving. Needless to say, we are done with this place for good.

    (2)

  • Melissa P.

    Dear PH, I thought I loved you Publick House, until yesterday when you treated me oh so poorly. You made me wait for an hour and 20 minutes for a table at 8pm on a Wednesday. Your server wasn't that friendly and the food took another hour to prepare. I still remember the good old days. Your delicious macaroni and cheese is like no other. You offered me eclectic add-ons (like truffle oil or asparagus) to my already superior mac and cheese. I always appreciated your giving nature. I have to admit, you were really good last night. You impressed me with the fish of the day (written in your crazy old timey Belgium print). My salmon was succelent, with sliced potatoes cooked in loads of olive oil and sprinkled with gruyere cheese. The dish was costly ($16) but worthwhile. And the lumpy gravy beer ($5) you served me paired nicely with the light fish dauced in a beer mustard sauce. I will give you another chance Publick House. Only if you promise to show me the respect I deserve. Tell me what beers go nicely with what dish. Act interested when I tell you my stories of climbing up a snowy hill in Munich to try one of your delicious beers that you offered to me last night on tap. And please don't make me wait around... because I won't. Next time I will leave your ass and go off to other breweries in Boston. You are warned my beloved Belgium bar/restaurant. Love, Me

    (3)

  • Peachy L.

    The poor service matched the poor food. Poor food matched poor atmosphere. Poor atmosphere matched poor seating and table set up. All around poor. We went there after work one night on a weekinight. As soon as we stepped in the door I knew I was going to be unhappy. It was way way to crowded for a place serving food. They weren't letting people who weren't eating sit at tables so most of the tables were empty with mounds of people hanging and standing around them. We were sat at a tiny awkward table near the stairs with people drinking all around us. If I was drinking I guess it would have been fine but trying to enjoy a meal it was not. We ordered our drinks and a cheese plate to start. I got my soda which tasted TERRIBLE. It was either the cheapest syrup they could buy or very old soda just waiting in the lines. Our cheese plate came but my bfs beer had not. It was by far the worst cheese plate I've had in Boston. We make it a point to go to places with cheese plates since I love them. Theirs was flat out awful. We had to remind the waitress twice about the beer before we got it. We ordered our food and it took forever! I don't know how since no one was sitting at the tables. When it finally came she forgot half of my bfs order, she never even rang it in! We didn't want to have to wait around forever so we told her to forget it. Food was meh but service pretty bad. I was annoyed I tipped her as much as I did. We left fast and will never be going back.

    (2)

  • Jennifer N.

    So, most people would say their favorite thing about The Publick House is the beer. When I was first going to write a review, I was going to say that my favorite is the cheese board, but I also like charcuterie and had not yet tried that platter. But then... I discovered the combo board! Best day of my life. I seriously want to eat it for dinner every night except that it would make me fat. But it might actually be worth it. I could spend the rest of my life sitting there eating the combo board. That might be an exaggeration, but I did actually order it for dinner two weekends in a row. It's so freaking awesome. Why is it so awesome? Cheese. 3 kinds. And prosciutto and paté and drysausage and... accompaniments. The fact that it comes with accompaniments at all beats any cheese I've had in a restaurant, but the accompaniments are also really good. Mustard, cornichons (pickles), garlic-currant jam (sounds weird but is good), honeycomb, crostini, and my personal favorite is a spicy pepper stuffed with cheese and prosciutto. SO AWESOME. The beer is obviously also awesome. Their menu is a little overwhelming (though impeccably organized), but don't fret, the servers are there to help! Every time I go there, I ask for a recommendation based on other beers I like. And every time, their recommendation becomes my new favorite beer. Who cares if it's $10? Not I, says the cheese lover. A good beer is totally worth $10, especially when you know you probably won't find it in any other bar in the Boston area. And even if you did, that bar wouldn't have a cheese board. Also, I live within walking distance, so I can stay until 2am and not have to pay for a cab home. You should be jealous. Did I mention that their fries (with sauces!) and mussels are also really good? They are.

    (5)

  • Trip B.

    I'll be honest, it's really hard to approach a review of the Publick House. I've been coming here for 5 years since right after the renovation/new management shake up. It turned into what has become my perfect Boston place. I actually asked a waiter on time if they could deliver a keg of Southern Tier's "Unearthly IPA" to my apartment so that I could bathe in it. I order the mussels everytime, not because they are perfect but because they are obligatory. I need them like the fat kid needs a spandex waistband or a supermodel needs nose candy. I prefer the more salty meaty mussels like the chorizo and tomato or the bacon and corn. After I slurp down at least two beers, one for the wait, the other with the mussels, I'll stick to the cuban. What does a cuban have to do with ambosia like belgian beer? Nothing except they taste too damn good together. There's nothing for desert except a delightful Porter or Stout but that is what Athans' is for across the street for. You must eat here. Too many good nights have started and ended for me right here. This is my Boston.

    (5)

  • Aditi R.

    Once visited and I'm a fan. I knew any place with a beer selection of over 200 would be difficult to not like. The place lives up to its website's name - eatgoodfooddrinkbetterbeer! The place usually has a long wait if you want to sit down and eat and there's a small bar with very friendly bartenders. Make sure you get there a little early and look around to see the various drafts available and the special beers being offered (which are usually up on a chalkboard). There are ample amounts of tvs for game watching and people of all ages and walks crowding the place. On to the food - The mac and cheese is their signature. It's phenomenal to say the least. I dabbled in the original and the the mac and cheese with asparagus. The asparagus was incredibly fresh and it was baked to perfection. I had the stuffed bell pepper - huge portion and incredibly good food for the price. My friends also ordered two different pots of mussels, all of which was consumed within half an hour. You can get an appetizer portion or an entree portion. And lastly, we also ordered a cheese plate which came with 3 types of cheese and a garlic-currant jam. Amazing all in all. My beer for the night was O'Hara's - a substitute for my regular, Guinness. The prices are a bit high, but considering the kinds of beers they have, it's not much to ask. The wait can be overwhelming, especially on the weekend I presume, but the place is well worth it. I would love to come back and try more. Great place all in all.

    (4)

  • Jonathan B.

    Been here a couple of times now, and each time they have aspects that are consistently good and consistently bad. Among the good things is the fact that the beer list is huge. For a beer nerd, this was great. The mac and cheese is pretty damn good, although expensive. What ultimately made me decide to never go back was a combination of factors: once seated, the servers were nowhere to be seen. It was a good long while before we finally placed our orders. This, in combination with the tremendous wait time made getting a meal a laborious process. Throughout the majority of the meal, our beer mugs and water glasses sat drained. The food is also prohibitively expensive. Delicious but expensive.

    (3)

  • Nicolle M.

    We walked over on a weekday night around 9:00 and were immediately seated for dinner. Great beer selection and (I kid you not) the BEST dry rubbed wings I've ever had in my entire life. Also got calamari, meatballs, and frites with chipotle mayo and truffle ketchup (to die for) off of the starter menu. The atmosphere was noisy and dim, reminiscent of a Belgian bar - bring your flashlight app if you have trouble reading in the dark like my father does. All in all, the beer selection and killer wings are worth going back for regularly.

    (5)

  • Lydia M.

    This is really 3.5 stars...Came here for dinner with my parents on a busy Friday night. Cool ambiance but WAY too loud to hear each other over dinner. The mac n' cheese was pretty average honestly -- very very rich and I didn't find the flavor super exciting (w/andouille sausage/peas). Maybe another flavor is better? The Monk's frites were pretty soft (vs crispy like I like them). I think the ideal way to come to this place is (1) On a week night when it's not so busy/LOUD; (2) come and sit in the bar at the back (quieter, cool vibe, SO MANY craft beers); (3) Come for the beer selection -- what this place is known for! I look forward to coming back under these circumstances.... **Note: Good for gluten free! Very much appreciated their gluten free menu for my mom with celiac!**

    (3)

  • Rob O.

    Great beer, and great food. The food gets a little overshadowed by the beer selection but everything I've had on the menu has been superb. I would highly recommend the seafood fritters and the burger (in addition to the well known mac and cheese), but everything is great. The only downside is it's a little bit on the expensive side and you usually have to wait to be seated. It's well worth it though.

    (5)

  • Zulu Q.

    Well, I did the one thing that I swore I'd never do. I moved to Boston and left a guy back home. I literally "left my heart in San Francisco." After two months, we realized that we were kidding ourselves with the distance and we pulled the plug. Nonetheless, I was devastated and my friend brought me here last night in order to cheer me up. So, I really did have to mention him in a Publick House review. See, I got his number the same night I got three other numbers. Of the four suitors, I honestly expected to like him the least. His first impression left me thinking that we were more incompatible than potassium and water (Look that ish up on YouTube. It's actually pretty sweet.) and he melted my heart. He obviously broke it too; but that's another story. Publick House was a similar experience. I went into the restaurant thinking that I would be miserable, and I was pleasantly surprised. Since I don't really drink beer, I assumed this would be a wasted experience. I also assumed that the food would be gnarly pub food. I also assumed that we would never get a table. Fortunately, I was super fooled. Publick House also has a legit booze menu and they're food is actually pretty good. I thought I was going to settle for hot wings; but I actually had duck confit and asparagus spears and my friend had roast chicken with vegetables. We both cleaned our plates. Though the prices felt steep because I've been living so cheaply lately, I considered them fair for the quality of the food. Despite being a Saturday night, we only waited 15 minutes for a patio table--an excellent spot for a warm fall night. So, while my heart breaks for someone on the other side of the country, Publick House remains accessible. And if you actually do like beer, this place is like beer Disneyland. Even my brew master friends back in California know about this place.

    (4)

  • Greg B.

    Unreal food! Everything on the menu is amazing. I cant believe I have lived here for over a year and just tried the place. Possibly my favorite spot in Boston over night. Definitely check it out.

    (5)

  • Chelsea P.

    There are so many reviews here, it's insane....here's my two cents. They didn't get 5 stars because of our seating arrangements (a large picnic table for my boyfriend and I and then another couple were seated wtih us, it was just strange). They got 4 stars because: we were sitting outside, which was nice. They are pet friendly, outside, which is awesome. Their mac & cheese and their mussels (which we heard are why you go there) were delicious and the waitress and wait staff were all really nice. Oh and they call your cell when your table is ready, which is so much better than yelling your name out or having stupid buzzers to carry around. My beer and purse are enough to have in my hands :) I will be returning!!

    (4)

  • Philip L.

    Simply put, the best bar in Brookline, and a new home for us.

    (5)

  • Elissa S.

    The Publick House has the best fish and chips in Boston. Don't think that just because they're listed as "Obligatory Pub Fish and Chips" on the menu that they're going to be plain and soggy, just like the majority of the fish and chips at other places. Publick House's secret? Well, it's not really a secret, but they put some curry in the batter, which makes the fish 100X tastier than your standard fish and chips. Also,don't expect to get a pitcher of Sam Adams or a bottle of Bud Light here.

    (5)

  • S. C.

    Went to the Publick House for the first time last night and was pleasantly surprised to be seated immediately. Unfortunately the waitress/food was not as prompt, and it took nearly an hour for our entrees to be served. She was inattentive and didn't even ask how our food/drinks were. Started out with the cheese plate which was OK--not much variety in the types of cheeses but I've definitely had worse plates. I had the pulled pork and my friend had the burger and both were very good. Unfortunately the cheese board was at our table the entire time and so there wasn't much room left, even though we had finished with it fairly early. Overall the food was nice but if I return it will be for the great selection of Belgian beers.

    (3)

  • April M.

    I could write a review as exhaustive and eccentric as the beer list is at Publick House, but in the interest of swaying you to get there faster, I'll keep it short and sweet, with a smooth finish, like so many of the amazing beers you might be lucky enough to try. 1. GREAT beer 2. LARGEST beer list in Boston (that I've seen) 3. BIG beers (if you want) 4. TASTY beer (no domestic watered down stuff allowed!) 5. MOUTH WATERING food 6. TANTALIZING meet and cheese platters 7. DOWN TO EARTH staff and patrons 8. COOL music 9. CHILL atmosphere 10. GREAT beer, did I mention that part? This place is just awesome. I love it. When Im in the mood to sit back and have some really good beer and nob on some tasty comfort food or complex cheeses with toasted bread, this is the first place that comes to mind. It is dark, cozy, full of aged wood and aged beer. No mixed drinks allowed. And please, don't ask the bartender for a Bud Light, unless of course, it's April Fools Day. A neat aspect is they make every effort to serve your libation in a glass appropriate to its nature - not those typical pint glasses at so many other bars in Boston. Don't try to steal them though - you won't be welcome back! Oh, you can spend a pretty penny on a single beer here too, so pay attention when you order! Stop reading the other reviews and just go. Now.

    (5)

  • Victoria K.

    Publick House has an incredible beer menu. I'm pretty sure that's the reason people come here. The food isn't bad either. Their french fries with garlic mayo is addictive! Their mac and cheese is a favorite among my friends, and there are tons of add-ins that can personalize it just for you. I had mine with chicken and peas, and it was really yummy. Another friend tried scallop and bacon, and yet another had bacon and mushrooms! All were really yummy. And I don't think a single one of us finished our meals, either. Not because we didn't love our food, but because the portions are huge! That's fine though... nothing better than leftover mac and cheese for lunch the next day :) Would you like a beer with that?

    (4)

  • Elmer S.

    I love this place! I've always liked the food at the Publick House, but my love for the restaurant has only grown now that my wife and I live in Washington Sq. The Publick House has become our local haunt. The beer list is excellent, and the food is great. My favorites are the mac and cheese and the french fries. You can customize your mac and cheese with a ton of different options, I usually get mine with pesto, bacon and mushrooms.

    (5)

  • Kelsey L.

    I have been here more times than I can count and I keep coming back because this place is really great with an awesome beer selection, knowledgeable and attentive servers, and reliably delicious food. It is super dark inside so you have to be in the mood for that sort of environment but its a great option the area. The food is really high quality and the menu seems to change seasonally which I appreciate. Definitely a good go to in Brookline!

    (4)

  • Catie C.

    I came here for lunch to check out their menu. Their lunch menu is not ginormous. Their beer list is ginormous tho! There is a slight stinky pub smell. The kinda smell of spilled beer absorbed into wooden floors. Not very appealing if you can smell that and if it bothers you. I'm curious of what type of cola they serve. It doesn't really taste like coke or Pepsi. Started off with fries. It struck me to order cuz it was Yukon gold. What irked me was the shortness. Majority was shorter than my pinky. It tasted good after dipping into truffle ketchup. Who can resist the flavor of truffle!!? Next in line was fish sandwich. Pretty good that it was not over fried. Still juicy and thick enough to have texture of the haddock. I chose greens with this. They were very generous on the salad portion. It also came with slaw that was delish! The ambiance was interesting. They left the lights off since they have ginormous windows that give in plenty of natural light into the dining area. The table we sat at was the chess top and singer seeing machine legs. Rustic on that part. Friendly service. The server was attentive to check on us every now and then. Perfect that she kept an eye on our sodas and offered refills when almost empty. Thumbs up for that.

    (3)

  • Will O.

    First time here, love the place. The server, Sam (guy with tattoos and sick hair), was fantastic. Definitely coming back here when I'm back in town

    (5)

  • Tamarleigh G.

    Holy WOW! Five stars for this place! Atmosphere: the inside was insanely noisy (hey, the Sox were playing the Yankees), but we were there for a special occasion (yes, dear readers, the Vegaquarian and the Meat-Eater have now been together for FIVE YEARS of love and happiness) and wanted a cozier atmosphere, so we chose to sit at one of the outdoor tables on the sidewalk. That turned out to be a great choice (ok, not that I didn't care about the game, but the Sox were already totally losing, and it really wouldn't have been very romantic to watch the Yankees win . . . ), very romantic on a beautiful summer evening. Beer: oh HELL yes. The beer was ridiculously good. If you love good beer and have not been to The Publick House, get thee to The Publick House and check out their beer menu. And do NOT miss the "Rules" section at the bottom of the beer list -- it is hilarious. Food: excellent. The Mac and Cheese was super (as pretty much Every Other Reviewer Ever has already mentioned). If you love Mac and Cheese, go here and eat some. The base mac and cheese is great, and you can add an impressive array of interesting things to it (standard fare such as broccoli, peas, mushrooms, etc., but also more unusual stuff such as scallops, cherry peppers, roasted garlic, etc.). Monk Frites: the dipping sauces are so good. The frites themselves were very tasty (and the portion you get is enormous, we did not even come close to finishing it even though we totally mowed it). The only strange thing about them was that many (most?) of the frites were very small. Like an inch long. So the only practical way to eat them was with a fork. But they were so good that I did not even care about that. The Meat-Eater had the meatballs (which he liked quite well) and the Fish N Chips (which was also a hit). He doesn't like tartar sauce or coleslaw (ever, anywhere), so I ended up (as usual) eating his coleslaw (which was yummy) and taking his tartar sauce (lemon-caper tartar sauce, so good) to dip more frites into. He liked his dinner, but I was too busy mowing the mac and cheese to get any more specific feedback from him about it. Suffice it to say that it was about 500 times better than the Fish N Chips at Jasper White's Summer Shack (which I've also reviewed). I also had a side Caesar, which was very good. Service: Other reviews indicate that the service is "hit or miss" -- I guess in our case it was HIT. Our server was fan-freakin-tastic. Her name is Sarah. Since I've only been here the one time so far, I can't comment on any of the other servers, but basically, if I were to try to make a Top Ten Servers Ever list based on decades of eating out, Sarah would be on that list. It wasn't even that the service was completely perfect (you may have seen the review where I rave about the perfect service at Biltmore Bar & Grill). It wasn't perfect. But, you know how sometimes when a server makes a mistake, they just don't even give a damn, other times they apologize, and other (all too rare) times, they not only apologize but also go way out of their way to make it up to you? Well, this was what happened: Sarah made a very small mistake (I asked her a question about one of the mac and cheese toppings, and she gave me the wrong answer), but it was totally not a big deal. But she felt really bad about it and brought us a round of Fernet Branca that I am not positive, but strongly suspect, she paid for out of her own pocket. And seriously, other than one not-very-important wrong answer to a question, she did everything Just Right. I kind of love her. I mean, she obviously Actually Gave A Damn about our meal and our experience at the restaurant, which already puts her way more than average. She had no idea it was a special occasion for us, but the way she consistently went out of her way to make sure everything was great would have made for a wonderful time even had it not been a special occasion. As it was, it was Sarah's great service that took what would already have been a great evening and a great meal, and turned it into one of the best meals we've ever had in the Boston area. A wonderful memorable anniversary dinner that we'll be gushing about for years to come, I expect. Beer Advocate calls this place "one of the top ten places in the world to have a beer." Food and Wine magazine says it's got the "Best Mac & Cheese in the U.S." The Boston Globe calls it the best beer bar in Boston. We agree. Go to this place. It ROCKS.

    (5)

  • Olivia W.

    Eating dinner here during normal dinner hours is awesome, especially when it's nice and you can eat outside. I had fantastic macaroni and cheese her, and my roommate had a delicious looking steak. They have Whale's Tale by Cisco, which is important, and the waitstaff is great. That said, I hate the Publick House for going out. When my friends suggest it, I always try and come up with something better. After 9pm it gets dark, really loud, and there aren't enough bartenders to serve everyone in a timely manner. In short: dinner, YES; drinks, NO.

    (4)

  • Liv O.

    Rounding up to 4 stars. I've been here more than a few times and have never had a bad food/service experience. The staff has always been decent and informative, atmosphere casual, the beer selection vast, and the mussels pretty good. The mac and cheese is worth trying and the outdoor seating is added benefit.

    (4)

  • Grotius M.

    This place is world-class--a veritable slice of the Old World in Brookline for beer lovers. Came here post-ACBF, and immediately saw that it was staffed by folks who cared about customer service and knew their products. Our waiter was terrific, and their GM (Jamie) was extremely hospitable. Had several Belgian-inspired beers and a massive braised beef sandwich called the Brendoni. It hurt me so good. Can't wait to return!

    (5)

  • Shelly S.

    Awesome beer selection and Mike(our waiter) was very knowledgable and helpful when selecting something new. Food was pretty good- your average pub selections however, the dipping sauces were top notch. I would definitely recommend this place if you lovvvvve beer. We will return when in the area!!!!!

    (4)

  • Allison L.

    VEGANS! I ask the annoying questions so you don't have to. Guys, there's pretty much nothing for us to eat here. The veggie burger has egg in it. Our very nice server explained that the chef enjoys putting duck fat and dairy in everything, even places you would not expect it. We can get fries and salads (86 the meat and cheese, which means you're overpaying for a salad). That said, the fries were uh-mazing and the beer list was good too.

    (3)

  • Morgan L.

    Beer selection is absolutely incredible, and the main reason to come here. The fries are fantastic and cut small, which makes for perfect dipping. I love "The Brendoni" sandwich - it's huge and relatively inexpensive and is so satisfying - my go-to menu item. Overall, my favorite place to come when I want to get a good drink and some good food. It gets pretty crowded, however, so come a bit earlier than you'd like to eat if it's Friday / the weekend.

    (5)

  • Lisa L.

    Excellent!! Chicken wing app was so delicious with the honey mustard sauce for dipping. My daughter and husband each devoured their short rib grilled cheese and my house burger was superb (especially with bacon horseradish aioli on it). Hand cut French fries. Great food. Relaxed atmosphere. And if you like craft beer like we do, the beer selection puts all others to shame.

    (5)

  • Debra G.

    Waitress: Impatient Ambiance: Fair--Not too noisy Drinks: I'm not sure you need to be a professional bartender to work here. Our mixed drinks were subpar. If you're a beer drinker on the other hand--how can you go wrong? Lots to choose from (This is half the reason there's one star) Food: I got a veggie burger and my friend got meatballs. He didn't like his meatballs, but was too hungry to return them and too tired to complain so he ate the 4 he had on his plate. The veggie burger I had was a shredded carrot and pea mush concoction of sorts that lacked any substance or flavor. I scraped half of it off and just ate the bread, lettuce, pickles and avocado i asked them to put on it. The best part of my meal was the french fries and side of pickles (second half of why there's one star). I could've gone to Wendy's for such an experience and pay dollar menu prices. I'm clearly not the only vegetarian in this hipster city--so why such poor excuses for vegetarian meals? It's not that difficult to whip up a black bean veggie patty that tastes even 2 star quality! I wanted to love this place and it fell short. Also, stop allowing people in the outdoor seating bring their dogs. I almost died tripping over one.

    (1)

  • Gino C.

    I was in town for a business trip and found this place while we were driving around. Wow! It was incredible. Beer selection is amazing and the food was exceptional. Our server was super-cool and we had a great time. So great in fact, we did something we never do when our team is traveling. We came back here on the second night. Food, drinks and service were just as good. This is a solid place. If I were a local, I'd be a regular for sure.

    (5)

  • Robert S.

    Great beer selection. But very crowded. I recommend meeting friends here for drinks before grabbing dinner at any of the nearby restaurants. Fun vive.

    (4)

  • Stephanie T.

    Do yourself a favor and get the mac and cheese. So many options and so delicious, I don't know how people can even order anything else off the menu. I also got the fries as an appetizer, and the portion was HUGE. Definitely enough to share for several people, with some great dipping sauces! Arrive early or come on a weeknight or be prepared to wait forever for a table.

    (4)

  • Caesar S.

    Great restaurant. Fantastic beer selection, food, and atmosphere. Service is friendly as well. I would highly recommend the frites as an appetizer (they come with your choice of two dipping sauces). The only thing I would change about them is their size - they are too small. If you're looking for a beer and a casual dinner, The Publick House is your spot.

    (4)

  • Steve G.

    Wow another great find in Brookline. Our waiter Mike was outstanding funny and very informative. Suggested what he thought we would like after asking great questions. Five of us so on to the food the Mac and Cheese with a plethora of variations was out of this world. The Lobster Roll special very good. My Waterzoo a seafood stew was wonderful and my sons steamed mussels was as he said all night simply amazing over and over and over again. I agree as I tried some of everyone's. Even a simple salad with shrimp added was great. Don't wait just go for some outstanding food.

    (5)

  • Dona D.

    I have lived right around the block from this ace for 2 years now. I thought maybe eventually I would get bored with it, but it just hasn't happened. The opposite actually, it's become like an addiction. An addiction to their fish and chips, lobster mac and cheese and Aligash white. I didn't even like beer drinker before I came here. In fact I hated it! The first time went in I told the waitress as much and she said she had just the beer for me. I rolled my eyes but accepted anyway. Turns out she was right. For all the non-beer drinkers out there, Aligash White (don't know about spelling) is the SH*T. The food has never let me down. However it's best to go in with the understanding they run the place like every resturant I have ever been to in Europe. The servers come when they feel like it and do not kiss your ass. Meaning? They treat you like an equal and not their master. I love it, but don't go in expecting something else. You know what? I think I'm actually going to go there for dinner right now...

    (5)

  • Jay K.

    Great location with an incredible beer selection. The servers really know the beer and can recommend something that fits you with impressive detail. Food is solid (though the menu is a bit small), especially the mac & cheese. Only issue is that it's very loud, even in the dining room. Some noise-cancelling panels on the high ceilings would be great.

    (4)

  • Brian T.

    Best beer bar in Boston (or Brookline) and all the food is incredible. If you're a craft beer enthusiast, then this is the place for you! The only downside is that it's always packed, but it's for a very good reason.

    (5)

  • Kate F.

    I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place before. I visited a few times years ago when I lived in Boston, and returning as a tourist was just as good. Came on a Saturday night with a group of six, knowing we'd be in for a wait. I really appreciate when places are honest about how long the wait is going to be - I'd rather know upfront than be optimistic and then sad with an overly short estimate. So yeah, we waited 45 minutes or so, but we found space to loiter near the bar and had delicious beers and ciders (so many ciders to choose from!) and watched football (ie soccer). Once we were seated, our server was super friendly and not scandalized by our conversations (I will spare you the details, but we had just seen Batboy, which spurred some topics that others may consider unusual). Everyone loved all of the food - mussels, frites, mac and cheese, burgers, brussels sprouts (oh, deep fried brussels sprouts, how I love you). More beer, more merriment. Definitely come here!

    (5)

  • Chase S.

    Great beer pub. Incredible selection of brews. Very helpful bar tenders. There are NO reservations so be prepared to wait for popular times of evening and days of the week. The food can be decent but is NOT the big draw. Most things are fried or lard-ladden. Beware the "fried" brussel sprouts -- they should mention they have breading. Their "famous" frieds are okay but usually come in small pieces. The real draw of the fries is the amazing dips. Overall, just come for the amazing beer. Did I mention the incredible selection?

    (4)

  • So S.

    Oh yes! Normally I would not be drawn to this kind of place as I don't drink beer. However, european friends love this place for their array of international beers. Greasy very suprising tasty bar food! Huge portions. I might just go back because the food was pretty greasy good.

    (3)

  • Abbey C.

    I love the Publik House for their food & beer. I hate the Publik House for its overly crowded and super loud atmosphere, and occasionally rude staff. If you are looking for a casual night out with a few friends, delicious food, and an overload of niche Belgian style beers (and more!) look no further. Order the Mac & Cheese with the gamut of additions of your choice with a Wachusett Larry and you have yourself a wonderful evening. Their burgers are great, and the monk fries are a must order for all! The cheese plate is pricey but wonderful. Don't go on Friday or Saturday nights after 6pm unless you want to wait for more than an hour and not socialize because you can't hear the person sitting next to you. All that said, the crowd is usually very nice and definitely tohlerable. My boyfriend and I go regularly and have not had a bad experience yet, but we do wish we could order to go (not an option unless you've been sitting at the bar having a few drinks).

    (3)

  • Julie F.

    This was supposed to be a 5 star review. The first time I ate here, I ordered the mac n cheese. I love mac n cheese, and I could live the rest of my life on this dish alone. It was an absolutely perfect food experience. The dish had the perfect texture, the cheese was tasty, and I scraped every single last piece of cheese off of the plate. My leftovers the next day were amazing. So yes, this was supposed to be a 5 star review. Except I went back two weeks later because I wanted more perfect cheese goodness. I ordered pomme frites to go along with them and they were perfect, crunchy, and hot with a yummy asiago cheese dip. Then came my mac n cheese. It was not the same as the first time I had had it. It looked like it had been sitting around all day and reheated. It was cold in the middle, and the cheese texture was absolutely disgusting (I reheated the mac n cheese that I had leftover from the first time, and it was yummy so I don't know how old this one was). The pasta shells were disgusting and too mushy. I really thought I was going to cry because I had psyched myself up for this culinary wonder that I had been craving for for two weeks, and I was served something else. The staff were nice about it, and they took it off of our bill. I am left scarred however, and I do not know if I will be back again.

    (2)

  • Joe R.

    I'm totally a sucker for a good beer bar, and Publick House has everything you need to satisfy me. Great selection of Belgian ales, all served in the appropriate glassware. I would move in here and suckle the taps 24/7 if it were socially acceptable. Not to be missed if you're a beer lover.

    (5)

  • gina w.

    so many people swear by this place and I do like it but the table service wasn't very good - maybe the waitress was having an off day?? not a great first impression! I do like the atmosphere and I do want to try the food and more of their beers ..so I will go back some day.

    (3)

  • Amanda G.

    The mac and cheese is absolutely amazing. I would highly suggest going there right after work, or early afternoon in order to enjoy it though. The waitstaff definitely leave something to be desired, but the food is worth having to put up with them ignoring you.

    (4)

  • Nosniv X.

    It's 1:00 on a humid, hot Boston Sunday. I've just walked a mile in search of this place and I'm dripping sweat. I can really use a beer to rehydrate, and cool me down. This is supposedly one of the best places in the country to get a beer however, on Saturday and Sunday the place doesn't open until 4. Any place that doesn't serve a man a cold beer on a hot summer afternoon loses a couple stars in my book.

    (3)

  • Maureen F.

    You know what? I can describe my experience of this place in two words since I don't drink: Crowded. Macaroni and Cheese. Wait--that's more than two word. Whatever. One is very bad, one is so good that I pity all lactose intolerant people. I think everything else has been said. If you don't mind crowds, order the Mac and Cheese...with bacon (if you're a meat eater). You will never want anyone else's mac and cheese again. Oh, god, the way they make the top all crispy and brown? You haven't lived. The way the cheese hides all melty inside the curls of the pasta just waiting to surprise you with its yummy goodness. You just haven't lived.

    (4)

  • Cecilia L.

    One of our favorite things to do on vacation is find the nearest Belgian bar and indulge in beers and charcuterie. So it's sometimes difficult to remember that we've got one of the best bars we've ever been to in our hometown. -Huge draft selection of Belgians, other imports and American beers. -Incredibly comprehensive stock of bottles. -Gracious and knowledgeable bartenders. -Extremely spacious yet cozy space with individual and communal seating - though this can be hard to realize because this place fills up so alarmingly fast. -Delicious food that does justice to the beer - fries, burgers, mussels, cheese, charcuterie, waterzooi - it's all great. -Very reasonable prices. A great time to go is right when they open at 4 or 5, before the rush begins around 6 and the bartenders actually have time to talk to you about beer. And please, don't complain that they actually want you to eat if you're occupying a table. This policy is the only reason people can ever get seated for dinner.

    (5)

  • Rachel L.

    I see the charm and appeal of Publick House, but don't think that it is worth all of the hype. The service was good. The food was okay. The beer list was okay (if you know a lot about Belgian or German beers, it could be good - I was just hoping for more options). All in all, I had a nice first experience at Publick House. Few complaints.

    (3)

  • Callan C.

    Love the Publick House! Dark, comforting and oh so tasty! Beers are the main attraction and there are so many to choose from. The food is also delicious. There are plenty of Belgian inspired dishes to choose from. All the sandwiches and salads I have had here did not disappoint. Also love the mac and cheese (partial to protein additions). Recently a few friends have gotten the trappist meatloaf and all have enjoyed!

    (4)

  • Sally F.

    PH has been reviewed to death, but I'll throw mine on top. I'm just adding another gluten free note here (I know, I know, but when you eat/drink out and are allergic, it's all you can talk about!): Publick House now carries Green's GF beers (I like the Discovery) and they always carry several GF ciders: sometimes Original Sin (yes, please!), but also an organic sweetsy one, and a really dry French one: Cider Dupont (I believe). Have gotten sick from the fries twice (gluten, nothing bad for most of you!)...and need to stop testing my luck. But they smell...so...good!

    (4)

  • Ellen P.

    This place has a good selection of beer, although they have the irritating quality of pretending that it's really laid back, when it's actually uptight. I have been there 4 times and literally every time I've been told by one of the staff that I'm standing in the wrong place. (No, I don't always stand in the same place ;) ) One night I was there with a friend visiting from England and we were moved by the staff at least 3 times. We then sat down (it was past 10pm) and we were told that we couldn't sit down if we weren't eating. What a pain in the neck.

    (3)

  • D C.

    This is the site of the best burger I've ever eaten! It was so good I can still remember every detail of the experience. Sad, yes, I know, but don't we always remember our great loves so fondly? Perfectly cooked(medium rare), juicy, cheese melted on so precisely that you'd swear they had an artist out back who went to RISD for cheese melting; strips of smokey bacon curled up in that way they do close ups on in commercials. Bun glistening with a buttery sheen and the chips were out of this world crispy delicious! Add in a few quality dank beers and you pretty much have one of the greatest dining experiences ever. If that wasn't good enough, our bartendress, Nancy, delivered it all with the loveliest of Irish brogues. Whoever runs this place obviously cares what they serve, because neither myself nor anyone I've ever gone there with has had less than a perfectly delicious meal. The meatloaf is down-home terrific, the Mac n' Cheese is only missing your couch and some old school cartoons to make it perfect. Try the cheese boards and their matched brews(which are always switched up) if you want some scrumptious starters. The beer selections run pretty dank and they switch the selections up periodically, importing some great stuff in from all over Europe and the UK. They even take the time to match the glasses to the product, to bring the best out the brew. If you're a beer connoisseur this place is definitely for you! I would normally take points off for crowds and service, but I'll overlook it in this instance because the food and beers were THAT good! Besides, I think the d-bag, hipster bartender that did his best to take his father-hating issues out on patrons left for greener pastures.....or register duty at Allston Blanchard's. Everyone else is rather polite and helpful. Waits for a table can run anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, as they have healthy crowds, but they expanded the place and built a while-you're-waiting bar off to the side. A few 10% pops do wonders to make the hurt go 'way...

    (5)

  • Jessica M.

    I adore the Publick House, I won't lie. I have been probably a dozen or more times, and have been satisfied every time. Generally there is a wait, even for two, but we lucked out last night (around 7:15 on a Wednesday) and scooped up the last table before there was a wait. We were pleased with the warm atmosphere created by the candles. We tried the soup special, a "Spiced Squash Soup." BOY was it spicy! Although the level of spice was a bit too much for me, I still found it absolutely delicious. A great combination of squash, cinnamon, nutmeg and cream, the habanero addition could have given it the nice kick it needed if there was about half as much. I love the tuna melt, accompanied with the hand cut fries and a side of chipotle mayo. Yum, always perfect. As for the amazing beer selection, previous reviews say it well. Huge list of both beers on tap and in bottles. Allagash White is my good standby, although I usually try one or two new ones since there are so many to choose from. I have found that asking the bartender or waitress questions about a beer before choosing it usually steers me in the right direction. They are knowledgeable and friendly. Overall, love love love it.

    (5)

  • Adriana P.

    First I'd like to being why I went to the Publick House. My boyfriend from Australia found this place online. He loves beers and literally has traveled all over the world trying different ones trying to find his favorite. Once we stepped into the Publick house he loved it. For me it had every different type of beer that I knew about which isn't much. It's definitely for the beer connoiseur. For me I loved the food. I'm not a huge foodie but whoever said the mac and cheese was delicious... they were right. Also you can choose what you want in it. Everyone that I went with loved their food. FYI after 11 like most places it turns more into a bar on the weekend. This means they card at the door. This also means don't bring anything paper that shows your age, it won't work to get you in. This place is a new favorite for good beer and food!

    (4)

  • Liz B.

    Went recently for a celebratory dinner with the boy on a very cold Wednesday night around 7:00. Got there and was told there was a 15 minute wait. No problem We got beers (they were out of what he wanted but it's easy to find a suitable substitute on their vast beer menu). 15 minutes stretched to 40 before we finally got a table. Service was quite slow over all. Our relatively easy order of mac and cheese (really yummy though I think they've shrunk the portion a bit and changed the recipe since the last time we'd been here) and grilled salmon took another 40 minutes to come out. While his mac and cheese was nice and hot, my fishy tasting salmon and under cooked brussel sprouts were not. I did say something to our server who offered to get me something else, but another 40 minute wait wasn't in the cards for us. I've had better experiences here, but I think the slow service and long waits are a permanent trend. While the mac and cheese once made it worth it, I've found other places to fill that craving. Overall a good place for a drink but I think I'll be skipping dinner from now on.

    (2)

  • Cress H.

    Publick House has turned into my neighborhood restaurant. Too bad it's pricey enough that I can really only justify going once a week. Publick House's specialty is its beers. By offering a beer menu several pages long with 'brands' that most have never heard of, one is practically required to try a new beer with each visit. The plethora of choices is fantastic, but even I, a spry twenty-something year old, has difficultly reading the listings without the help of a cellphone light. The cheapest beers are about $5-6, but you can definitely find high-end drinks (just beer and wine, no hard liquor) for $50, $60+. Food: I don't know whether I would necessarily recommend the food as a whole here. Friends have had some lackluster dishes in the past. That said, the veggie burger is the best thing on earth! This is coming from someone who NEVER orders veggie burgers. It is freshly-made with so many flavorful spices that I am drooling just thinking about it right now. From the first time I ordered it, I have never ordered anything else. I've also heard great things about the mac&cheese, and the Monk's Frites are its place's best appetizer: small and crispy, and served with three specialty dipping sauces of your choice. This place is ALWAYS busy and often shoulder-to-shoulder crowded on traditional drinking evenings -- usually 30+ minute waits and you cannot make reservations ahead of time. It is a place where families can come too, but I would recommend coming earlier in the evening before the doorman starts checking IDs at the door.

    (4)

  • Joe B.

    The Publick House has carved out a market niche by presenting cuisine a la biere and high-end domestic and imported beers. And by all accounts, it's been fantastically successful! I'll start with the negative and argue that if you can get past this, the rest of your experience will be amazing. The Publick House can sometimes seem like a victim of its own success. The crowds lead to very long waits for tables and awkward attempts to order drinks from the bars. The signs telling you where not to stand are well-intentioned, but they're a little less than welcoming. I understand the need for safety and the free flow of traffic, but I think it can be stated a little less directly and in a slightly more friendly manner. People come out to relax and have fun, not to get all stressed that they're breaking a rule! I think that politely asking people to move will work well in the overwhelming majority of cases. Once you do get seated, you'll find a great food menu and an amazing beer selection. I've had the Flemish beef stew a couple of times, and I recommend it if you're particularly hungry and want something a little heavier to keep you warm on a winter night. The burger and fries are also worth the trip, and they pair very well with their hoppier and lighter beer offerings. However, the real treat is the mac 'n' cheese, customized to your liking. I usually add scallops and asparagus. Both times, the scallops have been cooked to near perfection, and they pair really well with the cheese and pasta. If you love good beer, and if you have a lot of money, then the Publick House is perfect for you. Not only do they have a great selection, but they also endeavor to serve your beer in the proper glassware. Oftentimes, they'll serve the beer in the glass that's specifically made for that beer, which is a nice bit of attention to detail. Unlike Sunset, I really have not had trouble with beers kicking or being out when I have asked for them. I have always had good service here. Some people have written negatively about the service, and of course, your mileage may vary. While you may get someone who's had a bad night, going out of your way to be nice helps. While I love good beer, I try to keep things in perspective - beer is a means to an end (social interaction), not an end in itself. If you go in with that approach, then you'll have a good time. If you can manage to get here when it's not packed tighter than the B line after midnight on a weekend, then I highly recommend the place. Try eating very early or very late for the best results. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Jackie S.

    two words: la chouffe I heart la chouffe and belgian style beers and needless to say, the Publick House's beer selection is in my opinion, absolutely fantastic. I love that I can tell the bartenders what I like and they can give me new suggestions without skipping a beat. The food is good, but usually I come here to sample the beers. I have encountered a few weird things here though which is why I can only give 4 stars (that and the heavy hit it takes on your wallet) -Once I ordered a sandwich and it was completely soggy and terrible but not being the type to send things back I decided to just not eat it and the waitress didn't even comment on the fact that I had eaten only one bite. - One of the bartenders told me once that "this isn't a chugging contest" which was both offensive and uncalled for as it was pretty clear I was buying a drink for my friend (who was standing next to be b/c it was a tuesday around 6:30 and not particularly busy)

    (4)

  • Solomon C.

    Came here on a casual date one night after work and we came to the conclusion that we like publick house because it's not a cheap place so you don't find many rowdy college students around but then it's not expensive to where it's not worth going. So you'll have a good mix of young professionals here BEER: there's a great selection of beer, not your usual run of the mill budweiser, coors light and heineken. You'll find not the usual lagers, ales, stouts, etc. . . If you're a beer enthusiast then this may not suit your expectations (check out sunset grill in allston instead) however if you're a casual beer lover then certainly hit this place up! FOOD: there's the usual pub-fare burgers or fish and chips which are actually pretty good. (it's a little pricey IMO but it's still worth paying because of the "young professionals" thing.) Food worth noting: -Moule frites (mussels and fries for the not-well-traveled) you have 4 options of different beers they cook the mussels in. If you're a fan of mussels this is certainly worth exploring -Macaroni and Cheese They use many different kinds of cheese and load it with lots of goodies to choose from. You've got something a little plain like broccoli or something very new england like lobster as well as a few other home brew varieties.

    (4)

  • Thuy L.

    Mac N' Cheese Heaven! That's what comes to mind when I think of Publick House. Yes, they have quite the beer selection, which is definitely a PLUS, and I'm sure the rest of their menu is pretty good...but their House Mac N' Cheese is what brings me back. Not that large of a space, it gets crowded pretty quickly and there is usually a wait if you come after 8....but get here around 6 or 7, grab a table and a couple of drinks and stay awhile. It's a very laid back and relaxed atmosphere. Their mac n'cheese menu is incredible. I wish other restaurants in Boston did this. How many times have you ordered mac n' cheese and said, it would be even better if there were _____? Well, at Publick House, you can do exactly that by designing your own Mac N'Cheese. For $11, you get the basic House Mac N' Cheese. Then they have a list of add-on's for $1, $2, and $3. For example, peas and broccoli are $1, bacon is $2, and truffle oil is $3. And they are pretty large portions too, I had enough for 2 meals. It's right off the C-line so pretty convenient.

    (4)

  • Audrey K.

    Great list of available beer! But.. not so great list of seemingly weird eats. Maybe it's not my thing in particular, but my friends definitely love this place. It's quirky (Especially on Halloween) and pays good attention to their beer. Not much else to say except that their food was over priced and not filling.

    (3)

  • Jocelyn G.

    I had no idea what to expect when we went here since all I knew was that my friends thought it was tasty and we had some Christmas money still left over. Our waiter was quite friendly and knowledgeable about the beer selection, which is always nice. We even got special glasses to go with the Grottenbier. I would have to say, though, that the "world's best" cider is only on par with what I've had in other places. A little dark in the dining area, but there are a lot of seats. Also, the ladies room was in a state of disrepair when I went in.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    Awesome beer selection and good food selection. I went here on Friday night and had a great time holy crap was this place packed. At one point the people were 4 deep at the bar, but the bartenders did a great job keeping up. So service was great. The beer selection is of course why people come here and I'm no different. I started with the Pretty Things White Rabbit which I've been meaning to try since it came out and I loved it. Definitely another great brew by them. That was followed up by what had to be one of the worst beers I have ever drank. It was the Cascade Sang Rouge and boy was it terrible. I seriously thought about not finishing it. It tasted like red wine that had been left out on the counter for a week or maybe three with carbonation. YUCK! My last beer was the Ommegang BPA which was good. For food I tried to order the lamb burger special, but they were out of it. Instead I got the meatloaf which was tasty and crazy huge. It could have fed 2 people easy. Also, had the cheese plate which was supposed to come out before the meal, but ended up coming out afterwards because the kitchen screwed up. So it was more like desert and the bartender didn't charge for it because of the screw up. So good deal.

    (4)

  • Sean S.

    I've been here several time and have eaten menu items ranging from Fish and Chips to the popular Mac and Cheese. Everything I've eaten here has been cooked properly, delivered timely and overall delicious. Was it the best I've ever had of what it was? No. But not the worst either. The atmosphere is fun and the beer list is large and awesome. I prefer to sit in the bar area myself and usually find myself having the desire to come here in the winter time. Something about the winter makes this place awesome to me, summer time not so much. Go figure. At any rate, if you're in a pinch, in the area, just visiting and don't know where to go, Publick House is a safe bet for good food, great beer, and a fun time.

    (4)

  • Sam D.

    This place is great, I consider it my Winchester. Whether you're looking for a relaxed date environment or just want to throw a few back with some friends, Publick House has a ton to offer.

    (5)

  • Jonathan K.

    I've been denied entry because I had "been drinking". This was at 1030 on a Saturday, btw. Typical attitude of this type of place. They'll give you a great beer list if you're willing to put up with the snobby staff. I'll take Sunset instead, please.

    (1)

  • G S.

    I LOVE the Publick House. They have a lot of different vegetarian options (although be aware that the veggie burger has egg in it). I appreciate that I don't have to feel like a 7 year old when I say that one of my favorite foods is mac 'n cheese when I eat here. They make it into a meal with different add-ins. And drinks? $6 vodka tonics? Check. Pages and pages of beer selection? Check. This is a great place to meet friends for drinks or dinner.

    (5)

  • Michael G.

    Yummity yum yum YUM! Had a craving for mac 'n' cheese a week or so ago, and hopped into my Yelp file because I seemed to remember something about a mac 'n' cheese group mailing. Debated and debated and decided to try Publick House since I was heading to Brookline that afternoon anyway. SO HAPPY!!! With probably 30 add-ins (variously priced), the small casserole of gooey goodness was delicious. VERY rich. I make my own mac 'n' cheese, so I'm really particular. I got caramelized unions and mushrooms, and while it really was delicious, it needed a little something to cut the richness. I squeezed a lemon over it, and PRESTO! Now I can see why Tobasco is so popular on macs - that vinegar probably does the same thing. Don't bother with the frittes as an app, though. While they had good flavor, and the 2 dips were good, the fries were so small and broken it was very hard to eat. All in all, make your way there for some mac and ENJOY! I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Eric F.

    Really cool, down-to-earth pub with an extensive craft beer selection! Tried the Delirium Nocturnum and it was fantastic - can't wait to have a go at some of the other ales here. I had the mac 'n cheese to go with the beer and it was very good. Be warned though that the service was a bit on the slow side. Overall, a great venue for beer fans or even just a chill night out.

    (4)

  • Nicole M.

    2.5 years later, and I felt the need to write another review. I've been back a few times (as stated, I really don't get out on the green line very often), and every time I just want to bring a pillow and sleep on the bar and never leave. Mac & cheese - yum Beer selection - continues to bring me surprises. LOVE YOU PUBLICK HOUSE!

    (4)

  • Matty p.

    Eating the mac and cheese at Publick House, I felt a bit like Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction: "Did I just order a $12 mac and cheese. That's mac...and cheese? You don't put bourbon in it or nothing? *Takes Bite* GD, this is a pretty f#ckin' good mac and cheese. I don't know if it was worth $12, but it's pretty f#ckin' good." I guess you could generalize that sentiment to the rest of the food too. Pretty good, but come on. Just because you've cultivated some faux upscale pub atmosphere doesn't mean you should be charging $13 for a run of the mill cheeseburger. On the other hand, the beer selection is fantastic, and fairly priced considering many of the import and craft beers you won't find at many other places in Boston, if anywhere (yeah, we know you wanna be all hip and try the imports, but do yourself a favor and go slumming with at least one domestic -- Anchor Porter. HFS that stuff is good) It usually gets too crowded on the weekends, but its the perfect place to spend a night during the week sampling some of the best beers any bar in Boston has to offer. Skip the food, other than perhaps an order of fries to split (If you're really looking for a meal, the $10 chicken sandwich is probably the best value on the menu, and pretty tasty if still a bit overpriced). Verdict: 3 stars for the food, 5 stars for the beer.

    (4)

  • David G.

    I've been to the Publick House about 5 times now both when it's crowded and when it's empty and I must say it's very consistent. However that's not always a good thing in some respects. While the beer selection is always impressive and unique and a haven for people who crave quality-the service is another story. I don't know if the owners simply don't care or actually encourage it, but the bartenders here are frustratingly indifferent and uninterested in their work. It's that whole "I'll get to you when I feel like it and when I do I'll be sure to appear bored and impatient". Every time. You can attempt to meet this with a smile and be friendly, you can even try large tips, but nope it's no use. It's starting to wear on me at this point. The food service is another sore point for me. No matter what you order, how simple it is, or how empty the restaurant is-it's going to be a long wait. I recently tried them for a burger when they were dead on a weekend afternoon and surprise surprise it arrive about 50 minutes later. Dare to order when they're crowded and you'll be lucky to get something within an hour as I made the mistake of doing once. I'm guessing the chef has the same attitude as the bartenders- "I'll get around to it when I feel like it". So what to do with a place like this? Nice beer selection, the food is fine when it eventually comes, and the place has an interesting decor, but the service grates on me tremendously. I'll also point out the beer prices are a but too high for certain brews (yes I know what good beer costs). Worth a visit but I think I'll pass for a while. I pray they someday get bartenders who are passionate about what they serve, make some type of effort, and actually try to make the experience pleasant.

    (3)

  • JP C.

    What is it with this guy's restaurants? My family and I ate at the Road House once and it took them 50 minutes to cook and serve my son's pork chop. The excuse then was that it had to be cooked thoroughly. After a while our waitress ignored us, and then the manager ignored us. Tonight, my husband and son went to the Publick House. My son ordered mac & cheese w/sausage and onions. They brought mac & cheese w/mushrooms. I guess if you plan on serving enough beer you don't have to worry about the food.

    (1)

  • Shelley D.

    This place is absolutely fantastic. Everything they make tastes really good, and the beer selection is phenomenal. I love their Cuban sandwich, and they make the best veggie burger I've ever had. The little necks in pot 1, 2 & 3 are really good with 1 being my favorite. The bartender in the back, skinny with a bald head really knows his stuff and even if you don't like beer he will find you something that goes well with your food. This place is always busy, and they must make a ton of money because if you come anywhere from 6pm to 1am this restaurant will be crowded. Try the Golden Monkey Tripel beer, best bang for your buck.

    (5)

  • Vanessa W.

    I feel like it's hard to come across a place like this. I came with a group of 6 friends, who turned into 7... and they all trickled in. Given, it was a Tuesday night, but they let us sit down as one by one came (even though that's not their policy). Half of us ate, half of us just drank and they let us do that without complaint. Service was fantastic - our drinks were never empty, and the server was incredibly friendly and happy to offer his opinion. He was very knowledgeable. Food was delicious, the drink list never-ending, and the decor is welcoming and cozy. I'll be back here many times in the future!

    (5)

  • Alicia B.

    Not much I can add to the over-300 reviews of Publick House, except for this: If you're looking for American craft beer, this is NOT the place for you. While they do offer up some (ex: milk stout by Left Hand), the bulk of the beer here is imported - namely from Belgium. That's not really my complain; just an observation. However, if you're in the mood for some amazing micro-brewed beer form the great U.S. of A, you might want to mosey to another bar. Yet, if you want to partake in an amazing selection if imports in a place that takes extreme pride in bringing these select brews to the US, then this is the place to come. They bring the appropriate glassware with the beer and pour it for you right at your table. That's cool. And they have such a huge selection of imports, you'll eyes will criss-cross. Word to the wise: Be in the mood for some loud chatter from the hundred of other folks vying for some import beer. And don't dress too warm, either. If you want a table, yes, as the others said, be ready to wait. I sampled a little bit of the food and wasn't impressed. Definitely go for the beer. I skipped actual food to drink my dinner. A wise choice, indeed.

    (4)

  • Sara L.

    Yes, this place has a huge beer selection, but really, the service is so poor, and the food so mediocre, that you'd be better off finding a good liquor store that carries what you want, and making your own food at home. A friend in my party ordered the Cuban sandwich. It took over an hour to come out, and was freezing cold. Completely inedible. And the hostess was probably the most unpleasant person I have dealt with in a while. There is a huge sign on the wall that says something like, "Make your momma proud, be kind to your servers." My momma was there with me, and she insisted I not be kind to the servers, as they were among the worst we have ever dealt with.

    (1)

  • Curtis E.

    Ok, so I read a bunch of reviews before going here, and really had my hopes up. I love to try odd beers or anything that's not Bud or Miller. The beer selection here is amazing, I almost couldn't decide what to order. So I started with an Espresso Stout. It was great. I went with a rather large party, about 15. We were told it would be about an hour, which turned into 2 because a group of people were sitting around drinking of all things...water. When we finally sat down and ordered food I decided on the Mac-and-Cheese. It was excellent. Perfect way to tale the edge off those rather strong beers. In short if you want a nice beer and great food this place is great. Watered down beer drinkers need not apply.

    (4)

  • San D.

    This is a vegetarian review, so sorry, meat eaters. Really like the beer, ambiance and service. The soup of the day was really good, I think it was gruyere. The fries were soggy. The stuff bell pepper was actually pretty bad. I'm not really a picky eater, having slim pickings on menus for most of my life, but this dish was exceptionally bland. It's pretty obvious that someone who is not vegetarian made the dish. My friends said the meatloaf and the seafood soup dish was really good.

    (4)

  • Tim C.

    As with most reviews, it seems some people are judging this place based on how it is on a Friday night at 9 p.m. How is it at that time? Admittedly, it's packed with people, and there's not a lot of space to get out of each other's way. Sounds like every other place on Friday night at about, oh, 9 p.m. This is not the place to have a nice, quiet dinner on a Friday night, bring a group of more than 6 , or kick back a dozen cheap beers. The Publick House is a great place. The beer is not that cheap, but it is great. I like to try new things, and this is the place to do it. Out of dozens of beers I've tried here, I've only gone wrong once (I don't even know what Barley Wine IS). The food is great. The fish and chips were delicious, the mac and cheese is incredible and you can easily get a second meal out of it. Their burgers are nothing special, but still hit the spot. My favorite are the frites, and you won't get any attitude for just getting fries for the table. To get the best sense of The Publick House, swing by on a weeknight. At these times (I'm judging on at least 20 visits) you can grab your own table or be seated immediately. The bartenders are extremely friendly and helpful (They may not have time to deal with you not knowing anything about what kind of beer you like on a loud, crowded weekend). The wait staff are friendly and attentive. The lighting and music always provide for a comfortable, soothing atmosphere. This is the perfect place to grab a drink after a long day at work- and when do you need it more than that?

    (5)

  • Kori B.

    One of the only places in Boston where I've ever been able to get Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA, Publick House holds a special place in my heart. I'm not a beer girl by any means, but their selection is extensive, and I really believe there's something here to turn even the most reluctant beer-drinker into a veritable beer-lover. The food isn't bad either. Their mac and cheese is magical and cheese and filled with goodness. I get the mussels nearly every time I'm there - they're delicious, and you can mix up the pot flavors every time you go for some serious variety. The only issue I have with Publick House is how crowded it can get. Having to wait for an hour for a table? No thank you. My hatred for long waits knows no bounds, even when I can suck down a delicious brew or two in the interim.

    (4)

  • Beck N.

    Have been here a couple times now with a group of friends, & while I have enjoyed it, I feel like there is something missing somehow. The best part of my experience was sitting at the bar waiting for my friends to arrive. It was warm & cozy & the bartender was quick with suggestions for a tasty brew. I've heard their mac 'n cheese was something of a religious experience, but I don't think it quite lived up to the hype. One thing that sets their mac 'n cheese apart is that you can get all sorts of add-ins, which is a nice touch. I guess for $12 (more for add-ins), I was expecting to be blown away. It wasn't bad - it was creamy & I could taste a couple of the cheeses, but I've certainly had better.

    (3)

  • Meggie M.

    Great bar if you enjoy imported beer, a laid back atmosphere, and good food. A little pricey, but from their massive selection of imported beer and delicious food, it is worth every penny. If you appreciate the art of beer, the bartenders are knowledgable professors.

    (4)

  • Tristan H.

    Being a lover of beer and of wide selections of anything, I really like this place. One of my favorite hangout spots in Brookline for sure, if not in all of Boston. Plus did someone already mention, perhaps, that their mac and cheese is incredible? Maybe? Here's how good it is. I went here tonight with some friends, and there was a film crew apparently for a new TLC show doing an episode on mac and cheese, and where do they go? Publick House of course. That's how good it is. I also highly recommend getting some french fries as an appetizer. You can choose two dipping sauces, and they're all really good. All the entrees I've tried are excellent as well, which includes a beef stew, several soups, the hamburger, and a salmon dish. All left nothing wanting. Some downsides are that it's usually crowded in the evenings (the wait for both tables and food can get ridiculous, but hey, it's popular for a reason), and also of course the prices. It's not overpriced, but to be honest the food isn't so spectacular that it needs to cost as much as it does. Except for the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese is worth its weight in gold!

    (4)

  • Megan H.

    Although happily living in New York now, this is one of they places I miss most in Boston. Still crave their Mac & Cheese and great beer selection. Friends report that the Sunday night trivia is not more. Not surprising and it wasn't needed to bring in the crowds.

    (5)

  • Will L.

    Dark, rich, and delicious. Seriously, this place is an excellent find. Beats the hell out of everything else in Washington Sq. I recommend the Pom Frites, any meal you can't pronounce, and everything on the beer menu. Not that you'll like it all, but you'll appreciate the experience. Me and my brewing klatch used to go here for inspiration; one stout junkie, one hophead (yours truly), and a number of lagervores. We always had a phenomenal time.

    (4)

  • Lady T.

    Parking is awful, but that aside, this is simply a fantastic place to dine. Everything that my boyfriend and I have had here has been fantastic and a friend of mine swears that every potato product they make is a work of genius. The beer list is always well worth the standard 45-minute wait for a party of two any time after 5:45pm and this is the one place in town that I have dropped over $30.00 on a single bottle of beer (at Sunset I think I maxed out at around $27.00). The Publick House takes pains to serve an extensive collection of Belgian beers and usually have half a dozen beers on tap that the rest of the bars in town won't. Highly recommended - if you're vegetarian (but not vegan) be sure to check out the mac and cheese with either broccoli or asparagus. Not so hot for groups just because it's a small place that fills up FAST and quickly after it opens and waiting sucks. I prefer to go during the week when I stand a chance at walking up and getting a table at 6:30pm without a wait.

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    The customizable mac and cheese here is unreal. And their french fries with the dipping sauces of your choice that come with are also awesome. Garlic Mayo. Chipotle Mayo. To die for.

    (5)

  • Ellen S.

    We went here for dinner/drinks with friends last night. They have been raving about this place to us re: the food and the extensive beer selection. I love the decor of this place - dark wood, big bar that has 2 sides and lots of beer-related decor on the walls - serving trays, tin signs...very vintage looking. Their beer selection is amazing - I guess they have a rule that if they suggest a beer to you and you don't like it, you don't have to pay. The food was also amazing - after reading so much about the mac and cheese I knew what I was going to order! For starters we had the mussels and frites. The mussels were likely the best I have ever had - so plump and loaded with flavor as we had the ones in a garlic broth. I love all of the add-ons you can have with your mac and cheese - YUM. I love that the beer and glass it is served in match! We all had something different and everyone had a great meal. Can't wait to go again...although I do hope the hostess who was SOOO... rude to us isn't there again....how could someone be in that much of a bad mood at 6:15 on a Wednesday night?! The PH management should potentially re-think who they have stationed as the first face/impression you might have of their place as she was quite unpleasant.

    (4)

  • Y. N.

    Went here on a snowy Tuesday night, and there was no wait for a table. We ordered the famous mac and cheese (with jalapeños and garlic as toppings) and the Sriracha buffalo wings. It goes without saying that the mac and cheese was delicious, but the latter was surprisingly good, too. We also ordered some Kriek lambic beers, which were really tasty. Service was solid.

    (5)

  • Jackie C.

    Great beer selection and great food. The Publick House has one of the more extensive beer menus I've seen in a Boston restaurant. The wait staff was also pretty helpful when it came to choosing food and beer, they knew their stuff. If you come here, I must recommend that you try their mussels which can be gotten in an appetizer portion or an entree portion. I got the spicy broth and it was awesome. If you want it as a entree, you might want to get the appetizer portion anyways since it also comes with bread for dipping and fries (which were seasoned to perfection). If you're not sure what size to get, the waiter/waitress can probably help you out. I want some mussels now. Mmm.

    (4)

  • Mark I.

    Pretty darn good! Beer selection is pretty amazing. Side rant. Although I love a lot of beers, I am not a fan of a lot of the Belgium beers, and I think "beer experts" need to realize that not all beer lovers love Belgium beers. Ok, side rant done. Service was a bit slow, and we have seen the place a bit more packed then when we were eating, so it did not look super hectic. We even received help from another server than our original one. He was much more attentive and much more helpful. Just wish he could have gotten some of the tip. Fries were great but want a bit more heat out of a habanero mayo. My burger was unbelievable. One of the best I have had in a while, and cooked perfectly. The mac and cheese was pretty darn good too.

    (4)

  • Barney B.

    Bud Light drinkers need not apply. you will be disappointed that the only 'Light' is Sam in this place. And that can be uncomfortable if you get sat next to the guys who bitch about having to order a Hoegaarden because they don't carry Natty Light, old school. true, Brookline isn't big on bars, but this my friends is not a bar. what they do carry is every Belgian and Belgian-inspired beer that they can get their hands on - and one that they can't - Westvleteren - (they at least pay homage to by putting it on their menu with a disclaimer that it's "very rare - probably unavailable" - for any of you lucky enough to have tried Westvletern, you know that IF they get their hands on some, they are NOT dumb enough to sell it to us pleebs - that sh*t is getting shared by the insiders, and I can't say that I blame them, frankly. OK, diversion over) The bar is awesome - warm, dark wood tables and bars - though it gets packed, the addition of the 3 Monks bar on the left helps thin out the crowd a bit. The food was good, and while 'Belgian' in style, having spent a chunk of my teenage years living just outside of Brussels, I can't say anything on the food list had me flashing back much to those younger years. But don't let that dissuade you, because what was ordered was damn good the service was decent, given the amount of customers it needed to support. if it didn't take 93 minutes to drive from Cambridge to Brookline, I would probably be on my way of becoming a regular.

    (4)

  • sanu u.

    If the Publik House did not have the best belgian style mussels in boston and an amazing beer selection I would have stopped going long ago, solely on the unbelievably rude nature of the staff there. I've been probably 15 times and EVERY time I have had a HORRIBLE experience with the personnel. The hostesses have ALWAYS been incredibly rude and condescending. The worst situation we faced was when trying to grab a beer there with kosher friends on a completely dead tuesday night. The restaurant was empty and five of us wanted to get dinner, but two of our friends with dietary restrictions could only eat a few things on the menu. Because they could only order drinks and apps. The hostess refused to seat us even though there were empty tables everywhere!!! I understand the "everyone must order dinner" concept when a restaurant is busy, but this just came across as discriminatory. We left and went to the Sunset Cantina where the beer selection is amazing, and the staff are accommodating, friendly and polite. Unless we're restricted to washington sq, we now go to the Sunset Cantina for good beer, and learned to make our own mussels (which is a lot easier than we thought!)

    (2)

  • Martha D.

    Loosely translated, I'm pretty sure "Publik House" means Disneyland of Beers in Belgian. Seriously. This place has an insane number of delicious beers available for your consumption and really, that's what you should stick to. I found the food to be so so (I even tried the rabbit stew- eek!) and the service is sloooow. And not always that friendly. AND you'll be waiting a while before someone even decides to give you a table, much less take an interest in what you'd like for dinner. The simple solution to this is to stick to liquids as much as possible. Order a Rochfert 10 (it's a Trappist ale that, at around 11.3% alcohol, will put you on your ass) and get the publik house frites- delicious hand cut fries that come with your choice of dipping sauces. The cheese platters are also pretty tasty. Once you get that out of the way you can focus on what's really important- sampling all those beers!

    (4)

  • Richard C.

    I've come to expect sub-par service based on specific locations, Brookline being one of them, as poor customer service doomed sister restaurant American Craft a few months ago, a visit to The Publick House wasn't that much different. And it's a pretty similar burger experience too, although admittedly better and less pretentious to boot. The burger options are pretty similar, nothing is pre-set, you're pretty much on your own to create your burger, this time with more mainstream condiments. $12 will buy you a hamburger, and all other topping come in at a mere .75 cents, which I can live with. I go with cheddar and a chili aioli, just to mix things up a bit. All served up on a pretty typical Bulkie roll, it's a pretty typical Pub burger with a much better beer list.And the beer is sprinkled throughout the menu, different beers featured in almost every dish it seems, special care has clearly been taken to pair foods with the beer, I just wish more attention had been paid to the burger. It's a fine burger, a little underseasoned but juicy, if not completely so from start to finish. But the beef doesn't carry a lot of personality, and it's the kind of burger that should, there ought to be something unique about it, but instead it's really just a pretty good burger. The cheddar is nicely melted but the small amount given barely adds the tangy element I was looking for. Chili aioli comes on the side and delivers a powerful heat and is an excellent touch to both the burger and the fries, which are also pretty ordinary. Pub fries, skin-on, but prepared well, they certainly aren't memorable and could use more salt, but they are good enough I suppose. Maybe The Publick House is just banking on the extensive beer list and condiments to make the burger stand out, and it almost is enough. The burger is juicy, but is redundant, kind of a been there done that burger when it has all the makings to be special. The bun is a good fit and all but doesn't add much to the flavor party, a run-of-the-mill offering when something custom-made and personal would have fit the bill. All in all a comfortable place I would return to, but will probably always be in that second burger tier of close, but not close enough for elite status.

    (3)

  • Matt S.

    You are not gonna find a better beer bar in the Boston area. Especially if you like Belgians. I DO! The beers, anyway. Love the cheese platter and the mac n' cheese. Great to wash down with a sour mash red. I miss it.

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    The chairs are hilarious. It looks like a set for a high school medieval play, right? The burgers are awesome, and not only do they have a great selection of beers, they have a great selection of sauces! Fills up quickly, so go early.

    (4)

  • Milee S.

    Very cool bar. I ordered a sour cherry beer and he got a vodka tonic. The service was incredible (the bartender let me taste the beer before I ordered it). We also ordered frites, with garlic mayo and chipotle mayo. The garlic was way better. Just a nice, comfortable atmosphere. Definite return visit.

    (4)

  • meital f.

    Love this place- A Bar with such a Beer variety and good food- that is just to good to be true! great service- always a good atmosphere- we can always count on having a good experience in the Public House- vegetarian burger, fig salad, Mac and cheese, cheese platter- you name it - you can't go wrong! See you at the Public

    (5)

  • Marie C.

    I'm going to go out on a limb here--I really don't love this place anymore. I should probably preface this by saying that I'm not a huge beer drinker, so the biggest draw of this place is something I'm rather indifferent to. I've had some great times here and used to love it when I was at BC, but I came out here a few days ago and I have to say I was underwhelmed. The burgers weren't great, the service was mediocre, we felt like we were being rushed out, etc. My big annoyance with this place sounds kind of stupid, but it's actually a nice bar, the food and drinks are priced as such, and the bathrooms are kind of a mess. That's fine at Herrell's or some hipster dive bar, and I get that it's a really busy establishment, but every time I'm here I'm just like really? Still gross? Ugh. Anyway, I know that The Publick House is like *the* place to talk about and love right now, and it certainly has it's upsides, but in the future I don't think I'll be making the trip to Brookline just to get a drink here. More room for you guys though!

    (3)

  • Brendan M.

    Not cheap, but the beer selection is illy. and my roomie was there recently and I guess there's a store attatched to it where you can build your own sixxer of exotic libations. Me likey. This is a great Washington Square bar. it's young professionals, good looking people and delicious beer. I usually just tell the bar tender what I like and he comes up with something for me to try. They will even give you samples, which is great. Good date spot, but this place gets rockin, even during the week in summer. You'll wait for a table, but the food is good and in the mean time, try something new. This place is fun shit.

    (4)

  • Josh K.

    I need to write a review of this place. I mean I've only been here a zillion times. And for a while when I lived down the street once a week was standard practice. What can I say, this place is awesome for the beer snob in all of us. They rotate taps frequently and have a solid selection of Belgians and American brews. Plus they got Chimay on tap! I'm not sure who would come here for the harder stuff, but they got that too. Actually, side-story - I was here one time with this dimwitted missy who actually tried to order a vodka redbull. That was good for a few laughs. On weekend nights this place can get packed. Show up on the early side for a better shot at a table or order at the bar as I often do. As far as the food goes, I have my favs. The monk frites (fries) are very authentic and usually inhaled within minutes. You can select from a variety of dipping sauces witch only adds to the tastiness. The mac n' cheese is probably the best I've ever had. I spice it up with adding bacon, of course, and caramelized onions. So delicious! And the portions are large too, you'll have leftovers for certain. The burger is also a can't miss and I usually rotate between the two. I've also had the unclassic ceasar salad with mixed reviews. Sometimes it's awesome, loaded with fresh tomatoes, cheese, anchovies etc.. Other times its kinda blah with not much in it. The service is always solid and the bartenders are good at recommending beers if you're overwhelmed by the choices. My only sadness is they no longer stock Lucifer, my namesake.. Sigh..

    (5)

  • jorbi p.

    I feel like I reviewed this place already but my review seems to have vanished. Conspiracy? Let's assume so. Anyway, this place has an AWESOME selection of Belgians. Incredible stuff. Almost worth putting up with some of the crap-ass service. I've only been here twice, but the tallish, brooding bearded twerp bartender that I had both times was practically a joke. Could someone really be so boorish and twerpular? I don't get bartenders like this... you get paid on tips. Don't you want to make money? If not, why are you even out here working? (I'll point out though, that at least two reviews of this place call the Publick House out for adding money to credit card tips. So perhaps that's how they make their money. Appalling.) I ordered food. I saw someone bring out what looked to be my food, and leave it at the bar. The bartender was off somewhere smoking or who-knows-what, so I didn't get my meal till a good five minutes later, at which time it had cooled. So I got a very delicious, but very lukewarm dinner. The chef here should be livid that his meals are being screwed up by the serving staff. It is possible that other bartenders/waiters here are vastly superior, and probably I'll give this place another chance because the selection really is awesome.

    (3)

  • brett b.

    Publick House and Cheesecake Factory have two things in common: they make you wait a ridiculous amount of time to get a meal (1hr plus?), and they've both got their metaphorical heads up their actual asses. I get taking pride in having good imported beer, and I appreciate it, too. I enjoy the finer things in life, such as their Ephemere, or any of the beers suggested by the bartender, which I happily try blindly. But I don't appreciate being scoffed at when I ask if they have a martini list. A simple no, would suffice. And I don't agree with the mass psychosis behind their "amazing mac'n cheese". I've made better for myself. And, while you readers may disagree with me, I get no added value from being crammed into a small and noisy area for prolonged periods of time. This place just isn't worth it.

    (2)

  • Stephen M.

    Beer Heaven. This place is about beer, but that shouldn't hold you back if you claim to not be a "beer person." The breadth of selection is amazing. They feature Belgian and Belgian-style beer, and have many other types as well. I've only had beer on tap there (I think they have around 30 different kinds at any point), though just in case nothing catches your fancy, the bottle selection is probably well over 100. The service is good. Both times I've been there the bartender has been friendly, fast, and really helpful. Not sure what you want? Ask to try one before you shell out the cash for it, just be quick, because it's always pretty busy. (By the way, the beer can get a bit steep around $6-$10 each,though the quality makes it worthwhile.) You can also give your server an idea of what you want, and they'll bring you a beer. The Publick House is packed on the weekends, and it can be nearly impossible to make your way to the bar at times. Weeknights are good for a less hectic time. I never really detected much in the way of pretensions or snobbishness, but I'm sure the occasional snob shows up here and now. I'd recommend sitting at the bar if you can.

    (5)

  • Marina W.

    It is very clear that this place has good beer. Great. The previous 50 reviews go over this in fine detail. My stars are based on the food - I've eaten here a couple times and each time it's underwhelming. I went with a sizable group of friends a few weeks ago and everyone had ordered something different. I was able to try a couple bites of many menu items. The salmon was dry, but had good flavor. The mac n' cheese was OK - I tried it plain and with truffle cream, asparagus, and mushrooms (the additions made it an $18 plate of mac n' cheese). The presentation is exciting and the first couple bites are good, but after that it is just kind of bland. The tuna melt was AMAZING. Everyone loved it. The red snapper was good, however the most excitingly flavored part of that meal was actually the basmati rice. The moules frites also got rave reviews, but mussels aren't my thing so I did not personally partake. So, overall OK food at best. It all has such delicious potential but doesn't quite fulfill it, which is sad.

    (3)

  • Amanda L.

    There's a lot of things that I haven't done in my 5 years living in Boston. - Freedom Trail - Bunker Hill Monument - Top of the Hub And then there is Publick House. Given I have lived in Boston the past 5 or so years and lived within a 5 minute bike ride for a little over 2, it's a shame that I have only been here since this past weekend. Two reasons for this: 1. Is it ALWAYS crowed 2. They do NOT take reservations ::grumble:: Well, finally Joe and I were able to go at a time when the place wasn't filled to capacity. While waiting for Joe, I got to look at the menu, as well as the surroundings. Lots of dark woods, and there is a distinct medieval feel to the place. Clunky wood tables, stools, evenly a kingly looking chair or two. I liked it. Anyway, Joe finally arrived and I demanded we order the frites. And order them we did (with the Gorgonzola dressing and Beer mustard). For only $6.00 we were given a massive cone filled with delicious goodness. The frites weren't overly salted, and the two dips that we chose were fantastic. I ordered a Cherry lambic beer and holy crap was it SOUR. The fault was entirely my own, however our waitress did tell me it was a sweet beer :( Liar. Oh well. I ordered the "Famous" mac and cheese, with andouille sausage and spinach. The top was deliciously singed while the inside was gooey and simply amazing. I could barely eat any of it (too many frites) but the next day I ate the rest of it for lunch. I didn't mean to, but it was so delicious that I couldn't stop eating it. So now I know about all the hype surrounding the Publick House. It truly did live up to the expectations, and hopefully it won't take me another two years before I set foot in here again. (P.S. The outdoor seating area is great for people watching)

    (4)

  • Zane G.

    Food here is hearty, rich, and filling especially with their massive selection of GOOD beer. The calamari is the best I have tried and I try calamari E V E R Y W H E R E. prices are great. I have only two negative points. The line for a table is terrible and the wait staff are among the worse you will find. They will get your order wrong at times and it may be a good twenty minutes before you get to order after being seated. To quote Mr. Pink from Reservoir Dogs "the words 'too busy' shouldn't be in a waitress' vocabulary." The same can he applied here. I highly recommend this place especially if you can heat the rush.

    (4)

  • Shannon S.

    I have a running joke with a couple of people I know that the Publick House hates its customers because they love beer just too damn much. However, I always go back to the Publick House like Whitney to Bobby and I never turn down an invite to taste the House's glorious--good-to-the-last-drop-beer. Sorry guys, this is a beer bar and part of the fun of the Publick House is waiting in line for a table behind four or five other people who aren't quite sure what the deal is, being kicked out of the "Dining" section because all you want to do is drink beer, and trying to figure out why everyone keeps coming back. Well, if you come before 8pm you probably know the Publik House isn't always table-wrestling--it's a very chill, comfortable place to go and enjoy great beer in their original beer glasses. I don't even mind waiting for a table after 8 most of the time because as soon as you get a place at the tables, you're gonna be just fiiiiiiiiiiine. I noticed a lot of people keep pointing out the food isn't up to par---well you might want to hold out on eating somewhere else just yet because if you're not going to eat you have two options-elbow your way into the big drinking table up front or sitting at the bar or standing for a long time. So, I'd at least order some beer fries, rack of ribs or mussels and take a seat. The beers are worth it, and sometimes when I'm feeling like a beer snob, it feels good to know that lawnmower beer (and thusly retarded beer behavior) is out of the question at the Publick House. So, get tough' and drink up because the beer is solid and worth the wait. (For a more chill atmosphere and a strong selection-- see my review on Bukowskis!) Edit: I tried the Ribs and they're my new favorite thing and the Steak Fries are totally yummy so if you eat here--these are awesome things to get. Mhhhhhhhhhhhhh love you Publick House

    (4)

  • Lauren F.

    I've been to Publick House twice now, both on Friday nights. It's just "ok". Not a place I'm dying to go back to. Both times it's been super crowded and noisey and you are fighting the crowd to get to the bar. Once you do get to the bar the bartenders are kind of surley and rude. But I will say they do have a pretty extensive beer list. We usually waited 45min-1 hour for a table. But their food was decent. I had the waterzooi aux poissons (no idea how to pronounce this). But it's a seafood stew in a tomato broth. I would order it again if I ever go back.

    (2)

  • Chelsea J.

    Amicus Brief- Filed on behalf of the Plaintiff Re: 1- For the overwhelming draft beer they actually try to have the correct serving glass and a person who knows how to pour the beer. For those of you who don't think this matters, apparently it does (another restaurant ruined the hubby's beer the other day due to improper pouring methods, as I was told) Re: 2- Add-ins for the mac and cheese! Although the famed lobster is seasonal, and the add-ins can make the dish quite pricey, it is absolutely worth it

    (4)

  • Jeremy G.

    Amazing..."Gourmet" bar food. Best Mac & Cheese in town, ridiculously amazing selection of beer. Best part is, the servers are connoisseurs, so their suggestions are usually dead on. It's fashioned as sort of an old fashioned pub, so the lighting is...let's understate and call it dim, but it somehow adds to the allure of this place. I guess I would say this place is kind of a high-end dive bar, and I love it every time I go.

    (4)

  • Lauren V.

    I went here with four other people on a Saturday night. Not the best time to find a table. So we sat at the bar. Apparently, service can be slow at tables but not the case when you are sitting at the bar. We all had drinks in hands within minutes and we (ok, I) was able to chow down on some delish mac n' cheese and fried oysters as well. And really, we weren't remotely cramped. As people have mentioned, the beer list is extensive. I was slightly disappointed that they did not have Allagash Dubbel, but how long can you really stay down when there are pages of other beers to satisfy your hops, malts and barley cravings? Not too long. It was pretty refreshing to have a bartender who knew about the wares he was peddling too. Everything he suggested was great. And he didn't act annoyed when I decided to try a new beer each time and thus ask the same questions. Lessons learned: - Sit at bar if no table available, you might have better service. - Mac n' cheese is worth upsetting the lactose intolerant stomach. - Bartenders know their sh*t. - Bathrooms leave something to be desired and one was out of order, so don't break the seal until you absolutely have to! I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Kimberly P.

    Perfect example of having expectations that were entirely too high. Sigh. Being the food lover that I am, after hearing co-workers RAVE about the mac and cheese, burgers and fries , I was DYING to go to the Publick House. The atmosphere was that of a slightly fancied up standard bar.....except standard bars don't have really cool, massive throne-like chairs but I digress. The service was so-so but the server realized it, acknowledged that she was slammed and apologized for the delay which we appreciated. The food..... meh. Nothing to write home about. The mac and cheese (which caramelized onions and sausage) was a disappointment. It was simply ok but it is hard to rave about food that you know your aunt, mom or grandmom can make 20x better. I will note that it was of a creamy consistency and used shells instead of actual macaroni.... I prefer a thicker mac and cheese with a slightly crispy bite. The burger that I had was decent (though it was not cooked to temperature - a medium burger should not be dripping red liquid) but the fries were BLAH. All in all, the beer list was the best thing about this establishment and I probably will not make the effort to return.

    (2)

  • Marieke V.

    There are four pages worth of quality beer options and wonderful Flemish food. For this Belgian gal, you can't beat it.

    (5)

  • oscar's dad ..

    I've been here about 1/2 dozen times, solely for the beer, despite haven eaten here each time and each time the food is really just mediocre. I get the feeling that if I walked into the kitchen it would be difficult to find any salt? Do the cooks here even taste what they're serving? I'm sure I'll be back a few more times but christ I wish the food was better. Oh, and the hostess's birkenstocks gotta go and we (a 5 top) got moved from a adequate booth do "make room for a larger party (4 is not larger than 5!) . to a table for 4. The hostess is a idiot. Clearly we (mature adults) would have spent more (and I'm sure we did) than poor college kids. I think is this place were in a real city it wouldn't last solely because the food.

    (2)

  • M M.

    Nice atmosphere and pretty good food, although a bit pricey. Big beer selection, if you're a drinker.

    (4)

  • Todd B.

    Here's how i'd break this down: Beer selection: 5 stars. Food: 5 stars. Staff: anywhere from 1 to 5 stars depending on who you get. I've had some of the best service here and i've had almost the worst. Regardless don't come expecting quick service but since you're dropping a ton of money why wouldn't you want a leisurely dinner anyway? If you show up after 5:30-ish on most evening expect a wait. Usually they'll grab your cell number and just give you a call. This usually means you'll be able to either grab a drink at the bar or more likely you can run on down to the Roadhouse or across the street to Golden Temple or Washington Square Tavern for a drink. Literally almost anything on the menu is extremely dope. Even the veggie burger is a step above others. But at the end of the day it's all about their beer selection which really is terrific. Just don't come with an attitude and be prepared to spend more than an average amount of time here!

    (4)

  • donald s.

    All my friends were spot on here. I love the place in terms of Beer. Wow GREAT SELECTION. The bartender knew what was what and was very upbeat. The food however was ehhh..... maybe because i loved the beers so much i was expecting better food..

    (3)

  • Bill M.

    I SOOOOO wanted to like this place, but in the end I was very disappointed. The food was down right terrible. I mean to the point where it was disgusting. The beer was great, and if I ever go here again and Im forced to eat something, I'll only have the fries. The Publick House had been recommended to me by my brother because he knows my love for Belgian beer. I went with very high hopes! It seemed to be made for me, Belgian beer, fries and perhaps, Belgian waffles?!?! The beer list was epic. They have beers available that I've been looking forward to trying for years. The bartenders really know their beers. The decor was not bad. And the menu looked extremely appetizing. We started with the Public House Plate, which is a meat, cheese, mushroom, polenta combo. It was not bad. For the main, I had the much talked about Mac & Cheese and my wife had the Meatloaf. The Mac & Cheese was TERRIBLE! It had the worst taste, like a fake smoke flavor. It seemed that it was sitting around for a while and reheated too. The top and bottoms was smokin hot and the middle was f-ing cold. Totally gross. My wife's Meatloaf was dry and tasteless. The only good thing was the mashed potatoes that came with it.

    (2)

  • Kevin F.

    My Haiku for the Publick House: The beer list is grand Hops and Barley fill the air You will love it here I went here a few Fridays ago with my brother-in-law. We're from Atlanta and we didn't have a problem finding the place when we got off the T. The Publick House reminds me of Atlanta's best beer house, Brick Store Pub. Amazing beer here! Our service was very good. Enough attention without over doing it. We went with our servers suggestion of a Pesto and Blue Cheese burger. It was perhaps the best burger I've ever had! Along with the burger we had the fritas and they were also delicious. Good service; check. Good food; check. Good beer; check. Near T; check. If I ever find myself back in Boston you'll most certainly find me here again.

    (5)

  • Daphna R.

    dammit, its so busy here... but they have 3 gluten free beers, and a few food selections. The mussels are really great and can be adjusted to either a gluten free beer broth or a white wine broth. I've had both and enjoyed them.

    (4)

  • Simeon T.

    I visited my friend who happened to live down the street from this place, and I consider that the greatest set of circumstances to ever come about during a weekend trip to see my friends. I had never heard of this place and had no expectations going in, going to the bar after touristing the city in the middle of snow storm...ok, whatever. But man was I blown away! The beer, I honestly had heard of possibly 1 or 2 of the beers they had...ON DRAUGHT! To me that's unheard of, I like beer...nay I LOVE beer, but to have that selection coming from a keg, that's a whole other world. I tried about 3 different kind, couldn't remember them for the life of me, but they were recommended by the bartenders when I told them what I was in the mood for and I loved every single one. And the food...whew! We put our names down for a table, and had to wait a few hours, but that was ok by us because that gave us time to try all the different beers, but I'm glad to say that the wait was pretty much worth it. For pub grub this place was great. It was a Friday and it was Lent, so as the good Catholic I am I got the fish and chips, and I remember it being delicious, crunchy, light, and the tartar sauce was incredible. My friend got the special which included a stew of black beans and pork (confession I took a bite) and it was exceptional! Perfect for the February snow storm that was going on at the time. So if you're ever in Brookline, make the stop you will not regret it!

    (5)

  • Matt L.

    Ok, the basic the story was this.... One of the waiters (not ours) spilled what looked like ranch dressing on my jacket that was resting on back of the chair while clearing a table. Accidents happen, I get it, but that waiter acted as if it was "no big deal" (minimize) and tried to tell me it would come right out with soda water then he proceeded to try to blot out the stain (just plain sophomoric and dumb). The manager came by and the best she could offer was if I BROUGHT my dry cleaning receipt by, the would cover the cost. If I BROUGHT IT OVER? I could give a sh*t about the $10 (or less) for dry cleaning. Did she think I had time to come back for $10? And yes, I got a similar "vibe" as one of the other reviewers that felt the bartenders had a "beer snob" attitude. Net/net - good beer selection, convenient location, decent clientele but service DOES matter and on that point alone, it would be tough to go back. Sorry.

    (1)

  • Liz K.

    My only complaint is that they're not open for brunch or even lunch for that matter. But you will get your fill during dinner time or late-night. Tons of beers to choose from, and a very knowledgeable staff. If this is your first visit, try the mac and cheese, if not, they have tons of other menu items to eat. This is a good date place, since the lighting is dim and you hear the other person talk. I don't know anyone that has anything bad to say about this place!

    (5)

  • Donald W.

    Great place when you're in the mood to get out of the comfort zone of Miller Lite and Sam Summer and try something new. Like "I've never heard of these beers new". It does get crowded on many nights for both the bar and restaurant seating as others have noted, so if you're looking for a place to decompress and spread out, then this might not be the best option for you. Overall the food is pretty good. The frites are very, very good. The other items that I've tried weren't too bad. I've had the Fish and Chips which was good. The Mac and Cheese was good too. Many of friends rave about the Mac and Cheese, but I'm not ready to go there. Surprisingly for me the best thing that I've tried there was the veggie burger. I believe it's made in-house and it is great. The texture isn't super firm, but the taste is very fresh. I'll order that to try to feel healthy and justify to myself that its okay to ravage the frites that they serve with it. Keep in mind that I'm a card carrying member of the National Red Meat Association, so when I like a veggie burger that means something.

    (4)

  • Darrin W.

    My friends took me out to the Publick House for my birhtday a few weekends ago because we heard it was a great place. We got there at probably 8 PM on a Saturday and it was starting to get packed. We signed up for a table but the wait was over an hour which was ok for the time being because we were going to hit the bar up anyways. Some other friends called me to meet them outside so they knew where we were at. There was a line so I stood there with the other people and waited over 45 mins. I know the guy at the door was just doing his job, but as people were leaving for the night he was very slow to let the new people in. The food was ok, but I will admit they did have a good selection. The beer choices were wonderful. I would go back if someone suggested it, but after my first experience I am not going to be the one to suggest the place.

    (2)

  • Joanna B.

    If you like fish and chips, this is the place to get 'em! SO good. Was in last night, and was also very glad that they had one of my favorite pumpkin beers (Pumking!) on tap.

    (5)

  • Morgan F.

    WARNING: This is not a place you go for a meal when you are STARVING, unless you are willing to fill-up on beer while you wait! Even on a Wednesday, this place is hoping! Hoping in a way that you want to be there! Well, I heart Hefeweizen beer THUS I heart The Publick House and their awesome selection. I was first introduced to it by a beer snob boyfriend back in my "I don't think I like beer days" just after turning 21. Oh, Publick House how you showed me the light!!! Slowing moving my way up through the list to more complicated and hoppy beers, till I was truly obsessed! As for the food, the portions are large, so large they sometimes feel like they might fall off the plate. Try the fries with the different flavored dips, I have not seen that too many places in Boston! As for the veggie burger its good and very filling, but not the best I have ever had in Boston. Anyhoo, one of the things I REALLY like about this joint is the amount of females. Now that I frequent lots of "quality beer bars" I have noticed how low the female quota can be, and Publick House does a great job of attracting both sexes, okay maybe not equal numbers, but closer than most! Win for the guys and win for me not being one of 3 girls in the joint :) P.S. Picnic table style eating on hot summer days! I am in!

    (4)

  • John V.

    I have to give this place 5 stars for the mass amounts of unique Belgian Ales available. For an American Craft Beer lover, you will be disappointed, but it is OK, loosen up a bit and open yourself up to the beautiful brewings of our friends in Belgium, Norway, and other Northern Europe countries. I think the service it top notch, they serve your beer in the correct glass. When I say correct, I mean not only the correct shape, but also the same logo on the glass! The beer is also brought to you and pored at your table. It almost feels "special", like you are the king of kings waiting for your beer wench, or whatever is the male equivalent of wench, to poor your sweet, delicious suds. I didn't eat, but saw my friends orders and the food looked very good. I totally saved room for the beer and enjoyed 4 different beers from a Norwegian Porter to Victory Golden Monkey. It was a great Belgian experience, and I will go back to the Publick House often . I suggest getting there early as you will need to wait for a table. It's very busy inside, but once you sit relax, drink, and let the wenches do the work :)

    (5)

  • Dana B.

    Beers! Beers! Beers! And yet, more beers! So many beers. Most of them I'd never heard of before - which isn't surprising, but it was a nice change of pace to be able to branch out in to the world of finer things. The food, well, thats another story. I'm a pretty easy person to please when it comes to food, and, well, I couldn't really find much. And what I didn't find, I found to be overpriced. I ended up settling on a bacon cheeseburger with fries. Cooked to my liking with a decent amount of bacon. The fries are hit or miss. I enjoyed them, my friend did not. We were there at offpeak hours and the service was great. The busier it got, the more annoyed the waitstaff seemed to get with our requests - par for the course I guess.

    (3)

  • Ligaya T.

    I am proud to stake claim as the 197th reviewer as the wondrous bounty of this Belgian beer paradise blew through my stratosphere. If that doesn't make any sense blame their irresistible brews. The selection is just phenomenal and deserves an entire evening devoted to appreciating the craft. We started with two samplers spanning golden aled (La Chauffe), Allagash Four (4 different hops, malts, yeasts and sugars, which ended up tasting like brandy), Atomium (clearly the WINNER of the night), a spectacular bock, pale ale and even raspberry tinged sort. I'd have appreciated if the barkeep was a little bit more masterful, but he was pleasant enough. It was bustling without being too noisy, packed with too mature to be hipster crowd and on a Sunday night no less. Beer appurtenances plastered the walls, and to my delight I saw not one but TWO La Fin Du Monde posters. Oh but the food. Here's where my smile turned upside down. Fries, served in a paper bag with yummy dipping mayo. We're good. Beet and argula salad in a mountainous pile. Floppy, tinny tasting beets, drenched in dressing. Meh. Pumpkin ravioli doused in Ephemere cream sauce, crasins and hazelnuts layered with asiago. Just odd, filling too sweet, sauce thick and incongruous cheese. Next. Despite that, for all you beer aficionados, the pilgrimage is far worth it.

    (4)

  • Walter G.

    the publick house has a GREAT beer selection, good food, and cool decor. on top of that, it's the only place in brookline that i know of where you can sit at picnic tables outside which is a huge plus. so why two stars? i honestly don't really enjoy spending time at the publick house anymore because all the attitude problems make it a hard place to go and just relax. i never even got the snobby vibe that other people complain about, just the rude vibe. to be fair, i've been spoken to more than once about SEMI-legit stuff (e.g. smoking at the tables, gambling, being too loud) but i've never been spoken to about the same thing more than once and i've really never been to a bar as up-tight as the publick house. examples: leave your id inside while you go out to smoke? that's a hasslin; try to enjoy drinks at your table after dinner? nope - leave now so we can turn the table around; you just bought a drink inside and all your friends are at a table outside that you were just at? SORRY - no bringing drinks out no matter what; you talked to someone tonight who stole a glass over a year ago? no finishing your drinks or meal, you're kicked out NOW without any discussion! **THIS HAS ALL ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME!!** i don't go to publick house anymore unless my friends have their hearts set on it, and even that's happening less frequently cuz of all the BS (and cuz deep ellum is awesome).

    (2)

  • Deepa C.

    Josh and I went back recently because I was having a bad for you food craving and Publick house was down the street. That was when I discovered the BEST mac and cheese I have ever had. Seriously. I mean, I tired Josh's lobster mac and cheese the last time and it was good, but with tomatos and broccoli, it was just perfect. I love that you can mix in whatever ingredients you want. I kept it simple to keep the price down, but it was a combo I will probably repeat soon. GO HERE if you like mac and cheese. Creamy, lots of layers of flavor, huge portions, real bread crumbs. You're welcome.

    (5)

  • Hiroko S.

    This is what I was looking for. Actually I am crazy about Belgian beer. My favorite beer is "Delirium Tremens" with pink elephant. Do you know how it was hard for me to find this in new area. For those who crazy about beer, yes you!! don't look at this review!, just go and get your beer. strong beers are waiting for you. I like the beer because each of them has story in their back ground. Pink elephant is the dream that drunker see and the name of beer is the shake of drunker. What a great beer in the world. I think I will give great review if you have Delirium Tremens!!

    (4)

  • Beth B.

    Beer 5 stars...excellent selection and staff helpful with recommendations Food 3 stars...a little greasy and lacking flavor. The lobster mac and cheese was underwhelming. The frites never disappoint though!

    (4)

  • Jaime G.

    I went here looking for a great Belgian Moules Frites experience, so my review is only about the Mussels and Fries. Perhaps my standards are high, given that the DC area (where I live now) has 2 fantastic Belgian style mussels restaurants (FYI: Granville Moore's and the Mussels Bar), but given that background, I found the ones at Publick very disappointing. What I look for in a Belgian style mussels bar: 1. A broth that makes you want to soak it up with any available piece of bread or fries 2. A decent, crispy french fry. Our table tried 3 different flavors: 1. Echte Kriekenbier, herbed garlic butter; 2. La Chouffe, tomato, chive, roasted garlic, prosciutto and 3. Victory Prima Pils, red curry, coconut milk, lime, sweet chili. In all three cases, the mussels themselves were very small and looked a bit dried out. But that may not have mattered if the broth had been good. However, for the Kriekenbier and La Chouffe, the broths were almost tasteless. I will say that the Curry broth was pretty good. But I would not go back just for that. In addition, the fries, while hot, were nonetheless soggy. While some of the other aspects of the bar may be great, if you are looking to find a solid Moules Frites place, I'd recommend that you keep looking. Parts of the restaurant I did like, if you are still reading: delicious french onion soup, good beer list, friendly and knowledgeable server, nice decor.

    (2)

  • Mike T.

    Any craft beer fan who finds themselves in the Boston area, should stop here. I know that I was happy that I made a point of doing so. While at Publick House, I enjoyed a couple very nice beers that I cannot find while back in CT. My group also had some food, which was OK, but not great. Our charcuterie platter was pretty good, but what were the raisins all about ? Some nice olives in that spot would have made sense, but raisins, really ? What are they, "artisinal raisins"? Oh well, it made for a good laugh. And the food costs a fair amount of money, be forewarned. If I went again, I would get a bite elsewhere prior to popping in here, for some great beer.

    (3)

  • David F.

    I have been visiting the Publick House for the past five years. Took a hiatus of about 8 months recently. Beer selection is still decent, though we're getting a little bit priced out at Monk's cell and on some of the other Belgians ($9 for a 10z pour from Belgium or not, just can't do it). I think the selection used to be more varied/exciting on the "Here." (U.S.) front as well. The bartenders and service used to be top notch. Not so much anymore. A recent visit to Monk's Cell left us waiting for nearly 20 minutes for our server to remember we were even there, and come back to take our food order (we had just asked for another minute). Food wasn't so good. Citrus Grilled Chicken Sandwich was dry and boring. Greens aren't quite what they used to be (where's the jicama??). Ratatouille wrap was beyond bland. Did they change chefs? I predict another hiatus.

    (2)

  • Steve L.

    Totally awesome experience -- beers were great and it was the best bar food I've had so far. We snacked on the fries for a while -- crispy outside, very creamy inside. Then wash it down with something crisp and bubbly. The fish and chips were amazing -- crunchy, tender, moist, not greasy. I left Boston now and I miss this place!

    (4)

  • A. P.

    This is how I get the biggest return on my investment at the Publick House: -Order the beer(s) with the lowest price tag and the highest alcohol content. Typing this aloud is probably grounds for blacklisting, but hey: I am a beer lover, not a beer snob. Luckily, their buyers are very emphatically the latter, and I can count on whatever I order being pretty decent. Hence, I have no qualms about ordering a Victory V-12 ($5, 12% abv) and a Victory Baltic Thunder ($4.50, 8.5% abv) in order to achieve a healthy-yet-not-incapacitating buzz. And hey, they taste excellent. Bonus. -Share the moules frites with a pal. You'll get a huge, steamy pot of mussels in broth, seasoned one of three (I think) ways, along with a sizable tear of perfectly chewy French bread. We always opt for the old-school Belgian style (white wine, garlic, not much else). The frites are served in a teeny little cone and are kinda incidental, but this is fine. The mussels are running the show. I go home happy, full of shellfish and only about 19 bucks poorer.

    (4)

  • Eric W.

    I wouldn't recommend this place for any reason other than beer. Which, of course, is absolutely reason enough. The beer menu is the most entertaining and educating one in the city, and it would take many visits to exhaust its potential. However, don't come here for atmosphere, unless you dig dining with those squealing piglets known as children. Don't come here for service, unless you enjoy being seated on awkward stools in the back room I have come to call the Leper Section. And maybe don't even come for food, unless you want that ultimate beer partner mac and cheese, in which case, I suggest you load it with add-ons. The basic dish is a bit plain. Also, re: the other reviews, you should apparently avoid late weekend nights, as my visit at least avoided the dreaded "college bar scene."

    (3)

  • Tony K.

    Walked in around 8pm on a Friday night. Packed wall to wall. Had to fight my way to the bar. Once I got there, the beer selection was good. About a dozen belgians (not my thing) and about a dozen "others" on draught. The "others" tended to be high alcohol beers as well, I recall at least 2 double IPAs - Victory Hop Wallop and Southern Tier Unearthly. I think I ended up drinking a Victory Prima Pils and 2 Hop Wallops. After waiting an hour, we got seated. For dinner we started with the cheese plate. The cheese and the bread were forgettable, but the mustard was interesting. More mustard seed than mustard mustard. I had the cuban sandwich. It was good except the bread was all wrong. Not sure if the chef has ever actually seen cuban bread. Tasty, if not traditional. My friends had the fish and chips and the mac 'n cheese. I had a taste of each and would definitely go back for mac 'n cheese. The fish was good, but you can get fish and chips anywhere.

    (3)

  • Bao Anh N.

    My boyfriend and I visited the Publick House and we really enjoyed it. He really likes craftbeers and was impressed with their selection. Our meal was great: mussels and also a cheese and meat board. Nice relaxed atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Tracee D.

    ok! my pal and I have been meaning to go here for months. Problem is we always forget where it is and get sidetracked. After the Brookline Open Artist studio's we knew we had to actually get here. We love beer. Like a lot. We also love really good service b/c we are retired bartendresses and have convinced ourselves that we deserve it!. The cutie pie pigtailed beauty (named Shelly) is the nicest bartender there ( and maybe in the entire 617). There is a reason her bar is full. The angry male bartender wasn't so nice to us. We were just 2 ladies looking to pound 5-7 beers before dinner. You know, nothing out of the ordinary. We are nice. Our husbands say we are pretty. Why was he so sour grapes? I will never know. I think he used to work at "Dicks last resort" and had a memory lapse. The grilled calamari was good but we should have went for the moules and frites...Those Frites! Those frites- so good and I love mayo options. This is a great place. All we require is a good beer selection and a decent pour. But this guy was the pits. Like really the pits. Every interaction with him had me fighting the urge to ask him "if he was angry today". That's no good.

    (4)

  • Alan P.

    Told us it would be a a 1 hour wait, turns out that's their code for 2 hour wait. All the waiting did give us time to discover the trick to getting your money's worth on the beer. If you order any beer over 8% alcohol content, you get basically a wine glass's worth of beer. Order 7.9% or lower and you get a normal sized beer. Silly policy, but there's a 7.7% Smuttynose that is really yummy and a good value. When we finally got seated, food was good, big portions, etc. But our waitress was uninspired, cold, lifeless, and robotic. Plus once we had our food, she effectively dropped off the face of the planet. Because of it, we couldn't order any more drinks (their loss), and by the end of our meal or table was overflowing with heaps and towers of uncleared muscle shells. Our poor vegan friend was hidden behind a muscle shell castle we built on his plate. We found out why it took them 2 hours to seat us. After we had finished eating, it took us a good 30 minutes to even catch the eye of our clueless waitress.

    (2)

  • Alison H.

    If you like beer, you've been here. My favorite place in the world. Gets crowded, sure, but what good place is empty on a Friday night? I always get the burger (beyond delicious!!) or the mac n cheese with a side caesar salad. Maybe I should diversify, but those items are just too good to pass up. The beer selection is endlessly fascinating, never disappoints. Some of the bartenders can be a bit beer-snobby (actually, just the dude with the naked lady tattoos) but most are laid-back, friendly, and willing to help you find the perfect brew to quench your thirst. The atmosphere is cozy. A great place to to seek refuge during a snow storm. I loves loves loves me some PH.

    (5)

  • Liz O.

    A few months ago I would have given them a 5+++++. But this summer they got a new chef who redid the menu and it was a sorry disappointment from what it used to be. I especially miss the pumpkin ravioli, which used to be their best dish and one of the only reasons I went there. If they brought that back, I would be in love again.

    (2)

  • Christopher F.

    This is perhaps my favorite restaurant anywhere. The restaurant feels like a sacristy and is furnished with gothic church surplus with old light fixtures, pews for benches and altar chairs. However, the church comparisons end there as this place fills up very quickly with the yuppie crowd and gets quite loud with as they try to talk over the consistently great music being played by the bartenders on the speakers. The interior is covered with beer advertisements and there is an impressive array of glasses hanging over the bar. The food is what they call 'cuisine a la bier' where the food is made to compliment and even sometimes includes beer. Their macaroni and cheese is the best I've ever had, with optional add-ins like andouille, spinach, bacon, chicken, scallops and truffle cream among many others, you can turn your regular mac n cheese into a masterpiece. The fish and chips are also near perfect. I gave their pot of mussels a try and I'm sure they're great, but sadly... I just don't think I like mussels. The beer selection is without peer. Belgian and Belgian style beers dominate the tap list with a superior American Craft Beer list and an extensive bottle list that stretches four pages of a large menu in 10 point font. They are always served in the appropriate glassware and at the appropriate temperature. The waitresses are extremely cool and are relatively helpful with beer novices, although the service can run a little slow when the place is packed to the rafters. My only problem with this restaurant is that it doesn't open earlier than 4 pm.

    (5)

  • Tom G.

    Coming from Philly, a town with a few really solid beer-focused pubs, this place was like a slice of home - only with better food. The beer selection is great, the food is solid, and they don't do shots. The fact it's only like 5 minutes from my apartment makes it a huge win.

    (5)

  • Brandon L.

    The beer list is definitely a four, the mac and cheese is a 5, but their meat board was the worst I've ever had and that knocked them ALL the way back to a 3 star. The service was nice, but seriously, a potentially very cool bar with a tiny tv screen and in need of a better meat plate.

    (3)

  • Jamie G.

    Came here for a late dinner Sunday night. Seated right away, and they had the patriots game on. Very good Belgian/German beer selection on tap and in bottles. Unique and different choices. I had the Delirium tremens, which was a more yeasty belgian pale ale. For food, they had a very limited selection. I had the meatloaf with was made with beer gravy and was topped with beer cheese. It was very rich and had kind of a funky taste to it. He had the Shortrib with a root vegetable medley which was very tasty and cooked just right. Not too expensive, and nice atmosphere and location.

    (4)

  • Pete C.

    I used to love this place, but now I'm down to really like. It used to be such a pleasure to come here when nobody knew about it (way back when...)....but now, it's always a sad and frustrating battle to get a seat. I'm now relegated to the early week or mid-Sat/Sun afternoon crowd 'cuz I just hate getting knocked around while I hold my beer in one hand and my coat in the other. Sometimes I'll suffer the crowd on a Fri/Sat night....but rarely.... The beers here, I love. The beers are what keeps me coming back. The food can be very good (I had the Publick Platter last time I was there, and it was perfect), but the food also can be kind of just OK. The same pretty much goes for the staff - sometimes you get a peach....sometimes you get a crabapple..... Also....not cheap......

    (4)

  • Kevin T.

    Simply put - The Publick House is my favorite bar in this slice of Brookline - great selection of Belgian and Belgian-style beers on tap (30-40) and a great many more in bottles, I adore their 'Famous Mac & Cheese', good atmosphere and perfectly friendly staff. Fair warning though - it gets unpleasantly crowded on the usual drinking nights.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    I went to The Publick House for the first time several years ago. The food was fantastic - I got the veggie burger and some squash appetizer that I don't think they serve anymore. What I've found over the years is that this excellent experience really depends on what you decide to order from the menu. Last night I went with three friends. Among us, two ordered the fish and chips, one the homemade sausages, and one a burger with bacon and cheese. Everything was delicious except the sausages - they come with onion rings on top (awesome!) with salad stuffed in between the rings (what?) and swimming in a pool of gravy (seriously?). The burger was excellent, as were the fish and chips. The beer (Blue Hills IPA) was watery and the Coke (apparently generic) was terrible. You cannot get iced tea or coffee here. It's a pub, so I get it. It was too hot and too loud for 7pm on a Monday night, which really took away from the experience. It's a great place, but it used to be better.

    (3)

  • Lisa O.

    We stumbled upon the Publick House while wandering down Beacon Street during the marathon. Nothing makes me want a burger and a beer more than watching other people run 26 miles, so we just had to stop in. At first, the craziness inside was a little overwhelming and we almost left. I am SO glad we didn't. We found a table on the left side of the restaurant and it was surprisingly quiet over there, which wasn't EXACTLY what we were looking for, but hey, a table is precious real estate. The beer menu is overwhelming. It helps to know what you like, but even if you do, picking out a beer is a daunting task. I asked the server/bartender for a suggestion and he gave me a good one. Of course I can't remember what it was though! Although I have heard only good things about the mac and cheese (and I am a mac and cheese FANATIC), it was definitely a burger kind of day. Both of us ordered burgers and both were super-satisfied. These are goooooood hunks of beef. We ordered medium well, and they were a little more well than that, but still nummy. The server/bartender was a champ. He was all over the place, seemingly serving everyone in the joint with a smile on his face. I don't know how he did it! The Publick House was a great find, and I will definitely be back to sample more of all that delicious beer!

    (4)

  • Irene R.

    UPDATE: 8-11-08 (2STAR) I've gone to this pub ~6 times lately with groups of friends in the area and out-of-towners. Up from 1 star previously, like it or not, it's a big pub in the middle of Brookline and has decent parking and a big selection of beer. Also, the last ~4 of those 6 times, the bartenders haven't been snot-holes, they've been helpful and friendly (gasp!). It's still difficult to get a place to sit, unless you go on a weekday early. But we've had luck getting barstools at least and ended up having some good conversation there, especially on a slow, summer, midweek early evening. That's worth another star. I ate there recently too. We waited about 1.5hrs for a table (not bad because we were drinking and almost forgot we put in for a table). The other food was good (mussel app, chowder, veggie burger and fries) BUT the famous macaroni and cheese is just shy of horrible. I got the caramelized onions and macaroni and cheese. It tasted like slimy rancid oil and noodles. Where is the cheese? Don't expect elbow noodles and cheddar cheesy brown crust goodness like your mom cooked or didn't cook but you heard about such mom's cooking. Expect epicurean shell noodles with a sprinkling of fancy cheese assortments you don't quite get on any level. EARLY REVIEW (1STAR): This place is by far the most snotty and snobby pub I've been to in my life. I mean, it's BEER. BEER. Not diamonds. Not cocaine. Just BEER. Some of it made by monks or people who like all-things-monkish (belgian), some of it made by regular joes who like all-things-joeish (sam adams). The first time I went here, I asked if a group of BC graduate students could come here on a certain night and rent the back room. They said they weren't going to support "Grad Nights" and solidly refused some potentially good business. BC Graduate Students are probably over half their current monthly income!! I was appalled they wouldn't even consider this offer, AND, that they lumped BC Graduate Studetns in with the "party-n-barf" types -- I felt embarassed to be studying for a higher degree just talking to them. The second time I went, after being snobbed on a few times while ordering beer (actually, a belgian raspberry lambic) , I asked if they would consider importing a keg of Shiner Bock, a Texas beer that is similar to Sam Adams Winter or a Newcastle. They said they'd never consider bringing in a Texas beer, simply because it was from Texas and the owner didn't like Texans. And it's not only what they said each time, but HOW it was said, with this Snotty McSnot Snot attitude and all rushed and rolled-eyes and how-could-yous. If you want a nice glass of snot, or a pint of beer with extra snob, go to Publick House. But on another note, why go to Publick House when Deep Ellum is so much better? True, they don't have the selection of old beers that sit on a shelf way too long getting snobbier as time goes on. Instead, they have a selection of great brews, a changing new keg import and bartenders that are friendly, helpful and all around cool-sans-snob.

    (2)

  • Danielle S.

    I really do like the atmosphere of this place. The servers are generally nice and attentive. They have a great beer list and outdoor seating during the summer. A huge plus. We did wait 1.5 hours once for our food (I believe the order got lost), but I think that was a fluke and I'd bet it doesn't happen that often. All in all, I'm a fan still minus that one negative experience.

    (4)

  • Clara L.

    Went here for dinner. We got there and it was fairly busy, there were no tables available and we were told it would be a half hour wait. We were hungry but didn't want to go elsewhere, so we headed to the bar to grab a drink and wait, and if all else failed, we would eat at the bar. We were seated about 20 minutes later and ordered some food. We started off with the pate plate which was pretty good. For dinner, I got the chicken sandwich and the boy got the sausage burger. My chicken came out and it was spicy! There wasn't a mention that there was a kick to it on the menu, and after a few bites, I couldn't eat it anymore. I traded up for the sausage burger and it was decent. A little dense (I think the burger was just packed too tightly) but tasty. Based on the food, I would give this place two stars, but the beer selection definitely redeemed a star. Awesome selection and pretty much each of them had their own label's glass that they were poured in. Neat!

    (3)

  • Christopher M.

    A long long time ago, in a kingdom far far away this place was called Kokopelli's Chili Company, and they made many scrumptous dishes involving the meat of strange and exotic creatures. I spent many, many, many nights eating chili and offending people. Then one day it closed. I was sad. Then one day I found out it was a bar, and I was sadder. But then something magical happened. On my lunch break, over my third or fourth mug of beer at Bukowski's I overheard people talking about this wonderful new place called the Publick House that had a beer selection that made Buk's seem lame. "Yeah, isn't that where that crappy chili place used to be?" After I quelled the rage inside me at this unwarranted blasphemy, I made a mental note that I hoped I'd be able to read after I sobered up. Luckily, my memory fairies were working overtime, and I ventured there that very weekend. Shangri-la I say unto you! Great atmosphere, curt staff, great beer selection. My kinda place! Sadly, my current quest to look like Zeus has me watching my carbs, but I will return triumphantly to salsa with the suds. Until then. . .five stars. . .five stars.

    (5)

  • molly f.

    so this was tricky because I'm allergic to beer. Most places I go to have cider on tap or in bottles so 95% of the time, I'm fine...sadly, the Publick house was out of cider so I opted for one of the two wines they were serving...a Malbec. Not bad. We stayed for dinner & everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I had beef stew and while it was good, you could tell it had been thickened with corn starch (not TLC) which was disappointing. Others in my party had the macaroni & cheese which they seemed to enjoy, although the jalepeno maccaroni & cheese was missing the punch it promised and had to make due with tabasco sauce instead. all in all, while the atmosphere was fun...i'd go for the beer (if I drank it) and stick to the pub fare.

    (3)

  • Emily F.

    A bit overrated though always (over)crowded around dinnertime. Service can be incredibly slow. Veggie burger, mediocre (portions quite large). Sure they have a lot of beer, though they've been out of beers I've wanted to try more than once. Publick House tends to attract a "young professional" crowd and older. I haven't ever found the bartenders to be too friendly or helpful in offering suggestions, even when it's been nearly empty on a weeknight. Sigh. Don't believe the hype. Other beer-abundant options: Sunset, Deep Ellum

    (3)

  • Kristina D.

    The mac and cheese (orecchiette, to be exact) is to die for. You can get any number of gourmet cheeses along with various additions (truffle cream, bacon, sausage, tomato, spinach, mushrooms, etc). After a long day of moving, most of us got said mac and cheese with different add-in combinations (truffle and bacon, mushroom and sausage, sausage and tomato, spinach). I have also had the mac and cheese with sausage on a previous occasion--that too was delightful I adored my truffle and bacon mac and gleefully took home half of it...yet my glee was short-lived, because the styrofoam container fell out in my bag during the next round of moving. Five-second rule violations and being left out in the living room rendered the mac inedible. The beer selection is also to die for. I give this four stars only because I live far away from it!

    (4)

  • Val S.

    Just tried this place and love it. Excellent beer list and yummy food. It was great to go for an early dinner with our toddler and some friends. The staff were awesome about our kids, as well as the other diners.

    (5)

  • Marti S.

    The macaroni and cheese is great. Seriously. When people tell you it's good, they're not kidding. It's mostly great because you can add so many different ingredients! Also, there's a great beer selection and the wait staff seems to actually know what they're talking about. However, it's really loud, making it a hard place to go for a meal in which you want to actually talk to the people you're with. Also, I feel like the layout of the place is kind of strange... although, our table was kind of snug in a corner, which was comforting. So, I guess, Publick House is really great for comfort food and just relaxing... but there are also people who say it's good for going out, so... yea for restaurants that are multipurpose!

    (4)

  • Boogie S.

    "This will be my final meal before my execution" - Gentleman at table across from me.

    (5)

  • Jess K.

    I wanted to show my brother a good time in Boston so I took him first to Tsunami and then to the Publick House. He had the best time EVER and I am not sure which place he loved more. The beer samplers are addictive. When they cost $1.50 a piece you just keep ordering them and ordering them! I think we tried about 20 of them before choosing our favorites and ordering pints. Lets just say the night is very blurry! I would recommend this place to anyone looking to have a chill evening and to enjoy delicious beer. The place wasn't too loud that we couldn't sit and chat, which we did, for many hours. Go here!

    (5)

  • Paul M.

    I give it four stars for the beer alone. Add a star if you love Belgian beers, as that is clearly the specialty at this busy and trendy pub. My wife and I lean more toward IPAs, and still had plenty to choose from. I had a complexly flavorful Swiss IPA that was clearly one of a kind. My wife had a Double IPA that bordered on a hallucinogenic. The mac and cheese was sinfully delicious comfort food. I've read reviews complaining of the parking and waits for a table, but we had no problem with either on a busy Sunday night. We'll be back.

    (4)

  • K. M.

    First off, I think to be fair, the Publick House really deserves 2.5 stars, but I'm shooting low to try to correct its overall rating. Second, let me say that I've been to the Publick House many times over the past three years or so, and while I loved it initially, I dislike it more and more with each visit. The main reason for this is a pattern you can notice if you take a quick look at its reviews. On the one hand, the Publick House really does have some good food and they serve a lot of great beers. The 'Mac & Cheese' seems to win universal admiration, and their beer selection is impressive. So you'll see some people really enjoying their experience and giving it 4 or 5 stars. On the other hand, their service can be quite poor. They often seem understaffed, and the staff they do have are rarely friendly and seem to enjoy going out of their way to be rude to customers. So you'll see other people giving the place 1 or 2 stars, because every so often you'll just have a terrible experience here. In other words, it's a mixed bag. If you come when it's not busy or when whatever mix of bartenders and servers working that night has toned down their misplaced elitism, you can have a really good time--decent food, decent beer, and no real problems. But if you catch them when it's busy or the staff is in one of their more Belgian-noir moods, it can be one of the worst dining experiences Boston has to offer. For my own part, I'm sick of the overall moodiness of the place. I still go when friends (usually newer to the area) are just really excited to go there, but I'm always relieved when people have the good sense to suggest an alternative destination for a night out.

    (2)

  • Mark M.

    First things first, the food is wonderful. The pumpkin ravioli (in season) is really perfect and the mix and match mac & cheese (asparagus and scallops for me!) is a solid hearty choice (not sure anything here is not hearty though - but you shouldn't be out trying to lose weight at this place). The beer selection is really extensive as well - Although a few times I've ordered Rochefort 12 and they are out so I downgrade to Rochefort 10 (probably a better pick anyway though). It's best to go during the week as it gets pretty busy and definitely get a table. My one real beef here is the waiters really don't give you the time of day until you ask their opinion on a beer selection. They tend to look at you like they are auditioning for Children of the Corn but seem to snap out of their disturbing behavior when it comes to beers created by trappists. Frankly though, the food and beer is so good they could punch me in the face upon exiting the restaurant and I'd still come back.

    (4)

  • Heather R.

    I've been to the Publick House a couple of times now. So far I have not been too impressed. The service is slow (mind you I think I've only been on Saturday night when the place is nuts), the beer menu is probably great if you're a beer connoisseur (which I'm totally not) but it's pretty expensive if you're on a tight budget. However, if you're patient enough to wait for a table, order your food and have them bring it to you, the food is really good. I split the vegetarian pasta with a friend and it was still plenty of food for the two of us. Despite being loaded with my all time most hated vegetable (THE PEA), it was still very tasty. Everyone else at our table gave the thumbs up on their food as well. Also, I wouldn't recommend going there on a hot summer night. It gets pretty steamy/funky in there with no AC.

    (3)

  • Erica S.

    Whenever I make the trek to the Publick House from my home in Somerville, it feels like a special occasion. I round up a group of friends, set aside some cash, and get ready for a long night of beer sampling. To say this place is for beer aficionados is... well, accurate, but still feels almost like an understatement. The beer selection here is just ridiculous, focusing on Belgian ales that are each served in the appropriate accompanying glassware (almost every type of Belgian beer has its own branded glassware, if you can believe that). I consider myself somewhat of a beer snob, yet am completely over my head at Publick House, as I know very little about Belgian beers. Next time, I am bringing a pencil and paper and taking notes as I try as many styles as I can stomach. It's a beer education waiting to happen. Aside from beer, the food is really good-- it's a little fancy, but still affordable, with entrees ranging usually from $10-18. Though it's a meat lovers paradise, vegetarians will be happy with the delicious veggie burger or one of the varieties of interesting salads there are to choose from. I've never had a cheese platter here, but have heard they are good, and am always impressed by the special cheese menu. Seating is only available for people who order food, and you should expect to wait a while for a table, but it's worth it. Don't worry, the bar will keep you occupied-- order yourself a beer sampler, and enjoy!

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    Never in my life have I walked out of a restaurant without leaving a tip. Until tonight. As a direct result of this evening's events at The Publick House in Brookline, my party of five walked out having paid five cents above our $128.05 bill, simply because none of us had anything smaller than a dime. I was with four friends this evening, and we thought we would check out The Publick House's trivia night tonight, as we enjoy trivia nights and, up until now, also enjoyed The Publick House. Trivia began between 8:15 and 8:30. After the first question, we were informed by our server that since there was a long wait, they needed the table, as we were finished with dinner. Our table had been cleared just about five or ten minutes prior, and we still had beer in our glasses. Never did they ask if we wanted dessert, after dinner drinks, coffee, more beer - nothing. Basically, we were handed the bill and recommended that if we wished to stay for trivia and keep drinking, we could do so at the bar. Up until this point, it was a pleasant evening. Everyone was happy, polite, and undemanding. We all agreed that this just wasn't right, and I went to speak with the host, who promptly dispatched me to manager. I explained to the manager where we were sitting, when we arrived, what we had been consuming and that we planned to continue consuming. He reaffirmed that if we wished to stay, we could do so at the bar because of their two hour wait. We did not wish to stay. We paid and walked out. While I understand that turning tables is not only the recipe to clearing a two hour wait list, but also adding revenue for the evening, I feel that their decision was quite short-sighted by displacing customers that had spent over $30 at the bar, almost $130 (up until that point) at the table, and an undetermined amount of additional after-dinner drinking revenue, not to mention the now sacrificed good will inherent with keeping loyal customers happy.

    (1)

  • Kent M.

    I really wanted to like this place. After checking out the beer selection and menu online, I was looking forward to going. The place was packed on a Wednesday night. My friend got our names on the list around 8:15 and we finally got a table at 9. We ordered steamed mussels that came with fries and beer. The mussels were not good at all; the broth was mediocre and the steamed mussels were gelatinous, tasteless blobs that lacked the subtle "sweet" taste I've come to associate with mussels. Several of the mussels had grit in them; I know this can happen but not something I've experienced in the past. The fries were limp and salty - not appetizing. While the beer was fine, I have intention of going back. The mediocre food, long wait and noisy environment will keep me away.

    (2)

  • Sam S.

    I've heard some ridiculous stories about their rules, but I've only gone for a couple of drinks, so I may need to return for the full experience. I will say that when I went, it was way too crowded for my taste, and I didn't expect that at 8:45/9pm on a Thursday. It was during a big game, so maybe that had something to do with it. Neat place, just wish it hadn't been so full. Or that the other patrons we had to deal with hadn't been so dumb, rude, and socially inept. But that's not Publick House's fault. I'll visit again, but not on game night. And not with friends who might arrive a little late (they refuse to seat you until all arrive and won't serve any latecomers).

    (4)

  • Ben G.

    OK, they don't do shots and they don't have bud light or pitchers. If that's what your looking for, keep walking punk. Oh man, how I did love this place a few years ago before it got all blown up. Unfortunately i can no longer visit this quality establishment with the frequency as in years past as it has been overcome by rookies. Fuckin Rookies... Ok, now I walk in and there are all these pseudo beer connoisseurs pretending they know the difference between all the Flemish tasties. They don't, they don't appreciate the beer like i do. They never heard of beeradvocate.com or have any desire to learn about the beer that they consume. They drink it cause its trendy, cause its cool to like Belgian beer. Now, that i got that off my chest. I can tell you that the food here is outstanding and its all beer inspired or has beer in it. The Publick house serves straight up comfort food. Nothing is pretentious and everything is made with the beer lover in mind. From the little details like the Arrogant Bastard mustard to the classic mussels, nothing could be closer to a Belgian beer lovers wet dream. I always encourage people to check out my favorite beer spots but this one, please don't... Its already way too crowded with people who have no love for the subtleties of this these Flemish beverages.

    (4)

  • Derrick M.

    Just awesome. Great looking restaurant, great service, great food, and great beer/beer selection. Just a lot of greats. I love the atmosphere here. "No shots and no pitchers." I'm a beer snob so I loved the selection of beers not only in bottle but the variety on tap too. Everyone was very nice and our waiter was very attentive and knew the beers well. I'll definitely be back soon.

    (5)

  • Hans W.

    The crowded field of reviewers for Publick House mirrors the prison camp cattle car crowdedness you'll find if you ever go there after 6:30pm. PH is constantly jammed with people. And it's not the kinda place that's designed to be jammed with people. Sewwwww, it's awful! And whatever you do, don't go just to 'sit at the bar and have a drink.' That is categorically impossible at PH. Because there are already people sitting at the bar. And they're shoulder to shoulder. and the bar is like...wider than a pool table. But then it's also like 9 feet tall with all the taps in the way. So you have to scream and gesticulate, and you're right up in the grill of some poor guy sitting at the bar. it's like ordering through a hedgerow. Try to have a conversation with one of your precious "connoisseur" bartenders under those circumstances. you will off yourself. And you know what, jerks? The food is MEH! Also, y'all publick house people really chafe me because you're so stuckup about its mainstream little sister Road House (or American Kraft, or whatever it is now). But that place rules. It is quiet and spacious. Oh, and what's the green thing they're fixing up next door? I like that color. kinda excited! Can't wait for whatever it turns out to be, in fact!! In conclusion, I hope a fire engulfs your stupid publick house. Mmmm...and i hope it takes movieverks with it. yeah. i hate movieworks too.

    (2)

  • James W.

    I have been to the Publick House about 5 times, as it's one of the few options in Washington Square and everyone seems to want to go there. I will never go back. While the food is pretty good, and the beer selection is obviously great, the service is atrocious. I have never waited less than 45 minutes for a table, and once waited for almost 2 hours (they don't take reservations). While you wait, you order beer at the bar and are served by the world's biggest beer snob. If your table takes longer than their ridiculous initial estimate, God forbid you ask the hostess if she can give you an updated timeframe - you will be rebuked with attitude, and a new estimate that is sure to be wrong as well. Once you sit down and order, your food will almost certainly take at least a half hour to arrive. Bottom line is I hate going to a place where the staff feels like they're doing me a favor by allowing me to be there. Trust me, you can get hoegaarden and frites elsewhere without the frustration.

    (1)

  • Lynda M.

    I was dragged in here again a few weeks ago, and said ok--let's go in with an open mind. Food again was mediocre, once we finally got a table. The waitress was like a ghost, she faded in and out, but she managed to keep up a conversation with the bartender. I guess we were not as exciting. Oh well--maybe if I was a beer girl I could see the draw to this place, you get a great beer selection and in return you have to give up comfort and friendly service. This just does not work for me. Never again!

    (1)

  • Jillian Q.

    My friend and I decided to try The Publick House out last night, neither of us having ever been there before. Their beer selection is awesome (I had the hefeweizen that was on tap) and my friend had a glass of wine. We waited about a half hour for a table, which is very understandable on a Friday night. Our waitress was great and was ready with a new drink. My friend and I split an order of mac & cheese with tomatoes and it was AMAZING. We both thought we would had left overs for me to bring home to my husband but we ate every last bite. What I like about it was that it was not a heavy, oily mac & cheese, but still very flavorful. Next time I want to try it with one of their artisinal (sp?) cheeses. For dinner I had a cheese burger, cooked perfectly with yummy fries. My friend had the chicken sandwhich with greens. We were both pleased with our meals. We were even more suprised when we realized how reasonable the prices are! We will definitely be back. The only reason for the 4 stars rather than 5 is that if you are seated anywhere near the bar area (I'ld say about 1/2 the tables are this way) and it is a crowded night it kind of feels like people are sitting on top of you while you are eating. We felt this way while we were waiting for our table as well as when we were seated. It was difficult for our waitress to even get to our table sometimes.

    (4)

  • Hannah L.

    AMAZING beer selection. if you love great beer from all around the world, this is the place for you. i love when a bar gives you the beer in the actual branded glass it's supposed to be in. (like if you order a hoegaarden and you get it in a bud light glass). huge pet peeve. well, they have every accompanying glass for every obscure amazing beer they carry. that really adds to the beer drinker's experience in my opinion. sunset obviously has the most beers, but ambiance in the publick house is 1000x better. low lit and beer cave-like. feels like you are in an old beer house from a long time ago, when buildings were dark and made of stone. one of the best places to go to in the boston area!

    (5)

  • Lynn H.

    This place deserves two stars. One star for their mac-n-cheese (ooey-gooey, calorie-blowing, food-gasmic goodness) and one star for their extensive beer list (a bit pricey but fun to try all different imports). OK maybe another half-star for the outdoor seating..I am a huge sucker for that in the summertime! But generally, that's where a lot of the good stuff ends. As my friends and I jplayfully muse, this place has too many RULES! (Seriously no joke - their rules are actually written all over the walls/menu) No pitchers. No shots. No drinks in the bathroom. No birthday cakes (unless you want to pay an additional $3 PER PERSON to share a cake that you brought in yourself). The only rule they seem to have left out is "No Fun Allowed". And I get that they are a Belgian beerhouse and they're going to serve moules+frites (which I do admit is one of the best Belgian treats ever), but can we have some ventilation please? On a hot, humid day the last thing I need is for my olifactory senses to be raped and pillaged by shellfish. Blech. Walking into the bar was like entering a giant barnacle (not that I would know what that feels like...) Anyway, bottom line, if you're in the mood for some authentic Beligan ales and can stomach the pretentious, mussel-reeking atmosphere, then this place is for you. Otherwise, save yourself a trip and just fly out to Belgium for the real thing. (And with the prices they're charging here, it may actually be worth it!)

    (3)

  • Katherine E.

    Another great stop for beer in Boston. The atmosphere is lively, and has the dark and cozy feel of an Irish pub, except most of the decor has flemish words... The draft list changes often. Lots of American craft brews in Belgian styles (ie: Lost Abbey) in addition to Belgian imports which are harder to find in the US. Good selection of less malty beers, drier porter, and I noticed some gluten free choices. Frites are a must. You get your choice of dipping aiolis and the portion is big enough for a small group. Burgers and mains are great, most are made with beers. I tried the carbonade flamande : beef stew with McChouffe, onions carrots, pototoes and served in an enormous casserole. Very comforting and mildly complex, almost like the mcchouffe and its spices were enough, no need for additional seasonings or herbs. The place tends to fill up fast after 6:30, we showed up at 7:30 on a Saturday and waited for 10 min or so.

    (4)

  • Katie G.

    Lot's of beer, some horrendously over priced and served by the overweight moustache sporting beer snobs. Service fine, offensively large portions - expect to be ordering dinner, and your next two or three meals. Fries come in a 2lb bag. And the menu is hillariously written, making it clear how much smarter the author is than the rest of the world. Love and hugs Tim the British guy PS: Not once did they mention how cute my accent was. Potentially deaf staff.

    (3)

  • Ali E.

    I had been dying to go here for the longest time (after waiting tables at Jacob Wirth for three months I developed an elitist taste for beer) but had yet to drag my lazy ass out to Brookline until recently. The only drawback was price, but if you want good beer, you deal with it. I drank Pranqster all night (a belgian weiss beer) because it was the cheapest thing there at 4$ a glass, but considering there are places charging that much for miller light it really was not a huge issue, and I'd definitely reccomend it. I love the atmosphere - the crowd was really fun and we ended up chatting with quite a few people we didn't come with, which is always a plus. The next time I can rustle up some friends to go in on cab fare back to the city, I'm totally here.

    (5)

  • Allison T.

    Best beer selection in the area and awesome food too! Mac & Cheese is amazing, but be warned that you will have to wait longer for that (meaning your whole table will wait for their food too)! So if you're starving, nix the M&C. Kind of bummed they updated their menu recently and no longer serve meatloaf! Sandwiches are OK, I mean it's pub food so it's great, but the entrees are so much better, so if you're looking for something interesting with good quality I would spend the extra money and skip the tuna melt or cuban press. Only problems I've had is the wait. Wait for a table, and wait for service...it's a busy place and the wait staff and bartenders are always bustling around serving people.

    (4)

  • Matt C.

    The Publick House is the beer mecca of the Boston area. Forget Sunset, where the extraneous taps and millions of bottles lining the walls seem more like they are compensating for something than experts on their craft - the Publick House staff truly know beer and want to share their appreciation with you. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and very friendly - check out the pictures of them testing the beer in Belgium in the Monk's Cell. Now that's what I call commitment. They will recommend the perfect beer despite your buzzed, convoluted ramblings about "citrus hops" and "foamy pour." The food is excellent, but the entrees can be heavy and tend toward wintery food, so I'd stick with the frites (and various mayos) and some of the excellent bar food staples. Unfortunately, the waitstaff should really take a page from the bartenders' book on service and smarts. Nearly every time I've sat down to eat here (vs standing at the bar), my waiter has had minimal knowledge of the draught lines and takes forever to respond to requests for more beer, ketchup, etc. Bad table service is a small price to pay for an otherwise phenomenal establishment. Keep your eye out for the Unearthly IPA, Golden Monkey and Southampton Double White on tap. They are all sure to please. They also keep My Morning Jacket's album Z and The Shins on regular rotation, as well as some great other indie rock albums worth appreciating. Good beer, good music, good food. What else could you want?

    (5)

  • Hannah F.

    Like another Yelper, I have to break this review into two pieces: food/beer and service. Food/beer: Overall, great. Beer selection can't be beat. The fries were awesome, as were the two dipping sauces. The mustard was my fav by far. The fish n chips was great. I, sadly, made the mistake of ordering the veggie burger (after a night of indulging at L'Espalier, I thought I could use some healthy-ish food). That was by far the most disgusting thing ever. The burger itself had the consistency of uncooked meatloaf--mushy, yet somehow holding together so you could make shapes out of it with your fork and it would stay put. I know, I know. I shouldn't order a veggie burger at a pub. But really, if it's going to be on the menu, someone will eventually order it so shouldn't it be decent? Service: Awful. Really awful. The waitress seemed to forget about us after dropping off our appetizer fries. We finished them, placed the container at the other end of the table and waited...and waited...and waited. Beer--done. Diet Coke--empty. Both sat very sadly on the table for the rest of the 'meal' with no replacements. Never asked if we wanted another beer or refill. It's really quite blasphemous to have fish n chips without beer. Good luck trying to ask for another--didn't see our waitress for a long, long time. Meanwhile, the tables around us ordered, ate and paid up. She never once looked at our table. After almost 25 minutes of waiting AFTER we were done with the fries, we were almost ready to leave... but finally the food came (dropped off by another waitress...leading me to wonder if our waitress just didn't like us...) and we dug in. Again, fish was fine. Sadly, even though I ordered the veggie burger with avocado and portobello mushroom, it only came with the avocado (conveniently the one item that cost a little extra). At no point did the waitress check in, ask how the food was or ask if we wanted anything else. I finally flagged her down after a few failed attempts and got the check. Maybe if I had a decent meal and my boyfriend and I both had some refills, we would have been a lot happier with the whole evening. Maybe it takes a bigger group of people to get better service? I have no idea. The mysteries abound.

    (2)

  • Kate S.

    The reasons I like the Publick house have mostly to do with proximity, since it's within walking distance of my house. But I was so pleasantly surprised to go there for the first time and discover a very neighborhood type feel. Yes, it gets very crowded. So I'd suggest if you're going to go, show up early for dinner and just hang around as the place fills up. The food is ok...I don't think it's nearly as bad as some others have mentioned. I did order the "famous" mac and cheese and found it to be not that famous seeming. But it wasn't bad and certainly wasn't cold when I got it. I like the ambiance here, and normally I don't like the whole Irish pub scene because everything tends to be sticky and people are all grunged out. This place has a definite warm, clean feeling. The lighting is good or something. I like the decorations also. All in all, I'd say it's a classy joint.

    (4)

  • Sasha R.

    Okay, you know how everyone always complains about the bitchiness factor of Bostonians, especially among the female constituent, and of how difficult it is to strike up conversations with people? Well, maybe I just feel like everyone complains about it because all my guy friends do - but the point is, this is the type of bar where it might not be so difficult to strike up friendly conversation. Laid back atmosphere without the collegey meat market feel, or the snobbishness of Back Bay establishments. The beer selection is phenomenal, plus, they come in the correct kind of vessel, which, I'm learning, is tantamount to experiencing your beer to the fullest. I was amused by the warning: you won't get your money back if you don't like what you order. To me, that speaks of an original and rare selection, if people don't know what they're ordering, right, and we at yelp like to try new things. The food is not your typical bar food. It has pretentions of being a little fancy, sans a price tag, and somehow, all of it goes excellently with beer. Mussels, calamari salad, sausage, it all screams: give me a malted beverage, give me yeast, give me wheat! Extra points for the wood furniture, the dark "monk's cell" room, and the seriously Flemish feel. I don't know if you understand what that means, but if you come here, you will. Best part, it's close to home and parking is plentiful, I can wear my pumas, and I can talk to anyone!

    (5)

  • P L.

    Incredible beer menu and decent food. Don't come here looking for a cheap pitcher of PBR (not that there is anything wrong with that), come here for a lesson in Belgian beerology where each beer is served in the specific glass designed to maximize drinkability. Unfortunately, this is no gastropub, so don't come here for the food which plays a distant second to the beer. They have a regular pub menu, and prices are moderate-high for a pub (Burger is about $12). We always get the frites to supplement the first couple beers ($5 for a big basket of tiny fries with some tasty dipping sauces). My tip, sit at the bar and don't bother reading the beer menu. Tell the bartenders what you're in the mood for, and ask for their expert recommendations. Much easier, and you will try new delicious things.

    (4)

  • Kristyn M.

    If you like craft beer and microbrews, you need to get to Publick House ASAP! This place has one of the most amazing beer menus I've ever seen. They have just about every type of beer known to man - but the choices do not stop there. Even that breaks down into subcategories, depending on your flavor preference, country of origin, alcohol percentage, etc. Even if you are not an avid beer drinker, you are bound to find something here to suit your palette. Yes, it is geared more to the connoisseur, or at least a person who is willing to go out on a limb and experiment, but even if you are going in completely clueless, the bartenders are (mostly) helpful and always knowledgeable. Some might get a little snooty, but as long as you show interest and are open-minded, you'll get respect from 'em. Word to the wise though: as the sign in their bar proclaims, don't go in looking to do shots or get the cheapest, crappiest tasting beer possible. If you're looking for Bud Light, go back to college. The atmosphere is awesome too - very relaxed, rustic, warm, and fun. You truly feel like you are in an old Belgian brewhouse. And to top it off, their food is delicious. They have several varieties of mussel pots, all cooked in one of their favorite beers. Go. Now!

    (5)

  • Jessie C.

    great beer, great people, fantastic food. love this place and I AM NOT A BEER DRINKER! they have all kinds of hard cider and a full bar so it's pretty fab for everyone and anyone - BUT it gets WICKED full on the weekends so beware. If you plan on eating - get there early or go early in the week when it's not as crowded...i'm headed there tonite so maybe i'll see you there! If you want to eat - order the mac and cheese - it's to die for!

    (5)

  • Ismael C.

    My absolute favorite place in Boston (Brookline), whenever I am in Boston I go, the imported beer selection is impresive and my favorite plate is the fish soup, quite warming for the soul in these cold winter days.

    (5)

  • Art S.

    First, I have one negative thing to say. I was here 2 years ago for halloween dressed as a hockey player, and they wouldn't let me wear my rollerblades inside, so I had to hang out at the bar in my socks. I mean, c'mon, there was at LEAST a 50% chance that I wouldn't get sloppy drunk and injure myself or someone else and have us all sue the bar... Anyway, needless to say, this place is freaking awesome. One of the best beer selections you will find anywhere (and by "best" I don't mean they have 60 things on draft, 58 of which are crap... I mean they have delicious delicious beer). It's a great atmosphere and one of the few places in/around Boston where I don't want to donkey punch everyone in the place. Hands down, the people who hang out here are some of the least annoying people in the area. That's worth 5 stars by itself...

    (5)

  • Steve Z.

    While reading Robert Nadeau's review in the Phoenix, I saw that PH serves frites. I was pretty psyched, because when me and my best friend visit one of our friends in Amsterdam, we love to hit the frites shop at 2am for some late-night potato-y goodness. So... in a self-styled Belgian restaurant, I figured we could at last satisfy the craving for frites without having to go to Amsterdam. Wrong. We had gone hoping to just grab some frites to go and wander. Well, they don't sell them to go. WTF??? Strike 1 against authenticity. Then the dips. What? No curry? Sacrilege. And then getting looked at like we had 5 heads for just wanting plain mayo on one of the orders. (I broke down and tried the chipotle mayo, since they didn't have curry and I like a bit of spice with my frites.) Strike 2. Then the frites arrived. Instead of the nice big steak-cut style you get in the frites joints in the Netherlands, these were string cuts that were little short stubby things. (disclaimer- maybe the "real" style is on the menu. We didn't look at the menu- just ordered frites and beers and this is what we were brought) And they weren't cooked very well either- soggy and greasy. You had to grab 3 or 4 for a decent mouthful and then, well, they were soggy and limp and didn't hold up very good to the mayo. Strike 3. It's a shame. You'd think with a signature item and all the thought that went into authenticity with the beers that the same would extend to the frites. Apparently not. And by the way, Mr Bartender who corrected a patron who was either Belgian or Dutch, judging from his accent- the beer is not pronounced "hoe-garden" as you said, but rather, "whogardin" like the patron correctly pronounced it before you snarkily corrected him. I'd go back for the beer and to hang out on a lazy afternoon and maybe try some of the other food. But the frites? Nee. Niet goed.

    (2)

  • Kitty D.

    While waiting for a table, we ordered a couple of beers at the bar. I asked the bar tender if he had any strawberry beer, he did and served it to me. When our table was ready I asked to settle at the bar and the bill was $27.50 - for 2 beers! The bartender served me a $20 glass of beer without asking if it was OK! We don't expect to drop $30 on 2 beers while waiting to have dinner. When I called to complain and they put me through to the manager - the manager happened to be the bar tender in question. I said that he should simply have said, "it's a $20 beer, are you OK with it?" and that we felt we were taken advantage of, and he spent the next half hour convincing me he was right, saying that when he goes out, he is prepared to spend the money, and so on. He did not apologize, did not do anything to try and make it up to us, basically spent half hour implying we were too cheap to come to Public House. We were so stunned and upset paying $30 for a round at the bar that we did not stay for dinner. They lost a customer. We would have given them another chance if the 'manager' was civil, but he just wanted to be right, so we'll be going somewhere else. I am posting this review so the owner of the business is aware of the manager's poor people skills and rudeness, and to advise others to ask at the bar how much a beer is, which the manager suggested (can you believe it?) we should have done.

    (1)

  • Alison Z.

    2 words: Truffle. Ketchup. Trust me, it will change your life. (You almost don't need fries.) Then there's the signature (truffle) mac 'n cheese. And, of course, their insane beer list. Go early if you want dinner 'cuz it gets full, and for good reason. Their food is amazing.

    (4)

  • Jen C.

    Hell yeah! I have such a special place in my heart for the Publick House. Great atmosphere, GREAT beer - now that they've opened up the second room, it's no longer shoulder to shoulder (or with my short stature, shoulder to elbow - which used to make getting a beer a feat in itself). Talk to the bartenders, and they'll set you straight with whatever you're in the mood for: heavy, light, wheaty, hoppy... My only complaint is the food can be hit or miss here. The mac-and-cheese is only so-so, and the burger's kinda greasy. BUT - if you must eat (and with all that beer, you must!) - try the ribs! Falling-off-the-bone-tender-perfection, every time! Since I'm girly, I tend to order a full rack and split, but those finger licking tender morsels satisfy me in a way no other rib can. Just thinking about them makes me warm and gooey inside. Sigh.

    (4)

  • Rob S.

    Great beer, great bartenders. Front of house staff could be more friendly, but wait staff great. I love the mussels!

    (4)

  • Jon K.

    Either my tastes have changed over the years, or this place is on the decline. First the positives: The beer selection is great, and reasonably priced. If you're not into good beer, then there is no reason to come here. If you are into good beer, you really have to check it out. Negatives: Food quality. The food isn't terrible, but it is certainly nothing special. I would recommend the cheese plates and the Moules Frites. They write a good menu, but unfortunately most of the food is pretty bland (mac & cheese included). Service. Other reviewers have touched on this, but the service is consistently poor-bad. The food takes forever to be made/delivered. The waitresses and bartenders seem indifferent to customer satisfaction. This place used to be a standard for me, but after 3-4 disappointing meals over the last few months I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Tyler B.

    First I want to start off by saying on my trip to New York and Boston I hit up a lot of beer bars but this was far and away the best of the bunch. Immediately when you walk in you can tell these guys are all about the beer. An amazing amount of taps and bottled selection which can go from cheap (4.5 a pour for southern tier choklat (11 Percent and a lot of bang for the buck!)) to ridiculously expensive for more rare beers. The service was excellent. Our waitress served in the correct glassware and generally seemed very knowledgeable about beer. The food was out of this world. For 10 dollars I got a caesar salad the size of my head. I tried both of my friends dishes as well and would have to recommend the pumpkin ravioli to anyone planning on going there, sounds weird but is absolutely indescribably amazing.

    (5)

  • Abbey L.

    The Publick House is a great find! It's worth the trip to Washington Square anytime. The food is excellent, especially the mussels steamed in beer . They are a meal in and of themselves and are really unbeatable. The charcuterie boards are great, too. And everything else I've eaten here has been excellent. It definitely gets pretty busy so you have to be prepared to wait for a table, but the fun, old world atmosphere that makes the wait enjoyable.

    (5)

  • andrew s.

    I've found God - he makes the Mac and Cheese at Publick House.

    (5)

  • Sarah k.

    I wish I could give a lower rating. I have been there in the past and had an ok experience. Anyways, I went there on Sunday for their Belgium Beer Fest Brunch Buffet 12-4. It was advertised online, looked delicious: waffle making station, omelet station, fresh fruit with fresh cream, bellinis, etc. When we got there and sat down, the server got us plates and we went to the buffet. We got there at 1 pm, an hour after it started, and the food was COLD. It was absolutey disgusting. There was NO waffle station, NO omlete station, the fruit look like it was a couple of days old (there were FRUIT FLYS buzzing on the platter), the bellinis tasted like there was just oj, no booze. the ONLY food available at the buffet other than the horrendous fruit platter, was a giant pile of cold scrambled eggs with a bunch of questionable meat in it, broiled tomatoes and mushrooms, greasy pancakes, and ham. It was nothing like described online. For $20 a person, we could have gone to an upscale place. After barely eating anything on our plates my boyfriend decided to speak with host (he had a baby strapped to the front him, no joke, the whole time. get a fucking babysitter, we are at a bar!!) My boyfriend was not rude whatsoever, he just told him the items listed online were not at the buffet at all. He mentioned the food was cold. The man with the baby responds with "this is a bar what do you expect", "our waffle guy bailed, this is what you get", "I just had some eggs they're hot" (no he didnt, he was within visible distance of us the whole time and we did not see him move or eat anything) so we decided to just get the check, our waitress said "you're all set". we were happy that were werent gettin charged for eating cold, possibly food poison infested food. I know they are a bar and dont specialize in food but if you are serving and advertising your brunch, it should have some quality or at least be warm, NO EXCUSE As we walk past him and are half out the door, the host/ man with the baby says "HOPE WE WONT BE SEEING YOU HERE ANYTIME SOON" I was appalled and pissed off. My boyfriened responded with "dont worry you wont". that classless coward said it as we were out the door. Im tempted to call and complain to the manager but i dont think this dive is worth my time. I know they are loved for their beer and my review wont stop people from going there but i dont give a shit, the people there were rude, and you dont conduct business that way.

    (1)

  • Michele B.

    If you like hard cider, they have three good ones to choose from, which is a pretty unusual thing to see in the U.S. Their mussels are good and if you go early they have a (super secret) children's menu. My son said their kids burger is the best he's ever had. Their mussels, fish and chips, and mac and cheese are all very good. They can get a bit bossy if you take up a table for too long, though.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    The service is probably the worst attribute of the restaurant. The servers could care less how they treat people because they know that the resaurant will always have business. People always keep going back, including myself. I crave their mac-n-cheese and their monk's frites (small french fries with the garlic mayo and chipotle mayo dipping sauces...my fave). The restaurant is packed most nights. The crowd is decent...younger working professionals mostly. It's a cool place to go and chill with your friends. Just don't expect top-notch service.

    (3)

  • Naomi U.

    I am Not a beer joint (Kicker bar, pool hall, British pub, Hoffbrau, Irish bar) kinda girl... But one of my oldest friends has become a beer maven: beer columns, beer making, beer judging, brewery tech, etc. When he visited Boston this was the place one of his fellow beer meisters put on his "when sightseeing in Boston" list. Four of us went. My friend conferred with the steward? about what was available at-this-time, etc... and then ordered beverages for each of us. Many of the dishes were prepared with beer, and some of the beers were made in unusual ways--both to their benefit. It was truly amazing gourmet stuff. Besides all that, they have: friendly service, a clean joint, a clean bathroom (something I had not seen in a beer place before), no smell of old beer saturated wood, no frat boys, no droolly smelly non-personal-space-minding co-patrons.... Now my problem is trying to cajole my friends to go there....some can't imagine a beer place with decent, much less fabulous food....others think they know I don't know a beer from a unicorn.

    (4)

  • BostonBeeEstee D.

    Ridiculous beer selection. Knowledgable staff. If you're into beers than you know the pricing, if not it can seem expensive. Great atmosphere. Perfect for winding down with bf after a long day or for meeting a group of friends. Not the kind of place for shots though. Love some of the characters in there.

    (4)

  • Jeremy F.

    Definitely one of my favorite spots. Seriously good beer selection and decent grub. The only down side is that if your wallets light this may not be the place for you, some of the beers can be pretty pricey.

    (5)

  • matt m.

    Feckin awesome beer selection. If you like good beer then this your place. Beer selection is beyond 5 stars and the bartenders are very knowledgeable about all the beers, one could even say snobby. This is one of few places around where the beer is served in it's proper glass (Duvel in a Duvel tulip glass, Golden Draak in a Golden Draak glass). Table service can be slow at times and the wait staff doesn't know as much about the beers as the bartenders but the food is great. It used to be first come first serve on the tables where you'd have to wait in a line but last time I was there they took my phone # and called my cell phone when our table was ready and it seemed to work much better. I only rated four stars overall since I'm currently in a fight with The Publick House (it's not aware I got beef) since we tried to go the other night for dinner but they stopped serving food earlier than normal and they don't open til 5 on weekdays and 4:30 on summer weekend afternoons. And that sign by the bathroom that says "Don't stand here"? Yeah, don't stand there.

    (4)

  • Amanda L.

    The food is great! Of course the Mac and Cheese is amazing and I highly recommend it! The bucket of muscles was good too. I got fish and chips once and they were good (but how can fish and chips not be good?). My only complaint is that it gets really crowded here. I guess that's a good thing but kind of annoying if you want a peaceful dinner and don't want to have to keep pushing your chair in when people walk buy. The service isn't outstanding, but again I think it's because it is so crowded. But def worth all of it for that mac and cheese! yummm

    (4)

  • Sarah S.

    I came here in the depths of winter with a friend for dinner and we enjoyed a good meal and a good vibe. I went back again on Tuesday afternoon with the puppy (Ringo) because the boyfriend scored last minute Sox tickets. Again, the dude I talked to inside was cool with me sitting at the end table and tying up Ringo. When he came out with my water, he offered to bring me some for the dog. Ringo stepped in it immediately and knocked it over, but I was able to keep him entertained by pouring in my ice water and letting him fish out the ice cubes. The neighborhood was generally less dog-friendly than my experience in the South End. People would see Ringo and swerve to avoid him, as opposed to the South End where nearly everyone stopped to give him a head scratch. I had a couple of tasty IPAs and the Publick Plate, which was listed as a special, but was on the menu the last time I was there too. Comes with a loaf of bread (passable) some hummus, fried polenta fritters, sliced salami-like meat, cheese, and tapenade. It was a perfect afternoon munchy and I slipped Ringo some of the bread to keep him engaged. Another dog-friendly establishment I will be frequenting soon!

    (4)

  • Jeff M.

    So I went alone from New York to Boston because I had no desire to go to Washington DC, my traveling companion's next destination. I wasn't worried, because I had my trusty Beer Advocate travel guide in hand, and they came through once again. I liked the whole vibe of the place- it felt like what a beer bar should be. As for the beers, the prevalence of good ol' American microbrews was a welcome addition to the Hallowed Beer Bar's usual stash of Belgians and barleywines, which I'm just not that into. They even had Anchor Liberty, which made me feel a little more at home. Interesting folk there, though. As mentioned, I was there alone and therefore had little more to do than look around a lot from my seat at the bar. After a while, the guy to my right turned to me all butt-hurt and asked, "Can I HELP you with something?!" Uh, no, dude, sorry to have inadvertantly looked past you, I'll avert my eyes from now on lest I melt like the nazis in "Indiana Jones" for daring to look in your general direction. Thankfully, he left not long after that, and the two guys who replaced him asked me how many coasters I thought would make a quarter-inch stack. They then debated the more mathematical points of coaster stacking and shipping. Musta been MIT folk.

    (4)

  • Lindsay D.

    Beer Selection: Top Notch - I recommend the Allagash Triple... just not the night before a long flight. Trust me on this one. Food: Amazing. I have my suspicions that they make the veggie burgers as they're ordered vs. taking a pattie out of the freezer and slapping it on a grill. Always, always perfect and delicious. Atmosphere: Very cozy; the bar tends to give me the feeling of a small town tavern rather than a pub situated between two universities.

    (5)

  • Korri Leigh C.

    I willingly brave the green line to trek out to the Publick House. Its a perfect cold-weather cozy bar, with a friendly, neighborhood feel. And the beers!! If you, like me, cringe when you hear anyone order a bud/miller/coors lite, then you'll like this place too...amazing beer selection, and if you can't make up your mind than order a 'paddle' and try four different ones! Just be careful, because many of their beers have a high alcohol content and can sneak up on you!

    (5)

  • J. J.

    So many beers, so little time. I started going to the Publick House pretty frequently last winter, since it was easy to get to when bad weather struck. I've kept going because the selection of beers is amazing and I love the atmosphere. There are a couple of servers who are really stellar, but none of the other ones I've encountered are particularly bad. And they all will happily recommend beers to you if you're having trouble deciding, or are just tired of what you usually order. The food has been a little uneven and the portions are monstrous, but they've never screwed up the frites. If you come here, you need to order the frites with all three of the flavored aiolis (one order is enough for two people to share, maybe three people, if you're not too hungry). Avoid the burgers--I ordered mine medium rare and it was raw when it came out...and that's not the first time that's happened. The duck is very good, the fish and chips are some of the best I've ever had and their take on Caesar salad is to die for. But, in the end, you should really just come for the beer. Beers I recommend: Gulden Draak, Delirium Tremens, Gouden Carolus Classic, and Golden Monkey.

    (5)

  • Nicole E.

    I have been here a couple times before and both times had a lot of fun. I went recently on a weeknight though it still got packed. I arrived at about 6pm to have a beer or 2 with a friend. they seat us in these two big comfy chairs. Maybe they knew we would be there for a long time. We never got any food so I can't say either way on that one. I didn't feel the least bit rushed to get out of there until the very end but that turned out to be.. um... 12:30... but thats besides the point. At that time they were closing the section we were in. We were told we could stay where we were and continue to order beers at the bar or move to the bar. We stayed put for one more round. I think that was the killer because I hadn't been that hung over in so long. The time flew by but that was probably the company I was in. Minus one only because it was crowded and loud for the dinner hour. I'm definitely going back, and soon! Edit: What was I thinking? A place like this should be busy! If its good enough to keep me coming from Somerville, then it should be good enough for you too!

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    Obviously a great beer selection. I recommend their beer sampler. Great decor/atmosphere. To top that, they have some great food. Although overpriced, the $6 fries on the front of the menu are amazing and come with great sauces. I like the mustard one the best. Caution the garlic one is basically pure garlic, a lot stronger than you think. Now for the cons... Everything is overpriced, too crowded, does not open early enough on the weekends, sometimes you will be seated at a table with other people at it, and lastly... although the food is great, they could use some more options on the menu.

    (3)

  • Keyse A.

    The night before a horrible tooth extraction I went to the Publick House with my awesome friend. It was a tue night and the place was packed! The chef prepared some amazing food for us. He is a gem, a gem!!! The waitress was friendly and helpful with the extensive beer menu. I love the beer I got...Pumpkin something...It was delicious. I'm currently surviving on Chocolate Ensure and lots of painkillers....but at least I have the memories of my yummy dinner here.

    (5)

  • Tiffany A.

    We went here one afternoon for lunch with some friends. Awesome beer selection, first of all. It's always cool to see a wide variety of beers, especially when you're in a city known far and wide for it's love of hometown brew. We ordered a round while we were waiting for our table. It wasn't a long wait, maybe half an hour-but it was pouring outside and as a result, everyone and their brother was coming in from the rain. The place was pretty crowded. We sat down and ordered another round while we waited for our food. The beer is awesome. I just got back from Belgium, and the beer list here got me equally excited as the beer list at the Delirium Cafe in Brussells (Find that place and go!). My Mac and Cheese was SO GOOD! It was baked and full of gooey cheese and bits of grilled chicken. It's the best Mac and Cheese I've ever had. The only problem (though it might not be a problem for others) was that they simply give you too much food. We were astounded when our friend was able to polish off his entire bowl of beef stew. We live right by the Publick House, and we plan on going here all the time. It's absolutely one of the neatest bars I've seen in a while.

    (4)

  • Bradford M.

    "Fettucini alfredo is macaroni and cheese for adults." -Mitch Hedberg The mac & cheese review: I went to the Publick House tonight to meet a friend specifically because we'd heard incredible things about their macaroni and cheese. I already knew that the PH was as good a spot for pub food as there is in the Boston area (try the frites with assorted dipping sauces for a special treat), and that their beer selection was extremely solid. But this rumor of gourmet mac & cheese was new info for me, and needed to be confirmed. The basic version is a five cheese sauce over shells, baked in a ceramic dish. I had this, but there were a number of add-ins available. My friend had hers with andouille sausage. The cheese sauce was so rich and creamy that I could barely deal with it (a good thing), and to the best of my ability to guess included swiss or emmental and gouda (I forgot to ask the server what was really in there). I ate half of my order, and took the other half home to have cold tomorrow. The sausage made it even better, which I'll know for next time. Spinach was one of the other options, though I wasn't smart enough to write them all down. Basically, for an intensely cheesy creamy macaroni experience, this stuff was pretty much the be-all and end-all. Give it a try. I only wish it had been snowing outside. Other stuff: the place was fairly busy (on a Tuesday night), but the wait at 8:00 for a table for three was only about eight minutes, and the hostess took down my cell phone number and called me as soon as the table was available (a nice touch). Our server was friendly and efficient without being intrusive. Prices were on the high end of the middle range for pub food, but the quality more than justifies a little extra expense.

    (5)

  • Eling H.

    This is definitely a kitschy place. Tried the mac and cheese after hearing rave reviews and I have to say....I love my nuclear cheese from Velveeta in a box. The mac and cheese is just overkill and is over-rated. Now the mussels on the other hand, I could eat a whole bucket full of the suckers! So yummy and the juice is to die for....wish we had ordered more garlicky bread to soup up the juices. Next time I know what to order.

    (3)

  • Dana L.

    This seemed like the quintessential Brookline haunt, so after a friend recommended it, I felt obligated to make a visit. Definitely not disappointing. The beer menu is far longer than anything I've seen in this city. A lot of British stuff, including some Samuel Smith's beer that I've never seen elsewhere (a pale ale that looks like an amber). They have a pretty impressive number of taps, and a lot more bottles. Sure, there's the chance that they don't have something you want (we were sitting at the bar, and this happened a few times), but that's inevitable. I ordered the habanero tuna melt. For something with "habanero in its name, the sandwich had pretty much no kick. The fries were lukewarm to cold by the time that the dish arrived. The food wasn't gross - it just wasn't as good as the beer. I may have just had bad luck, or the food may just be reminiscent of most British pub fare (not that good). Speaking of that, this is a good knock-off of a British pub. Maybe it comes across as a bit campy, but the decor is definitely interesting. The music had a good ambiance - not too loud, but loud enough that you had to raise your voice a bit. I would definitely recommend coming here for drinks, although the food doesn't quite hold its own. If you don't live near Brookline, this place may b a bit of a hike, but you should give it a try anyway.

    (4)

  • jeremy f.

    Let us worship the beer selection! Let us worship the great cheese! Let us worship the great food! These mantras probably sound like exaggerations (and I am admittedly fond of hyperbole), but in all honesty the Publick House may be the best pub in the Boston metro area, and probably one of the best in the country. First off, I can't find a single fault in the beer selection. Prior to coming here, I'd never heard of most of their beers. But I'll tell you, they are almost uniformly phenomenal. I personally love the Bink Blonde, but ask the servers or bartenders and they can give you a full rundown of beers that suit your taste. While beer comes first at this pub, don't let yourself leave without trying an artisanal cheese board. For $8, you can get a large serving of some of the best cheese in the world, served with chouffe mustard, mini pickles, and great bread. I personally recommend the Great Hill Blue, without a doubt the best blue cheese in America. Be sure to try it. Last, but certainly not least, their entrees are spectacular. I haven't been disappointed by a single item. I particularly like the veggie burger. And the fries are by far the best in Boston. On the fancier side, the Publick House serves some wonderful non-traditional-pub-food entrees. One of the best parts of the Publick House is the price. When I went recently with friends, the total was less than $25 per person, for two beers each, a cheese board, and burgers all around. I think this is one of the best deals in Boston.

    (5)

  • Scott P.

    THE BEST selection of Belgium brews and a staff that knows their beer. . Beer dinners are also offered througout the year. The meatloaf was fantastic. the frites are a must.

    (5)

  • Jonathan L.

    These guys know their beer They may seem a bit cold at first, but once you go several times you will understand how things work at the Publick House. This is THE place to go for hard to find beers in Boston. People who complain about service obviously are not regulars. I have never had a problem getting a beer. Please don't waste their time asking for suggestions unless you know what you are looking for. Don't ask them for wine, shots, pitchers, mixed drinks, etc. Also, for the people who complain about the beers being expensive. These are all quality hard to find beers. They do not make a huge profit on the beers. Would you rather pay $5 for a Corona at a yuppie night club or a $5 for a handcraft Belgian ale? The only food I have tried is the molle frites. Shoestring french fries with your choice of two beer-inspired dipping sauces. It's great deal when you need something to chew on while you drive your artisan beer. They also host events for beeradvocate.com . I have not gone to one, but I can imagine these events are a load of fun. Anyway, get on the green line. Walk in, show your ID, grab a beer menu, and pick any beer on there. You will have a good time. This place is only second to the Moan and Dove in Amherst, MA.

    (4)

  • ms m.

    I used to go here at least twice a month but since they canceled trivia, removed the duck from the menu and started serving mediocre food, I say no thank you.

    (2)

  • Andy F.

    Very Hit and Miss. On a slow night this bar is great to hang out with friends. But, on a busy night (almost always) I want to slit my wrists in this place. The whole deal with the line drives me insane. Get a hostess. Servers are bitchy. And when I'm paying $7 a beer you don't have to act like you are doing me a favor. I do love the beer and the fact it's not full of frat boys.

    (3)

  • nick b.

    definitely my favorite restaurant around. if you're a beer fan there is no other place to go. maybe roadhouse, but if you're more into the belgium style beer, this place kills roadhouse. i'm generally more of an american style ale guy, but i can always find something really tasty to drink. food is excellent, veggie burger and the mac and cheese are favorites. if you get the mac and cheese, get the midnight moon cheese on top of it.

    (5)

  • Steven C.

    I would visit this place every week, but I'm a poor graduate student and cannot afford to do such a thing. The Publick House offers an excellent beer selection and some really good pub fare. The fish and chips are a personal favorite. Everything is top notch quality here and the ambience really enhances the experience. 4/5 stars

    (4)

  • Amie R.

    LOVE it. That's pretty much all it comes down to. You need to have a fairly adventurous beer palate, but that can be acquired easily at the Publick House. The bartenders are more than happy to let you sample beer and give their best reccomendations (although I'd wait to ask until they're not swamped). The food is very good, too. Brunch wasn't as good as I'd hoped, but the dinner menu is excellent. They use beer in a lot of their recipes, which is pretty ingenious if you ask me! Great place to meet friends and relax. There's no pretention here, even though you'll find your fair share of "beer snobs" (many of my friends included, hah!)

    (5)

  • Lisa K.

    I love the beer here! Sooo good- so much variety. The food is great too. As Laura A. mentioned- we heart the smoked ketchup and the mustard stuff with the cheese and the tiny pickles. The one thing that I've noticed in coming here a few times now is the service can be iffy. While the staff are always really friendly, there was one time in particular that we went with a group of friends and when everyone but me got their meal- the waitress took forever to check up on us despite our attempts to flag her down. When she realized that she gave my meal to another table she apologized and put in the new order but it still took forever to come. We had to ask about it after waiting for a while. By the time I finally got my food everyone at my table was by far finished eating and had ordered another round and nearly had finished. They never altered our bill at all- I felt like they should have given us some kind of discount. Needless to say it was really disappointing. I'd give them 5 stars if it weren't for my sad sad story.

    (4)

  • Lincoln S.

    Why did I wait so long to come here! I went with a couple friends on a Monday night around 8:30 and the place was still pretty busy from the dinner rush. The Publick House is on the small side so it fills up pretty fast. Really cozy though, candle lit and very warm feeling with some cool folk Belgian type decor. Everywhere I looked there was David the Gnome! Awesome! We were walk ins so the hostess politely informed us the wait was about a half hour. Perfect, more time for beer! Publick House has an immense list of quirky beers. Lots of cool obscure Belgians, Trappistes and some cool American craft beers. Our bartender during the wait was awesome. Real nice, efficient and knowledgeable. Gave us short rundowns of the flavors of some of the brews we had questions about. He let one of my friends know that her beer shared a line with a chocolate stout so there would be some chocolate flavor in it. I had the chimay trippel which is a pretty safe pick if you're looking to try a trappiste. Mmm...time for food. I ordered the Duck breast and the server Austin, recommended the Chimay quad as a compliment. It was delicious and cooked in a German/Belgian style. The duck was juicy and tender (Med Rare) sweet and toasty from the beer used to cook it. Served with potatos whipped with what tasted like sour cream, then fried and finished with chives. It also came with some sauted veggies that tasted like the were cooked with andouille or bacon. Try the mac n cheese or the frites if you're looking for something to keep the drunkeness at bay. Thank you Publick House, I will be back.

    (4)

  • Elise H.

    It's one of those bars, when you can think of 15 people you would love to bring and share a beer and marvel in the down to earth atmosphere, and then when you do bring your friends, its crowded and you can't really fit, and you feel awkward about choosing such an unavailable space to convene. BESIDES the crowdedness, which is kind of a non-complaint because so many great places are going to be crowded, their beer selection is fantastic. I agree to go on off hours, Sunday nights, Thursday nights even. Food is perfectly suitable bar food, yummy burgers and fries...mussels, kind of boring and stove wear tasting, but I'm really to blame for ordering them when I have such high standards for this type of thing. Service is OK, I can't say I have ever had a stand out good service experience there, which is too bad because it seems like the kind of place to attract an awesome, funny, sociable staff.

    (4)

  • Haley M.

    Oh, I love the Publick House. If you come to Brookline and ask me where to go for dinner I will always coyly say, "well, there's the Publick House..." and stop there. It's your job to know that that's where we're going. I've never had a bad time here, or bad food. It's the best veggie burger in town, and for $9 with excellent fries or a monster fresh green salad on the side, such a deal. Celebrator is my favorite beer here but their beer menu is so huge that I'm sure there's another good one lurking in there for me to love next. I like that it's a pub atmosphere with better-than-average and interesting pub food. Go early, or be prepared for a long wait! I'm not the only one that loves this place.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    Best beer selection in Boston.

    (5)

  • Joel A.

    I came here with some co-workers while on a business trip. One of my co-workers loves this place and says it's rated one of the best beer places in America. I'm not really that into beer, but when in Rome... I had a fun time on the Monday night we came. We did have to wait for table, but it didn't take that long. Besides, you can order a beer at the bar and dink while you wait. The long list of beers is impressive, but it would have been too overwhelming if I were to tackle it alone. Luckily, the aforementioned friend was able to guide me in my choices. (I started with the Cantillion Kriek -- a sweet beverage that has a nice sour cherry taste.) The food was enjoyable. I had the Monkey Tips -- chunks of beef marinated in a beer (with the word Monkey in the name -- can't remember which). Lots of young cute college types at this place.

    (4)

  • Stephen K.

    Okay, there's a lot to say and I see there's quite a few reviews here, so I'll try to be brief. The food is outstanding - $10-25 for most entrees, and most of the dishes incorporate beer in some way, with mostly great results. The menu is large and unique, with twists on all the standard pub fare and traditional Belgian offerings, like rabbit stew and mussel dishes. Their cheese boards are overpriced and not that great. The beer - pretty great. They have a big Belgian selection you won't really see at other bars. It can be expensive, but this is one of the best beer bars in the country. Some would (and have) said it is the best. The problem with the Publick House, and this is the difference between one star and five, is not the long wait for tables. The problem is the staff is rude. They have a popular, unique restaurant that dominates a niche market, so they'll get plenty of business no matter what...this means that they can ignore you, snap at you, shoot you dirty looks, take forever with your orders, and basically act like the snobby Brookline yuppie douchebags they are. Everything else is great - but I've been here many times and I would say that about eight out of ten times someone on their staff is going to be rude to you. Three years ago, when I started going here, I would have given it five stars. I raved about it to everyone I knew - but now we almost never go here anymore, because I can't stand the abysmal way the staff treats you. Good food, good beer or not, I won't be treated like shit and pay for it.

    (2)

  • Masie C.

    I have always enjoyed going to the Publick House. This message is more to comment on another review posted here. I noticed someone gave a bad review due to a mix up over a credit card tip. As a person who has worked in restaurants for a number of years, there are a couple of reasons as to why this sort of thing may have happened with your debit card. First, banks automatically charge cards an 18-20% extra when they are used in restaurants. This is because they assume you will put the tip on your credit card. If you leave the tip in cash it will figure itself out, but in a matter of days. All banks and credit card companies are set up this way. The second thing I could think of is that perhaps you were charged by mistake by the server who then swiped the card again to charge you the correct amount. Credit cards can be charged twice if the authorization number isn't put in with the card the second time it was run. Again, this would take a number of days to correct. For the amount of time I've worked in restaurants I haven't ever run into anyone who stole money from a patron. Severs work too hard and value their jobs too much to want to give it up over an extra $20. I hope this provides some insight. :-)

    (5)

  • Jordan L.

    well, when my friend moved to boston a few months ago i spent a lot of time over on his side of town, which just so happened to be adjacent to publick house. we stumbled upon this little gem one of his first nights in town expecting to grab a few beers and have an avg meal....much to our surprise, the wait was definitely worth more than the two beers we each consumed during it. the food came quickly and everything was not only freshly made (judging by the patch of my palette that was burned after my first chomp of fish and chips) but also DELICIOUS! everything was exacltly how we expected it to be and again, let me emphasize the DELICIOUS! the food and service were both exceptional. this place is a definitely MUST if you find yourself in brookline, hungry and thirsty.

    (4)

  • Ian M.

    As far as giant beer lists go, this place has it on the ball. Plus the food is amazing. It's almost always ridiculously crowded, but worth dealing with if you like real beer. Their selection is amazing, and almost has more variety then necessary. It helps if you know what you like before going in, but if you don't, they can usually give you a good suggestion. This place has the best burger I've had in Boston, and some of the best mac and cheese I've ever had in my life. Definitely check it out. Price depends on how much you want to drink here. I've gone and spent 20 bucks, and then gone back and spent 60... so.

    (5)

  • Nate J.

    HAND'S DOWN, BEST GASTROPUB outside of Europe! From cut fries, to drinks served in hand-blown, label-matching glasses, this is THE place to be! My gf and I even ran over a mile in the snow and sub-zero's one New Year's Eve to catch the ball drop - it's a place of lasting memories. ALWAYS A WINNER! One of those places you wish never changes.

    (5)

  • Matt E.

    The place where beer freaks can find Zen. It's not a bar for getting completely sloppy off bud light and getting dirty though you'll probably be good and buzzed by the time you leave. It's a place to go with friends enjoy some new brews and kick back. The inside is nicely arranged and spacious, one half holds a more bar-like area with some smaller tables and a counter while the lower half is more tables for earlier evening diners. It's a bit out there in Brookline, but that only serves to weed out the trendy and attract the dedicated. The crowd isn't drunken underclassmen but post-grad and young professional. This place is for those who want to converse and actually be heard as well as illustrating that drinking doesn't just have to be inherent and obligatory but interactive and involving at the same time, no different than a good meal. Which leads to a note about their menu. It's a bit expensive for bar food; but have dinner here, it's worth the extra splurge. Like the Beacon/Washington Street taverns pub food is elevated and perfected. While not as swanky as the taverns nor as expensive, the food is amazing and way better than the last greasy burger you consumed. What they serve elevates otherwise simpler comfort foods like macaroni and cheese, casseroles, and the hot dog. Here though, the hot dog becomes a delicious Austrian style sausage full of rich meaty juices and the accompaniment of salacious mustard. I don't even like mustard, but this mustard was divine. The portions are copious too, me and a friend couldn't finish the entire plate. So while it's a bit pricey, $10-$15, it's completely shareable. And of course the main focus is the beer. The place is chromed out inside with beer paraphernalia and the menu flamboyantly describes all the selections. The wide variety of taps is constantly changing and offers a good variety of reputable beers. The enormous bottle collection is also there if you want something specific. If you're a sweet lad the bartenders will give you a sample of something off the tap first to see if you like it. A bit crowded and chaotic at times on the weekend, swing by on a weeknight with some friends for a more intimate engaging time. Albeit somewhat costly, you get good for what you pay for. The food quality is amazingly high for a pub and the beers are high-end IPAs and Belgians. For the beer novice, if you go with an open mind you might find something you like and learn a thing or two that beer isn't just rancid fermented water. And for the connoisseur as I said, Zen.

    (5)

  • Maritza M.

    THE bar in boston for beer. They have an amazing beer selection...DO NOT ORDER TYPICAL BEERS!!! Go out on a limb...get something you've never heard of and if you can't decide, ask one of the waiters/bartenders (ask Nancy, JR or Harry, they are all very friendly). As for food, the scallops are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the cheese plates are good but they're kind of skimpy so don't share with your friends! I come here for Sunday night trivia but you can come any night

    (4)

  • jessica f.

    The food is great. There was a long wait (Saturday pm) but they took my cell number and called when the table was ready. The one star is for the service. I ordered the mussels, which come with fries. The server asked if I wanted the fries first, and I said yes. So they come out. Then with my mussels, I have more fries. And on the bill, we are charged separately for an order of fries. What? Where in this process did I ask for extra fries? I did not correct this, however, because our server took HALF AN HOUR to pick up the bill (no cash on hand so was paying with card). I finally took it to the bartender. Also we had two water glasses for three people for the majority of the meal and the bathrooms were disgusting. And the food took 45 minutes to come out. Okay fine. But half an hour? For me to pay you for this experience? You've got to be joking.

    (1)

  • Nathan R.

    The place is packed for a reason...great beers on tap, pretty decent food, and a nice decor inside. I try to go here whenever I'm in Brookline.

    (4)

  • Fiddos J.

    I'm not a particularly great fan of Beligian beer - but this place is really good, notwithstanding. The selection of beers is top notch and the food is excellent. Esp. their double fried frites are perfect - and the moules are wonderful - sweet, briny, fatty. And the fries stay surprising crispy when dunked in the broth. It's a shame though that they don't serve other (albeit cliched) Belgian fare like the machine-guns or waffles.

    (4)

  • Anna F.

    We've always skipped the tables and eaten at the bar, so I've never experienced any of the brutally long waits other people have. We knew it was a beer bar before we went the first time-- hell that's why we went-- and once we sat down, looked at the beer list and chatted up the bartender about what to try, we were hooked. We love going back and love asking for suggestions. Also, their fries are redonk. I appreciate any place that understands the art of the fry (see also: Gods, River), and these people do. I never thought I'd crave mayonnaise on fries, but their flavors make my mouth water. The mac and cheese is description-defyingly amazing. Bottom line: hit the bartenders up for beer knowledge, and go for pub food options at the bar instead of a sit-down dinner. Just be prepared to throw elbows if it's a crowded night, because it can get hairy.

    (5)

  • Frank G.

    This place has the most awesome stuff written in the men's room stall.

    (5)

  • Stephanie ..

    My boyfriend and I first went to Publick House on the recommendation of a friend of mine from work who loved the food. The food is pretty yummy comfort food--My favorite is a sausage sandwich with amazing mustard. Try one of their beer cheese appetizers, too. The restaurant itself looks like a european lodge,and if you're lucky, you can get the coveted fireplace seats. But on a weekend evening, don't bet on it. It's a seat yourself type deal. I tried to come for dinner/beers with 4 other people on a Friday night once and we couldn't find seats. But it's the beer that keeps us coming back. They're heavy on the Belgians and have some great microbrews. The staff is very knowledgeable. Well worth the regular trip all the way down to the other side of the green line again and again for a night of savoring a new beer or two.

    (4)

  • Gaelle D.

    Quite possibly my favorite bar in Boston. That says a lot because I have several other faves (Cornwall's, The Field...). If you're a Belgian beer lover like me, there is no other place to go. It used to get uncomfortably crowded, but things are better now that they opened a brand new section. The food there is extremely good, too, which is so rare in Boston bars that it would win them a sixth star if I could! They have the authentic "moules-frites" (mussels with Belgian fries, which are very thin and soft, and served with two home-made mayonnaise-based dips), delicious (but ridiculously small) cheese platters with gherkins and beer mustard (yum!), outstanding salads, and the list goes on. The staff is usually nice but often overwhelmed, so you have to fight for their attention, especially at the bar. The crowd there varies a bit, from local yuppies to beer gourmets to "some" students (although the $7-8 beers tend to scare them away).

    (5)

  • Seth G.

    As if my last experience here wasn't bad enough, I checked my bank statement, and they had helped themselves to a larger tip than I had left. Seriously, don't go to the Publick House.

    (1)

  • Benjamin D.

    They've really improved their food and their beer, as always is amazing.

    (5)

  • g-pap ..

    a really fine beer selection, narrow but deep. there are no macrobrews, no british or irish beers (although i still think of the place as anam cara) and few germans. pretty much belgian beers (trappist ales like corsendonk, chimay, la chouffe; lambics) and belgian-style american brews (eg. ommegang, allagash). they care deeply about these beers, which are tempermental and hard to serve stateside on tap. they are always fresh, and i have never had a flat or stale beer. they take pride in having the right glassware for whatever style you've chosen. sure, they're beer snobs. a couple years ago, this was fine, because i would talk beer with the bartender/owners. i used to brew my own beer, from the grain and not that syrup shit, so maybe they took it easy on me -- i haven't experienced the mistreatment some report here. the little chalkboard that reads, "no shots, no pitchers" was silly fun because anyone who had come in had no intention of ordering either. that's changed. the place is quite crowded. have they become more arrogant because they are commercially successful? or are they retreating into snobbery because their finely honed product is being underappreciated by the hoi polloi? maybe some of each. i was actually made uncomfortable last friday not by the staff but by my fellow patrons. there are just masses of, well, a narrow but deep demographic. absolutely everyone appeared to be a 23-35 yo research subject for the Stuff White People Like blog. i thought i was at a bates lacrosse team reunion. i gazed at all the performance fleece and wondered if frequenting obscure-beer bars was now a caste symbol for upper middle class whiteys. judging by a couple posts here, equating publick house with the sunset grill -- which serves stale, ruined beer under numerous different tap pulls -- i realize that this is indeed the case. i will have to plan my trips for off-peak hours. because the if you're in the mood, the beers are great, and you can get a large bucket of tasty mussels for 10$, which is a tried and true requirement for a belgian tap room

    (4)

  • David R.

    The food is great (although I have heard bad things about the pressed apple sandwich) - everything else I've had is great. My fiance is partial to the cheese boards. Now for the theme of this review and the theme of the Publick House - BEER! Don't ask for shots and pitchers, but feel free to ask for advice on the beer. The bartenders have great taste and are superbly knowledgable, so they can guide you through the selection process if you need it. Don't let the vast menu and indecision scare you off. The ladies often go for the lambics, or the Allagash White (personally, I miss the Allagash Double). If you want to know what's on tap, take a look at the giant blackboard up on your right as you walk in. But that doesn't account for the extensive bottle list on the menu. Furthermore, one other person hit on this in his review, but it needs to be said again - the music never disappoints. I've been told by a waitress that the DJ is a cook, but whoever he is, he knows how to pick music. I've always thought the music matched the beer - a wide selection of alternatives that you might not have heard/drank before, but delicious nonetheless. After all, who wants to drink bud light and listen to the latest Justin Timberlake hit every weekend? Not me, I'll skip that scene.

    (5)

  • Eric H.

    I usually don't like to write reviews when existing reviews are so established.. and, for the most part, so right-on. But I visited The Publick House this past week and have to say that if you're into beer, you need to check this place out. As folks have mentioned, it is still "seat yourself", but one of the servers lined everyone up, so it was a bit less chaotic than some of the other reviews implied. And we lucked out and got outdoor seating on this Thursday night. I'd like to go back and see what the inside seating is like, but it looked like the front room could get pretty busy; the back room where the fireplaces are looked great though. The food is pretty darn good: high-end pub fare. I went with the house-made vegeburger (heavy on the cumin! - a pleasant suprise) with cheddar and mushrooms and it, along with the accompanying fries, were awesome. Other folks at the table had the seafood stew and one of the sausages, I think (it *ahem* gets a bit hazy). And then, of course, there is the beer. The list includes a range of Belgiums (from wit to dark ales), a bunch of local stuff on tap (New England has a great microbrewery scene), and some other interesting selections from around the country. If you're new to beer beyond the big brewers like Bud, Guiness and so forth, the list can be intimidating, but go with someone who reads a bit of beeradvocate dot com (another Boston-based resource).. and always with an open mind.. So, while you may not like every beer that comes up to your lips - due to the range of styles and brewers - you will find something you like, something to write home (to yelp) about - again, due to the range of styles and brewers.

    (4)

  • Whitney B.

    Rude and pretentious staff. If you feel the need to hang out at a place with unnecessarily condescending people, this is it. My friends and I heard it was a place with great beer, if only the staff didn't get in the way it seems like it could be enjoyable, but I personally would rather take my business elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Jenny H.

    I know, who goes to a pub and orders a... veggie burger? Perhaps in a gastropub setting, this decision would've been validated by taste. This veggie burger was BIZARRE. The cumin-veggie patty coupled with the stylings of americana condiments and toppings = eck! Stay far away, vegetarians! What saved my lunch was the starter pot 'o mussels. Next time, I'd order just that with a beer off their extensive list.

    (3)

  • Noa C.

    If you like beer, you have to come here. Their draft list is constantly changing and boasts many local beers. Their bottle list is immense. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and can help you pick out a beer that fits your palate. I've had the mussels here, which were great! All around a fun atmosphere!

    (4)

  • J D.

    Attention fans of craft beer and good pub grub! The Publick House is a must stop. This place has a really strong beer menu and servers that know about each one. The menu is not huge, but the entrees are offered with options so something will appeal to everyone. For example, they have a really good mac and cheese and offer it with about 30 items you can add into it. Another great option was a pork chop over sweet potato and andouille hash. The service was friendly and attentive and prices were reasonable. There is street parking on Beacon St. provided the 6 foot snow banks finally melt.

    (4)

  • Brittany O.

    Calling all craft beer drinkers: check out their extensive beer menu. We visited for dinner on Saturday evening, and the food came out unbelievably fast for how many people were there. The sriracha wings are a must. If you're a meat eater, give the Brendoni a go. If you're a veggie kind of person, their veggie burger is made in house and very interesting! Not sure if it is gluten free though. And their fries were some of the best I've had in a while. Next time I'll be trying the Mac 'n Cheese. Great spot! The music ranged from 70s funk soul to upbeat indie music.

    (4)

  • Kurt M.

    A must see and must try eatery! We did stay at the B&B, but we stopped for dinner and dessert at the Publick House. My group is all from Portland, Oregon, so we're not accustomed to restaurants that are over 200 years old. This place seems to scream New England. I had a lobster pie, which was rich and delicious. One of our party had the pot roast, which he raved over. It was all good, and the beauty of the the old architecture in the dining hall made it even more special. We all had dessert. Also excellent. The bakery downstairs looked amazing, but we were stuffed, and it was closed by the time we finished. I think this place is a must stop if you are new to the area.

    (5)

  • Gene L.

    Had dinner here one night with a large group. Service was really good the entire night, and the waiter checked up on us regularly. The beer list was very extensive and had a great selection of Belgian beers. I think the food was perhaps the weakest part of the night, as the mussels I got were shriveled up, had next to nothing inside it, and was hard to eat. With that being said, the broth it was in was delicious. I would come here again to try out the rest of their beer list and try some of their appetizers.

    (4)

  • Yanil B.

    Yes. YES YES YES. So inside, the place is pretty loud, and exactly what I needed after work. The wait was 20minutes for a dinner table, so we decided to drink and eat at the bar. The service was outstanding. Our bartender was incredibly knowledgable of the different and most popular Belgian beers, making it easier to swallow considering the ridiculously wonderful list they created for us. AND THEN THE FOOD. My friend had the mac and cheese, adding all the fixins, WONDERFUL. I had the grill chicken sandwich with a side of garlic asiago mayo...yes. I was incredibly impressed with the quality AND how timely the food came out. Overall an incredibly pleasant experience. So excited to bring more friends there!

    (5)

  • Jill F.

    You come here for the beer. You read through the vast selections. God, there are so many selections on TAP! On TAP PEOPLE! You decide. It's awesome. It changes all the time. Every week. You drink four more. They are all awesome, and different. You possibly sit, or stand. or, fall over. The food I have consumed is tasty and delicious. Especially the pumpkin ravioli. Do they still have this creamy, sweet, cheesy delectable delight? The frites are good. Good dips, okay fries. Not memorable. Ugh, Yum. Publick House, you rock. I'd date you anyday.

    (4)

  • Jared G.

    Deliciousness, thy name is Belgian beer. This is a terrific place to get toasty on those cold, cold brookline nights. The McChuffe is not to be missed.

    (5)

  • Lee R.

    I've been a huge fan of the Publick House for the past couple years, and eaten there at least once a month. Last night I went for dinner and ordered my staple, mac and cheese. Unfortunately, this was not the same delicious mac and cheese the Publick House has served in the past...the cheese was definitely different, it tasted like Cheez Whiz!! The mac and cheese was no longer the-most-to-die-for-mac-and-cheese-in-all-of-­Boston...it tasted like processed, run of the mill mac and cheese you can find anywhere. Very disappointing...I wonder if it has anything to do with the chef from the Publick House having gone to the Roadhouse??

    (2)

  • Corwin P.

    This is one of my favorite spots in Brookline. Although i don' t get out here as often as i used to, i find myself longing for their fantastic beer selection. I know i can always find some of Boston's best craft beers and my all time fav- Alligash at the Publik House. On the food side I would stay for the Mussels, French Fries and most other apps.. The Entree's would probably get a 3 rating overall, not as good as the beer and the apps. Great place for a first date or a night out with the guys.

    (4)

  • Rob C.

    I was supposed to meet some folks here, but it turns out they'd gone elsewhere, and called my old phone number to let me know. In the meantime, i was stuck. In a bar. With a ton of great beer. So you know, it was hard. For being hugely packed and crowded, it was still a pretty harmless place, and I was easily able to obtain a tasty beverage from their large selection. And watch the Red Sox score some runs for a change. And screw around with my iPhone until i found out where everybody'd gone. We wound up somewhere else, but i'll probably be back here at some point soon.

    (4)

  • Anthony P.

    The best Fish & Chips I have had in Boston. Returned a second time and ordered it again! I have tried it at a lot of other restaurants and nothing beats this. They also have an amazing variety of beers

    (5)

  • Sheila S.

    The frites are tasty, and they have a large beer selection. 2 stars off for their bad-beer policy. I ordered their "world's best" cider... around $15. It tasted HORRIBLE. Like nail polish remover or acrylic... or something not for human consumption. We asked our waitress to try it, but the policy is that they can Look and Smell, but they cannot Taste. Unfortunately, no one could confirm that this beer had gone bad. They did, however give me a free tap beer....

    (3)

  • Jennifer G.

    Great food and great drinks! I've been here twice. The first time I came for dinner, I got their mac and cheese which was deliciouss. You can customize it and add anything you'd like (for a few extra bucks of course). I was very satisfied and it was perfectly cheesy. The cheesier the better! On my most recent visit, I only came for drinks. It was pretty crowded for a Wednesday night, but my friends and I got a few seats by the bar. They have a lot of local beers and ciders, which is pretty cool. The menu tells you where all of the drinks are from. Downeast cider from Charlestown was so good (even though it just tastes like straight up apple juice...maybe that's why it was good). Will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Jillian R.

    I've been here a handful of times, but this last visit was the most memorable, so I'll write about that. In a very hungover state, came in here, the host was hilarious and really made the experience a fun time. My roommate and I ordered the mac and cheese with short rib (short rib being one of my favorite things to indulge when I go out to eat, because damn is it good) I was mildly dissapointed. The flavor of the mac and cheese was COMPLETELY drowned out by the short rib, which was pretty good, but somewhat burnt, and burnt meat in cheese isn't exaclty delicious. I probably would have been much happier with just mac and cheese, but who can say no to short rib! Maybe next time I will try a simpler addition to my plate, but definitely not the best. (despite every picture of their mac and cheese looking like the holiest thing to ever exist) We also ordered the fries, and the sauces were pretty great but the fries themselves were about the size of push-pins, which made dipping and crunching that much less enjoyable (as our fingers were covered in the sauce) I want to give this place another few chances because it's really a great atmosphere and the staff is so friendly.

    (4)

  • Yash U.

    My favourite in Brookline. Always bustling with people, better reserve your table. The food is great, and the beer selction is very strong. Servers have always been a great help in informing about beer and food. Best place to be for some good food and beer.

    (5)

  • Jenn S.

    Do you ever have deja vu like every time you walk into a place? Like that you thought it was a good idea but then when you get there you immediately regret your decision? That's me here.... every time. Sorry! Like seriously, let's get a few new menu items or something. Everything is so heavy and I was not totally hungry the last time I met some friends here and I wanted a good cheese plate. I asked our waitress if there was any sort of goat cheese on the board because I want to scratch my tongue out every time I eat goat cheese. She said yes and then I said bummer but she PROMISED me that it was not "goaty" if that makes sense. I told her I hated the pungent, dirty sock taste of it and she said it was very mild (and listen people, I am not a cheese snob I would literally eat any moldy, disgusting smelling cheese other than "the goat") So let's just say I believed her and she was wrong. She didn't ask if it was ok or anything and I obviously didn't eat more than a lick of it and I really wished she would have just offered to switch it out, but I guess I should have said something too. Anyhow, go here for a great beer and some mac and cheese that I have gotten in the past but just don't expect to have the meal of your life.

    (2)

  • Kelsey F.

    Publick House is a great neighborhood bar/restaurant which has the best of both worlds.....huge beer selection (and tons on tap) and great food! Came here with my friend tonight for a few beers and dinner. There was a 45 minute wait for a table for 2 but we ended up scoring some bar seats....sweet! The bartenders were nice and very attentive. We got the veggie board for an app. It comes with an enormous amount of hummus, 3 other dips, and some pita chips and pickled veggies. A bit large for just 2 people. For a meal I got the stuffed peppers. I can honestly say I don't think I have ever seen a stuffed pepper on a menu so I was pretty intrigued. I went for it and was so happy I did. It was delicious!! Stuffed with some type of bread stuffing mixed with mushrooms, corn, cheese, and a tomato sauce....all over spinach. Yum!! My firend got the burger which she really liked. Publick House is a great place to go for a low key night. It's a friendly place that makes you feel like you are right at home!

    (4)

  • Samuel C.

    Solid pub fare with great beer selections. And it's good pub fare too, though I could have used some more frites...delicious monks frites. That's a must-have. I had the Publick House burger with truffle ketchup and rashers. The burger doesn't really need either of those two items, to be honest, and their effect on the burger's taste was much less than I had imagined. The burger itself is just overwhelmingly meaty in a good way such that most other tastes become rounding errors. Maybe if you worked the truffle ketchup into the burger patty before cooking it... Anyway, the lighting was a little dark and the atmosphere was boisterously loud (couldn't quite hear my conversation partners), but it was good food and reportedly good beer, so put this on a list of establishments to patronize.

    (3)

  • Beth M.

    Looking for a HUGE beer selection? Stop by the Publick House! The bartenders give great beer advice and the French fries with an array of dipping sauces to choose from are delicious (although the fries are really small cuts). Worth a beer (or two, or three) and a bite to eat!

    (4)

  • Brandon O.

    Great Belgium pub and surprisingly excellent kitchen. Tap beers are a bit pricey but they had great beers so can't complain. Lobster Mac and Cheese - Probably the best mac and cheese I've ever had. It's $20 steep but substantial. Mussel Pot - These are stewed with some of the beers they carry, I thought the seafood was very fresh and uniquely flavored. There are 5 or 6 variations of this you can order. Ours said it came with sausage but there were only a few pieces :( Chicken Gumbo - Not too salty and not too strong which is the way I like it. Great flavor but could have been more spicy. Was very hungry when I ate this dish so take my recommendation lightly :P.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth S.

    Great atmosphere, great location in Washington Square. Came on a Tuesday evening, the place was hopping but parking was available across the street. We got the fries, which come in a BIG basket with two dipping sauces. Loved the chile aioli, but regretted ordering the truffle ketsup, which didn't have much of a truffle oil taste.

    (4)

  • Laura D.

    I attempted to go to the Publick House for dinner with a large-ish group of friends (4 others) around 7:30 one Saturday night without a reservation. Big mistake! It was totally packed. We were told it was a 40 minute wait and promptly left. I returned again for dinner with 3 other friends on the earlier side--around 5:30/6 on a Friday, and we were seated with no problem. Our table was a bit awkward though as it was 4 high stools around a high table--not the most comfortable and nowhere to put our jackets and bags. Three of us ordered the grilled chicken (bacon, cheddar, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle aioli on ciabatta) with various modifications. The waiter was patient and got all of the orders correct. I got mine with no bacon or cheese. It was okay, but nothing to write home about. I opted for mixed greens on the side in lieu of fries (although I tried my girlfriend's and they were pretty good). The mixed greens, however were so soaked with some kind of dressing that it made it hard to eat. I took it home but ended up throwing it out because I couldn't stand the strong dressing--not even sure what kind it was. Our waiter, while very patient and quick, made several flirty comments with two of my friends (we were a table of 4 girls). It was totally harmless and maybe a fun way for him to pass time during a slow hour, but it made me a bit uncomfortable and I didn't think it was necessary. Not sure I'd come back anytime soon.

    (3)

  • Tracy S.

    Went with a large group of about 12 on a weekday. There was room for us all to sit together even though they don't take reservations. We could probably have snagged a couple tables in the bar area but we went for the restaurant instead. The atmosphere was really cool. It felt modern but and also traditional. It was a bit dark with dark wood everywhere but that's good. This place has an EXTENSIVE a beer selection and all 10 other people I went with were happy with their choices. We for the fries as an appetizer and all the dipping sauces were pretty good. The Brussels sprouts were bread crumbed and fried which was ok, but I would have preferred roasted. I got the Mac n cheese with asparagus. It was so delicious that I wanted to eat it all but it was just so filing that I couldn't. One friend got the mussels and was disappointed because the mussel meat was lacking and there were so many add ins, when she really just wanted mussels. Additionally be careful of the Siracha (sp?) wings... They'll get you! Regardless, I would definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Will C.

    I'm always anticipating bad service when I go here and it never happens. The food has been hit or miss, but to be fair the one time it was a miss, the power was going off and on. I don't go here all the time but I've been going once every month or so for about 3 years, and no complaints. Well maybe one complaint. You'll notice the frites are small, hot, and jam packed with oil. The more frites you pack in your fingers the more of a chance you'll be able to get some of that gravy mayo sauce; just as your more able to squish even more hot oil on your fingertips. It's a weak complaint, understood. Just had to get it off my chest.

    (4)

  • Ross S.

    I love The Publick House. I live about 40 minutes away, so when I go I plan to hang around for several hours so I can enjoy several of their beers from their extremely extensive beer list. Always a nice selection of local brews (ie Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project) and a ton of rare to find imports. The food is also fantastic. My favorite is the Trappist meatloaf which is very very good.

    (5)

  • Tim B.

    This place has an awesome beer tasting menu! The food is okay (macaroni/cheese was recommended to me), but I wouldn't go here for that. It's a really cool environment to meet up with friends and sample from the insanely long list of beers. It does get very crowded on weekends though, which makes it really hard to get a table.

    (5)

  • Will E.

    The best beer bar in town. A great place to meet some place for a drink. The food is fine as an accompaniment to the beer - not as a main attraction.

    (5)

  • Meredith M.

    Maybe I'm biased since I used to work here, but I think this is one of the best places ever. The beer is ubelievable...Alagash White is a great try for those who aren't crazy on the idea of trying something too intense. The food is awesome, too. Everything from the burger and fries ( try them with lots of sauces like the homemade catsup or chiptle) to the ultimate comfort food mac and cheese. Trivia night is super fun...be nice to the servers on these nights at things can get crazy! I'm visiting Boston soon and have already told friends that this is a MUSt stop.

    (5)

  • Jeanne B.

    Great place to spend a cold evening. I went this past Friday evening for dinner. We were a party of 3 and arrived around 7:30 - the hostess informed us it would be about a 45 minute wait. Not a problem because there was plenty of standing space near the bar and plenty of brews to try. Our table was ready within the 45 minute mark. All three of us split the caesar salad, which was gianormous and really tasty. I especially enjoyed the dressing. I had the lobster macaroni and cheese (on special), the other two diners had fish and chips (huge portions) and scallops (excellent!) They have a fantastic beer selection split evenly between European (mostly Belgian) brews and American microbreweries. I would definitely recommend this place for small groups as it doesn't look like there are many options to seat a large party. If you go on the weekends, definitely plan to stay for a while to enjoy the drinks and atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Robert S.

    I had heard good things about this place, and I was certainly not disappointed. I came on an off-night (which, given my profession as a musician, are essentially my weekends), after witnessing the disappointing loss of the Americans at the World Cup. I decided to drown my sorrows in Belgian-style beers, and mac & cheese. The later was heavenly, albeit fairly expensive - but you get your money's worth, as it sits like a brick at the bottom of your gut (in the best kind of way). The selection of beers was unique and refreshing, and I had a great time sampling a few varieties with my friend. I love the Washington Square area, and Publick House is one of the reasons why - it's definitely worth a visit.

    (4)

  • Robyn P.

    I really hate when a place that I loved, have visited several times and even brought out of town friends too fails miserably! I ordered frites and a beer the beer was fine but the frites looked like they were scrapped from the bottom of the fryer, it looked like a basket of rotten teeth with not one of them over 1/2", the worst part is that once they were dropped on my table no one even bothered to ask if I was happy or wonder why I was not eating them! I will never go back!

    (1)

  • Jesse C.

    Service was top notch. Food was incredible! Awesome atmosphere, and awesome beer selection. On of the best places in Brookline. Great for dinner before a night out!

    (5)

  • Emily R.

    I really wanted to eat here....but the hostess was so rude... Years working as a host from casual to fine dining has proven to me that the host is a reflection of the service you will receive.... From her hoodie to her eye rolling I just could not. I get it, it's busy, but you should know how to interact with the public- I don't care how popular of a place it is. Maybe I will stop in again on a better night?

    (2)

  • Greg I.

    Great beer, great food, great service, great prices. This place is unbeatable in Boston. Sunset Grill is comparable, but totally different atmosphere. Get the mussels and mac & cheese, you'll thank me. If you don't like the mac 'n cheese, you may need to escape to Tibet for a decade or so to rediscover your inner soul, because frankly, you've lost it. Bar tenders know what they're doing, beer list is constantly rotating, and super friendly.

    (5)

  • Lee H.

    Nice atmosphere, lots of beer. Parking OK. We had caesar salad (very good, lots of garlic), fish and chips (very, very good), mashed potatoes (very good). Mussels with fries (pot 1, garlic and herbs) was disappointing - broth was bitter (from the beer?), fries were different from those served with the fish and chips (not as good, rather puny and no bits of skin). Nice sampler of belgian beers. Come early to get a table.

    (4)

  • Colleen B.

    Homer Simspon and his beloved Duff beer would be sorely out place here. While Homer would appreciate the devotion to beer, he might not be sophisticated enough to appreciate the selection. It was almost a tad overwhelming and after choosing something that was termed to me as "light" I shifted to the interesting liquor selection. They carry Triple 8 distillery's Hurricane Rum and Gale Force Gin. I'm no gin drinker, but the Hurricane Rum and pineapple juice hit the spot! The bartenders were friendly and despite the rush quick to make conversation. Next trip I'll be taking my brother and father here. They know much more about this Belgian beer stuff. Till then I'll stick to my yummy rummy.

    (3)

  • Jenna T.

    Came here for the first time with a friend after moving to Cleveland Circle. It's definitely worth all the hype. We split the calamari for an appetizer and I tried the Delirium Tremens- it might be my new favorite beer. We each tried one of the special tacos- the haddock with slaw. It had great taste and the fish was perfect but the taco shell was a little too doughy for my taste. Overall... would order again. Then we each got our own mac and cheese. Amy got the lobster mac and cheese and i got the regular but added in peas and chicken. SO GOOD. Again I repeat, SO GOOD. Great experience and definitely coming back. Service got a little lackluster towards the end of our meal but only because this place was bumpin'... on a Tuesday night no less.

    (4)

  • Jonathan H.

    Publick House is fun, laid back, and hipster-y bar that's great to go to with a group of friends on any night of the week. The extensive beer selection alone is a prime reason to go to Publick House, but on top of that, their food is incredible. First off, I have to say, two of my absolute FAVORITE things about this bar are the lack of televisions (only two in the whole place) and the emphasis they put on the beer (no shots allowed). The place encourages people to talk to one another, instead of everyone staring at the TV - I love it. This place is busy, so get there early! My recommendation is to go on a Monday - Wednesday, it is much less crowded then.

    (5)

  • Shabby D.

    Nice restaurant and plenty of seating options. Great beer selection, however I find it odd that they don't really name cocktails and charge you extra for certain drinks. Also, whats up with "no shots or pitchers?" Anyways, I ordered the fish ans chips and ir was good. I really liked there coleslaw as well.

    (3)

  • Kyleen K.

    This place holds a special place in my heart. You can turn this place into a fun night out, or (like many in the neighborhood) stumble over in a blizzard in your sweats and snow boots late night. Most importantly, they serve Unibroue's Fin du Monde, the most outstanding beer on the face of the planet, and somewhat tricky to find. (Seriously, do yourself a favor and google it. Now.)

    (5)

  • Heather V.

    Good stuff, unique menu options. I really liked the atmosphere, it was upscale and casual at the same time. The menu didn't have anything boring, everything sounded unique. I had some mussels and they tasted great.

    (4)

  • Sara H.

    Beer! Chipotle mayo! Fries! ...holler. Go right after work on a week night and you're guaranteed a seat. If you're realling f-ing hungry, don't order the mac & cheese because it takes longer...(despite the fact that it is quite tasty) i go for anything that i can get fries with and i put the chipotle mayo on everything. it's cool that beer is infused with so many sauces here. and despite the (sometimes) cranky service, they are really good at pairing beers, helping you find an alternative if your first choice is out, or otherwise decifering the extense beer list if you're not normally into crazy brews!

    (5)

  • Heather O.

    I would normally never end up here on my own but I had a holiday social here last night. We were the huge table of 15 people taking up half the dining room seating. Thus probably why the bar was a fire hazard it was so ridiculously packed. I read the Yelp reviews before we I got there and I kind of figured we'd be in trouble with a huge party and what I have read about cr*ppy service. I was misled - the service couldn't have been better. They sat us even before half our party was even there and the waitress was absolutely awesome. Fries and pumpkin fritter appetizers were good as was my tuna melt. Love the Smuttynose on tap. Thanks for a fun night Publick House!!

    (4)

  • Felecia C.

    I really enjoy this bar and I don't even drink beer. You are guaranteed a wait at the Publick House, but once you get a table and a drink, everything's cool. People rave about the food, so maybe during one of my next visits, I'll get a cheese plate or mashed potatoes. I'm not a big bar food person, so it's the atmosphere that gets me.

    (5)

  • Jesse A.

    The Macaroni & Cheese with a la carte toppings is outrageously good. I did andouille, shrimp and spinach. Also had bacon and broccoli in the past. But, I can cook a mean macaroni and cheese myself, as can most faddish pubs. The rest of this place leaves a lot to be desired. The mussels were not cleaned properly, did not taste fresh, and were overall just awful. The pomme frittes were soggy. The beer selection is, of course, excellent, but you'll pay handsomely for that delicious craft brew. I'll go back and eat mac & cheese, but not recommended for overall dining experience, especially given the looong waits and surly service.

    (3)

  • Karen W.

    This place has the best Belgian beer selection outside of say, Belgium. In addition to the fantastic beer selection, which includes beers from all over, a robust Belgian beer selection, they have the appropriate glassware to boot! It can get crowded, I seem to luck out most of the times I go by being able to score a table or a stool at the bar, but I can see how not having a corner to stand in would dilute the otherwise great beer drinking experience. Overall it can be pricey, but the beers are absolutely worth it (and about equivalent of what you would pay in Europe anyways), the food is pretty darn tasty and I think that totally makes up for the crowd/wait.

    (4)

  • Francesca R.

    There are almost 300 reviews so I'll keep this short. Food - tasty but spendy. Atmosphere - fantastic, like you're in a medieval castle cellar. Service - grouchy. harried. yet still prompt. Beer - well really, do I have to say? I like to get the pick-your-own flight of four beers. It's such a great deal and you can sample all kinds of stuff. This is especially fun if everyone gets one and people are cool with sharing. Oh, and I have never had to wait for a table here, but each time I've gone it's been about 6pm, on weekends and weekdays.

    (4)

  • Jason S.

    They should call the mac n cheese "crack n cheese". It's like that. There are a couple dozen ingredients you can add. Sausage and onion is a nice place to start. Don't bother eating it, just freebase it. The Bruschetta w/ pesto and fresh mozzarella is no joke at all. I am not a beer aficionado, but I do enjoy the suds, and their menu is deep. I'm sure a serious beer-o-phile would be pleased. Give ye Publick House a whirl.

    (4)

  • Bret C.

    I just don't get it. People are totally enthralled with the Publick House and I'm not sure why. Extensive waits, it gets hot, overly crowded and uncomfortable. Tried several different plates and the famous mac and cheese that is $15+ (with upcharges for virtually every topping - I'm surprised they didn't charge for the fork, too!) is nothing beyond average. Plenty of other places to find a good beer selection. The only thing that is good: the location!

    (2)

  • Melissa L.

    The wide beer selection and relatively tasty food are draws, but the crappy attitudes of the servers is more than enough to keep me away. Plus one for the fried brussel sprouts. These are fried whole, so the outside leaves are crispy and the inside is perfectly steamed. It comes with some bacony dipping sauce but these are good enough to eat alone. The crab cakes were fine, but I've had better. Our initial server seemed really put out when we sat down on a bench. "Are you here to eat?" she asked. We told her we were mainly there for drinking and she curtly informed us we had to order food. When we asked her if there were any pumpkin beers - seeing as it was fall - she made a face that said "Are you fucking kidding me?" while she muttered they did not offer them. To her credit she did get nicer as the evening wore on, but it doesn't really save the fact that I think this place is over hyped.

    (2)

  • Chris N.

    It is difficult to go wrong with this place, I wish I visited Publick house more often. It is a great atmosphere with good service, and the food is absolutely PACKED with flavor (one of my two favorite things about this place). Cheap, low quality beer is not an option here and for that I am thankful, as it scares away the wrong crowd (the other favorite about this place). Finally, the interior decor gives a warm, intimate feel that every good restaurant needs, I'll be coming back soon for dinner. Recommend - any Belgian beer, mushroom ravioli and monk's frites w/ garlic asiago mayo.

    (5)

  • Maya M.

    Healthy pours of wine are never a bad thing! If you're in the mood for bar-style food (read carb heavy but delicious) then this is your spot! Had the meatballs and the brusselsprouts, both were great! Thought the Brussels sprouts would be my "healthy" side but they came out breaded and deep fried so that was a bust. Good though!

    (4)

  • Juliana C.

    Come for the scintillating mac and stellar beer selection. Leave because they kick you out(!) Friday night, seated group of ten (birthday celebration), packed house. We all ordered food and drinks. The fries with dipping sauce were delectable; mussels pretty good; mac + cheese + bacon = phenomenal. My La Chouffe was palatable as always. Time passes, the check comes. I remember being surprised we were paying out so early (it was only 9 pm), but I tossed my cash in the ring. As we're getting up from the table a manager comes by to ask (with an apologetic tone of voice) if we had had a good dining experience. It's not until we're outside that someone fills me in. Our server closed out our tab and asked us to leave because other large groups were waiting for our table. I had an awesome time up until the forced exit, but I'm not sure I'm going to return.

    (2)

  • Hayley M.

    Woah. I went to write an update for my review... and realized I had never reviewed The Publick House. How is that possible? It's an institution and I've been there a million times. Here is what you need to know: -beer -mac and cheese Both come in a million varieties. There is just about every beer you could ask for (minus Abita. Come on, Publick House, add Abita!). The mac and cheese has many add-ons to choose from, from the expected (broccoli, chicken, asparagus) to the more fun (truffle oil, shrimp). It's a big enough serving for lunch the next day as well. Two meals for the price of one $15 mac and cheese + broccoli dinner.

    (4)

  • Keith A.

    And wow. The beer selection here was just tremendous. It was 95% belgian both from the actual country and in various styles from domestic brewers. The draft selection was just loaded with great belgian beer across teh board, but that wasn't what really made the publick house. The atmosphere, food, and service was what really made the place. It was nice so I sat outside and made sure to order myself some frites. They have a variety of mayos to choose from and the chipolte mayo was great with the fries. Even better, the fries were done in duckfat. I also had to get a pot of mussels. There were 4 different broths to chose from and I went with the second choice. This one had prosciutto and roasted garlic with it. My eyes ended up being bigger than my stomach as I tried hard to finish it all, but fell short. Still, these were damn good mussels. Our waitress was great and we were never without attention. I only wish I was in the area more often

    (5)

  • Jeff D.

    First and foremost, Publick House has a tremendous beer selection. If you like beer I simply can't imagine that you'd have less then ten different hoppy selections that you loved to choose from. I kept it simple and had a Whale's Tail Pale Ale to go with my grilled chicken sandwich (which was quite tasty but sans pickle...and I like pickles.) My friend and I stopped by on Marathon Monday and surprisingly things weren't too hectic. Our food and beers came pretty promptly as did the check when we were done. Looking forward to coming back and doing a broader exploration of the beer menu.

    (4)

  • Amanda M.

    Went here on my anniversary. Wait was 25 min on a Wednesday , so worth the wait! Ordered bacon Mac and cheese, fish and chips. Omg! Sooo good!! Oh and the monk frittes were delish! Staff was great, fast, friendly! Great night. :)

    (5)

  • Dave A.

    As a major craft beer snob, I can 100% endorse this place as the best place in the Boston area to get craft beer. For any discerning beer snob, I will personally assure you that this is the best place to get craft beer, given the menu has well over 100 craft beers from all over the country. The place has a very English pub-like feel but it's (not overly) spacious. The menu is really good with pub food but my personal favorite is the mac n cheese, which comes with a variety of topping options like broccoli, chicken (my favorite) & lobster among many others. PH is very popular so as a heads up, they don't take reservations and they get jam packed on Friday & Saturday nights. I've been to this place that I'm practically a semi-regular at this point (and I live 30 minutes away), simply because of the beer and the mac n cheese. But as I've been here, I've also waited but never long. However with a group of friends, we waited two hours for a table that could sit a fairly sizable party, and we were content to wait because we knew how much we loved the beer. Wait staff is relatively gracious and polite to the customer. The area itself is pretty decent, as there are a number of options for people to wine and dine. Parking can be difficult but not impossible. But rounding back to my review of PH, I will say to my fellow beer snobs, that the drive, regardless if you live miles away or blocks away, this place is definitely worth going out of the way for.

    (5)

  • Vanessa C.

    Great Drinks,better food. I had multi-foodgasms here. You Will Too.

    (5)

  • Chad C.

    Did I get the wrong thing in my mac'n'cheese? I think I got the wrong thing in my mac'n'cheese. I went carmelized onion, peas, and brocolli. It was pretty bland and I was really disappointed after seeing this show on one of those Travel/Food Network segments. On the other hand, my ladyfriend's mac'n'cheese tasted better than mine. She went garlic and bacon. Still... the add-ins on the mac'n'cheese are pretty expensive when the base price is $15... so I don't think either was worth it. Service was okay... kinda felt "forgotten" during this visit. On the positive side, it's a nice dark place (I like dark restaurants and bars) with one of the best beer lists you're ever going to see. They're known for the mac'n'cheese, though... and they didn't pull it off. Wish I would've eaten a third lobster roll that day instead.

    (2)

  • Stephanie H.

    why must this place open so late?!?!?? 4 or 5pm??? definitely sucks when this is the last spot the boyfriend wants to go before he leaves for LA & the flights at 7pm. went for my first time the other weekend & it was ridiculously packed. loud & crowded. but i mean, its the weekend, pretty much a given no? so, undeterred, we waited. luckily we were seated almost instantly. we ordered drinks and fish & chips. the fish & chips were superb & an absolute must . generous portion. as for the drinks, ive forgotten how i felt about them as i was so distracted by the fish&chips! next time, im brining more folks with me so we can get fish & chips AND order the mac & cheese (which i hear, is an absolute must)! service was quick, & interior is nice, dark & cozy! theres also a small outdoor seating.

    (4)

  • Jim S.

    What a selection of real Belgian and Belgian-style beers. Not to mention a lot of others. And as in Belgium, the beers are served in specialized glasses. And if that isn't reason enough to come, there are five different imaginative and really excellent moules-frites offerings ($16 for more than you can eat, half-portion available at $8).. And then there is the never-seen-elsewhere fried brussel sprout appetizer (with a nice dipping sauce). We only glanced at the rest of the menu, but it looked great too. Good service. Nice ambiance, although remember it's still a bar (loud), but I'll trade a "fine dining" establishment for this place any day. Food reasonable, beer not so much. Parking typically spotty for this area, but right on Green Line T.

    (5)

  • Tafy F.

    great selection of beer; good food; very busy so if you are not into crowds come Monday/Tuesday nights. I live down the street & see that the people that work here are cool and bust their ass' - but sometimes the customers are bit uptight & that is the only downside I see.... nevertheless, very solid re drinks, food & atmosphere!

    (4)

  • Elizabeth S.

    Ever been to Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia? No? Well, now you don't have to. Publick House is basically the Boston equivalent of Monk's. Ten or so pages of beers from around the world. You can select based on category (there's a "blonde" section for every country!) or ask the bartender what's hot at the moment and let him or her choose something utterly unpronounceable but delicious. The menu has a limited selection, but when that selection includes gourmet mac & cheese and burgers, it's pretty universally pleasing. One major problem: Publick House does not do take out. Why not? What if I want to enjoy some mac & cheese that does not come out of a box in the comfort of my apartment? Don't judge me, Publick House!

    (4)

  • Dan S.

    Saw this place on a Destination America cheese special and made it a priority to stop on our road trip from Florida to Maine. First, I would like to talk about the beer! I am originally from Oregon and would frequent McMenamins pubs enjoying whatever current beer was on nitro tap. While living in Florida for nearly 18 months now, I have yet to find any place with a nitro tap! I had been going through withdrawals. When I asked our server if they had a nitro tap he said, "Yeah, we have two!" I don't remember the name of the beer I had, but our server said it was similar to Guinness but it was a local brew. I'm drooling now just thinking about it....so foamy, smooth, dark. It was a five star experience without the food! Anyway, we ordered mac & cheese of course and it was amazing! We both ordered our own ingredients. AND, it was served in a mini cast iron pan?! Best mac & cheese experience ever!

    (5)

  • Kate B.

    The beer selection was excellent. We both had the fish and chips. The fries and coleslaw was very good but the haddock was slightly gray and didn't seem super fresh despite the menu claim that it was local. We were there when it opened at five and the reception/greeting by a few staff members was odd. They were on edge and acting tentative as if they didn't know what to do with us. It was bizarre. They definitely push you out the door. We are not slow eaters and they tried taking our plates away when we were still eating.

    (3)

  • Rani P.

    Beer-lovers unite! (Burger-lovers, cheese lovers, pate- lovers, fry-lovers and life-lovers are also welcome!) The beer selection both makes my taste buds cheer with joy and my wallet cry in pain. But you can't put a price on beer that comes in its own glass and tastes fresh. Beyond the beer- their menu (which I discovered had recently changed slightly) is full of perfect beer accompaniments. But my favorites, by far, are the fries (with the garlic dipping sauce) and the burger (cooked bloody). On my last visit- it was my best friend's birthday- and we had to come to Publick House to celebrate. With a group of 10 people- we were sat immediately and had great service (when we could find our server). My only issue with the experience involved calling the evening before to see if I could make a reservation: Me: Do you take reservations? Host: No. Me: Well, you wouldn't happen to be able to tell me the chances of getting a table for 10 tomorrow evening... Host: I really can't say- just get here early. [hangs up] Me: Well thank you.... [realizes she is talking to herself] Not something that affected my time at Publick House- but definitely put a poor taste in my mouth before arriving.

    (4)

  • Kacie M.

    I used to live right across the street from the Publick House, but I've only been a few times. I'm sure I'll go again though! I don't drink beer, but even I know they have a giant selection. They also have cider, which is what I like. The macaroni and cheese is absolutely delicious! There is a good selection of add-ins, so it would be completely possible for everyone at the table to get their own unique mac and cheeses. If you come late, be prepared for a long wait. It's alright if the weather is nice though. The staff has always been nice and it's very relaxed inside. The last time I was here was for a friend's birthday, and they had no problem with us bringing in a cake. But we did give our server a big slice, so maybe that's why!

    (4)

  • Karyn V.

    If you are a fan of beer, there are two places that you must try: The Publick House and Sunset Grill & Tap. Publick House is a restaurant/bar that feels more upscale than Sunset Grill & Tap. The warm and cozy space has strategically been divided into two areas: a main seating area that includes the front bar and a quieter dining area that feels more secluded. The bar however is the main focal point, as it should be, offering an impressive selection of Belgian beers as well as a rotating list of beers on tap including St. Bernardus, Rochefort, Malheurn, and d'Achouffe. The knowledgeable staff also pays attention to every detail, serving each beer in its proper glassware and can give recommendations on beers you have never tried based upon your taste. In addition to beer, the Publick House offers delicious pub fare. My boyfriend and I always start with the Monk Frites ($6), hand-cut yukon potatoes fried golden brown, dusted with sea salt, and served in a traditional Belgian paper cone with the truffle ketchup and creamy Wostyntie beer mustard. For my entree, I always alternate between the Publick House burger ($12), grape and goat cheese salad ($10), or Trappist meatloaf ($17). It is impossible for me to pick a favorite. The Publick House can get very busy on weekends and some week nights so if you want to sit at a table, it would be best to get there early. The only downside to the Publick House is that they do not have a dessert menu. If you are interested in dessert, the wait staff knows the area well and can recommend a nearby spot to satisfy your sweet tooth. All in all, I highly recommend the Publick House to anyone who loves Belgian beers and delicious pub food.

    (4)

  • Sue H.

    I've been waiting awhile to pen this review. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan. I'm here at least once a week nowadays. It's my go-to spot for some good 'ole Belgian and Belgian-style beer. Missin' the days when I traveled and drank to my hearts content in Belgium! Well, I've been waiting to see if it would stay in my rotation of bars or if it was just another one-two-three hit wonder. My conclusion? Publick House is solid. Lots of beers on tap, great selection of bottled imports, good service and decent food. I like coming here on the weekdays, because it's less busy and more mellow. On the weekends, it can get a bit too crowded for my liking. I tend to stay away. As I said, the food is decent. There are some heavy hitters and some that are forgettable. As everyone else has said, the kitchen knows how to whip up some great Mac 'n Cheese! Lots of options for toppings to mix in. My go-to has been spinach, tomato and garlic. Always delicious. The Wings, which I haven't read too much about here on Yelp, are also very good -- perhaps some of the best bar wings I've had in Boston. I like ordering the Dry Rub with Honey Mustard and Sriracha Buffalo on the side. Get the wings, you won't be disappointed especially if you're washing them down with some beer! Other than those two standouts, everything else I've tried has just been a-okay. The only thing I would really recommend avoiding are the Meatballs. Very mushy and the gravy-esque sauce, overwhelming. At the end of the day, Publick House isn't my favorite bar, but it's a perfect place to go for some chill time with a group of friends or if you're looking for some good beer options. If you're going during the warmer months, try to sit outside on the picnic tables. Love their outdoor seating!

    (4)

  • Brian B.

    Great Beer! Great Food! Publick House is a spot I've been coming to for years now! Just about everything on the menu is good, and they have more beers than you could drink in a lifetime. The mac n cheese is a must have, and all of the sandwiches are tasty. If you're stopping in later in the week, plan to wait at least 30 minutes for a table because it gets very busy.

    (4)

  • Heather P.

    I want to give this 4 stars but they don't have the tuna melt sandwich anymore!! I went mainly for that meal. Sooo good. Not crazy about the often long wait for a table either. Buuut the selection of imported beers is still impressive and fun to try. Cool fireplace area. Nice decor. Fun to go with a few buddies when you aren't starving and won't mind the wait. I'd go back.

    (3)

  • Krista F.

    Love the beer selection! Not the place to come if you pick your beer based on how blue the mountains on the label are. Good craft beers. The menu was intriguing. Lot's of options. I ended up getting the crabcake sandwich (I ended up eating it without the roll since there was plenty of breading in the crabcake itself). My friend got the mac and cheese, and I could see what everyone else was raving about. Will definitely return.

    (4)

  • Mary C.

    Excellent selection of beers, especially Belgian brews. The food is OK, the frites are excellent. The calamari was a little greasy and the reason it's not a 5 star review. We went on a Saturday night after a concert. Bruins and Red Sox also got out and it was the place to go after all events. We were seated immediately. The music rocked, the service was great. Perfect ending to a great night. It's a favorite stop.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth G.

    5 stars for the beer, 3 stars for the food. The Publick House has a constantly changing beer list -- about 40 on tap and many more in bottles. A focus on Belgian and Belgian-style, but with plenty else to choose from. Our server was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, knowing the right questions to ask to help you select a beer you'll be happy with, and knowing similar beers to recommend on the off chance they're out of something you order (they had just kicked the Pretty Things Jack D'Or when we were there). They have won all sorts of awards and are listed on "best place to have a beer" lists both locally and nationally, and they deserve it. I got the moules frites with coconut milk, curry, lime, and chili -- delicious. This is one of four preparations you can choose for the mussels, each one with some beer in the sauce. (This one had Victory Prima Pils.) I was also quite pleased with the cheese and potato croquettes, puffy fried pillows of velvety, cheesy, carby goodness, served with sriracha-mustard aïoli to dip. We liked our fries OK -- they were a bit limp and soggy, and cut into tiny tiny pieces (roughly the length of one of your finger bones, from knuckle to knuckle). Recommend the truffle ketchup -- incredible. Everyone else in my group thought their food was just OK -- the fish and chips and the Cuban sandwich lacked some oomph. My friend's burger was served well done when he asked for medium rare. Prices are on the higher side here, so they should really step up their game. As bites to accompany your beer, the food will do, but they have, sadly, missed an opportunity for perfection in the form of the food-and-brew combo.

    (4)

  • James H.

    Bartenders suck there. Just not a friendly bunch. Great beers but poor attitudes. I feel I can spend my money at other local spots and leave happier.

    (2)

  • Particular P.

    Ugh, this place is the worst or I guess the best if you like eating cat liter and dealing with pretentious massholes. Over priced drinks with a slightly above average selection of beers but at least you get to wait 45 minutes for them. And as I said the food is horrible, like actually really really bad I can't understand some of these other reviews.

    (1)

  • Michelle L.

    four-5 stars for the food, 2.5-three stars for service and decor. we went early on a monday thinking we could sit outside, but they have a picnic table and just a couple other smaller tables for outdoor seating. we were told we could share the picnic table, which we declined. i then asked if we could sit at the table at front by the window, and were told no because it seats six (even though no the restaurant wasn't very busy), and were seated in a dark, two-person table. :( service was very good, and the food was terrific. my bf had a sandwich which he could not stop eating even though he was stuffed halfway through, and we ordered fries as an app. (which are double-fried, and i didn't care for terribly). i had the fish and chips and they were excellent! but then, our waitress forgot about us and we sat for 20 mins after we were done before we could even get her attn. and we sat again to sign the receipt....

    (3)

  • Craig Z.

    Pretty disappointing actually. Food was just all right, and the beer selection, though wide, did not have that much ultra-craft stuff...or it just didn't look that exciting to me. The bar for beer places is preetty high these days. Service wasn't great either.

    (2)

  • Erik W.

    I came to the Publick House on the recommendation of my Dad. He didn't let me know that the beers and food were very expensive. The Publick House has a fantastic selection of beers. They also have some decent apps and the food looked fantastic. We got a cheese, humus, and meat plate to tide us over until dinner. It was delicious, but it was also like $17 or something. I'd say most of the beers here are over $9 a pop, which is my book is absolutely absurd. They're good beers for sure, but for the price...umm, I'll pass. The wait staff was eh. We got a little table, but were waiting around forever and had to be aggressive about getting new beers, food, our check, etc. Cut the costs by 50% and it would be a great bar - otherwise, way to expensive in my book.

    (3)

  • BurgerBaron G.

    As a relatively new fan of Belgian beers, I'm pretty happy I found this place. They have an excellent selection of Belgian beers in all price ranges and places of origin (U.S. and international). The staff seems knowledgble but I haven't picked their brains yet about the beers so that's up to you to determine. The place can get pretty crowded so finding a seat at the main bar at the entrance can be tough. The tables are usually available and there are usually seats on the more "traditional" bar on the other side (no TV on that side so if you want to see "the game" you're out of luck). There is also seating outside if that's something you like. The food isn't stunning but it's good. Small plates are good and the traditional Belgian bar staple of mussels are nice. Overall a nice attempt at recreating an authentic Belgian beer hall. P.S.: One of the bartenders is a White Sox fan which wins points with me.

    (4)

  • King Eat J.

    Ok I've been to the Publick House twice, once three years ago, and ,once last Saturday. Both times it never really lived up to the hype I always hear. Their beer selection is top notch, and always has been. They definitely know their beers, and our waitress was very knowledgeable about the drinks we were ordering which was great. As far as the food: Three years ago I got the trappist meatloaf. It was good, not really amazing or anything but it was good. I also remember it burning the roof of my mouth because it was so hot temperature wise. Saturday night we got the monk frites, and BBQ pork belly for appetizers. The monk frites were pretty delicious; it's like eating a whole container of the bottom of an order of good fries you get from a burger place. That small crispy type of fries. The BBQ pork belly was pretty good. The bed of grits it sat on were delicious, and the meat itself was more on the porky side, and less on the bacony side if you know what I mean (compare with Sweet Cheeks' pork belly). For my main I got the Mac and Cheese, and I don't know what I expect from Mac and Cheese to make it amazing, but this one was pretty good. Really cheesy which is always great, and they give you a number of options for add ins (that each cost). However; its not like it was so great that I'm dying to go back or anything. I got mine with caramelized onions, and bacon. Prepare to wait your wait chest off for a table though, and the place gets packed. We got there at 7pm on a Saturday, and waited about an hour and fifteen for a table. Jimmy's across the street has a decent beer selection for the wait. All in all I would give it a 3.5 if possible, but that isn't possible on yelp, and I think it deserves better than a 3. So I rounded to a 4. Don't drink and drive

    (4)

  • Steph W.

    Beer lovers, this is your home. Personally, I do not love beer. I try so hard to love it because it would make my bar bills a lot cheaper (usually...) but I just can't do it. However, I can recognize a good beer list when I see one and Publick House delivers. I've got a brother who loves craft beers, a dad who loves craft beers and lots of friends who love good beer so I have to look out for them. I will say that I love lambic! When I tell this to my beer drinking friends, they laugh at me. Whatever, don't hate just because my beer is yummier than yours (yes, I said yummy). I do love me some Lindeman's framboise! Tonight I tried a Boon Framboise ($15! Eek!) and it was good. It was not as sweet as Lindeman's so regular beer drinkers (unlike myself who is a fake beer drinker) may be able to tolerate it a bit better. But, I did miss my Lindeman's. And, my 12.7 oz bottle was more than the big bottle of Lindeman's at Trader Joe's. Tragiccccc. Oh well! So, tonight I ate the grilled chicken sandwich! It was a BEAST. The thing was huge. It was on some fancy bread (ciabatta?) which was good and not too hard to eat. It came w/avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and chipotle aioli. Um spicy. It was scrumptious. Good sandwich! I got some greens on the side and they serve nice greens BUT the dressing they use, which I think is just oil, could be a little more flavorful. Oh well, I got to really savor my romaine lettuce. It was $12 which isn't bad. They also have a great short rib grilled cheese. It is tasty! From what I recall, their fries are steak fries. Not my fave but hey that's just me, other people love them. In terms of the staff, they are usually cool dudes. The first bartender scared me but then he lightened up...I think overhearing our conversation amused him. The other bartender was friendly and nice. I enjoyed them both after I was done being scared. The bartenders tend to be a bit more hipsterish and the crowd is what I like to call upscale hipster with a little bit of everything sprinkled on top.

    (4)

  • Shaun S.

    Came in on marathon Monday the place was pretty packed with patrons, but we were able to be seated as soon as walking in. I was recommended to come in and try out this restaurant, I was nervous knowing that there is a lot of good places to come in get some bar food and great beer all over Comm ave. This place doesn't disappoint, the beer selection is rich from light to dark from locals to extreme imports including cheaper to expensive. I choose a lighter beer while other took depth in other choices. My big plus that goes to Publick house is that water is automatically ordered. I don't know if they do this all the time or it was because it was marathon Monday. It is always easier to have water with my meal than a beer so for me personally it was great. Now onto the food, first with the problem for $14 dollars for a hamburger always drives me crazy. Now I know restaurants have over head and all this other expenses but, seriously why I am paying extra .75 to get cheese on my burger an extra .80 for BBQ for my fries, really why are you nickeling and diming the customers. I will never understand why certain restaurants do this. Now onto the food, this was very good the French fries are of a larger portion and very good. The hamburger was cooked great and tasted very good $14 good is tough but they don't use pickled jalapeños which I love so if it was $11 I would feel like I am getting such a steal but since its $14 I feel like it should have been a little more tasty just missing the zing and taste that separates it from a 5 guys burgers or a U burger.

    (4)

  • Anne R.

    Since many of the beers on tap are likely to be ones you haven't sampled elsewhere, here are a few ways you can approach the insane beer selection if you can't make up your mind: Option A (for the adventurous) Close your eyes and randomly point to a beer on draft and discover something new. Remember, if you don't like it, they aren't going to give your money back, so man up and drink it down. If you have a few friends who are also adventurous, this is a great way to sample a lot of different beers together. Option B (for the beer lover) Talk to your server or bartender about the other beers you know you love and ask for a suggestion based on similar tastes. Do you prefer a hoppy flavor with wheat texture? Or how about a crisp ale with a touch of citrus? Or maybe a rich nutty stout? They should be able to match your flavor profile to an appropriate beer. Option C (for the copycat) Ask for whatever is most popular right now, or default to letting someone else at your table order first and following with, "make that two" or "I'll have the same", and throw in a little "nice choice" to falsely reassure them that you think they've chosen wisely. As for the food... The Moules Frites (Mussels & Fries) and the Mac & Cheese are both awesome and are definitely worth going back for. What's nice about both of these selections is that you have various options for adding extra ingredients to season the flavor toward your liking. The Moules Frites are availabe in an appetizer or entree portion, but I think you could make a full meal out of the smaller portion and share the entree portion. Atmosphere... Definitely a place for meeting up with friends and sharing a table- especially since the bar wasn't nearly as occupied as the dining room. In the evening, it's dark like a pub should be and the volume level is above "inside voices", but not shouting across the table. The service was great and knowledgeable, and we didn't feel like we waited too long for drinks, refills, or food. Prices The only snap back to reality was the bill, which was over $120 for three people, but when the beers are around $8-$12 each and you have three of them and an entree, well... it adds up! I think the quality is worth it, but it's definitely not going to win the hearts of penny pinchers.

    (4)

  • Varun S.

    It is the best beer bar in boston... knowledgeable bartenders...great bar food...lovely decor...it epitomizes a european pub...my personal favs are the schneider weisse and the weihenstephaner beers apart from all their belgian beers...oh yeah they also have the best fries in boston and it is never too crowded

    (5)

  • Carrie C.

    This place is awesome. Fantastic beer selection and good waitstaff. Food was good though I am kicking myself for not getting the mac n cheese which they are known for. I guess I'll just have to get that next time :)

    (4)

  • EricaLynn J.

    The beer selection is to die for. Clearly. The macaroni and cheese with your choice of gourmet toppings is worth the four hours you'll need to spend in the gym the next day to make up for it. The ambience is dark, toasty, and full of eye-candy. But holy hell - be prepared for a long wait. And when you're done waiting, wait some more. Even on a Tuesday evening... or a Thursday afternoon!

    (4)

  • Kelly O.

    In theory, I absolutely adore this place both as a bar and as a restaurant. In reality, it gets just a bit too crowded and you need to be patient/wiley to either get a table or even just a spot to stand (it's already packed with a 20 min wait time for a table at 5:45 PM on a Friday). But given that this place basically rocks, it's understandable, just be prepared. Beer selection is fantastic, all the greatest hits of tasty rare-ish non-lawnmower beers complete with listed alcohol percentages and the proper serving glass (both of which I appreciate very much). I was fortunate enough to have been exposed to a lot of different beer styles/brands/flavors back in the day (thank you, Knights of Gunnungagap) and was stoked to find some of my favorites when I first started coming here a few years ago. Nice to see there's a niche for those of us who know there is life after Bud Light (*shudder*). Food is excellent, it's some of the tastiest gastropub food around... the belgian frites with your choice of 3 dipping sauces are crave-able, the chicken sandwich slathered with beer mojo is delicious, the mussles are extra beer-y, and the veggie burger is made in-house and is one of the best I've had. The interior is causal, cozy, (crowded), and all around a great spot for everything from happy hours with coworkers to dates to dinner/drinks with friends. One of my usual haunts, highly recommended.

    (4)

  • U V.

    The food & drink are ok.. the bartender and waitress were attentive & friendly but i agreed with the other yelpers the hostess was rude... The first person you speak when you walked into any restaurant is the host or hostess... if they already have attitude with paying customers it does leave the impression for the restaurant.... they really need to have better hostesses....

    (3)

  • Christina G.

    I really liked this place. There's a great atmosphere here, an excellent beer list, and good pub fare. It's a nice choice for a burger and a heaping cone of delicious Belgian style frites. Expect a decent wait for late night. You can always head down to their sister restaurant, American Craft, for a drink while you wait for the hostess to call you.

    (4)

  • E C.

    My favorites here are the Monk Frites, Mac and Cheese, awesome cheese burgers. The price can add up quickly, but I love the environment and the food. They're usually good about the service but it can be spotty. I wish they had soup - soup would go a long way on a cold afternoon.

    (5)

  • Lydia H.

    I love the vibe of this place (the medieval-looking decor is awesome), but it's usually so packed that there's little area to stand, let alone sit.

    (4)

  • Michael L.

    I've heard that the Mac 'n' Cheese is excellent at The Publick House, but it wasn't my choice tonight. Instead I went for the Fish and Chips and I wasn't disappointed. I've been travelling back and forth to Ireland for the past 25 years and that's a place that typically gets Fish and Chips right, but I have to confess that The Publick House served me the best Fish and Chips I've ever eaten. The batter was perfectly crunchy and the fish moist and delicious. Absolutely perfect. The only negative is that the noise level is just awful. Some sort of squeaky jazz music underneath a rumble of voices mad it very difficult to have a conversation. If that problem could be solved there would be 5 stars.

    (4)

  • Sara M.

    I have come here for drinks and for food. I enjoyed my fried artichoke hearts very much but they did leave some of the tougher leaves on. The steamed mussels in beer were alright - it was hard to work with all the shells and get at the broth. The best part of that was the thick cut bacon and corn, I could have had that and crusty bread to dip in the broth only. I have had the fish and chips, which were pretty good but not the best. They have lovely beers here. I had a ginger beer and it was quite light. You can also play the game of "let's get the cheapest beer with the highest amount of alcohol" like my husband and his friend - they got drunk and had the worst hangovers the next day. I laughed. The service has generally been good here but it is very dark! Let's turn the lights on a bit in the dining room so I don't set the menu on fire from using the light from the candle to read it. Hipsters frequent this place it seems but I never feel like I don't fit in. Bottom line, drink lots of beer and then eat so you can't tell it isn't that delicious.

    (4)

  • Bonn B.

    I love this place! Food is amazing. Great beer selection. Great atmosphere. Great service. Perfect beer pub for those that appreciate good food, beer and wine.

    (5)

  • Erika S.

    Love this place. Best beer selection, knowledgeable and friendly staff. Couldn't ask for more. Try the sour ale. I tried it on a recommendation of the amazing bartender and absolutely love it! Will be going back soon!

    (5)

  • shannon c.

    I thought it was just about time for me to revisit my review of the Publick House in Brookline, I've grown even more fond of this place in the past few years than I ever intended! I have a rehearsal in Brookline once a week and I discovered that the PHouse is a great way to kill my time between work and before rehearsal. The staff is lovely to say the least. They have made a concerted effort to get to know me, my tastes, and make a lady sitting at the bar by herself warm and welcomed. I feel very lucky to have these people serve me, they are kind professional and friendly - seriously you can't beat the service here. The food is simply wonderful. I often tell people that the veggie burger is the best you are going to get in town, and it's true. I order it so often that I'm sure the staff think's that I'm a hard core vegetarian - not at all true. Their regular burger is great too, but there is just something about that veggie burger. Yum-O. As you can read the Mac & Cheese is also to die for. When I get it after work it's like crawling into bed with a warm blanket. I love the Publick House, trust me - you will too. Oh! In response to a poor review - the Publick House is not only a bar, but a restaurant as well. *It is in no way an inappropriate place to bring children.* Late night? Maybe, but that goes for any establishment. When meeting my director before rehearsal for dinner she often brings her two children - both under the age of 10. They have an excellent children's menu and a staff that loves kids. So, sorry. You're wrong on that one.

    (5)

  • Rachel Leah B.

    I've lived about a 20 minute walk from The Publick House for the last two years. I'm moving to Somerville next week, and aside from work, Publick House is one of the only reasons I'll ever cross back over the river. The nights I've spent at The Publick House with friends would be some of my fondest Boston memories if I could actually remember them. The beer selection is amazing, but my fondness for strong Belgian beers leads conversations here to devolve into utterly X-rated discussions every time. The moules frites are also great, although the menu changed recently, and some of my favorite mussel selections are gone. Boo. (PS - The appetizer size is generally plenty for a full meal, especially if you're planning on drinking some heavy beers.) One of my favorite beers that's usually carried here is the Aventinus Eisbock, a concentrated ice beer that is heavy, sweet, and ungodly strong. Love, love, love Publick House. The wait - not so much. But it's worth it. (And they take your cell phone number while you wait, so you can wander down the street to browse around their store.) I'm really going to miss being able to walk here.

    (5)

  • Shannon J.

    If I could give five stars for the beer list and four stars for the food, I would. First, the beer. I spent my high school years in Belgium, and needless to say I am more than familiar with Belgian beers; whenever I have a craving for a taste of my high school home, I come straight here. They have the single best selection of Belgian beers I have seen in the greater Boston area, and their specialty/reserve beers are great. If you're looking for a low key place where you can drink some fantastic beers, come here; take note of the "no shots, no pitchers" sign above the bar. The food is good. I always get the frites as a starter -- closest thing I've found to true Belgian fries in the U.S. I recommend the chipotle mayo to go with them, but all the sauces are good. As far as main courses, the mac and cheese is my staple. It's a giant dish of ooey gooey-ness, with whatever add-ins you have chosen mixed right in. No, it's not the best mac and cheese you will ever eat. But if you're like me and just want a laid back evening with good beer and comforting food while you're here, the mac and cheese may be just what the doctor ordered. The moules frites are also good, and my husband likes both the burger and the fish and chips. It has also been our experience that the nightly specials are quite good.

    (4)

  • Leah G.

    I am having a really hard time finding anything wrong with this place, so.... 5 stars it is! I'm not a "regular" beer drinker, but The Publick House has the potential to turn me into one. I've always been a fan of Belgian brews, and this is what they specialize in, so that was what initially brought me here. Here's what will bring me back: *Friendly, knowledgable, prompt service *Comfortable and authentic atmosphere/decor *Great clientele...I make it a point to steer clear of all things college-y if at all possible! ahem. no offense. *Delicious food...We got Mussels as an app (they give you 4 different broth options - cool!) and a burger with cheddar, carmelized onions, bacon, and chipotle mayo. Cooked perfectly and absolutely delicious. I love finding new spots in my area that I know I will continue to frequent because they instantly make me feel comfortable. The Publick House will be getting my business again and again and again! I'm just sad it took me so long to discover it!

    (5)

  • Ryan F.

    Once you step into The Publick House you are essentially entering another world, and another country, Belgium. For those who have been there, they can attest that this restaurant is the closest that it gets to actually being in the Western European country. And, when the owner actually travels to the country to get the right food, beer, etc ... something so wonderful is going to happen. With an atmosphere that is certainly laid back with a less than austere staff, dim lights, but usually quite packed cause this place is no longer a secret, the Publick House demands that you get there early or suffer the wait as I'm almost positive reservations aren't accepted. The Monk's frites and the Waterzooi, both classic staples of Belgium won't disappoint. Other moderately priced appetizers that include Belgian ingredients and of course, famous Belgian beers like Chimay and Duvel, nothing more needs to be said. Overall, the Publick House will be leaving you with a sense of gratification, a full belly, and the yearning to come back and do it all over again.

    (5)

  • Molly J.

    For a bar food as this place serves, the quality is very good. And I thought the price is reasonable, too. We were a group of 6 people total. We went there for a late dinner. The oder were French Fries, Seafood Stew (It was another name on the menu), Beef Stew, and two orders of mussels. I really like the seafood and mussels. They were fresh without any weird taste like I sometimes have in other places. We were all satisfied by the food and would like to revisit.

    (4)

  • Shaina P.

    Mmm....beer. Just when you thought you tastes great beers in this world, the Publick House comes along and slaps you hard across the face. Yowch! I didn't even begin to scratch the surface of their vast list of beers, including mysterious micro brews from across the country and from around the world. Don't expect to find anything common here, it seems that Publick House serves you the strangest yet bestest soul satisfying frothy brews. I had to order the '[something] De Silly' (which didn't taste silly at all) because of its strange name. And at 6.2 abv, it didn't mess me up! The latter, however, my fave find: the Local 2 by Brooklyn Brewery: is a whole other story (doesn't help that it comes to you in a 750 ml sexy champagne corked bottle). My only qualm was the $9 per drink price tag. Ouch! Will do a tasting next time around AND eat their food, which I hear is quite tasty. Must. Re. Turn.

    (4)

  • Ashley F.

    I figured I'd wrote a review since I've been here so many times. I love Publick House. I live within walking distance, and have to restrain myself from going more. Hands down my favorite French fries- though I wish the Monk's Frites were handcut like the ones you get as a side. I disagree with the Mac & cheese being Boston's best, but it's pretty damn good. You have to be slightly more specific about your burger preference, as medium is closer to well done. Adore the atmosphere/lighting/music && the beer selection is perfect. If you haven't been, I highly suggest the cheese board app, a few craft beers, and a burger or the fish & chips.

    (4)

  • Farah M.

    Love this place. I was skeptical at first because, lets face it, Boston was not a favorite settling place of Belgians. But this place has exceeded expectations nearly every. The beer selection is vast and every one I've had here has been great (even though I'm not a huge fan of beer in general). Since this is basically the only place in town I know of that has Belgian food, I don't really ever order anything else. The pommes frites are great, and the dipping mayo/ketchup is fantastic. They had a maple bourbon mayo a few weeks back that was EPIC (they should bring that back). My other fav is the truffle ketchup. The waterzooi and Belgian meatballs have been on point every time I've ordered them. The one thing I got that was not as impressive was the Belgian beef stew - but this was right after the new chef started, so I'd let that slide. Aside from the food, one of my favorite things about this restaurant is the ambiance. It just feels like an old European restaurant. It is loud inside, but it adds to the experience, in my opinion. I wish it was a little less spendy, but I usually split the entree with a friend anyway, so its not too bad. Overall, one of my favorite places in Boston!

    (4)

  • Wendy L.

    I'm not a big fan of this place...after reading reviews about their amazing mac n cheese and garlicky mussels I decided to give it a shot. Meh...nothing special and I didn't enjoy the atmosphere much. The portions were generous and the price was reasonable but nothing really stood out to lure me for another visit. If I'm in the mood for some Belgian beers and frites I may stop by... but I don't think this place lives up to its hype.

    (2)

  • Jason C.

    Cool place! Fairly cheap brews (for Boston) and a great draft selection.

    (4)

  • Christina Z.

    Most expansive beer menu in all the land! Delicious, delicious variety. I opted for the Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale and Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. The Pumpkin was much less sweet than Shipyard's and a touch bitter, but all-around yummy. The BBCS was bitter as all hell. Frankly, a Guinness goes down smoother. I am just so happy to have unlimited options that I didn't even bat an eyelash and gulped it down. FRITES. Classy french fries, with a variety of sauces: garlicky mayo, asiago something, beer-mustard, and chipotle mayo (our least favorite - the unsavory combination of spicy and creamy) The Mac & Cheese I've gotten a few times, and I find myself incapable of NOT finishing the plate. And torn between bittersweet regret and unabashed happiness. Love this joint. Always packed, even on a Tuesday!

    (4)

  • Ken C.

    I live right up the street, but I rarely go here. Why? I'm allergic to lots of hoppy beers. And the place is always retardedly busy. But they have this seafood soup/chowder that really is wonderful. I'm a seafood snob and this dish is a home run. $17 for a "soup", but believe me it's worth it. The salt cod cake appetizer was a letdown. The steamed mussels they do there are pretty good however. Good fries too. If they had bottles of High Life for like $3 i'd be there all the time.

    (3)

  • Marissa P.

    I love this place. I had my very first legal drink here, so it's got a special place in my heart... Now, I live just a few minutes down the street, so whenever I have friends in town, I always take them. The beer selection is perhaps the best around and the food is great. Sunset (over in Allston) gives this place competition, as far as beer selection goes, but Publick House totally wins on pub feel. The ambiance is significantly nicer at Publick House than at most pubs or bars. It feels like you've been transported to a pub in Dublin (I've been to Dublin) Pros: Great beer, good food, Irish pub feel, Great bartenders (often give you samples until you find something that you love) The crowd is more mature (young professionals, grad students) than at some other bars around the area. No wasted undergrad puking, unable to stand. Cons: Sometimes it is WAY too crowded to even move around, let alone order a drink at the bar.

    (4)

  • Colt V.

    You'd have a hard time finding a comparable venue that serves any where near an equivalent selection of Belgian or Belgian style beers in America. Yes, a bold statement. Food is what I would describe as "Top of the line bar food". Yes, it may be mac and cheese, or fish and chips, but I'll be damned if they don't do their best to make it the best you've ever had. Atmosphere is dark, woody, and inviting. Staff couldn't be more friendly and helpful in discussing beers and helping with selections. Prices do not feel out of place for the food, beer, or location. It may be a little out of the way for some tourists, but it's worth it if you like good beer, good food, and a good atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Phill M.

    My fella took me here for my Birthday this past Wednesday. I have a love of mussels paired with Belgian beer so this sounded like a great spot. 4 different pots of mussels and an extensive beer list. The atmosphere was great! A nice cozy feel. However I was immediately put off when we were sat at a four top in the bar next to the bathrooms on stools with no backs. I looked at the dining room which had plenty of open tables and asked to be re sat. The hostess did so with only a twinge of an eye roll. Sorry but stocky gay men like to have romantic dinners too. Now with such a massive beer list I was a bit put off by how anxious our waitress was to take our beer order. I sent her away twice before I was ready. When the beer arrived, it was the wrong beer, sent to the wrong table. Quickly fixed. We wanted to try a couple flavors of mussels and they offer an entree size and a appetizer size. So we ordered two different appetizer size mussels and an aristanal cheese board. We also ordered a side of fries. The cheese board was great! 3 different cheeses. Each excellent and very generous portions. When our mussels came out we discovered that they also came with sides of fries. I was immediately annoyed because we also had ordered a basket of fries. So we wasted $6 on fries we never ate. The waitress was pretty awful. She never came back over after taking our order. We waited about 10 minutes on the bill. When she came over to ask us if we wanted anything else, she laughed and said, I guess I should have told you that the mussels came with fries. Well, we decided her mistake meant that the now cold fries would be her tip. Once we actually received the check we waited another 10 minutes before she came to pick it up! Truthfully I may go back here again, the food and beer was good. This one waitress though, awful.

    (3)

  • Mindy L.

    Beer selection is awesome, though everytime I go I get my Unibroue Apple-Ephemere. Yum. The vibe here is great - everyone just kickin' back and relaxing. No too-tight tube-tops or hair extensions in this place. The food isn't exactly my favorite. I've had the fish and chips, which are relatively tasty in comparison with other restaurants. The mac'n'cheese is too ... cheesy. I wouldn't have thought that would be a possibility, but if you take a bunch of really sharp cheese and don't insert some mild flavors to take the edge off...you just get a big bowl of steamy, chunky, smelly cheese. Way too strong. The last time I was here for dinner...the electricity went out and we ate in the dark for about 10-15 minutes. It was kinda funny...but trying to dip french fries into ketchup you cannot see gets old pretty fast. The waitstaff came around quickly to assure us that power would kick back in shortly (which it did). I just drank some more Apple-Ephemere and moved on.

    (3)

  • Moistnchewie L.

    3 1/2 stars This place is what a west coaster would call a "gastropub". Huge selection of beers and great pub / comfort food. I'm not a huge beer drinker, so I opted for the hard cider AKA scrumpy. We also tried the strawberry fruit tasting beer. Although our waitress didn't seem to have any objections we ordered it and it was DISGUSTING. It tasted like minimally carbonated vinegar water with strawberry flavoring. The mac and cheese was to-die-for. You get to select your own toppings (such as bacon, proscuitto, peas, etc) or order have it plain. The grape salad with goat cheese was impressive as well. I had to eat every last piece of goat cheese from that salad. It's rather loud in there so don't come here expecting to have a nice quiet evening. It was difficult carrying a conversation at times due to the noise level.

    (3)

  • Reza H.

    Best beer collection in Brookline, maybe even in the greater Boston area. It also has a casual atmosphere with decent food. Now you're asking yourself, why did this guy give it two stars then? Well, I've been going to The Publick House for years. I remember the time when when the bartenders here were friendly, knowledgeable and always helpful. I remember when the lobster mac 'n cheese (no longer on the menu) was so good, I used to have friends come from out of state and the only place they would want to go is here. Last few times however has been nothing but disappointments (mostly with the service). On my birthday, I invited a whole bunch of friends here. The lady serving our table was nonchalant at best. Last time I was there, I was blatantly blown off by the bartender. How blatantly you ask? Picture him coming down the bar asking everyone if they were all set with their drinks. Comes to the end of the bar. I smile and say hi. He makes eye contact and then walks away. I know it's hard work and anyone can have a bad day. I wouldn't have written this review if I didn't see a pattern of behavior over time. I'm just hoping I ran into a few bad apples and things will go back to the good old days soon.

    (2)

  • Shannon F.

    The beer selection here is great, hands down that's not a question but when you go to dinner at 8 pm on a Saturday night and then wait an hour at the bar for dinner I'd kind of like the waitress to acknowledge the table a bit more. She was attentive at first but then once we had ordered she just left us alone, we had empty glasses for awhile which was a bit surprising since people know this place for their beer and I asked for water three times before I got a refill. The Mac and Cheese that they are known for is only as good as what you choose to add to it. I didn't add anything salty and it was definitely lacking salt but other than that it was good. The meatloaf was excellent and the fish stew was great. Overall, if you don't mind a wait and are a beer fan I'd give it a try. I'm hoping our waitress was just busy and not blowing us off but I'd definitely give them the benefit of the doubt and go back for a second, or was it third chance.

    (4)

  • John A.

    Publick House is known for usually having a good selection of west coast IPAs on tap. At this point you're pretty much guaranteed to find Green Flash IPA on tap at any time. BUT, for all you hop heads out there I must recommend Port Wipeout! It's a highly hopped, super cascaded IPA that rivals Green Flash for west coast IPA awesomeness. Very crisp and clean with a malt bill that doesn't disappoint. Not sure how much longer it will be on tap so get down there and check it out! There's no other place in town that's gonna have this brew on tap.

    (5)

  • Scotty P.

    What can I say that over 700 hundred reviews hasn't? It rocks. The food is great for a pub and the beer is list is impressive. They have a Schwartzbier from GERMANY that I adore. Slam dunk.

    (5)

  • Mon R.

    I think my husband got the stomach flu from his pulled pork sandwich. Very disappointing. This place has a great list of beers (and extensive). I got meatballs and gravy and that was grosssss.

    (2)

  • Jes. C.

    The last time I was in Brookline, my friends and I wanted to go here, but they were so busy that there was no room, so we went somewhere else. This time around, I was thrilled to find that we were early enough to get decent seats in a relatively private area. Their beer list is amazing and extensive. There is absolutely something on the menu for everyone, but it's a little daunting to try to choose from such a long list. That said, the descriptions are very well-written and, from my experience, very accurate and helpful in choosing your pint. I only sampled a few of their offerings, but I was happy with everything I tried. I wish that I had been more hungry, since the menu looked amazing. If the mussels are any indication of the rest of their menu, anyone would be pleased with the end result. Definitely on my list of places to go back to.

    (4)

  • C E.

    Fabulous seasonal beer selection (and knowledgeable servers). Fantastic tavern style food. Get there early on the weekends, though, as the line will be out the door.

    (5)

  • Anna A.

    We went to this pub, I had fish and they brought me 3 asparagus on the side. 20$ for a miserable dish? NO WAY!

    (1)

  • Whytnee B.

    I used to be a big fan of this place, but with their consistent popularity and loyal customers comes complacency. My last visit was on a weekend, so the long wait was expected - no qualms there. But my burger was undercooked, the special Belgian app frites (which are some of my FAVORITE) tasted like they were sitting out for 30 mins (cold and wilty), and service was overall piss poor. In addition to the food mishaps, one of our beer orders was simply forgotten. They took the fries off the bill, but I was still sorely disappointed. I went to have what I thought for certain would be a delicious meal, and it came off as the Publik House not even trying. I would guess this lack of effort would occur even during a quieter weekday, from what I could tell. I will definitely be back, but it will be awhile.

    (2)

  • Adam B.

    The beer is selection here is insane, that's really the main reason to go. The food is average pub grub (the fries are soggy, the burger is nothing to write home about). The ambiance is nice, has a euro-feel to it. But the beer...holy mother of the German Beer Purity Law....it's incredible. Don't go in expecting wall to wall taps of American craft brews, however. This is more of a traditional Belgian/German bottle selection...gotta be the best in Boston. There's an excellent range of pricier beers too, if you want to drop over $20 on a bottle of beer....one thing that's gotta go though - the snide "rules" at the bottom of the menu...is this a bar or a kindergarten class? Give me a break... Bottom line? Go if you want to taste the best of traditional beer making, in an ambience somewhat reminiscent of Belgian pub.

    (4)

  • Sham Y.

    This place has a great beer selection, awesome Mac and cheese that you can put toppings in and their aioli sauce for fries is amazing. I've also had their mussel pots which is pretty decent sized. I would go a lot more except their wait staff is 90% of the time quite slow and not super friendly. I tried to bypass that experience by getting food to go but it turns outs they don't do that. I will say their bar tenders are usually pretty nice and helpful.

    (4)

  • Jim K.

    If you love beer, you will love this place. If you love cozy old school pubs, then you will love this place. If you love dessert...this is not your place because they don't serve it, but that's ok. I've had their fish and chips which are super fried and good. I also had their meatloaf which was one of the best retail meatloaf experiences I have ever undertaken. Friendly service, chill vibe. I believe the place gets pretty packed on Saturdays, but a chill Sunday night dinner with some brews was a good time.

    (4)

  • Ellen F.

    Great beer selection, but my meal was mediocre... the salads were surprisingly good though! I ordered the braised short rib grilled cheese w salad. I thought there was too much short rib and too little cheese, it was okay but I enjoyed the side salad more - it had a really nice light dressing on it. My cousin enjoyed a salad w bleu cheese and steak also. Service was a bit slow. I would return for beer, but probably not for the food.

    (3)

  • Renee M.

    I clearly did not experience the problems with service that other Yelpers did as am I going all the way and giving the Publick House 5 stars. I've been here twice so far, one time just for drinks and another time for dinner as well. I mean, what is there to say that hasn't already been said? Of course, awesome beer selection. Although there aren't 100+ taps like Sunset, the taps they are carefully selected and represent a wide range of American beer styles as well as a nice collection of Belgians. If you prefer bottled beer there are pages upon pages of beers for you to choose from. Now on to the food. Dude, get the fish and chips. Ok, I haven't had anything else here, but seriously? Best fish and chips I've ever had. HUGE chunks of fish. I'm talkin' seriously big- it's like they caught the fish, skinned it and dropped the whole thing in a deep fryer, just for you. Not to mention the tartar sauce was awesome (I love tartar sauce though so anytime I have the chance to eat it I'm like OMG this is the best thing I've ever tasted in my life!) and the chips (aka fries) were YUM too. I need to come back here. I've been dying to since my last visit. It's not super convenient to get to for me so... anyone with a car wanna drive me? Dinner's on me!

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    Alert. This is not a drill. Publick House actually has the best French fries on Earth. How are they so full of delicious fatty flavor without being greasy? How are some of them crispy and some smooshy, but not one of them mealy? How are all the condiments (truffle ketchup, bacon and horseradish aioli) so perfect? In short, how are they so good, when Publick House's real claim to fame is the beer menu? Because that's pretty swell too, especially for Boston. The emphasis definitely seems to be on Belgian beers (not that you'd ever know by the decor, which is schizophrenic at best), and there's an ample selection of sours. I love sours. I love Publick House. All that said, getting in on a Friday or Saturday night is... not fun. I always seem to get here when it's mobbed.

    (5)

  • Josh W.

    Incredible beer inventory, incredibly bad service. This place was my go to "awesome-beer-bar" for years, but the past few times I've been in there the service was awful, to the point that I'm not giving them my business anymore. The bartenders are rude, smug, pretentious, and worst of all- slow and inattentive. Bummer! If you go on the weekend and you want to eat at the table, be prepared to stand in the middle of 300 people for at least an hour. Then, once you're seated, I hope you're not hungry- because you're going to be waiting plenty long for your food, too. If you go in the evening and want a beer at the bar- and are lucky enough to even get a seat, since there's hardly anywhere to stand- be prepared to wait until the bartenders feel like serving you... just because they've made eye contact with you, have seen you have an empty glass, and aren't doing anything else other than talking to another bartender doesn't mean that it's your turn to get a drink. In fact, I'm not exactly sure what criteria their bartenders use to decide who gets drinks. 20 sided dice? As if all of this weren't enough, don't think you know anything about beer when you go in there, including what you like and don't like, because the bartenders always know more/better than you, and will happily point that out to you. If you happen to not like a beer, or have different taste than someone waiting on you- you're wrong, and when you become as learned as their bartenders, maybe then you'll see the error of your ways. There are other alternatives in this area. Avoid.

    (1)

  • Ashley T.

    I used to walk to this place all the time from my old apartment when I lived up there. Now that I live in DC, I totally go out of my way to visit when I'm up. Beer selection is totally sweet. Mostly Belgians on bottle, with some domestics and other internationals mixed in. But with well over 200 selections to choose from, their beer menu alone will keep you occupied for hours. Atmosphere is always good, but be warned: if you're intent on watching the Sox game, this isn't the best place to do it. Stick to your sports bah for that! Food here is absolutely great, especially the Mac & Cheese. No, really. I would gladly weigh 300 pounds if it meant I could eat that stuff every day. It's the only place in the world that I will gladly lay down almost $20 for Mac & Cheese (but then again, I do add their beer and other artisan cheeses, plus the truffle cream sauce... mmmmm). Yeah, it's pricey. But you get what you pay for, and at Publick House, you get awesomeness. All the time. I've never once left there feeling like my money wasn't well spent, or like I didn't have a completely awesome time. I thought about giving this place only 4 stars, but then I asked myself: Why? What other place in the Boston area would I, personally, give more stars to than this place? The answer: none.

    (5)

  • Brian D.

    It really doesn't get any better than great food and awesome beer, and Publick House nails both of those. We went there on a Thursday night with a group of 6. Beware: they won't seat you until your full party is there, but once everyone arrived we got a table right away. Drink: They have about 35-40 beers on tap, and what seemed like about 100 in bottles. They always try to serve each beer in the correct glassware, which is a great touch. I tried the Stone Ruination IPA, and it was fantastic. Perfectly hoppy with great character. I next tried the Hercules Double IPA, which was a little bitter, but also tasted great. The bartender and our waiter really recommended great beers when I told them what I was looking for. My friend claimed they have the "freshest tap lines in Boston" - not sure, but the beer certainly seemed fresh. Food: For a pub, their food list is exhaustive, but it all was awesome. I highly recommend the Moules Frites (Mussels with garlic bread and frites). We had pot #1 (Echte Kriekenbier, herbed garlic butter) and it was fantastic. The pot had so many mussels we were eating them for a WHILE. I also got their "famous mac & cheese" with custom add-ins (I got scallops and asparagus). It was super rich, but definitely the best mac & cheese I've had in a long, long time. The frites were also fantastic - even better when dipped in their mayo sauce. Service: We had a great server, contrary to some negative reviews on here. He brought us drinks and food right away, and was really responsive to our requests. I highly recommend this for a night of great food and fantastic new beer. What else could you possibly want in a night out in Boston?

    (5)

  • Tina W.

    Have been back three times already for their Waterzooi, a seafood stew that has a slight creamy tomatoe base with haddock, mussels, shrimp, and scallops (sooooo gooooood!!!!!). We always get the entree sized mussels that comes with fries with the curry base plus a seperate order of fries that comes with special sauces (chipotle mayo and garlic aioli are our favorite). So far everything we've had off the menu was good, the calamari, crab cakes, caesar salad, and duck spring rolls were all delicious. Their burgers are tasty and you can pick all sorts of toppings from truffle oil to avocado, etc. Service is always good and fast, they don't rush you at the end when finishing your beer.

    (5)

  • Maggie S.

    I have been here about 10 times and I keep coming back because it is extremely close to my place, the food here is pretty good and the prices aren't bad, but I recently decided that my most recent visit would be my last for one reason: The rude, pretentious bar and wait staff. I brought some friends with me for dinner one night and my no frills friend ordered a Bud Light, not knowing that they dont serve those "generic" beers -- you would have thought she just tried to murder the bartenders child by the disgusted look on his face and then he made some snarky comment about trying the local college bar, Roggies, even though we are all 26. I have received the same type of nose-in-the-air attitude from the bartenders and wait staff here every time and go and after they insulted my friend, I am for sure not going back. News flash -- nobody's saving lives over there so they should really get over themselves.

    (1)

  • Clockwork Y.

    Knowing that 'm a huge Belgian beer fan, several of my coworkers had been telling me for quite a while that I needed to check out The Publick House in Brookline. Thinking it was another overrated Boston bar, I never took their advice seriously and instead opted to explore places closer to home. What a mistake. This IS the best beer bar in the Boston area. Make no mistake about it. I went during a tasting recently and loved everything I tried. There was so much I wanted to try on the menu that I didn't even know where to begin. And best of all, after grilling the bartender on what they have coming and going throughout the year, I learned that they sometimes carry Fantome. Yes, Fantome Saison. Or, as I like to call it, the Best Beer in the World. No, not on tap, because that's all but impossible to find in the States, but available nonetheless. It's hard enough to find liquor/beer stores that stock up on such rare beers, nevermind a bar that actually serves it. As far as the food... I've only had the House Burger and that was phenominal. Several other items folks around me were eating looked fantastic as well - a couple next to me were devouring the Mac and Cheese and it was pretty easy to see why. Lastly, I found that The Publick House seems to attract a certain crowd. Everyone was friendly and sociable, which really made me love the place that much more. This is a MUST TRY in Boston, especially if you're a craft beer fan.

    (5)

  • Ryan R.

    We waited an hour to finally grab a seat. The fish and chips was served with 4 large well battered pieces. The mussels came in a very large pot but they were little too bitter for my liking. The food was pretty good, but was it worth the wait? No

    (3)

  • eve p.

    Service? What service? I can't really comment on it --since I think our server came to the table exactly 5 times. 1 Get drink order, 2 give one round drinks, 3 get dinner order, 4 bring dinner late and cold to table, 5 bring check without asking how meal was or for drink refills. Food was awful. The supposedly famous mac & cheese could barely hold it's own against a box of Kraft Dinner--the vegetables served with were so cold they may have been in the walk-in freezer minutes before I took a bite. The second star was for the bar-tender who served us as we waited for a table to open (Yes, we waited a full 45 mins for this awful meal). He suggested a great draft cider which I hadn't tried before. He was friendly, fast, and knowledgable--perhaps the only one there.

    (2)

  • Steph L.

    Beeeeeeer. Okay, now that's out the way. This is my favorite bar in the Boston/Brookline area. It's stocked with great Belgian beer and really great food. It's not your typical bar fare, though they do serve (amazingly juicy) burgers and fries in additional to many other dishes. But it's like bar food on crack. Delicious, tasty, illicit-drug-amazing. The mussels are great. I usually get the bacon, spinach, leek pot of mussels. The full size portion is enough to feed 3-4 people or a very hungry me. The fries are Belgian and served with your choice for 2 dipping sauces. I recommend the mustard, chili aioli or the garlic mayo. I'm usually full from beer and mussels at this point, but I would recommend the short ribs. It's fatty, tender goodness. This place gets incredibly busy during the weekend so come early if you're hungry otherwise hang out at the bar and try some new beers.

    (4)

  • Nik B.

    So I've had the chance to try this place a couple times. First of all, I will say that some of the reviews for this place are kind of misplaced. There are people giving lower amounts of stars because they don't like beer. That's like giving a JP Licks a low rating because you don't like ice cream. How about logic. Why would you take a HUGE group to an intimate dinner bar that is KNOWN to be crowded every weekend. Before you go out anywhere, think twice before you decide if where you're going is appropriate for your situation. That rant being said: The food here is great! Absolutely delicious french fries. Warm and gooey on the inside, crispy and tasty on the outside. You get to choose two sauces to go with your fries. One of the choices is Rogue Ale Chipotle sauce, which, is easily one of the best french fry sauces I've had. I've had the Mac&Cheese here, both with spicy habenero tuna, and without. It's delicious both ways. 5 cheeses, and some of the finer cheeses really come through. I've also had the salmon burger, which was easily one of the best fish burgers I've ever had. It's topped with a guacamole and cilantro topping which is so savory, you'll need to choose one of the hundreds of beers to cool your savory taste buds down. As long as I am in Boston, I'll be taking as many trips to Publick House as possible.

    (5)

  • Jordan G.

    If this was based on the beer alone, I'd give it four stars. My boyfriend and I went on a Thursday night to start celebrating the weekend a bit early. We're recent Philly expats and had a local place where we'd go for exactly the same thing- good dinner, great beer, and a chill vibe. The Publick House is the closest we've come to our former local place. The beer selection was great and I was excited to see a bunch of New England breweries that I hadn't tried before, as well as some old favorites. The food was underwhelming. The Caesar salad was a little over-dressed for my taste (but came with fresh anchovies on top- yum!), and my muscles came in a tiny pot with little room to reach the delicious broth below. Also, a couple of my muscles had grit in them. I'll probably go back to The Publick House, but just for beer and maybe more bar-food-type snacks.

    (3)

  • Ryan M.

    Beer. Beer. Beer. I would perhaps say it's the focus of this tavern, however do not write this establishment off as only a bar with a beer list longer than, well it's long. Domestics, imports, bottles, drafts, Belgian, Germans, micros; Publick House looked to have it all. Very pleased with the drink selection I moved to the dinner menu. I didn't make it past the daily specials, as the night's NY Strip special wouldn't let me get past it. For the price my expectations weren't very high, honestly what steak could be *that* good for only $22.00. The 10-12oz (approx) very well cooked medium-rare steak was accompanied with four large scallops and small shrimp, mashed potatoes and broccolini. Food was good for the price. Portions were more than I could handle. It was a solid effort worthy of a return visit. The remainder of the menu looked decent, but as I said, I stopped reading after the special page. Service was o.k. attentive, friendly, but not overly enthused to be working - let's call it satisfactory, no major mistakes. Ambiance - look and feel of an old, established tavern. No TV's at the bar, however there is a section of the restaurant with a few high-top tables and a TV tucked back behind the bar. I'd return for a follow-up visit, and I think I will.

    (4)

  • Carolyn K.

    You might find yourself waiting outside on Beacon street praying for someone to eventually walk out if you get here too late (read, after 10pm), but no matter what it's worth it. They don't take reservations, so be prepared. I don't even drink beer and I know their selection is amazing. They specialize in Belgian selections. I can attest to the Mac and Cheese that so many other reviewers have lauded. Not only is it sensational, but the portions are huge so you have enough to either gorge yourself or save some for later. This restaurant attracts the perfect clientele too. They are super hipster beer snobs. It has a down-to-earth, chill, and unpretentious vibe. I always have a great time when I come here.

    (5)

  • K J.

    Of all the mistakes I've ever made, moving into an apartment only a stone's throw from the Publick House probably ranks right up there with a few unmentionables. What was I thinking? Exactly. After downing a few beers you probably will not be thinking too much. Beer: Publick House :: Lebron James: NBA --------------------------------------------------­---------- You get the picture right. Beer is the King at the Publick House. If you are patient enough to get a table (wait times could easily be 30 minutes most evenings), you get a dedicated beer list. No more scrounging around to find one when you are ready to order the next beer.The list is extensive, leaning heavily on the Belgian style, with a small description of the type of beer. Randomly pick one and take your time to pick the next (Unless you are a beer snob and know your shit). My favorites here are the Orval, a Belgian Trappist Ale, and the Ommegang Abbey Ale (another Belgian style ale brewed in NY). I could get stoned on these and not regret it. Beers are priced reasonably mostly around 6 - 8, thought imports could set you back some more. And for every King, there is a supporting cast. Food performs that role so admirably. Starters include the favorite Monk frites with a choice of two dipping sauces, a good selection (I am being told) of cheese in the cheese plate. I am a big fan of spicy food with my beer, probably from the days of the wings and beer, and there are enough options to satisfy my palette. Spicy chicken linguini, and spicy sausages and the always reliable burger. Service has been nothing but stellar, bartenders and wait staff alike. Professional, knowledgable, and courteous. I am glad I did not mention Publick House anywhere in my New Year's resolution. I hesitated when thinking about it which could only mean had I added them, it will be broken.

    (5)

  • Rebecca R.

    - The doorman is always grouchy. - The servers are always beautiful and always know their beer list. - The mussels are always perfect, especially the garlic ones. - There is always éphémère. Say it with me, so I'm not just repeating that. - They now ha

    (5)

  • Amanda J.

    My taste for beer has been improving, largely in part to a few friends who love beer and have shown me a world beyond your standard Bud Light. Because you can't buy booze after 6:00pm on Sundays here, a friend and I went into Publick House for some pre-Dexter drinks. The girl behind the bar was phenomenal, I wish I'd caught her name. The beer list was overwhelming, but she asked me a few easy questions about what I like and procured the perfect beer! I was super impressed at that level of talent, she really knows her stuff. The food was also delicious. I opted for the crab cake sandwich and my partner in dining tried the veggie burger. Bother were great and the portions are really generous. I opted to go the healthy route and chose salad over fries and found it to be nicely dressed and satisfying.

    (4)

  • Albert H.

    Stellar selection of craft beer and "craft" food as well, and I love the beer snobbery. If the door man is wearing something with a message that slams Bud/Miller/Coors then this is my kind of place. Proper glassware is used for all beers, many with brewerly logo on the glass itself. Impeccable choice of quality here, and the prices show it. At first I thought it was too pricey but then remembered the Boston prices in general, and these beers are normally not more than a couple bucks cheaper in other cities. So.... it's not so bad. Major negative- not open during the day for those of us who are daytime drinkers.

    (4)

  • Mary D.

    Went here for my birthday dinner last night. My friends offered to take me out, and suggested we go somewhere foodie-fancy, but at the end of the day I decided that what I really wanted was a lot of very good beer and a mellow night to laugh with buddies, so this seemed like the ticket, and I asked them if they'd take me here, instead. Let me first just say that I'm not a mac and cheese fan, as a general rule. I like it well enough, don't get me wrong, and I'll eat it, but I never go out of my way to have that as a main course. However. The mac and cheese I had last night was INCREDIBLE. I got it with andouille sausage and scallops and it was farking amazing. In fact, I ate the leftovers this morning, and now I'm sad that I don't have any more. It was just that good. My friends enjoyed their meals, too; my friend's BF was particularly pleased with his -- a beef stew, the name of which I do not remember. And why do I not remember it? Legendary beer selection, of course, but I hardly need to go into that, with so many other reviews already mentioning it. I'd knock a star off for the way our waitress left us feeling sort of like a burden to her, but that place was jam-packed and maybe she was just having a crummy night. She kept the beer coming, at least. It does get VERY LOUD later in the evening. We were fed, watered, and out the door by 10pm, and it had already been slammed in there for hours. Conversation was becoming difficult. At least when you're drunk you don't mind yelling, right?

    (4)

  • Marilyn C.

    The publick house is one of my favorite places to relax and have a few drinks or a late dinner/snack. Yes, you have to wait for a table sometimes longer than others, but wander outside if it's nice and wait for them to call your cell! I have been to the publick house a number of times and never once had a problem with service, every waiter/waitress I have gotten has been pleasant and helpful. Overall, good food and a nice atmosphere (a little loud, but a good crowd and a nice medieval touch).

    (4)

  • Joan B.

    For a restaurant that focuses on drinking and cooking with beer, I think they do a really good job of accommodating gluten-free and wheat-free diners. I've been here five times over the past two years and while my first visit I was allowed only to eat a salad that was way too small for dinner, over time, their knowledge of gf preparation and number of dishes that can be prepared gluten-free has increased. Good choices have particularly been the salmon and the hamburger (bun-free of course). There are a number of sides that are also safe, including the fat, fat fries which are made in a dedicated fryer. The last time I went they had gf cider on tap and also two gf beers. I had the tripel - it was very good, a little fruity. Yum Yum. p.s. I hear their veggieburger is the best in the city, but it has bread crumbs in it, so I cannot confirm the hype.

    (4)

  • Ash T.

    Beer lover's Paradise!! Pros: Great selection of Canadian/Belgian/German and local craft beers. The Food is pretty good as well. Bell the Bartender is very knowledgeable about the beers and provides excellent recommendations Cons: They don't provide beer flights for tasting.

    (5)

  • Rebekah C.

    The Publick House has a great beer selection. That being said, the food was just okay. I ordered a hamburger. It was served over cooked and bland. My date had the Mac and cheese, which he liked. They added huge chunks of delicious bacon that tasted good with the varieties of cheese they used. I honestly thought the noodles were way over cooked and mushy which made the dish sub-par. I am not sure I will give the food menu a second chance, but I will definitely come back to try some more brews.

    (3)

  • Timmi C.

    I used to live in the area, so this was actually the first bar I went to when I moved to Brookline. Things that are a plus: - TONS of beers to choose from, and they're mostly craft beers, so beer snobs, REJOICE! No pitchers of beer, either (I'm not a beer snob though) - Bartender is super nice and recommends delicious Scotch and beers - Frites are DELICIOUS, oh, and they come with two choices of dipping sauces - Burgers, sandwiches, every entree I've tried has been decent. Things that are negative: - There is almost always a wait for a table I still come back to this place now that I've moved away from Washington Sq/Coolidge because it's just a good solid place to meet some friends and just have a beer and munch on frites.

    (4)

  • Angie G.

    I forgot to mention in my last review that I would cut a bitch for their mac n cheese. kthxbai

    (4)

  • Brian R.

    I'm a beer lover and this remains the best beer bar I've been to to anywhere. I'm so happy it's just a couple miles from my place! Publick House carries a very long beer list with a good deal of variety, but doesn't try to set any world records for options and sacrifice quality as a result. Every beer is fresh and impeccably served. I would go here for the beer alone, but the food is also fantastic. The moules frites are one of many favorites. I've probably ordered them 10 times and they are always fresh mussels.

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    One of the best all-around beer bars. Get Weinstefaner or Allagash White if you like Blue Moon or citrusy Belgian beers. Sooooo good! Also- get the fries, mussels, or Mac n cheese!

    (5)

  • J. P.

    The beer was awesome! The food was okay, and the service was good. If you want to come here, make sure you are here for the beer! We are big fans of the extensive list of beers on tap and of the fact that that list changes frequently. We ordered the Mixed Grill for two, which was alright, and the french fries with their two homemade beer sauces, which were original and good. They had several menu items that featured beer marinades or sauces, which goes along with the overall theme of this place. You can easily spend hours in this place enjoying several glasses of beer; the food is just a small diversion. We went on a Friday night around 7 pm. At that time, the wait for a table for two was already half an hour. As the night goes on, the bar area gets more and more crowded, but ultimately, I would say it is worth the wait! I haven't been able to find any other place with a beer selection like this!

    (4)

  • Sandy H.

    I LOVE BEER. And if you love beer, you should come here and drink. The selection is just endless and the prices are pretty reasonable too. It's just a shame that the beers they serve here aren't easily found in your local supermarkets. The food here is also amazing. I've been here twice. The first time I had one of their specials - steak salad. I was so sad that they didn't offer it when I went a few weeks ago. It didn't matter because I ordered their burger (and a salad...you know...to balance things out) and it was amazing. I find that when I order a burger medium-well at other places, my burger usually comes out brunt to a crisp or raw. Somehow medium-well doesn't translate well when it gets to the chef. Publick House cooked my burger to the way I like it and it was still juicy. *drool* Portions here are huge so come hungry!

    (5)

  • Tom F.

    This place is awesome. 1) amazing beer selection 2) cool ambiance 3) delicious food starting with the mussels - they were delicious, and were delivered in a huge order for an appetizer The duck confit panini was delicious, though the bread was a bit too dry The mashed potatoes were incredible, I'd go back just for these My girlfriend had a burger, which was one of the best I'd had in Boston, this came with some excellent steak cut fries. All this, and I didn't have the mac n cheese.

    (5)

  • Eric J.

    Good beer, really good food. They have the best "mac" and cheese I've had. Gets crowded fast on weekends, though, so go early.

    (5)

  • Renee F.

    Before I had children my husband and I would spend a mere fortune on beer and mac n cheese in this place week after week after week. We always left with a warm, fuzzy, happy-happy smile & full belly. It's especially relaxing to have a tall cold heifenweizen on an extremely hot day sitting at the picnic tables out front after a nice long bike ride.

    (5)

  • RC J.

    Took myself here on a Thursday for my birthday, and not for the first time. Sat outdoors and waited for a waitress. Finally she came with a beer menu. After another longish wait she reappeared to take my order. I asked to sample one and she suggested another as well - great! Finally I had to go inside to remind someone I was out there and was told "right away". Well it wasn't, and when she showed I made her linger until I'd made a choice - nor was *that* soon to arrive either. Oh well, I had brought a book along. I ordered two appetizers, "hand cut" fries and calamari. These arrived faster than the beer had, and the squid was pretty good albeit cut really thin, but the fries, while crisp, contained a huge amount of 1-inch scraps and were all a quarter-inch square like McDonalds, and with no skin in their game. Later the guys next to me got a dish with some thick fries and I decided to call the manager over. His name was Francis and he said my fries were handcut because he had watched it happen that very morning. Okay. I asked where the skins were and howcum these other guys got what were obviously handcut pieces? He grew rather angry, said he'd cover the bill, and disappeared. But then he came back and brusquely told me he couldn't because I had already paid. Oh well. No need to return here anyway.

    (2)

  • Jen H.

    Quick Drink Review I don't really understand the fascination that I've heard of people having with this place. It's like a dive bar, but with beer snobs for patrons. Maybe I just don't get it because, well, I don't like beer. I lived in Germany, the land of beer for 7 months, and I rarely drank beer there... and only found a few I could tolerate. Yes, I said it, I don't even really like German beer! So, because of that, this place is just A-OK. The stoli razz and sprite was in a small glass, the sex on the beach was in a larger "big girl" glass... and I don't really understand why they differentiated so drastically in size... but whatever. The drinks were under $10, which was good, but nothing really swaying me one way or the other to come here. I def wouldn't venture here from Dot just for the experience, that's for sure. Oh... and no shots, and no pitchers.

    (3)

  • Natsuki K.

    I came here for my 2 year anniversary dinner last November because my boyfriend is a huge beer fan and insisted on coming here. I was a bit skeptic at first because it was pretty empty, dark and rather dingy the night we went, but I gotta tell you the food was so delicious it overrode those thoughts. The fries with the beer mustard and the burger I got was the best combo dinner I had in years. Beer is amazing no doubt. I'm not that into beer and even I could tell the selection here is incredible. Came back here last night for bf's graduation dinner with the parents. It was a beautiful day so they had outdoor seatings which was nice, and it was a bit over crowded for my taste but it added to the cheerful mood overall. I had the monster panini with the fries&dip again, and nothing was too greasy or over cooked, PERFECT. my bf had a whole plate of mussels and 2 beers on tap which he was ecstatic about. This place is definitely one of my favorite place to eat in Boston :)

    (4)

  • Mark B.

    Beer and mac and cheese to die for. Only complaint was the lighting level. Food this good should be seen.

    (5)

  • Mary B.

    You have to know what you're getting into when it comes to Publick House. Yes, it will be crowded. Yes, most beers are expensive. Yes, the waitstaff and bartenders can be less than congenial. That's just the way it is. Despite its shortcomings, Publick House can always be counted on for a very solid good time. I love the ambiance (but what's up with all the Mighty Mighty Bosstones paraphernalia?) and it's the perfect place for a date. The beer is amazing and if you're careful you can get some really nice selections for a reasonable price if you use the draft list. The bartenders are kind of lame so don't count on them for any information or recommendations. The food is very good and interesting, I really like how they have incorporated beers into many of the dishes. The beer mustard served with the frites sent me spiraling into sheer bliss. Why, oh, why can't I eat this every single day? We both also got the mac n' cheese which was good but could have possibly been a bit more gooey. Even the boring little side salad I ordered to try and get some vitamins before night's end was a heavenly citrus dressed wonder. Your chances of having a less crowded and intense experience are greater if you go on a weekday and when school is not in session. A votre sante!

    (4)

  • Josephine W.

    Went in on a sunny Sunday afternoon for a few beers. Great selection of beer to go along with the beautifully crafted wood bar.

    (3)

  • deb y.

    After 12+ hours of studying in a library, the only option really, is to go to Publick House instead of going back (again) to Cityside. It's the only decent bar in the area with good brews and with a cozy atmosphere. I had my first Urthel brew here and I have to say that I may be a fan for life. Honestly though, while the beer selection is pretty impressive, I have to say that I was not so impressed by their belgian "frites." Sure, I guess they're Belgian frites if they're supposed to be like McD fries, only served in a cone with different sauces, and strangely soggy/burnt. The mussels were TINY and meh. But the mac&cheese delivered, although it was general consensus amongst the table that my homemade mac&cheese trumps all. The end.

    (4)

  • Heather M.

    Maybe I'm biased because I like tuna melts, but the habanero tuna melt was really delicious. Cheese, bacon, tomatoes and slightly spicy tuna? Yes, please. Also a great, frequently changing selection of beers. I had one from Cambridge, which is awesome because I love local beers. Really friendly staff, laid back vibe AND they carded us, which is great - as I am teetering on the line of being too old to be carded. Great for groups. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    If it were only slightly bigger and could accommodate more people it would be getting five stars. You won't find a better beer list in the northeast. Guaranteed.

    (4)

  • Shane K.

    So with 450+ reviews this place probably doesnt need another review but here's my 2 cents. Came here Saturday evening around 6. Just before it started to get crazy busy so we got a table pretty easily. The beer menu is insane. I love my beer and thought I knew a reasonable amount about it, but this menu made me think otherwise. I went with the Green Flash IPA and didnt regret it. The food menu is pretty good but not overly impressive. I went with the Cubano Panini and didnt have a single complaint. Nice portion, nice sides. My friend went with the famous mac n cheese so I of course had to steal a few bites. It probably has 6 blocks of cheese in it total and 500 calories in every bite but who cares. It was good!!

    (4)

  • Cheryl T.

    Best mac and cheese ever. Try it with the andouille sausage, mushrooms and caramelized onions. Or with bacon and caramelized onions (my new favorite - the bacon is sooooo good). Oh and with lobster and creamed corn in the summertime. Monk's frites are a really good starter if you are starving and waiting for a table. They're perfect with your frosty beer.... try them with the herb mayo and truffle ketchup. Salads are surprisingly good as well; as are the Obligatory Pub Fish & Chips and the burger. Generally the food has always been up to par and I've never left less than pleased. Portions are generous and I always leave with a doggy bag. I've been here numerous times so I feel like I can't really elaborate too much on any one thing. Service has always been prompt, food is great, beer selection is vast and price is reasonable. Only downside is that the wait can get really long (wasn't so 2 years ago but I guess this place has become pretty popular). My alternative is to sit at the bar which isn't a bad thing at all. 2 thumbs up for Publick House!!!

    (5)

  • Jenny N.

    I think this place is very much a locals-only pub for true beer afficionados. Their extensive beer menu is rather impressive, but the print is so tiny and the names so unpronouncable (for those who don't speak German anyway) that I had a hard time liking this place. Now, I have nothing against beer, and I've only been once, but I'd probably only go again if some guy friends suggested it, as there weren't too many girls here (definitely not the type of bar for a "girls night out"). Although a friend of mine was invited for a date here, I don't suggest it as a good first date place. It just has a worn-in atmosphere that is certainly suitable for drinking tall glasses of beer, but not so good for wooing the ladies...

    (3)

  • Misty S.

    "A+" on the beer selection, and "A" on the food. My favorite thing to get on a sunday was the guinness cheese plate and a Hercules IPA. Yum, yum, yum.

    (5)

  • Jamison K.

    Was brought along with a friend of mine. Being the under 21 person in the crowd on a Saturday I was a bit leery of being allowed entry but it turns out they don't card everyone until seven. The food that we had was absolutely excellent. I chose to go with the Publick House Burger medium rare with blue cheese and bacon. The burger was among some of the best that I've had not only in the city but in my lifetime.

    (4)

  • Jeff H.

    It's tough to write this because they have such an extensive beer list, but the service was atrocious the more recent times I've gone. I know this is also ridiculous, but American Craft (up the street and possibly owned by the same company) is much better for a few different reasons - primarily that they have an awesome beer selection as well and the bartenders are actually awesome and believe in great service and hospitality. Plus it's usually not as packed as the Publick House either. My vote goes to American Craft, even though I'm pretty sure the money ends up in the same hands at the end of the day.

    (2)

  • Molly L.

    This is one of my favorite places to get a beer and snacks in the Boston area. I love the old traditional European pub atmosphere here. I am a huge fan of Belgian beers and they have an unbelievable, mouth-watering selection of Belgian beers...be careful though because these beers aren't cheap...you can run up a fat tab! For food, I highly recommend the moules frites, the pommes frites with the 3 dipping sauces (goat cheese reduction is my fave) and the calamari salad. Be warned - this place can get packed on weekends, especially if there's trivia going on (which I don't think they do anymore). It's first-come, first-serve, no reservations and they are serious when they say they won't seat you unless your whole party is there. If you sit down at a table while you wait for your friends and they come in a bit later to meet you, the staff will make your friends wait in line for a table...they don't allow you to add on to your table...at least on trivia nights.

    (5)

  • Amy B.

    I'm not usually a big fan of pubs, but this place has two of my favorite things in Boston: LaChouffe beer and FABULOUS macaroni and cheese!! A winning combo!

    (5)

  • tom k.

    Go here for the BEER, if you're not a beer drinker, it's probably not worth much more than your friends conversation ... the food is just a side for your merriment. It's really ok/good food ... but it's not really a restaurant, it's pub grub ! You will litterally "rub elbows" here on most thurs, fri, sat nights ... because seating is limited and it's not exactly a secret that they have great beer ON TAP ! The chalkboard where they list the ever-changing lineup of draft beer is a focal point on the evening ... trying to decipher what you're gonna drink, because you either haven't seen or can't pronounce the choices. Anyhoo ... their selection always surprises, and the price on these gems of beers is very reasonable ... like less than a crappy dance club PBR ... HA /tom

    (4)

  • ed c.

    Granted -- good Belgians, good effort at building a Euro beer hall, which with a fun group of friends helps to create a fun time -- but --- loud, uneven food, high prices, and sometimes really really bad service. I want to like this place a lot more, I envy their apparent profit machine ( the place is routinely packed), I just wish it were friendlier, cheaper, and less noisy.

    (2)

  • EJ K.

    The mac and cheese is a gift from the culinary gods. I add in bacon and scallops, and then dive in. They even make it extra crispy for you, if you ask, and I LOVE extra crispy mac and cheese. The monk's frites are heavenly, too - I always get the garlic mayo, but there are a bunch of other ones. Unfortunately, this place brings out all of my fat-kid tendencies (including clearing the entire HUGE dish), so I try to avoid it until my cravings for mac and cheese with bacon and scallops becomes unbearable. Four stars, because service can get a liiiiiittle slow in the dining room area. It's always packed when I go there, so that's somewhat understandable. But when I'm eating half my weight's worth in pasta, I need more than one glass of water.

    (4)

  • Aaron G.

    The service here is the worst I've had in Boston. First of all it's always crowded so forget trying to get a beer at the packed bar. The bartenders are constant snobs. Last night I ordered Makers neat and the bartender was telling me that I couldn't shoot it (I know it's their policy, even more reason to hate the place). I had no intentions of doing so anyway I like to enjoy my bourbon. However the next person that tries to tell me how I should drink something I've paid for will truly regret it. But I digress, the bartender was actually brow beating me later in the night for no apparent reason. Furthermore, I'd say his turnaround time on my beer orders had to be in the 10 min range. Unreal! I won't go back to this place despite the absolute love I have for the beer selection, especially the Belgian section of the menu. It just doesn't make up for how bad the service is. Good luck finding a place to just stand near the bar also. You are either in a server's way or another customer so you will get bounced around like a foosball. Go to Sunset Grille instead (and no I don't work there) , their food is awesome and their beer menu is stellar also without all the pretentious BS. ***New Edit I decided to give this place another chance and I'm glad I did. Host and waitress were both very friendly and accommodating. Also helps to go on an off night as the crowd is not a shit show. As usual, beer selection kicked ass, but they need to take Westy 12 off completely. Who are they fooling? I'll come back as long as I don't get reacquainted with the snobbery experienced before.

    (3)

  • Catherine E.

    The Publick House is one of my favorite places in the Boston area. I've been going to Publick House for a few years now, and I have honestly never been anything but 100% satisfied here. I've gone for drinks, Sunday night trivia, friends' birthdays, going away dinners, and just regular old nights out. I always love it. Highlights: -- Beers. All of them. Seriously. The bartenders are really helpful when it comes to describing all the beers and giving recommendations. They have an incredible selection of Belgian style brews along with a pretty extensive menu of other styles (including hops in a can!). True to the Belgian brewing tradition, their beers tend to be kind of kickyourbuttstrong. But I tend to think that adds to the experience (with moderation). -- Frites with any/all of the sauces. -- Mussels. Any style pot. -- Mac and cheese. The place is almost always busy and the bar area gets pretty crowded. But, I think one thing that makes the place great is that, it's not a place that you go to just "grab food" or "get a quick bite" -- the atmosphere just really encourages the enjoyment of beers with friends and conversations and really just a whole enjoyable evening out. I also appreciate that they call your cell phone instead of giving you one of the pocketexplosionbuzzingpagers when your table is ready. One final note -- I took a trip to Belgium over the summer, largely inspired by my love for this place, and with few exceptions, I found that The Publick House had a better selection of Belgian beer than the pubs I visited in Belgium.

    (5)

  • john e.

    Way overpriced and poor service. This place reached its peak and IMO it is cpatalizing on that success. Unfortuately, it has gone from really good to less than mediocre.

    (2)

  • Oriana S.

    The Publick House is a fantastic place to go to with friends and enjoy a wide choice of American and Belgian beers. Be prepared to wait for a table (around 15-45 minutes). It's especially crowded on weekends, but worth the wait-- have a beer (or 3) at the bar while a table opens up. If you are a beer lover, you will LOVE this place. I'm not a beer connoisseur, but I do enjoy their blue berry and Allagash White beers. The food is slightly on the expensive side, but the servings are huge so you might want to share a dish. I recommend getting the Mac and Cheese with truffle oil. Abso delish! It's pretty heavy so I'd only get that as a main course. If you are sharing with a friend and you order the Mac and Cheese with shrimp, it only comes with 3-4 shrimp so, you might not get enough. I haven't tried too many dishes here, but I've been told that they're either hit or miss. My friend got a burger and wasn't happy with it. But this is still a great bar to go to with friends! I love the pub atmosphere and most importantly the beers!

    (4)

  • Brendan M.

    I think I have a new goal in Boston: work myself through the beer selection at the Publick House. If I go once a week and have 3 beers each time, I figure this should take me no more than about a year! Chouffes, lambics, bieres d'abbaye: if you know your Belgian beers you will have a blast here. If you don't, just start picking things randomly - half the fun is exploring! The food is OK, but nothing to write home about. That said, after 3 glasses of 10% beer, you probably wouldn't be able to write anyway...

    (4)

  • K P.

    I love Belgian beer but I will probably not come back here for a long time, if ever. I went here in a large group for a birthday dinner on a Sunday night. First of all, they don't take reservations, though they do some sort of call ahead thing that got us absolutely nothing as far as I can tell. They only had one table that was big enough to seat our party, so we waited for almost two hours for it. Of course, they didn't tell us it would be two hours when we came in, and our table kept "almost" being ready. They told different members of our party different things- one person was told that the staff was working to get the table turned over, they told another member that basically, we choose to wait so we should just suck it up and wait however long it takes. After we had been there for an hour and a half they asked us if we wanted to split up. Seriously, it takes an hour and a half for these people to realize it would be easier to seat us if we split up? Unimpressive. Sadly, after all the waiting, the food was mediocre. My steak was a nice piece of meat but not cooked how I wanted and had some sad and bland veggies on the side. People who got cheese plates found them disappointingly small and uninteresting. The frites we had as an appetizer were pretty good but I was starving at that point so probably not a very discerning judge. On the upside, the beer was good (but there are plenty of places to buy good beer in the Boston area). Our waitress was fast and had a good beer recommendation. These two things are why Publick House gets two stars instead of one from me. Bottom line: Don't trust their time estimates of how long you'll have to wait for a table! The manager told a member of a party that people wait for 3 hours on Saturday nights (seriously?! don't people have anything better to do?). And don't come here in groups of larger than 6, they really can't handle it.

    (2)

  • Allison B.

    for some reason, the publick house always seems to turn a night of "hey, let's go get a beer" into an evening of philosophical debate. which is cool by me! first, this place will always hold a special place in my heart as introducing me to the delightful hint-of-apple-and-coriander brew known as unibroue ephemere. even though there are about 9 billion beers here to try, i really can't order anything else when i go anymore. however, if you are of a more adventurous spirit, the staff here is really great with suggestions. come armed with at least generalities about what you like (stout? ale? ipa?) or it will make the process a little more difficult. they can be a little pretentious if you ask for a cocktail - but an eye roll and a "this is a beer bar" will likely be the extent of the teasing. i've had mixed experiences with the food. sometimes the mac 'n cheese is too watery, sometimes the fries are inexplicably delicious, etc. the two comments that i simply must make, however, are (1) the add-ons for an already $10 mac 'n cheese are ridiculously overpriced (an additional $2 or something for mushrooms? kill me), and (2) the veggie burger should really be called a "smashed pea patty," as i've never seen such a green burger in my life. as for those philosophical conversations, i'm sure they have something to do with the monastery feel of the place. or maybe it's the beer. who knows?

    (4)

  • Jessica F.

    While I give TPH 4 stars overall, in the interests of fairness, I have to break it down into 3 categories: beer, food and vibe. Beer: This is one of the BEST places for Belgian beer that I have ever been to outside of Europe. This is not a brew pub or anything of that ilk. It is a real place four gourmet beer - if that makes any sense. Selection of beer is at about 24 taps and maybe 200 bottles, split between Here (local) and There (imports). I am a huge fan of Belgian lambics and TPH has an amazing selection. The staff is honest enought to admit that Lindemann's is cloyingly sweet and sucky, but they keep it in stock due to demand. You can sample the beers on tap before committing. Amazingly, they serve the Belgians in the appropriate glasses - amazing given how many beers (and I guess glasses) are in stock. Food: Meals are often prepared with beer . Recommended beer pairings are made for each entree. I have stuck to the traditional mussel pot (try #5 - its is fantastically spicy) with the side of fries. The fries are divine, but are a surefire express route to cardiac arrest, especially with the mayo dipping sauces. Vibe: This place is very much a spot for folks in their late 20 on up to chill and have a beer. This is (thankfully) not a party scene. It is a very relaxed place - a perect spot to catch up with friends or for a casual date. Sundays is Trivia Night and a die hard group of trivia fans will kick back with good beers and fries for 3 hours of intense competition. I went to Trivia Night once and plan to return (along with my new team: Fries With That?). Finding a seat on a weekend can sometimes make for tense moments, but overall service is very good. A grumble - the waitstaff is incredibly nice and knowledgeable, but when the place gets packed, which tends to be the case more and more, you will feel downright rushed. Bonus element - Value: This place is pretty expensive for what it is, but the quality you get is well worth it. Wonderful selection of beers in proper glassware, good food and atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Daryll H.

    My favorite beer bar in Boston. Sunset is good too, but Anam Cara wins. Other reviews cover it, but one thing that hasn't been mentioned -- the music here tends to be really awesome. This review sucks, because I haven't been there in awhile. But, this place needs to go on the best beer bars in the country list.

    (5)

  • E D.

    Any place that has tons of beers gets 5 stars in my book. I don't remember what I ordered for my meal, but I do remember I have mussels as an appetizer...pretty decent. Anyway, the food is pretty standard, but the reason to come here is for the beer menu. It can get a little crowded here on weekends, so just scoot yourself through the crowd to the bar and get yourself a delicious beer.

    (5)

  • Christian R.

    Good food, great beer, decent service, and the service is just fine, I think. I've never had slow service, nor have I ever been ignored by a barkeep there. Then again, I think I may have a look on my face when I go in there of "beware, I might challenge you to obliterate me", because the guys are starting to recognize me. To be brief, I'm moving to Newton soon, and I am going to really miss the elbow crawl home I've done from this place. Yeah yeah, it's classy. But there's something REALLY special about getting lit at a bar this snooty about its beer before tossing back a bad cocktail at the cougar den across the street (another review) before wandering home. What? :)

    (4)

  • B J.

    Beer selection - Fantastic. Food - Pretty darn good (although it's not as good as it used to be). Service - Awful. You will wait 20 minutes for a beer most times you are there. It doesn't matter if it's a Tuesday night or midday on Saturday. They don't care, because they have a large enough customer base and you are just another dollar to them. So is that why I am giving it one star? Absolutely not. The reason for that is... Honesty - Since I have been keeping a close look at my finances (over 4 years now) I have used my credit cards a great deal. However, I have only had 2 mischarges over the entire 4 year period. BOTH of them were at Publick House. The first time I figured it was a mistake -- $10 overcharge. The waitress could have pressed the wrong button. Whatever, no big deal. But then a couple weeks ago -- despite my leaving a 21% tip -- the waiter decided to "round up" my bill by $0.80, between when I signed my bill until when it appeared on my credit card statement. There's no point in contacting them -- it's only a buck -- it's the principle of the matter. Seriously, I hope they bought enough candy with that to justify having a permanently dissatisfied customer and a negative review on the internet. It hurts to say it because of how much I loved the beer and food -- but is this really the type of restaurant you want to do business with? I will certainly no longer be giving them mine.

    (2)

  • Elliot S.

    So I just moved into a place right down the street from The Publick House and to celebrate we walked over and had dinner. Par for the course, we had a couple great beers and the mac and cheese - It was great. To top it off though, we got to sit in these chairs that made us seem like we were eating at the King's Table - very large armchairs that were almost uncomfortable because you could feel the springs in the cushion - it was great though because we were at the King's Table... We sat in front of one of the gas fire places, had some fine people watching moments. Its a fun and versatile environment; It ranges from a fun place to grab a great first beer to a place to bring a lot of friends for well thought out meals that are pretty much all crowd pleasers. The one downside - its a bit pricey for the recently graduate crowd - but it is worth it.

    (4)

  • Allen G.

    The Publick House famously has the best beer selection in the city or elsewhere. While it may not be the largest selection it certainly is the most considered. If this were a pub only it would surely warrant a five star review but unfortunately the food is on the making-pub-food-pretentious tip and everything else ends up seeming bland because of it.

    (3)

  • Kristen A.

    The food here is really different and I was skeptical when I first looked at the menu but then after I tried it I was surprised. It was really good and the beer selection is great!

    (4)

  • Amanda K.

    Love it! i can't get enough! But hate the fact that it's so packed thursday-saturday. I would marry the mac and cheese if it were a man.

    (5)

  • Charles H M.

    I love The Publick House so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant!

    (5)

  • Siv L.

    As a budding beer snob, I would say that the Publick House is a must if you want to try some of the best. But if you care more about service and waiting time, you're better off going down Washington St. to Super Fusion. I give four stars only because it really is all about the beer. Try the draught sampler paddle if you can't make up your mind. As for food, it is overall quite good, though not always worth the price. I never would have considered getting a veggie burger at a place like this, but it is probably one of the BEST I have ever tried. It can get real noisy inside, which is OK for a busy pub until you knock your beer over leaning in to hear someone two feet away from you. Spare yourself the frustration and go at off-peak hours -- then you can really appreciate the Publick House for what it's worth.

    (4)

  • Luke B.

    A friend of mine, the kind of man who knows beer, came in from SF revved up about the Publick House. We went for dinner on a Sunday evening in July. He was disappointed, and so was I. The server was well-meaning but inattentive and, worse, uninformed; the draught list seemed to mystify her. The food was mediocre: a sad cheese plate with stale bread followed by decent but not 'famous' mac & cheese. Worse: they were out of moules-frites! The beer list was well curated, and I suppose that's what counts. But when your server can't guide you, what is the point? Go for a drink and a nosh, but not for a full dining experience.

    (3)

  • Andrea D.

    I absolutely LOVE this place. They have the best beer selection that you could possibly choose from. If you go there on the weekends expect a decent wait. I've gone in at like 9 pm for dinner and then had to wait over an hour. I don't mind the wait cuz they have a nice bar, but it does get really crowded in there. I have to say the food is also pretty good here. I'm obsessed with the macaroni and cheese. I know this is more of a have a burger place, but you can't go wrong ordering that. I got here very frequently because I like it so much!

    (4)

  • Shonali R.

    So I moved this past weekend to Brookline, and I was exhausted. I was hot, tired and cranky. My friends showed up with a bottle of cheap wine and an hour later I was ready for some food. So we walk over to Publick House and quickly get seated. Yay. Since reading about the amazing mac and cheese at this place, I was dying to try it. I went for it and it was as good as I could possibly imagine. This place is def going to become a regular for me esp now that I live so close. It is totally worth a special trip for those of you on the other side of the river.

    (4)

  • Nate S.

    Go here for the beer. Skip the food.

    (3)

  • Anna F.

    Beer snob heaven. So many delicious draft and bottle beer to choose from. My favorite is the Allagash. Food is stellar with such Belgian staples as mussels, frites, and stoemp. Can be very crowded on the weekend and when there is a BC game on. I recommend going after the kitchen closes at 11 if you are just after drinks.

    (5)

  • Mick T.

    Come for the beer, stay for the food, bring plenty of cash. 5 stars for running down the street after me to return my wallet. Great beer selection. Better than average food. It used to be an Irish bar, but they seem to have dropped the "Anam Cara" and become just "Publick House" and specialise in Belgium style beers. I really like this place, good atmosphere, big (Belgium style) beer collection. I've heard a lot of people raving about the food and while it is good, it isn't as great as friends have made it out to be. They do a nice cheese plate, but it's seems kinda expensive, fish&chips has good fish but the fries could be crisper. The steak sandwich was really tasty, but for the price I'd expect something better than hangar steak? Also, they have a few benches outside (no smoking) for the good weather, and a lot of people bring their kids here for early dinners. I wouldn't go here specifically just for dinner, but I would go here for beer & food! One good change they made, is you have to put your name if for a table, it used to be you had to fight with everyone else waiting to get a table on a busy night.

    (5)

  • A. W.

    Overrated. Crap Service. I've had many a great night there, with a few rotten eggs in between. It is basically my local...and I would spend more time here if I knew I would be able to; a) get a table for me and my friends without having to wait 40+ minutes, b) not be served by someone with major attitudinal problems. Yes, there is an amazing selection of beer......expensive beer. The food is pub grub. Nothing spectacular. The atmosphere is vibrant and happy. But having to wait in a ridiculous line for over an hour for a table most nights during the week is pretty off putting. Often the staff placed on the door can't seem to figure out which interstate drivers licenses they deem legitimate or not, it changes every week. Also worth noting that one waitress argued with me over the fairly substantial tip I gave her...considering my food arrived 50 minutes later. "HEY, I DON'T MAKE THE FOOD...I JUST GIVE THEM THE ORDER," she barked at me...and stormed back to the kitchen. Nice. She is also the same waitress who called my friend a liar, when he said that yes, a whole table of us would be ordering food and not just drinking (some of the beers are pricier than the meals anyway!). Two people did not order meals, and thus my friend was deemed a filthy "LIAR" by the waitress, before she stormed off to the safety of the kitchen again. *** Have since been banned from the establishment by the charming manager. Glad I do not have to set foot in this place ever again. Don't waste your dime or your time.

    (1)

  • Lauren P.

    I've been here numerous times and love the food and beer selection. The waiters are pretty well-educated and are great at recommending new beers to try. The Mac & Cheese is fantastic. They used to have fried artichokes on the menu and they were my favorite thing in the world - they need to bring them back!

    (5)

  • Jess L.

    great beer selection! we had a 40 minute wait on a wednesday, which i guess is normal, and sat outside. the beers were great. the mac and cheese is very unique and fun. i got the moules frites, pot #2, which was a little too beer-y for me with wilted spinach, but overall it was a great experience.

    (4)

  • Wendy K.

    I am still in love with The Publick House. I have now been there many times, and am never disappointed. However, I am sometimes less enamored than other times. This was one of those times. My opinions about this past time are purely based on my meal choice. My compatriots ordered the consistent, safe, mac and cheese, which is always amazing, but I chose something different, and probably healthier: the braised short rib. The meat was juicy and fell apart with just a slight push with my fork. The taste was good, but not as mouth-watering as some I've had, and the stoemp (potato and onion patty served underneath the short rib) was very good. It was served with cooked carrots and turnips, which were fine, but served in a broth that I found to be almost unbearably salty. I usually go out of my way to soak up every last drop of sauces and broths, even salty ones, but I actually had to avoid the broth in this dish, as it took away from all the other flavors. This may have been a fluke, but next time, I'll try something else. An addendum to the french fry side sauce option: The chili aioli was delicious if you like mayo, and had a nice kick. We, of course, also ordered the beer mustard and it was fabulous as always.

    (4)

  • Allison S.

    While you're probably better off going at an "off-peak" time since they don't take reservations, this is a great place to go for some beers or for some food. They have cheese boards, which I've never seen in a restaurant before (I must not be that cultured), and were very delicious. They were the perfect snack to share with someone else. Great beer selection. I can't wait to go back and try some actual food, other than a little cheese board.

    (4)

  • Lia B.

    Delicious. Despite the pricy food, worth the money for a nice outing of great fancy beer and yummy food. Wouldn't suggest the hake, though. Stick with the mac and cheese or veal (i know, sacriledge, but it really is SO good).

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    Hey, do me a favor and stop posting good reviews for this place - nobody likes to have to wait an hour for a table ;-)

    (5)

  • Ellen L.

    Perfect for a low-key night, Publick House offers a wide selection of hard to find beers. For occasional beer drinkers, this is the place to go to try new beers as the waitstaff is very knowledgeable. Great selection of beers at a decent price. Beer samplers at $1.50 apiece, allow you to taste them all. For the beer aficionados, this is where you'll find all your favorite rare beers in Boston. This place gets crowded and seating is limited but if you manage to find a spot to sit, there is great bar food. They close down the kitchen for anything considered REAL food at 10-ish on weekends.

    (4)

  • Laura K.

    Good hearty food, extensive beer selection, interesting crowd... The people who work here are really all lovely-- just extemely knowledgeable in the quality beers offered and therefore a bit snobby. If you come to the bar and try to order a Bud Light, they will not think it's cute and will probably look down on you. Yeah, they don't have Guiness either, I can't tell you the number of times I've seen some poor guy go to the bar and try to order one. They have the ability to be amazingly helpful though... really good with recommendations (and free tastes). I've discovered some really amazing new brews this way (though I can rarely remember the names of them later-- maybe I just keep discovering the same thing again and again...) It can be really packed so if you're wanting a table for dinner, you're going to want to come early or have some time to be patient drinking beers with the delightful bar patrons.

    (5)

  • kyle c.

    the food, the beers, the atmosphere. only complaint? always a wait. i have had 3 first dates in the last year here. great atmosphere for that sort of thing, and there enough going on around you that people watching or finding something delicious to drink or eat is pretty easy, even if the date is heading south. get here early or on a weekend, or be prepared to wait forever. it's definitely worth it, though.

    (5)

  • Stephen S.

    I give the public house an A for effort...but scant marks for the food. I will preface this review by mentioning that I didn't really get anything pub-ish and wasn't really even that hungry when I went there. Oh, I'm such a hard person to please. Also, it was very loud...and I was trying to converse, so perhaps I was annoyed from the outstart. So I got the mahi-mahi. It was slightly overdone but acceptable and smothered in pesto; although I have the sneaking suspicion that it was frozen at some point as the fish was a little off in the texture department. It came with what appeared to be lime-infused rice and grilled artichoke hearts. This was a problem. The rice was truly terrible and the grilled veggies were likewise. I can see why they did it, mahi-mahi is a really sweet fish and they tried to serve something citrus-y to accompany it. It really didn't work too well. Perhaps something less bold than artichokes but lightly drizzled in lemon (not lime, as in the rice) would have been more refreshing to the palate. Personally, I would've gone with broccoli, string beans, or asparagus and not grilled. Next time I'll try something on a bun and served with a side of fries...lesson learned, in a pub order pub food. On the plus side their beer selection was pretty damn impressive.

    (3)

  • Flora R.

    five stars as far as belgian beer places go. do not take people who don't drink/like beer here. it sucks for them. if you love beer (like me) then you'll love this place. tons of options and wicked knowledgeable and helpful bartenders. also they have tons of yumyums on the menu that are totally tasty and filling. more frites please! also, a bonus, they're expanded so if you havent been in a while - def more room - but still - snagging a table or even wiggling up to the bar can be a bit trying at times.

    (5)

  • Mike D.

    A group of 6 of us went last Friday, after a day where we had 6 inches of snow. It was also the night before St Patrick's Day, and it was the first time we'd all been. Needless to say, it was crowded, but even the long line for a table (very orderly, and inside) was fine, since it ran right past the bar and we could stand in line and quaff some fine beers. For the party-of-six, we were seated in 40 minutes, and not hurried at all through our meal. Food: not bad, but not great. The fried artichoke hearts appetizer was very good, and the mac and cheese I got was pretty tasty, but pricey ($10 base, plus $1-3 for each additional item: broccoli, bacon, peas, mushrooms, etc). Drink: Of course, this is the reason to go. Beer menu is thicker than the food menu, and with much smaller print. Beers from every Belgian trappist brewer made for a fun evening. If you're into beer, plan to hang out for a while and work your way through some you've never heard of -- you won't be disappointed by the selection.

    (4)

  • Kevin F.

    Some days I want to waltz into a place, be seated immediately, drink crappy beer, eat garbage, and play buck hunter. Other days, I don't mind waiting a while to get a seat in a nice place, have beer with character, eat good food, and generally relax. The Publick house is definitely at the top of my list of chilling out places, even on busy nights.

    (5)

  • Judith T.

    I LOVED this place, it's clean and has a good atmosphere. The burger I had was absolutely delicious and a good size for the price. The fish and chips were also pretty tasty. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Matt C.

    I went to this place months ago and I need to go back. It had delicious food and an amazing beer list. I went out of my way to try new stuff, and the waitress was helpful in guiding my decisions. I have no excuse: I've got to get over there again soon.

    (4)

  • Erika R.

    Great on tap selection at The Publick House, and the list of beer is absolutely incredible. Delicious... The Pommes Frites were to die for, I haven't had such good fries since I lived in the Netherlands! I hope to visit many more times. Plus the hostess and our waiter were fantastic. Food was a bit slow to come, (other than the fries, but its okay) I ended up taking it to go and that worked perfectly.

    (5)

  • yj l.

    huge beer selection, hearty portions of good food, friendly waitstaff. what more could you want? i'm taking off one star because there was quite a long wait, especially during prime dinner hours over the weekend. however, the hostess took my name and number, and i got to wander around washington square and peek in windows until she called to tell me that the table was ready. that said, get the veggie burger with the chili aioli and french fries, and ask your waiter to recommend a beer. alternately sip and savor and have a wonderful time!

    (4)

  • Cosmo X.

    As close to Belgium as you can get in town... Have a real beer

    (4)

  • Fred P.

    Crowded because it is good.

    (4)

  • David B.

    I regret that I am writing this review because of a 'bad' experience because I've been here many, many times (over dozen), and usually everything is stellar (4-5 stars). I think the issue in my review is really: 1) burgers were overcooked (something they don't usually do) and 2) the menu/server did not do a good job to distinguish app from entree portion of mussels as we ordered the appetizer but were given and charged for entree. I will go back again, based on my other experiences. --FULL STORY---------------------------------------------­----------------------- Recently I went with my wife and we got a table for 2 in the main room. Ordered our beers, and decided to try the mussel app ($7.50) to go with our burgers ($12-13). We got Pot 1. When the order came it, it was noticeably large. I said a couple times to my wife, is this really the app, slightly doubting. During this time, our server never asked about the mussels, at which point, I think (not sure) I would have mentioned that is seemed like a lot for an appetizer portion. This did not happen so we continued on our meal. Burgers came out and were disappointing compared to what I'm used to from them. Mine was well (I ordered medium) and my wife's was medium well (she order medium rare). Seems like they were on the burner just a bit to long. Although I noticed the overcooking right away, I decided against making an issue about it because of Publick House usually does a good job. So all in all, at this point, the meal is decent. Lots of mussels, and slightly overcooked burgers. The bill comes and as I am not entirely surpised, we were charged for the entree mussels ($15). Well, what do I do here? My wife was certain I ordered the appetizer, so sticking to what we asked, we spoke with our server. The conversation went something like this: ME: "Oh, it looks like we were charged for the entree of mussels. We ordered the app". HER: "oh you had the big pot, yeah that's the entree order". [I think, okay, now what. ] ME: "But we really wanted only the app portion. I mean, we were having burgers for our meal". HER: "oh, I must have misunderstood you. Yeah, you got the entree portion. This happens some times, but I just thought you guys meant you wanted the full pot" [slight pause as if she is not offering to really fix it]. I reply something to the effect of, I didn't really know which portion I was given, but I certainly ordered the appetizer. She said she could talk to the manager. She did and came back with "well, you already ate them so we can't change the bill. So just take it out of my tip". Well, taking that out of the tip would make me feel like a jerk. Needless to say, this put me, the customer, in an awkward position. Ultimately, it was her mistake, so I took the difference $15.00-$7.50 = $7.50 out of a generous tip of 20%, so on a $58 bill, I tipped $5 ($11 or 12 minus $7.50). I still felt like a jerk, so I wrote her a note. Anyway, just was a bummer of a end to the night. Come on, I just want to eat and drink, I don't want to deal with bill issues and mistakes.

    (2)

  • Kai P.

    There is no better place for the beer lover! Period!. The Publick House has hands-down the best selection of beers anywhere in Boston. The crowd is pleasantly above college age and the ambience - while still busy - beats the bar-like atmosphere of Sunset by far. I came for the beer and wasn't disappointed. Can't speak for the food, but I'll be back soon to report.

    (5)

  • g g.

    The employees are uptight jerks, so know that before you go. I didn't, and we were miffed as to why everyone seemed so put out when I arrived with a group of 5 friends. I mean, don't most people go to bars in a small group? Is it that abnormal that you feel the need to act like a giant ass who we're inconveniencing by being there?? We found our own seats in the dining area, much to the dismay of our "waitress" who hated us on sight and tried to get us to stand with our food. Oook. The food was good but prices were ridic. Waitress rushed us into ordering (I don't know why she was in such a hurry, as it was about 10:30pm on a Friday night...not like they were about to close), and the beer I hurriedly selected wasn't very impressive. I'd like to go back and try more of their beers, since I now live in the area, but the people there really turned me off.

    (2)

  • Mark D.

    Great Belgian beer selection and the bartenders were very chill and cool. I didn't get anything to eat, but next time I throwing down for some frites!

    (4)

  • Chris T.

    I came here last night at around 10:30 and they were more than happy to accommodate my dining needs even though the kitchen was closing at 11. The first thing I noticed about the Publick House was the awesome decor throughout. It was quite a classy place with a lot of nice touches along the walls and even how the tables were set up. I got the Cuban Panini and the girl got the truffle mac and cheese. Both of which were very, very good and highly recommended. I have to also note that we started off with the monk frites with the habanero mayo and the Rouge Chiptole Ale mayo, both of which were winners in my book. Nice amount of spice and kick to them. While the beer menu was extensive and they did their best job describing each type of beer category, I still couldn't help but feel lost to the menu. It's not that I had a hard time understanding which brew to get based on type, but it was the price that got me concerned. These aren't your typical household beers, which is a very good thing. But when the cheapest beer on the menu starts at $6 and can go upwards of $15+, you can't help but feel concerned whether or not you got the right beer for you. I understand that most of the beers are in bottle and are hard to come by, but at least offering a way to sample the beers on tap would be a very good idea for a place like this to attract newcomers. Something along the lines of Sunset's flight of beers system. Luckily, the beers that we got were very good and flavorful, but I just wasn't confident in my choice leading up to my first sip. Other than that, great place, great atmosphere and great location. A very cool hang out place that I will look forward to visiting again.

    (4)

  • Nikki R.

    Oh the joys of living just a hop, skip, and a jump away from here. My liver and wallet probably have a different opinion but that's another issue entirely. The bar service is hands down better than the dining room service but maybe that has been changing. There is much more to this place than lambics and the fish & chips, but that's all I care to partake in. The lambics are flavorful without being overly sweet and the fish & chips are just awesome, a large portion of non-greasy, moderately-breaded, flaky fish. I hear the mac & cheese is fabulous but curses to my Asian genes and never having lactaid on me, I have yet to sample it's deliciousness.

    (4)

  • Cristin S.

    I came here for the food, simply stated. I don't drink beer. We ordered the french fries with the chili aioli and herbed mayo for dipping. OMG, if I could bottle up that chili aioli and bring it home, I would. Fries were fabulous, my only complaint is that I wish there'd been more. Next time, a cone for me, and a cone for him (and FOUR dipping sauces to share!). Then I ordered the mac and cheese with broccoli, and hubby ordered the mussels (Pot #3 I think). He really liked his mussels and yes I enjoyed my mac and cheese.... was it "the best" I'd ever had? No. Would I order it again? Possibly. But not without trying one of their cheeseburgers first. I saw a bunch of those go by and would have ordered one had I not just had an amazing one elsewhere the day before. So yes, I would for sure come back here and get my own cone of fries and try a cheeseburger. We came on a Sunday night and were seated immediately at 8ish. On our way out though, it appeared we'd beat the rush, as plenty of people were waiting for tables.

    (4)

  • alex l.

    Good beer, good food, good times. Can be a pain to get a table but what can ya do?

    (4)

  • Tim H.

    By far one of the top places in the world to grab a nice beer, in my book. Here in Cali, you don't get too many places with an original selection of beer. You've got your Yardhouse-like restaurant, which has like a million brews on tap, but that includes Bud, Coors, and a few local microbrews. And you've got your Goathill Tavern-like joints that are enjoyable at times, but require you to get wasted so that the smell of urine and vomit disappear and so that you become less annoyed with the rowdy Newport crowd that seems to shout out phrases like "Yeah, bro!!!" in five minute intervals. Publick House's beer selection is like looking at the Holy Grail of beer menus, and it even changes on a regular basis so that you never get bored. They even have the proper glassware for each of their beers for ideal drinkability. Had an IPA that I can't remember the name of and an Allagash Fluxus, both were great. Food is good, especially the Monk Frites (good choices on unique sauces), and it's not too loud. Service is amazing, our waiter comes to our table and remembers our appetizer, entrée and drink orders without writing anything down. He even suggests a few other good beers. Makes me want to quit my job to come and work here. Beer heaven, trust me, I'm an engineer...kinda.

    (5)

  • Jacqueline L.

    I went to the Publick House on Saturday, July 3rd. I tell you this because 4th of July weekend is always quiet in restaurants and it was that night. So I did not experience the overcrowdedness I read about in other reviews (thank goodness) There were maybe 4 other people at the bar around 6:00 when I was there. The service was great (how could it not be?) and the staff was very friendly. The beer selection is incredible...and overwhelming, with an emphasis on (of course) Belgian styles. The prices are a bit more than I've seen elsewhere, but maybe I'm paying for the atmosphere. Kind of rustic, big thick wooden bar and tables, the like...the draft selection is good, with a good mixup of imported and domestic beers. I had the Saison de BUFF from Dogfish/Stone (nice and herbal) and the Mikkeller Geek Breakfast. I only ordered a basket of frites ($6) to eat that came with a couple of dipping sauces. Great fries, nice and crispy, not too salty either! I'll definitely be back to have some moules and to drink more beer!

    (4)

  • Jonathan P.

    The Publick House: Great beer, good fish and chips, shitty service, and even worse management.The place is cool. The atmosphere is very laid back and warm, and the beer is delicious, with a huge selection of artisinal brews, and high gravity beers. This would definitely be the bar I kicked it at in Brookline. I got the Fish and Chips, and it was great an 8 out of 10. The Publick House would be an amazing place if it wasn't for the shitty service and the even shittier manager. The mac and cheese sucked it was like old strogenouff, and it was burned, so I sent it back, and the manager made a big deal out of it, embarrassed the entire table, and wouldn't even refund the money. Poor management can ruin the vibe quick and that's just what it did, despite the delicious beer I left the Publick House with a bad taste in my mouth.

    (1)

  • Yao W.

    I came here for the first time a couple of nights ago with a couple of girlfriends when it was super busy, but I definitely intend to come back again to explore the beer menu more. The number of Belgians they had on tap alone warrants a return visit. But they also have some pretty good moules and other traditional bar food.

    (4)

  • Jim W.

    Place is awesome for weird beers you've never heard of. Mac and Cheese is freaking awesome but it's expensive. Most beers are 8-9 bucks. If it were 6, I'd probably go a lot more often

    (4)

  • Wayne C.

    If you like beer and you like really good pub food, there's no reason to go anywhere else. I love the steak sandwich with fries. The place is always chock full of people, so if you're looking for intimate conversation, go somewhere else. But if you're looking to toss back a few in a spirited place, and want more food options that just chicken wings, you've found your place. Best to avoid on weekends, because it gets a little overwhelming.

    (5)

  • Anna B.

    Show up at Publik House on any given night and prepare to wait in line, or rather, what seems like a loose configuration of hungry people pressed against each other in the precise spot where everyone else is exiting, entering and servers are moving about. Nonetheless, wait and you shall be handsomely rewarded with a delicious menu, a slew of beers to choose from, and a cute server to take your order and suggest a beverage. While I've tried numerous things from the food menu, I always opt for the Mussels in Pot 1---the best Moules Frites I've had in Boston after trying the real deal in Belgium. Although, the Frites (fries) fit the dixie cup they come in, the mussels and the giant slab of toasted bread are enough to fill you up as a meal, while priced at $10 as an appetizer. Request one of the special dips as an alternative to Ketchup to look like a real Publik House Pro. The beer menu can be overwhelming because of all the options, but in my experience, most servers are highly knowledgeable and can direct you to the best brew. Pros: Delicious, full menu, great atmosphere, always lively, really good seasonal brunch, (limited) out-door seating, good service. Cons: Long waits, they run out of food and beers in late evenings, too loud at times.

    (4)

  • Lis G.

    I'm a recent addition to Boston, hailing from the greater Philly area, and my first order of business after settling in was finding a place to fill the Victory shaped hole in my beer/culinary/social regime. The past month or so, I've pretty much been all over the city in an epic search for great beer, decent food, and a relaxed atmosphere, with Goldilocks-esque results: this one's too smarmy, this one's too expensive, this one's too inundated with hipsters, so on, et ceteras, ad infinitum. Or so I thought. The breakthrough happened when my brother came up for a visit. Where I'm a fan of beer, he's an aficionado - and of Belgians in particular. Armed with this knowledge, I asked around and was astounded to get a pretty unanimous vote for the Publick House, a place my (admittedly, cocktail loving) friends had warned me away from on the grounds of it being crowded, a bit dingy, and only so-so culinary wise. The allure of so many promising beers - on tap, no less - overpowered their protests, and as soon as my brother was in town, we headed out to see if all the fuss (positive and negative) was well deserved. Honestly? I was won over. Yes, it's a bit crowded - par for the course for a pub, where part of the appeal is rubbing elbows with your neighbors - but the atmosphere overall was amiable and laid back, and just starting to get loud at our time of arrival (6:30-ish, Saturday). Our server was helpful and knowledgeable about both their food and beer, though she became increasingly scarce the busier it became. And the beer. Oh, the beer. I could wax lyrical, but I'm just going to say you're probably not going to find a better selection in Boston (and if you do, seriously, point me in its direction). Some places might be cheaper, but the premium is worth it for the sheer breadth of both popular and esoteric brews. Definitely capitalize on their taster paddles to get an idea of the selection and sample some of the seasonal stuff. As to the food, I wouldn't come here expecting a gourmet meal, but there's a killer combination of tastiness for 2-4 people in the Frittes (Belgian Fries, crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, with a choice of four excellent dips!), Moules (an endless-seeming pot of steamed mussels in five different broths/accompaniments) and the Meat and Cheese Plate (selections of which vary, but are arranged by the chef depending on what's available). Though I didn't have a chance to sample much else, from perusing the menu most of the entrees look like European pub fare - good, not particularly fancy stick-to-your ribs type food. Overall verdict? Intrigued, impressed and definitely coming back for a second round.

    (4)

  • Nutmeg Y.

    YUMMY beer. ever since i somehow got into beer (the most unlikely of all worlds), i am on a mission to find good beer (miller lite and bud, need not apply!). The publick house is great!!!! they have so many different types of beers - i think they're all european/belgium and you know those europeans know their beers! better check the alcohol content on some of those.... it can be deadly!!! (but yummy!) The incredible big fat fries gives it another star. my stomach is growling just thinking about it!

    (4)

  • Karina S.

    Seems like your regular neighborhood watering hole? Think again. This place, though I am no connoseiur, has an amazing beer selection. But that's really not what surprised me about this Pub. They have one of the best brunches I've had in a long time. Eggs, pancakes, great salads, you name it. Definitely beats the brunch of the Fireplace (a restaurant down the street renown for it's brunch).

    (5)

  • Greg M.

    Incredible fries and incredible beer selection. I also like the option of a side salad (with lotsa varied greens) in lieu of said fries. But there's a certain indescribable arrogance about this place that just turns me off. On the menu they have "rules" written. Such as (paraphrasing) "If you don't like a beer, we will not replace it for free." And "Do not leave the premises with glassware. We pay for it and it's not yours to take." These are sound rules, but do they really have to put them on the menu? It's like they're automatically assuming I'm an asshole. And when they put on "Shots and pitchers. Don't serve em.", I feel the bluntness of the statement coupled with the aforementioned rules suggest that you're some sort of classless dickhead if you wanted a shot or a pitcher. I saw this in practice as well. When a party was sliding two tables together a waiter told them (with attitude) "I don't like the idea of you guys moving tables around." It wasn't a huge incident. But it was just another example of TPH treating its customers like they're douchebags intent on getting loaded on shots and pitchers, screaming for free beers, rearranging the furniture just because they can and proceeding to steal their glassware. Update: There's a new addition to the menu! No! It's not a delicious food item. It's another fucking rule! Apparently I'm going to just go in there and start drinking the beers with the highest alcohol content and get really wasted really fast and make a big jackass of myself. Well, maybe I would have, but thank the good lord your menu told me that that's not allowed at The Publick House. Update 2: I should perhaps take out the word "indescribable" when referring to their arrogance. It's very describable and very tangible. I just wish their food and beer selection wasn't so good. :(

    (3)

  • Ross G.

    I have a love/hate relationship with the public house (or Anam Cara, as I continue to call it regardless of the lame name change). Having gone to Sunset I find it hard to go back here; the food is more expensive, the beer selection is great but once you know what you like can be limited and can be tricky to navigate and the seating is a pain and half. Public House really has a niche market, they want the post college white collar crowd to come here, people who want to go to a college bar to drink beer and eat food you could never get at a college bar. I like to think of it as "Sunset for grownups," not that this is a bad thing; in fact it's probably a great bar to bring a date. Not sure if they still put up the huge projection screen during Sox games, but it used to be a nice place to watch the game when you wanted a laid back but upscale atmosphere. I don't know, this place confuses me, I mean, I like beer, I like good food, I like laid back bars, but I cant say that I really like this place.

    (3)

  • Phillip B.

    Good selection of Belgium beers but not much room to enjoy them. There's usually a wait to get a table, and the bar is usually crammed. The food is decent, i've had the ribs and the fish& chips and was satisfied but not exactly craving to eat either of the dishes again. The place is like many of the irish pubs in boston and even boston itself: blase.

    (3)

  • Ja H.

    Best Belgian beer selection in Boston! Food is pretty good, too.

    (4)

  • A. P.

    Went here for dinner on Sunday. I had never eaten here before, but had been in for drinks a couple of times. It was such a pleasant experience! When we arrived, we were told there was a wait. Now, the bar is always really crowded, so we sat outside, relaxed and waited for a table. We were seated relatively promptly and shared our table with these two really nice people. They were great, best communal table sharers we'd had so far in Boston! But, the best part was the veggie burger. That thing is soooo good!!! It is especially delicious with the cumin coleslaw as a topping. They make it in house and it makes all other veggie burgers look like the pathetic excuses for a sandwich filling they are.

    (4)

  • Dave L.

    4 stars for the great Belgian Beer selection alone. The food I have tried is decent, though some of the other menu items look even better than what I have had. My only gripes are the crowds here. It's become quite trendy, and is often noisy and filled to the brim. Some of the people who frequent the place also irk me a bit, as they remind me of people I went to college with. I like that they have expanded the place due to increasing demand. Last I heard, there were some more renovations going on. I must come back again soon at 4pm on a Sunday or some such time.

    (4)

  • Brian Aaron J.

    This place is a must stop at for beer drinkers of the snooty ilk visiting Boston or new in the area. Warm atmosphere, the best beer selection in New England by far, and good food to match. Don't bother with anything downtown, come here directly. Go to The Avenue for dollar pints down the road a bit, then have your good beer here and take the T to a ditch because this place will get you hammered if you have more than 3 drinks.

    (5)

  • Heather S.

    OK, I adore the Publick House for a quiet early weeknight dinner with a great beer, but I avoid it at all costs on the weekends. They REALLY need a hostess to direct traffic, and to possibly increase the space because it's hard to move around, especially by the door where everyone is grumpily waiting for a table. Love the vibe, adore the beer selection and the ambiance, but it's not worth the ridiculous wait on a weekend night.

    (4)

  • Naomi b.

    I don't have anything to add to these reviews, but wanted to suggest that you DO NOT order the stout oatmeal on their brunch menu. It's inedible (and took at least 45 minutes to come out, last thing among 9 other orders at my table). Otherwise, I like this place I guess. I would definitely go back for the beer selection and maybe something less unusual to eat.

    (3)

  • A B.

    Good service, great food, good beers.

    (4)

  • Josh M.

    In a word, overrated. I'm a pretty huge beer geek, so when I moved to the area, I was chomping at the bit to check out the Publick House - by all accounts, it's the premier beer bar in Boston. Well...not so much. While their selection (particularly in bottles) is excellent, it pales in comparison to that of the Sunset in Allston, and it isn't too much better than many other beer bars in the area. And, unfortunately, there aren't too many other redeeming qualities. The food, in my experience, is pricey but mediocre, and the service/atmosphere can be a bit snooty. It's usually crowded, too, so it can be tough to get a table. It's not a bad bar by any stretch - if I went in there without any expectations, I'd probably be pretty satisfied, but given its reputation as the best beer bar in Boston (hmm...alliterative!), it's a major disappointment.

    (3)

  • Michael C.

    Made it to the Publick House for my first time over the weekend and was very impressed. They have a huge selection of beers, about 150 according to the bartender. The décor of the place isn't anything impressive, looks like any number of Faneuil Hall pubs, and you would probably think the place is nothing special based on the looks of the place but never judge a book by its cover. I had the pleasure of having their lobster mac and cheese with fresh tomato, it was outstanding. The bartender told me they make it once then cook it a second time to get the crunchy cheese on the outside. My buddy got their cheeseburger with their Monk Frites (aka french fries), they have a bunch of different varieties of mayo to go along with the burger and fries as well. The service here was good although I wish the bartender was able to give me a little more guidance on their beer selection. I asked for some recommendations but he simply told me that there were too many to recommend. Anyway, this place is great and I highly recommend it.

    (4)

  • Julie N.

    I fist have to admit that I'm not a beer girl so my review is going to be entirely based on the food at The Publick House. I always feel like such an a hole ordering my captain and diet... Okay, on to the food. Seriously, Mac n Bacon? Lobster Mac special? Mac n Anythingelseyouwantinit? Come on now... it's all heaven. I've tried a number of different dishes as well and every single thing I've eaten was unbelievable. But, for me, it's all about the Mac n Bacon. I dream about it sometimes... Though I live in the Back Bay, I'll jump on the green line anytime to gain an extra pound from the mac. The chef is amazing.

    (5)

  • Jack B.

    My god, it's full of... beer. Probably the greatest selection of beers of any Boston area pub. Heavy focus on the Belgians and also a plethora of American microbrews, but good coverage of pretty much everywhere. Try a board of 4x2oz of anything on tap if you can't decide All the food that I've tried here has been great - burgers, fries, macaroni and cheese, etc. Why only four stars? The organization at the door is weak and there was no list the last few times I was there when it was crowded. I don't mind waiting if the place is really good (and this place IS) but I don't want to wait for half an hour without the guarantee that there is a list, and I'm moving up on it. I hope the opening of the additional room (the "Monk's Cell") will help with these issues, as this place has the quality food and drink to deserve five stars.

    (4)

  • Stephanie T.

    dear publick house, i know that no matter what i say, people are going to stream into your doors nonetheless. you are an Establishment. but, i've got to tell you - i don't think your house staff should operate under that same assumption.. that no matter how poorly they treat the customers, it doens't matter, because there will be more customers tomorrow night and the night after that anyway. last night, a group of a dozen friends and i gathered to celebrate one of our 25th birthdays. it was crowded, so when we put our name in for a table and were told an hour, we were totally ok with grabbing a few beers, standing around and waiting. before our table was ready, about an hour later, we had risen in number by 1 or 2 more people than expected, so someone in our group went over to alert the hostess as a courtesy, but also told her not to worry about finding extra seats, because the extra 2 people would be fine squeezing in on the bench seating. the hostess was exceptionally rude to her responding with something along the lines of "yeah, whatever, do whatever you want - just head over that way". well, RUDE. we sit down, our server comes over and starts taking drink orders. i have a miserable cold and wasn't drinking last night. dialogue ensues: me: could i just have a cup of coffee? srvr: no coffee me: aw really? no coffee? a cup of tea? srvr: nope, no warm beverages. i could get you some warm tap water. WHAT. stop. i am still confused, because he didn't clarify, as to whether or not the publick house just does not serve coffee / tea or if they were just out for the night. he should have further explained himself, or suggested something other than the "warm tap water" he offered me (a soft drink? i was afraid to ask) for a customer who obviously was not into the beer menu (though, i'm sure the publick house has some snobby-ass rule about not catering to folks who aren't 'into' the beer menu). anyway, publick house, if it is the case that you don't serve coffee / tea / hot beverages EVER... what! we are in NEW ENGLAND. coffee is A GIVEN. coffee is the EQUIVALENT OF TAP WATER. you are not just a bar, you're a full restaurant. how are you going to tell me you don't have coffee. what if i was the designated driver? what were you planning on serving me? warm tap water, i guess. i guess because i'm not a beer drinking customer that night i somehow don't matter. you probably are making snide jokes about me, planning to add them to the whole slew of snide remarks about 'types' of customers on the back of your menu. when another person at the table inquired about a beer called a "danish dream" or something - the server rudely snapped he couldn't hear him, and then when he did hear him, shrugged and said he didn't know what it was. seriously? if you are SUCH AN ELITIST beer establishment, that you can't even give me a cup of coffee, your servers had better be able to expound upon our inquiries about the beer. the mac and cheese is good. the fries are good. yes, fine, all of the food is good and the beer selection is pretty good too (though certainly not the best in boston). i no longer really care though. 2 stars publick house and i snub my nose right back at you.

    (2)

  • Dave C.

    Table service is good and attentive (expect a long wait Friday & Sat night, 1+ hrs), Bar service is "eh". but can't go wrong with a Pot of Muscles and a nice Belgian Brew Good for small groups (around 6 people, +/- 2)

    (4)

  • Shea D.

    I love this place on so many levels. The food has never disappointed me. The beer selection is out of this world and I love that they regularly rotate what's on tap. I've always had fantastic service but even if that wasn't the case, I'd still continue to give them my business- The servers all work their asses off. Rumor has it they have approx. 8 tables each. They're skilled, but don't expect them to spend ten minutes on you while you decide on a beer. Have that ready right away or wait till they come back. If you have questions, I'm sure they'll provide answers but this isn't an educational trip to the brewery, it's a restaurant/bar. Ask the bartenders on a slow night about the beer. If it's a busy night and you expect your server to be all bright eyed and bushy tailed while you ask the difference between a porter and a pale ale then you're mistaken. This is the age of smart phones folks- google that shit! Ok, all that aside. The staff knows their stuff, they work hard and they crank out some pretty stellar service considering the volume of people that constantly circulate through that place. Their burgers are amazing, the fries kick ass, their Caesar salad is unbelievably good... I could go on. I've never had a bad recommendation either. Recent fave- Oak aged Yeti imperial stout. YUM!!! Also, the staff entertains the fact that I sit in a corner and waste all their coasters with crappy artwork and have always been a joy :)

    (5)

  • Jocelyn C.

    Came in here yesterday evening for the first time and it was crowded, inside and (definitely) outside. Even though there were 8 of us, they wouldn't seat us because no one was planning to eat. So, we stood around the bar instead and ordered our beers, which was totally fine too, albeit a bit tight on floor space. Even though we had all just come from a BBQ, the food everyone else was eating looked good and was kind of making me hungry again. I would come here again to try out the menu and some new beers I've never had or heard of before. Not really sure about this whole "no shots" and "no pitchers" policy they have written up on a chalkboard behind the bar though.

    (4)

  • Iska B.

    I've had a fantastic time here both Friday and Saturday nights. It's a great place to sit and talk and have a really really good beer. In comparison to Sunset I don't think they have as diverse a selection and they seem to lean towards Belgian beers but it's still impressive and to go one up on Sunset, the crowd is a bit more mature (no BU/BC throngs) which is a plus in my book but may not be for everyone. I also love that unlike the craptastic place that is Coolidge Corner Clubhouse you are allowed to sit at a table even if you aren't ordering food....but that's another story. Crowded it is. No table service late night so you have to order everything at the bar including the food which can get a bit annoying trying to weasel a spot onto the bar that's packed 3 deep...but once you have your prizes, they are quite tasty. I LOVE the dips the fries come with. SO GOOD. All in all, I think it's a great place to hangout and have an actual conversation since the volume of the place isn't too loud.

    (4)

  • Jessica L.

    A number of other reviews here have identified a problem with the long lines and lack of service here as their main reasons for disliking, or marking down the Publick House. Yes - always expect a long line when you walk in the door on a busy night like Friday or Saturday, but wait times are usually minimal. That said, have one member of your party hold the line while the other grabs a few brews from the bar right next to you... it'll help pass the time and remind you why you, and all the other repeat customers keep going time after time: A creative menu and one of the best darn beer menus in Boston. Aside from the fare, the wait staff have always been personable. They might seem a bit frazzled from time to time, but I've only had my food delayed once. Why? Well it was because the chef had burned my order and rather it come out to the table that way to be sent back, he sent the waitress to our table with an apology and a free round of beers on the house to make up for the mistake - unprompted!

    (5)

  • John T.

    First thing you should know, before going, is that they have some ground rules: -No Pitchers -No Shots -If you try to steal one of their glasses, you are banned for life That said, I LOVE THIS PLACE. They have a great atmosphere, feels like an old tavern. The beer menu is HUGE, and it's not the same stuff everyone else has - for example, despite being in Boston they DON'T have Guinness on tap, but rather different, far superior, Irish stout - O'Hara's. This is almost certainly the only place to find this on tap, along with many of their other beers. I also had a delightful IPA which I can't remember the name of. They have decent food. My friend ordered some fries and they were AMAZING. I'd be interested to go back earlier in the evening and try their normal menu food. Despite one of the waiters seeming to be having a bad day and ignoring us, I am giving the place 5/5. The bartender was really quite nice, and when I asked about where I could find their various cool logo glasses, he referred me to a website. So that makes up for it.

    (5)

  • Chris H.

    This has become a must-stop in my travels to Boston. It's rare to find high quality belgian beers and great food in one stop these days. While you'll be gouged in the wallet for the pleasure, stopping off in the Publick House is a requirement if you're a fan of Belgians. It's always crowded, and often too crowded, but well worth the excercise in patience. This place comes highly recommended, and thus far is one of the few places that can remotely compare to the on-tap selections that can only be founded at Brouwer's Cafe in Seattle. The Publick House comes highly recommended, and is a great place to meet up with some friends and sample countless fine beers....and I'd recommend 'countless'.

    (5)

  • Katie B.

    Instructions for getting the most out of your trip to the Publick House: 1. Know that unless you go during an off time, you will wait an incredibly long time to get a table 2. Go in the winter. The dark atmosphere pairs exceptionally well with snow flurries or freezing rain. As does their menu of delicious comfort food and hearty beers. 3. Go with a group of friends that like to laugh a lot and have fun. Not only will you wait a long time to get a table, you wait even longer to get food. It helps if you are with people that make you laugh by telling hilarious stories, jokes, or something like that. 4. Be open minded when it comes to beer. There are only about a bajillion beers that they serve here. Be adventurous. Try something new. Try something you can't pronounce. Why not, right? 5. Don't leave your elbows on the table for too long. Chances are, they might get stuck there. 6. Order the mac and cheese. It just might be one of the most amazing dishes this side of the Mississippi. Made with a rich four cheese sauce and a plethora of add ins to choose from, this dish rocks my red sox. It appears in front of you, piping hot with a crusty cheesy exterior. Once you bite into to the orecchiette pasta, you hit the molten hot center and cheese runs out all over the place. It is what I imagine heaven to be like. My personal mac and cheese combination has always been a mix of spinach, mushroom and andouille sausage and I will never look back. Never. 7. If you carefully follow all of the above instructions, you will find yourself at the end of the night with your cheeks hurting from laughing so hard, a full, yet happy stomach full of mac and cheese, and a new favorite destination. OnceUponASmallBostonKitc…

    (4)

  • Adam E.

    Ok, I'm officially old and out of fashion. I had no idea about The Publick House! It's been reviewed by everyone on Yelp, so everything's been said. Here's the short version- Holy m-f crap, the Mac n Cheese! And if you thought you couldn't taste anything better than that- the mashed potatoes!! Since we're eating healthy, you might as well have a beer too. Try the Ephemere if you like a white beer. Dayum. The only negative was that our food took forever, but the waiter was a delight, he gave us a free round. And when the food did come out- Frickin delicious. Excellent music too.

    (5)

  • Charoline D.

    Typically when I come to Brighton/Brookline/Allston to visit friends, I end up having to go to a lot of what I'd term as "donkey bars". This includes White Horse, Avenue, Last Drop, etc. Really, the last place I want to be dropping dollars is somewhere that has only coors, bud, and pbr. If I'm going to be drinking beer, I want it to be something special and non generic. Donkey bars are the DunkinDonuts of coffee shops to me, give me my stouts and microbrews!! It was pretty quiet here for a Saturday night at 11pm, IMO. We took a cab from my friends place down on Washington in Brighton and it cost about $7 each way. I was to meet an old coworker and some of his friends for some beers. I found them pretty easily towards the back of the bar as the mood was pretty relaxed, the volume pretty low. Maybe this is where the more intellectual frat bros come to gorge. It was a decent looking crowd and makes Peoples Republik look like the NJ Turnpike. Molepeople? I'd definitely like to come back as I spent more time conversing than sampling the vast offerings.

    (4)

  • Kevin L.

    Things I remember from an evening here... - More beer taps at the bar than I've ever seen at any other bar - More obscure beers I've never heard of than anywhere else - A painting on one wall of a monk, kneeling in supplication with an overflowing chalice of beer - Waiting about half an hour for a table, crowded with hordes of other pub-goers - Being disappointed that my first beer was -not- served in the appropriately matching branded glass, even though someone else in my party had theirs served in such a manner - Thinking that the help was cute, then later discovering that it wasn't the case... and subsequently discussing SCUDs with a table full of MDs - Devouring a burger (medium, with blue cheese for an additional cost of $0.75) and thinking that it would have been less delicious if I weren't on beer number three - Wobbling out, really wanting to steal one of the bright blue Delirium patio umbrellas with the pink elephants on it to take home - Realizing that packing said umbrella on an airplane back home wouldn't have been very successful - Being extremely glad for friends of the boy who drove us home; I did -not- have the patience to navigate the awful green line back to dirty hipster haven

    (4)

  • Eli R.

    The food and beer selection alone should have landed this place a 5-star rating, but the service continues to be among the worst in the entire Boston area, thus the 3 stars. Probably the best burger you can get in Brookline, and the beer menu leans strongly towards craft and Belgian beers. But, be prepared to wait a LONG time, first for a table, then to get your drink order taken, and then even longer for your food order to be taken, and then wait even longer before your food comes out. It's a serious problem that will never be addressed because regardless of their awful service, they're still packed every night. If it ain't broke... If this place could only do a better job with its wait staff and the somewhat haphazard, cutthroat seating arrangements, it would be one of the perfect destinations in the greater Boston area. They have some work to do before they get to that point though.

    (3)

  • Bradley D.

    I've wanted to go to the Publick House for a while now and when the opportunity presented itself with a few friends, I couldn't resist. My 3 friends and I were seated promptly and that's where the pleasentries ended (at least for a while). The draft selection was a lot weaker than it claimed to be, especially with them being out of 2 of the 3 beers I wanted to try, not to mentioned a little over priced. It wasn't very busy at all since it was a sunday night, but our waiter still managed to be terrible. He basically sat 10 feet from us the whole night watching the baseball game, and we still couldn't get his attention. No "you're welcomes" when we thanked him for the drinks and coming over or any small talk of any kind. We kept trying to be polite but this guy was a straight up dick. 2 of us had empty beer's for a bout 10 minutes before he decided to waltz over again in his coma-like daze. The appetizers such as the belgian frites with the garlic mayo were very good though, so that started to redeem my experience a bit. A friend of mine got a cheeseburger and it looked absolutely delicious. All and all it was OK. I might go there again for lunch with a friend or something and maybe to grab a beer, but I wouldnt go there with a bunch of buddies for a night out again.

    (3)

  • Ashley F.

    One of the worst bars in Boston, hands down. It will always be crowded. You will never be able to hold a conversation. You will wait many an hour for a seat. When you do sit, it will often be with other groups. The service will be horrid. The wait staff will be slow and never polite. Every time I've gone my order has been wrong, and the waiters slow to fix it. You will wait quite a while for any beer and even longer for your food. If you do manage to get a table and finish your food before your drinks, you will be kicked out of your table to stand at the bar so that the Publick House can make even more money. The only possible saving graces are the decent food and the decent beer selection. Unfortunately they are both killed by the prices. The Publick House charges you gourmet prices for pub food, take your money and get a better meal a few doors down at The Fireplace for the same amount. The beer list is decent, but there are better beer lists for much less in other parts of the city. All in all, if you like horrible service, crowded, loud bars, and spending all your money, the Publick House if for you.

    (1)

  • Webster M.

    Hands down, one of the best pubs around (even for this ex-NYCer)! Yes, it's crowded. But if you can find yourself there on an off-hour, it's superb. And it's not just the beer -- the food is great, too.

    (5)

  • Q S.

    Oh Publick House... If only I didn't have to wait 1.5 hours for a freakin table. If you are thinking of coming to Publick House on a Friday/Saturday night, be prepared to wait wait wait. I came around 7:45pm with a party of 4, and didn't get seated until 9pm. It was super-crowded and there was barely any room to stand. Publick House has a great selection of beers. But don't expect any hard liquor or shots of any kind because they have a strict policy against any of those mentioned. It's pretty much beer-only. Their veggie burgers are homemade. They taste delicious. The portions are fairly generous, but a bit pricey. I wouldn't recommend the beef stew. It sort of reminded me of dog food... Oh, btw, expect to wait a really long time for your food to come.

    (3)

  • Eve L.

    Anyone who knows beer knows that a good bar has waitstaff who know how to play The Beer Game. How does the Beer Game work? If you don't know any of the beers on tap, you describe what you're looking for (hoppy? fruity? chewy? etc) and they tell you what beers fit that description. The staff at the Publick House seem to know how to play the Beer Game, which is a good thing. The place also has excellent food - a really upgrade from your typical pub grub. Their cheese plates are amazing. The veggie melt is also amazing. My only complaint is that the can often be crowded, and somewhat loud, and they often have a "please wait to be seated" sign up with absolutely no one around to seat you or even ask you if you have been helped. So, the service could be improved on a little bit, but their vast knowledge about beer is such a plus and welcome surprise in this city where most people know NOTHING about beer, I give them slack for this.

    (5)

  • Katie B.

    Favorite. Bar. Ever. Few places in Boston can rival the beer selection at the Publick House, and those that can have drawbacks such as perpetually loud music that you're forced to shout over or throngs of college students mainly interested in drinking beer by the yard. With the opening of the Monk's Cell, the Publick House offers a second bar and seating area in a dimly lit room with a slightly more intimate ambiance in addition to the lively-but-cozy atmosphere of the main dining room and bar. But back to the beer. The draft selection changes frequently, although some popular favorites tend to stick around for long periods of time (think Allagash). They have a hearty selection of Belgian-style beers and a good variety of domestic specialty beers. Ask for a recommendation if you're not sure what to order; the bartenders and servers are pretty good about steering you in the right direction. The food is worth the wait. Chef Jim won't disappoint. The mac 'n' cheese, burger, monkey (steak) tips, Cuban sandwich, and mussels are all good choices. Be adventurous here--with both the food and beer. Chances are, you'll leave full and happy.

    (4)

  • Scott T.

    Definitely the best beer list in Boston. Ok, Ok, Sunset Grill might have a more extensive list but this place has an amazing selection (over 200 total, approx. 30 on tap) of Belgium ales served in the correct glassware and a knowledgeable staff serving them. You want Bud light? WTF are you doing here?

    (5)

  • Harsh V.

    You go here for beer. Scratch that. You go here when you want to treat yourself to the finest beers the human species has produced yet, especially if you lean towards the Belgians. Food, ambience, service is all fluff on top of that. This place would get 1 extra star from me if the beer prices were comparable to Sunset Grill. Still, this place should be on every beer aficionado's to-do list around Boston.

    (4)

  • James M.

    Great beer, great food - overly hipster unfortunately. "Capitalism sucks" is written on the men's room wall, clearly indicated the presence of a hipster at one point or another. Ironic that they would write this on the wall of a for-profit private business after probably paying for a few beers.

    (5)

  • Bailey R.

    The food here is good and they always have a great selection of beer. However, they do need to work on their service. We waited over well 10 minutes for a round of drinks last night as we stood crammed in a crowded bar, but it was all worth it in the end!

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    We went to this place on Friday night for a few beers and some dinner however we opted not to eat here. The atmosphere and menu had a Belgian feel to it with a large selection of Trappist beers and of course Mussels! I was impressed with the beer list as it offered specialty beers from around the world as well as some good national craft brews. The menu had limited options for dinner so we opted to eat dinner elsewhere. However, the food looked and smelled amazing as it was being delivered to others. The majority of people we're ordering burgers! We got the cheese and potato croquettes as an app, which was pretty good. Three perfectly fried croquettes per order served with some spicy chipotle mayo sauce. I would highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a GREAT beer list and a nice rustic Belgian style atmosphere. Next time we will eat dinner here! Oh BTW: If you like IPA's try the Green Flash Imperial IPA.

    (4)

  • Matthew C.

    This is easily one of my favorite places to hang out, so instead of stating the virtues and problems about 100 other people have mentioned (great beer, lousy service, long wait) I'll try to focus on some smaller details. First of all, yes, be ready for a wait, especially Thursday nights and any time during the weekend. That said, I've noticed that the wait is never half as long as the host(ess) says it will be, and they now take your cellphone number so you don't have to stand around the crowded bar area (I'd recommend hopping by the Movieworks right next door and searching through the old sale DVDs). And yes, the service can be a bit of a bummer, but I've found that for the most part they do all know what they're talking about; every suggestion I've taken from a server has been fantastic. Also, for those of you who are wanting to try something specific (I'm always hoping for a strong Belgian that I haven't tried before), it's generally a good idea to come up with a backup plan before they come to take your order. Perhaps it's just my luck, but I'd say 75% of the time they are out of the first beer I ask for. My personal backups are the Tripel Karmeliet (seriously, it's heaven in a slightly unwieldy goblet) or the old classic Delerium Tremens. Occasionally you may be asked if you mind sharing a long table with another party, which can be a bit awkward at first but I've always opted for that rather than waiting longer. Then you also end up overhearing the conversations of boozed-up strangers, potentially even learning something you didn't know about the state of Missouri. I've become totally addicted to the cheese boards -- don't be afraid of the tiny pickles, or the fact that one of the cheeses has a "flavorless layer of ash." It's not nearly as off-putting as it sounds, promise. Finally, while I'm being nit-picky, the men's restroom is annoying. The urinal is positioned so that it's facing the door, so when people walk in they could be treated to something of a show. Exercise caution (I mean, you should be doing so anyway, but...). There's also no mirror -- seriously, this is Brookline, and I have needs.

    (4)

  • Meg B.

    Best veggie burger. ever!

    (5)

  • Jeffrey H.

    You'd think you're in a gay bar! Well that's the first thing that pops into my head when I think of going to the Publick House. It's so damn CROWDED! Plus, the fact that it's called the PubLICK House... Anyway, this isn't really my scene but it's a decent place to hang out. One of my gal pal's boyfriend is a huge beer fan and loves this kind of stuff, so I've gone a couple times. If you're into the rare/specialty beers, then you'll probably LOVE the Publick House. It's a cool atmosphere (I feel like I'm in a medieval kitchen) with a beer connoisseur's dream menu. Plenty of drinks to choose from and ENDLESS amounts of people to drink with, or spill your drink on. For me...well...I'm NOT a beer connoisseur. Give me a Michelob ultra and a basket of curly fries and I'm yours. Hell, skip the fries and give me a drag on your Marlboro light and we're bff. The Publick House is too crowded for me...now if it were crowded due to the possibility of a little male gropage, that'd be one thing. But I don't think the BC boys would find that too appealing. The beers are good, but expensive. Unless you know what you like to drink, I'd be careful about ordering.--you could end up spending a lot of money on a beer that is painful to drink. Thankfully, the above mentioned boyfriend is helpful when it comes to choosing a beer and letting me taste his before I spend 7 bucks on a drink. The Publick House, although not MY personal favorite, is a good time and I'd definitely recommend it to people who LOVE those specialty beers. I just wish it was a little less crowded and offered some drinks I'm more comfortable ordering...oh well!

    (3)

  • Jason H.

    This is one of my favorite places, period. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and the host staff is usually really friendly. The wait staff however is hit or miss. There are a few really good ones... Crowd is on the older side for a bar- which I like, and its a beer-focused beer bar in the truest sense. No Bud Light and beer is served in its propper glassware and temp. The beers are ALL very good and the selection is vast, altho second to Sunset. The food here is something that also seperates this place from the average beer bar. Instead of the standard wings and nachos, mussels and beligian fries are the staples here. Unfortunately sometimes the more expensive entree's are hit or miss, but the sandwiches, mussels and burgers are all awesome. Ultimately people will come here again and again for the beer, atmosphere and above pub-grub food. Very nicely designed inside and a comfortable place to go, no matter how packed it can get. Five thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Kelly S.

    I stopped in Boston on Friday night on my way from Philly to the Cape for a friend's wedding, and the person my boyfriend and I were staying with took us to the Publick House. What a great bar! This place is spacious (but only if you're eating dinner - it's still a tight squeeze if you aren't lucky enough to get a seat at the bar and just want a beer), and it's got a great wood pub decor. The best part, of course, is the beer selection. It reminds me of the great Belgian beer bars back in Philly, although they have better and more expensive selections. I tried some new beers while I was there - the Chimay dubbel and the Redbach. Good stuff. If I'm ever in the area again, I'll definitely go back to the Publick House. The only drawback that I could see was that people had to wait in a very, very long line to get a table if they wanted to order food. That is annoying, but I guess it's a testament to how good the food is.

    (4)

  • Ryan R.

    This place is always good for good beers and great food. The waitstaff is always helpful with beer selection. If you dont know what to get on the menu I would suggest the burger. It is flavorful and their homemade cut fries are delicious. Also get a basket of fries to start. They come hot and in a paper cone on the table. They also have two dipping sauces. Try the beer ketchup and habarano mayo. The chef does a good job of incorporating beers as flavors in the various dishes. They are quite subtle but add taste. This place is not for you if you are a wine drinker or hard liquor. They just dont have anything like that except for fruit beers. Sunday is one of the best nights to go they have trivia night. If you are good in this game you can win gift certificates or try and get your meal free. I have never had such luck. But still fun. Space is very limited so arrive early in order to get a seat in the lower section near the bar.

    (4)

  • Kristen F.

    A bar/pub that does justice to the Dutch heritage. A great selection of imported beers, and more than your normal pub grub. The menu is actually quite different and actually offers some real culture. Very busy when I went in and hard to get a table, but worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Meghan W.

    It's not my favorite place in the world, but if someone suggests coming here I usually end up going. I don't usually like coming here on a Friday or Saturday night because it is just way too crowded - there is no place to stand and it is difficult to get to the bar. I went recently on a cold Sunday night with a small group for dinner and it was the best experience I've had yet. The service was great - the waitress answered all the questions we had about the menu and recommended beers since I was unfamiliar with a lot of the choices. I would definitely go back for a low-key dinner on a week night, but will probably find somewhere else to go for a night out.

    (3)

  • Maura H.

    Good news about the Publick House...they now have a hostess. I know that was a big complaint previously, but apparently once they finished the full Belgian bar, the decided to move up in the world and get some semblance of order to their seating. Outdoor seating too when you can get to it. And to echo everyone else: Good food, Great beer, semi-poor service.

    (3)

  • Katia M.

    I went here for the first time on Friday night. It was hugely crowded, which I wasn't expecting, and I also didn't expect it to be so small. There was something about the vibe here that I didn't like. I don't like being told that I can't have shots. And most places don't have pitchers, so why overstate that? I did like the space, however, and the beer selection is good, although the beers themselves are somewhat hit & miss ... but I realize you can't figure out what you like unless you give it a try. That said, throwing $7 at a beer that makes my mouth sad kind of sucks. I think they'd be better off letting about 80% of the people they let in ... like I said, it's a pretty small place and it's just not the kind of bar that needs to be that crowded; there are too many bottlenecks, nooks, & crannies. What I did like was the decor; the low-lighted, intimate feel. But seriously, way too crowded, so I had a couple beers (one good, one eh ... plus, when I'm paying that much for beer, it's nice to have an actual entire pint) and then drank on the cheap elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Jarrod C.

    Long Wait? Who Cares! That gives you time to go sit at the bar and enjoy some of the finest Belgian beers on this earth. It's hard to go wrong with anything on their beer menu and the bartenders are very knowledgeable with the styles if you have questions. Now, the part that sets this apart from Joe Bar down the street (well, other than it's world class beer list): The Food! This is what I recommend after my dinner there this past Sunday evening: Monk Frites as an appetizer (McChouffe Garlic sauce was amazing) Mac N' Cheese dish with bacon (my wife got it and I kept stealing bites) Trappist Meatloaf (darn good) with Westmalle Dubbel gravy Beet Salad (my wife raved about it) Overall, just the idea of cooking with lots of the Belgian beers in the gravy/sauces is a brilliant idea and really adds to the experience. The build your own Mac N' Cheese is something I'm going to be craving until I get back to Brookline. Overall, this was better than my local watering hole (Brick Store) and it pains me to rate anything higher than that!

    (5)

  • T K.

    I love this place! The best beer in the right glass. The food is awesome too!

    (5)

  • Kelly A.

    The Publick House is the best place to go for a chill night of great beer and great food. Their mac and cheese is the best around, and back in my meat-eating days, I used to enjoy their citrus chicken sandwich. Now for sandwiches I'll get the veggie burger, which can be great or mediocre, depending on the day, but it's always served with those delicious fries on the side! It might sound weird, but their chipotle mayo (available as a side) is the perfect accompaniment to those fries. I generally despise mayo, but that one won me over. In the summer they have a lovely non-alcoholic framboise lemonade. Unfortunately it's very crowded in there most nights, and it's sometimes cutthroat to get a table. I'll overlook that though, since the place kicks so much ass otherwise.

    (5)

  • Lindsey M.

    awesome service amazing beer selection.. worth every penny..

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    Great selection. I would not come at the same time again though. My party arrived at around 9:45. Too late for friendly or polite service, but too early for the seating to open up completely. We managed to get a table regardless, but it was still irritating to have a waiter at the end of his shift who didn't care what kind of experience we had. We did get some fries right before the kitchen closed (at 10? ouch!) and they were amazing "fish and chips" kind of chips. They even had malt vinegar! A real bonus for an ex-Londoner. I like the general dark exposed wood atmosphere, but I wish they had a bit more patio space for those cool summer nights.

    (4)

  • Elise J.

    I dream about the mussels from here. The first pot is delicious and what was recommended by the waiter. We got a normal sized pot to split which included enough mussels to serve as a meal for 2 people. The beer selection is wonderful, but I do wish they were not above offering Sam Adams and would show some Boston pride. We also got a housemade veggie burger which I highly suggest as well

    (4)

  • Nate B.

    Publick House was hyped up so much to me that I expected to be let down. Happily I should have believed the hype. PH has an incredible beer selection and menu. The selection is great, and I find it takes longer to find a beer than to find a dinner. I love to get the St. Bernardus Trippel, but I know it's not for everyone. For food you can't really go wrong from what I've heard. The first time I frequented this amazing jewel in Washington Square I ordered their famed mac and cheese. It was good, but not for the $12 dollars or so they charge for a small saucer of mac and cheese with veggies. If you want GOOD mac and cheese, well...I'll open my own restaurant because it's certainly better than theirs. I'm sure many will beg to disagree, but the second time I went I found a far better entree substitute. I'm no veggie-head but I can't resist their Veggie Burgers. They are HOME MADE. That's right, they make their own veggie burgers. It has the most unique, robust and flavorful taste you will ever find in a veggie burger. Given the choice between their veggie burger and a regular burger I always jump at the veggie burger. Waits can be a PITA but it's well worth the wait at least once. You CAN sit outside so DO take the picnic tables out front if it's a nice day. Service can be slow, not necessarily that friendly. Parking is even worse. I suggest parking on Washington street at the meters in front of the baseball field. You'll almost always find parking there, and it's a short walk around the corner to PH. One last tip: As much as it's great to bring a big group of friends, PH is not necessarily set up to cater to bigger parties. Like most restaurants, prepare to wait for large groups and wait less for tables of two or three.

    (4)

  • David N.

    Great food and beer selections. Agree with previous review on some of the pricing but these import beers are expensive to obtain ! Staff was less attentive than I'd prefer and when I asked for my check they ran my credit card (I was sitting at the bar) without confirming that was my intent (in fact I planned to pay cash). Music was sometimes too loud. Crowd was 20-30-something so they didn't seem to mind. BTW, they don't accept Amex...

    (4)

  • Caitlyn L.

    I really like The Publick House. I went once for the food and hadn't really heard about the beer selection before, so I was completely confused as to what to order (and was also not the most educated beer drinker, so I wasn't even sure what to ask for), but the waiter was friendly and patient and helped me out. I don't really remember what I got, but I remember it was pretty good. Though my first experience didn't compell me to write a review (though it wasn't a bad experience), the second did. I went here on a Saturday night around midnight or so. Comfortably crowded, dimly lit (in a good way), cozy atmosphere, and no-nonsense (also in a good way) service. Being slightly more informed than before on the beer front, I asked the bartender what was a good wheat beer. At first I wasn't even sure if he'd heard me because he turned back to the bar and gave me a small serving of what really was a good wheat beer. He wasn't dotingly polite about it, but who cares? He knew his beer and was nice enough to share the knowledge. After I tried it and told him I liked it, then he told me more about it and filled me up. I guess I just like the no-BS approach. Decent prices, good service, great beer (in my experience), and a great atmosphere...and close by, can't get much better than that.

    (4)

  • Albert D.

    After going to the going green expo, I needed a place to unwind and take my mind off of how bad to the environment I am. After a night at the Publick House, I left with good memories, a full stomach, and a fist full of resolve to live greener. This place was great: a good crowd: not only students, since the the place was pretty far from the big Boston schools. (To get here, take the green line C line, and get off at Washington Square) lots of good new beer to try: I recommend the Weisshaustephaner Hefeweizen, the dunkelweisen, and the IPA cider AWESOME food: mac and cheese, SLAB OF RIBS ($18 !!), french fries, beef stew, calamari salad. ALL GOOD. This is a bold statement, but the ribs were probably the best I've had in my life. Also, The ribs are definitely enough for two people to share, since it comes with fries and coleslaw. I'm just a fat guy, so I got it for myself. I barely finished it, which is saying a lot. If you're a vegetarian, that sucks, but I think there's something on the menu for everyone. No matter what you get, share some mac and cheese with some friends. This place was great; I do have to say that the wait for a table on a Saturday night was 1.5 hours, but if you have some beers while waiting, it passes like nothing.

    (5)

  • Babs P.

    Long lines and expensive beers makes this place a hit or miss. When I went here it was a total hit, but some people in my group left early in frustration with the long line. I got a cheeseburger & fries, but was envious of friends who ordered the endive soup and apricot chicken. Be bold and daring, you won't be disappointed. It's pub food infused with beer and brought to a new level. Our waitress was bitchy, but the other wait staff were very sweet, so i won't hold it against the place.

    (4)

  • mickey l.

    Heck-of -Yes! IPA fiends, this place is a godsend--Hercules IPA-brought me to my knees. Two super potent beers,9%!, only 10oz pours, kept me jolly for the night. Fish and Chips quite good. Well worn chairs by the fire with a good friend and a nice server. The decor transports you to another place and time. The selection of fermented grain is mind bending and you gotta watch out because they specialize in the potent stuff. Reports of bad service don't resonate with me--but I do remember a bit of lag time or ambivilance on part of the staff. Certainly bring some cash as the tab can grow fast when you're drinking 8$ beers.

    (4)

  • cheng k.

    Hugemongous beer selection. Damn decent food. The fish and chips here are really good. Try the Stoemp Saucisse, which is deep fried house-made Belgian sausages made with ground veal, pork, beef, chives, onion, and sage served with stoemp , St. Bernardus ABT 12 gravy and fried onion strings. It's delicious!

    (3)

  • Dave D.

    Why bother review when there are over 500 reviews already? Because this place has the BEST BEERS EVER!...Well maybe in the US. I now realize why friends in college who went abroad to Europe say that US beers are like piss. I got tipsy after only 3 of their very alcohol loaded delicious beers. No crap beers here, only succulent suds! Oh and their food is absolutely amazing too!

    (5)

  • Dave C.

    I've been to The Publick House(TPH) five times now and I have not once been disappointed. Four times I've had an excellent dinner and the other time I managed to find a rare beer I couldn't find for several months previous. Location/Setting: I find TPH fairly easy to get to if driving there and although parking can be somewhat of a pain I've been fortunate with it. My last venture to TPH was via the T buses and because the Green line wasn't running at a good clip had to walk a mile to get there, but it was still worth the hike. There are some out side tables that are almost always full and inside there are the doubled up bars and a medium sized dinning room. The lighting is alway dim but not too dark. Beer: The beer selection is always excellent. The taps are always changing over and has a good split of imported and American beers. There is an extensive bottle list as well. In the bottle list there is always a paged dedicated to 4-5 specials that are rare, exotic or specialty beers. Finding Old Rasputin XII on this once made my night for sure. Food: I haven't got to venture too deeply into their menu because I still drool just thinking about their croquets, Belgian fries, and fish and chips. Additionally, their oysters have been a source of praise and judging by how many empty shells being cleared from tables I don't think it is a one off opinion. Lastly, TPH is busy busy busy every time I have been and dinner has been anywhere from 30mins to a 1 hour wait at 8PM. If you plan to go be prepared for that, enjoy a beer or two from the bar while waiting for your table and then savor every minute of your meal, it'll be worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Lester H.

    Do you love beer? If your response is, "Yes, miller lite is wonderful,"--go away. Publick house doesn't serve that shit. If you like great beer and have a sense of adventure, then go to the Publick House. They have more beer than you can shake a stick at, many of which you have never heard of or seen previously. Plus, the food is good. They have a nice selection of cheeses and a great steak and mashed potatoes. They offer a great mac and cheese with a variety of options. I took a great deal of flack from my compatriots, but had a very tasty dish of mac with shrimp and mushrooms. I would advise you to go early if it's the weekend, as the limited seating is first come, first serve. They are adding an extra section, though.

    (5)

  • Devon R.

    I wish I could give this 4 1/2 stars. The only reason its not a 5 to me is that as of late the focus of beer on tap has been largely Belgian, which is fine if that's your sort of thing, but I generally prefer more American offerings. Now, that's not really a fault of the bar, but rather a personal preference. That being said, the beer here is fantastic and the food is equally good. The place can get PACKED on a busy night so be sure to get there early. This is an awesome place to go with friends and sit down for dinner and some fantastic beers. They really go the extra mile to ensure quality here and the tap lines change weekly if not faster.

    (4)

  • Kristin S.

    I went to the Publick House last week with a group of my friends and we really enjoyed ourselves. We did not enjoy the line situation- I don't mind having to wait for a table but having to wait with my entire party in a line right in front of the bar and right on top of diners enjoying their meal is a bit, well, stupid. The beer selection is incredible if that's your thing. I even found something I liked and I'm not a beer drinker. I was with a few girls who are very big beer drinkers and I think they were more than pleased with the selection. The food was also very good, the side of fries were enough for me and my friend to share (with plenty left over) and were hearty enough for me to throw them on my salad. (They reminded me of the fries you get at the O in Pittsburgh...) I had a salad which was very large, even for an entree salad. It was a very good pub experience but I'm not sure how often I would go back. I would definitely go back early- before 6:30pm- to not have to deal with the hassle of the line and the waiting.

    (4)

  • Gary F.

    Wanna make tight fruit salad? Lindemann's pomme, peche, framboise, and cassis beer from the Publick House. Want a tight brunch? Put some beer in your pancakes like they do at the Publick House. If you, like Gary, need cured meats and eggs with your pancakes, don't be shy. Order two breakfasts. Be like Gary. Both will be tight. On a date with a tight girl? Take her on the Chouffe tour. McChouffe, LaChouffe, and Houblon Chouffe. The date will end well. It always does for Gary.

    (4)

  • Ed M.

    I don't know what it was but I expected a much better time at this place. After failing to reserve their private function room for my birthday in January because "it is not ready to be opened yet" I did not make it here for another couple weeks. When I did I stood in an alleged line for a table for well over an hour while drinking a pint that cost $8. The beer selection is nice and the beers I had were good Belgian beers, but my wallet could barely handle dinner and a couple drinks. The food was not nearly as good as I expected and the "cheese board sampler" was actually one type of cheese on a board instead of being able to SAMPLE all the cheeses listed. What was I thinking?

    (3)

  • Kristy H.

    I knew this place was going to be good when I walked in and saw "No shots or pitchers" on the wall. The Publick House takes beer very seriously. Trappist beer made up most of the menu, which is extensive and informative--I don't know much about beer, but I felt like I was making at least a half-way informed decision from the little blurbs next to each item. Chalk it up to a Tuesday midnight in the middle of the summer, but it was dead when I went. The bar was fairly full, but there were nearby tables. The atmosphere was fantastic, but I've since gone past later in the week and seen it packed to the gills.

    (5)

  • Travis D.

    I am torn with The Publick House after my recent visit. I will start off by saying the food is delicious. So if you want a good burger and other food, you wont be disappointed, even though it is pricey. The issue I have is with the service I received on my most recent visit on 6/6/11 at about 6pm. The host was good and took care of us almost immediately, the waiter seemed knowledgeable and helpful with beer selection even though he was a bit pretentious at one point. My biggest gripe is when the food came and I was attacking the burger I could not wait to indulge when all of a sudden the waiter comes back with the check and says, "how is everything, here's the check when you are ready". This is literally 4 bites into my meal and I still had half a beer left. We had planned on staying and having more drinks with our meal and after, but to come up and give the check while you haven't even put a dent in to you're food is a rookie mistake or just shows you don't give a shit. I was all set to put down more then my share of beers and prepare for the Bruins game but that was a complete turn off and my date even asked why we were being rushed when the place was practically empty. After he dropped the check he then vanished and left us without ketchup, more beers, water refills, anything!!! When I finally got sick of waiting I asked 3 people working there for ketchup before finally getting some. I am all about leaving tips and not shafting the wait staff but I must admit he got a pretty shitty tip that night, for the shitty service we received. On top of all this I just noticed on Bank of America online that the amount they deducted does not match what I left so I will be calling them tomorrow trying to figure out why there are a few extra bucks missing from my bank and on to their bill. I use to think this place was a good little bar and restaurant but now I have been turned off and even though the burger was good, I can find better for cheaper and with better service. Good bye Publick House. I just hope someone affiliated with the place reads this and makes the correct adjustments. Sorry for the long winded rant and rave but it had to be said.

    (3)

  • Pablo R.

    I headed over to the Publick House for the first time last week. The most outstanding thing about this establishment was the beer selection, I had a Weihenstephaner, which was glorious and served promptly. I found the atmosphere to be relaxing and enjoyable with good music and respectful and calm clientele. Keep in mind, If you would like a cocktail, I suggest you go elsewhere as they do not make them. I did not get to spend too much time here, because I went out for a smoke, and even after the bartender had told me last call was at 1:45am, they closed at 1:30am. I did not get to have another drink there which I found a bit rude, afterwards I headed over to the Washington Square Tavern which did make cocktails and was right down the street. All in all, this is a wonderful place to have a great beer and a conversation, however, had their prices been a bit more reasonable, they would have received 4 stars.

    (3)

  • kevin d.

    The hands down leader of the Boston beer scene, no-one does beer better than the PH. WIth above average pub food to accompany it, this place has the makings for a solid night out with friends. Be careful, though, some of those belgian's, as tasty as they are, can creep up and wallop you. I have had some stinging hangovers after this place.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth M.

    food was pretty good and the service was fast, having received my food in about 5 minutes. I came in, by myself, before a rehearsal to grab a quick bite to eat and was in and out in about a half hour. I did however find the service to be quite strange. My server never told me his name, nor did he check on me once during my meal. A food runner brought over my food as well. All in all he was not very attentive. As a server myself, I understand how easy it is to forget about 1 seaters, or to consider them an inconvenience or not worth your time compared to the potential tip, however I always make sure those people eating alone are just as attended to as people in large groups...they could come back and bring friends!

    (3)

  • Kate S.

    Definitely go here for the beer, not the service. To be fair, there are a few great waitpeople that actually care about beer and want to teach you something. But there are a few who pretend they've never seen you before even when you go 3-5 times a month for 5+ years, scoff knowingly when you ask questions about beer, and act like they own the place when they clearly don't. To avoid this unfortunate behavior, don't go on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Or go, fuck it, and enjoy all the great beers Anam Cara has to offer. That's what i did after being carded for literally the 50th time in several years by the same bartender. Screw it, do your own thing, and try lots of great stuff. That said, I LOVE Chef Jim and all he has done for the kitchen of this place. He has transformed the food from so-so pub grub to glorified bar bites. I love the burger, all the appetizers, and especially the rotating cheese platters. Everything is well thought out, and made with beer, a fun plus. Be sure to try one of the many special sauces Chef Jim has created to compliment the food he creates, especially the special ketchup. This place is great all around as long as you sit in the dining area. After 10 or so they quit serving food, the crowd dies down, and you are free to hang out in that section all night. They have a big screen for baseball games, and trivia on Sunday nights. But it really is all about the BEER!

    (4)

  • Alexis R.

    Ok, so here is the deal. If you're a beer drinker ( I am not), this place has a huge varieties of beer, and is amazing in that respect. No shots, no pitchers. That makes it more like a pub than your average dive bar, in my own mind. The wait is insane, and even if you're not drinking you have to show I.D. to get in (so it's a bar). The burger is one of the best in the area, but they don't always cook it the way you want. So just say "medium" and hope for the best. The fry situation is also odd. They have three types of fries, but you can't substitute. So, say I get a burger, I can't have the fries that come with the oysters (which are better). That said, its a good place for a yummy burger, but be prepared to wait, and the service is mediocre.

    (3)

  • Kristine M.

    Publick House is awesome. Great beer selection AND I LOVE THEIR CHEESE PLATTERS! Sorry for the caps, but man, their cheese platters are fannnntastic. I've never had bad food here, and I always enjoy the beer. The service there can be hit or miss, and I'd consider knocking a star off because of it...but I still just love the place oh so much.

    (5)

  • George K.

    Never ate here, but they definitely served a good drink. Especially nice due to the proximity to the Fireplace.

    (3)

  • Scott O.

    I don't know that I have that much more to add but here goes. The beer selection is excellent. You will always find a tasty beer to suit your mood. The only time I actually ate a meal here I wanted the food to be so much better than it actually was, which was just OK. I may have to give it another try sometime soon.

    (3)

  • adrienne s.

    i just rediscovered the publick house. i love belgian beers and they even have food to pair with the huge selection; never realized they had that other side of the bar in the back. i had the mac n cheese with truffle oil and spinach and i can't stop thinking about it. there is something about a pub that makes me not feel guilty about eating and drinking out. it's my irish roots. loved it, loved it.....wish they had a fireplace.....loved it.

    (5)

  • Han K.

    No Sunset has a larger selection, but Publick House has the best selection of beer, the quality is just way way up there, the bartenders know what they're talking about with the brews, and the food is several steps above what Sunset "nukes" and serves.

    (4)

  • Sue K.

    so i came here on a first date, starved myself all day, and had one too many beers a little too fast. i remember a crowded bar, good conversation, some decent food, blacking out right in front of my apartment building, and randomly shouting out while being dragged upstairs that he was not allowed to take advantage of me. never heard from him ever again :( but the beer was good, and really strong.

    (4)

  • Nithya D.

    Went here for a low key Friday dinner recently. The wait wasn't bad at all - only about 15 minutes for two at 9:30. Loved it and will definitely go back. *Obviously great beer selection *Veggie burgers were delicious and tasted freshly made w/a little kick of cumin - definitely not a frozen pre-made patty (No, I didn't ask where it was grilled!!) *Plenty of vegetarian options - burger, salads, pastas, etc. Jury is still out on the frites...definitely not as good as the Belgian Beer Garden in NY but probably the best I've had in Boston. Need to try them again...which I plan on doing very soon!!

    (4)

  • Lynnette E.

    Great atmosphere and beer, I have to admit I like the beer better at Sunset still but the atmosphere here is much nicer and cozier. The one time I actually was able to get a table to sit down and eat the food was very good too.

    (4)

  • Asher N.

    The Publick House is a trek, unless you're a Brookline resident. The lines can be long, so beware or come happy. But I promise you, you won't regret coming. I personally love the interior, especially after the renovations. Each table has, corner and nook has real character. Makes me feel like a medieval night off duty. The craft beer list is unbelievable - whiskeys list is decent too. But even with the beer list, the food is the star in my book. I'll give a well deserved nod to the fried b-sprouts before its time to TELL YOU ABOUT THE MAC AND CHEESE. It's probably unlike any mac you've ever had. It's strong, it's gooey, it's complex, it's cheesy, it's saucy, it's damn near perfect. Served in a cast iron skillet, the shell pasta is usually delightfully crisped where it touched the edges of the pan. The add-ins go on forever - chicken, lobster, bacon, pesto, broccoli, literally anything you could want. My ultimate combo is peas, fresh cut jalapenos, and caramelized onions. Come for the mac. Stay for the mac. Come back for the mac. Appreciate the ambiance, beers, and solid apps.

    (5)

  • Kevin C.

    Seriously - large portions and great service. This place is reliable and local. If you're around the Brookline area I'd recommend either dinner drinks or lunch. Publick House is crowded during typical weekend dinner time hours, but the tables are big and perfect for larger parties. During the summer the windows open, and it certainly creates an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere. They serve American food - the typical burgers, sandwiches, and fries combination with different assortments of condiments including truffle ketchup and chipotle mayo. If you're looking for a reliable and affordable place to eat and drink in the area you should certainly consider this place!

    (4)

  • Tess G.

    A go-to spot in Washington Square for the locals. I'm a fan of La Fin Du Monde and as far as food goes, you have to get the pomme frites with the garlic dipping sauce. They come in a big cone and can easily be shared by four or more people if you're just looking for a little nosh but not a full meal. Sometimes the place is packed and other times it isn't, but I haven't been able to quite pinpoint the pattern.

    (4)

  • Jackie B.

    My friend and I loved this place. Great beer menu, and the food was delicious. The macaroni and cheese is as good as everyone else says, same with the fries. I didn't venture from the other Yelpers suggestions, so that's all I can speak to!

    (5)

  • Cherie C.

    Just a reminder that the portions here are gargantuan! My Flemish beef stew (which was rich and delicious) was served in what looked like a trough. I got an entire baguette with it. My friend's meatloaf and mashed potatoes were enough for nearly 3 people. The chicken and linguine special was also ridiculously large. After an appetizer of Publick House's excellent pommes frites, which was plenty for three to share, there was no way I could finish all that food--nor should I attempt to do so if I value my health. But everything was delicious, and the beverage selection was, as always, fun and exciting. The fresh apple cider (non-alcoholic) was delicious. So were all of the other ales we tried. This place continues to be a favorite. And by going at about 5:30 on a Saturday, we were able to get a table as soon as we walked in. Nice.

    (4)

  • Michael P.

    Great place to take friends and have some great Belgian Beers. I have not had the food yet, and will save for the next visit, but can not wait to go back. Good music in the background. It was not too loud when I visited, but it was Thanksgiving Eve and the bar was full and a good amount of people there. Also the bartenders are very knowledgeable of the Belgian Beer selections and could answer questions without hesitation.

    (5)

  • Phil O.

    The food is a bit pricey for what it is (glorified pub food), but you'd be hard-pressed to find a better assortment of elegant beers in North America. I think this place is nationally renowned for its beer selection, and deservedly so.

    (4)

  • Nick F.

    This place has a fantastic Belgium beer list with high alcohol contents. Which means beers can easily sneak up on you and the next thing you know is your across the street at this Chinese food restaurant/ converted club at night grinding with some MILF. OK maybe this doesn't happen to everyone but...... Beers are really expensive here but if you play your cards right "pregame" you should be able able to get away with 3-4 beers.

    (4)

  • K. H.

    You can't go wrong with The Publick House! The Beer selection, the food, and the staff/service is as good as it gets!! Highly recommend!!

    (5)

  • Monique S.

    Everyone loves Publick House! I like going late afternoon, early evening before it gets crowded. They have a good selection of beer that includes IPAs (my favorite). The back bar is the best for me. I don't like bars to be too crowded. If you get to the back at a decent time, you'll have a place to sit. The bartender in the back was quite friendly about explaining the beers and making sure we picked one we liked. That, of course was because it was not busy. I've been in the front, standing room only, and that's just not my cup of tea. It took me a while to get a drink. Not because of being ignored, just because the place was busy. The fact that it is so fact speaks to the quality of the place. I haven't tried the food, but I plan to go back soon.

    (3)

  • Alyson G.

    Best beer list in town + awesome bartenders = The Publick House. The hardest part is deciding what to order. Guess you'll just have to stay a while and try a couple beers. Love the frites with all the dipping sauces, Green Flash IPA on tap and their vast selection of Belgian beers.

    (5)

  • Gautham D.

    This place is unbelievable !! In flavorless Brookline, where most places serve food devoid of flavor and salt, Publick House is a breath of fresh air. This place is an institution with wonderful beers, divine chicken wings, craveable sandwiches and to die for mac and cheese. With a large collection of fantastic beers and great service this is a fantastic place. Keep up the good work guys...

    (5)

  • Jake B.

    The best restaurant and beer on the c line between Cleveland circle and Kenmore. Exceptional food, and a fantastic selection of beer. If you live in Washington Square and haven't been, you're really missing out.

    (5)

  • Caitlin C.

    My boyfriend and I come here often for drinks, as we live right in Washington Square. Tonight we decided to try their dinner menu. Drink menu is great- lots of choices however they are a bit pricey compared to Hops n Scotch down the street in Coolidge corner which offers a similar menu of craft beers. I got a burger with coleslaw. Both were pretty good, the burger was cooked perfectly just how I asked. However, the mussels were awful. Just awful. We figured we'd try them because it was something different than your normal bar food... Our mistake. They were so small, and the broth tasted like dirty dish water. Also, they give you water at room temp with no ice. I had to ask for a glass of ice to pour my water into. Server and hostess were friendly. All in all its a great place to get a drink or two and catch up with some friends. Wouldn't come here for dinner again though... Ever

    (3)

  • Tori D.

    This place grossed me out and the service was crap. Took quite a while to be seated and even longer to get a drink order. Once the waiter came to the table it was obvious that he was stoned out of his gourd, pouring the glasses of water from two feet above the glass and splashing it everywhere, leaning on the table almost on top of us when taking our order, and spacing out while we ordered. He also smelled kinda earthy, just sayin. I get that this place wants to sell a hipster vibe, but i was getting more of a branch davidian stank vibe. The wait staff looked extreemely unhygenic with hair down and very long facial hair, (which I'm sure violates some kind of health code), as well as wrinkled and torn clothing. The bathrooms were filthy. And for some reason, there were loud children at every table. Pretty dissapointed.

    (2)

  • Paula C.

    Publik House's beer list is tough to beat. I heard the food was good, but I was surprised at how good. I ordered a Boston Strip Steak (medium), and it was cooked just right; very succulent with a tasty sauce and the best mashed potatoes I've had in a while. The asparagus had a beautiful color and was also cooked just right. My only criticism is that the steak knife was awful -- ended up using my butter knife instead. My boyfriend's fish and chips were perfectly crisp on the outside, flakey and juicy on the inside. Fries were great. The service was friendly, fast, and attentive. I can't give the restaurant five stars because I wish the bar area were more accommodating for folks who just want to drink; space & surface area are limited for drinkers.

    (4)

  • Annie K.

    Good beer, food, service, and atmosphere! I have visited this establishment a few times and have been very pleased consistently. The bar can tend towards being understaffed - resulting in slower service - but the servers, hosts, and bartenders are all extremely friendly, helpful, and accommodating. I have only had their salads which are good! Last time I got the Southwestern with shrimp (perfectly grilled and delightful!) which was great but could have used some avocado. Nice outdoor seating and a fun place to people watch!

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    I'm here for business with a coworker and her sister came into Boston for the weekend since they live in different states...we decided to all meet up for dinner so they could see each other. Her sister is 3 months away from 21 and their parents passed away in a car wreck 7 years ago and the older one became the legal guardian...she was 18 at the time and we are all now 25. We tried to come eat here bc it was highly recommended to us by EVERYONE we met. However when we went to try and eat at 7 pm they denied us entry because she was 20 years old and her parents needed to be here. We calmly tried to explain that we were not trying to drink, but to eat, and that when her sister was in fact under age she was her legal guardian. He laughed and still denied us dinner, except it wasn't a funny joke it was the truth. I give it two stars because it smelled amazing from the street. I'm sure the food is good but here is your warning...if your parents are dead and you're under 21 you can't eat here. Your bouncer is an insensitive asshole. Thanks for the experience, Boston!

    (2)

  • paulina k.

    Proper bar. Great staff, food and atmosphere. Wandered in here on my visit from San Francisco and have been here every night I'm out. Everyone made my husband and I feel welcome. I have nothing but nice things to say. Great neighborhood bar that I immediately felt at home in. Publick house you will be getting my money for the rest of the time I'm here. Cheers to you guys and if any of you are ever in San Francisco my bar is your first stop and I'm buying.

    (5)

  • Luke B.

    Great Belgium Beer place. They have tons of unique beers you don't usually find at other bars. For food-I think they have the best Mac n Cheese I've had in Boston! Only down side is the wait for a table is usually at least 45 min-1.5 hours.

    (5)

  • Angela Y.

    so much fun, such a chill bar!! Never tried the food, but the drinks are good! Went here to hangout with a few friends that were visiting from out of town and we hit this place after dinner. The bar was actually quite full on a Saturday night so we did have to stand, but that wasn't really a problem since it was crowded. They will kick you out of a table unless you are ordering food though, which sucks because sometimes you really just want to be drinking...and sitting down! A waitress came over and told us to get up because we weren't eating, it felt a little rude the way she said it, but rules are rules I guess. The bartenders are ridiculously nice and will walk around and chat with their costumers. You can virtually order anything and they will make it, even if you have no idea what you want, if you simply describe a flavor you'd like...the bartenders can muster up something. The guys got beers and the girls wanted something tangy and sweet so we were presented with a HUGE glass of something that tasted exactly that with a bit of a kick for $8, not bad! The bartenders even took the time to tell us some of their house specials and what their flavors were which I appreciated since I'm a learner still. There's no judgement (except maybe from that waitress in the beginning) or sassy attitude or weird vibes here...just good, relaxing time with friends. You can tell they've got a bunch of regulars and that the people working there have been there a while as well and are actually friends. This place is a Brookline gem for all ages!

    (4)

  • Cerina H.

    Publick House is one of my go-to's for a nice dinner with bf and when friends visit. It usually starts to get crowded around 6pm so either go early or be willing to wait for at least 45 minutes. Even longer wait with a big group, of course (once I waited almost 2 hours on a Saturday night). The food is superb and generously portioned. The mussels entree is my favorite. I've had Pots 2, 3, and 4. All three are delicious and each has its unique flavor. I always pack the broth home to make a pasta meal (no shame!!). Fish and chips, mac and cheese, and Publick House burger are also great choices. I have yet to try their ribs which look really yummy. They also have a pretty intense drink menu for those who are interested. I'm boring so I haven't tried that many. All in all, the perfect place for a nice dinner, drinks, and late night.

    (5)

  • Laura P.

    I came here for a private lunch party and had a wonderful time. We given a beautiful room with a fireplace and we had our own waitstaff. Guests were offered drinks and cheese and crackers upon arrival. I'm sure the event planner had options for the meal, but guests in our group started with a delicious spinach salad, had either a beef, chicken or salmon entree, and we were served a warm apple pie with ice cream for dessert. The coffee was delicious which is important in my book. I can't forget to mention the delicious pecan rolls served with our meal, they were my favorite part!

    (4)

  • Vi H.

    Came here for after dinner drinks! Wednesday night was pretty busy with about a 30 minute wait for a inside table and no wait for an outside table. The hostess did warn us if it rained, there were no umbrellas. Took our chances and sat outside. Definitely could use some sidewalk heaters, just a suggestion! The endless choices of beers were what we thumbed through for our first 15 minutes of sitting down. Appetizers ordered were frites and chicken wings with a variety of dipping sauces. Would definitely come here again for drinks and beers since they have delicious Belgium beer choices, my favorite. We moved inside later on in the night after closing our tab to avoid the windy evening. Overall great local pub and I wished we lived closer.

    (3)

  • Margaret M.

    Amazing beer selection & incredibly knowledgeable staff who will gladly set you up and answer questions on any brew. If you are a beer drinker this place will knock your socks off. Not a beer drinker? No problem. They also have wine & a full bar or yummy cocktails. Not to mention their mac & cheese which is by far one of the best I have ever had. It was ooey, gooey cheesy goodness in a black iron skillet served bubbling hot with the cheese spilling over. Man...with the toppings you can choose from?! You can't go wrong. I could easily come here and drink beers and eat myself full of pasta & cheese any day!

    (4)

  • Maddy S.

    I kept hearing just great things about the Public House so I'm so sad to be disappointed by my experience there. They boast a massive beer list but 3 out of the 4 beers our table ordered were not available. There should be a way of letting you know that more than half of the advertised beers aren't in stock! Don't make us waste or time getting excited for beers we can't order. After choosing a backup beer I ordered a burger. They nickle and dime you for everything. In top of a $12 burger it was $2 for cheese and another dollar for sauce! $15 for a basic cheeseburger! Ridiculous. Plus my burger was over cooked and generally flavorless. Definitely not impressed by the Publik House. Wouldn't recommend.

    (2)

  • Alyssa W.

    This place has really turned into a neighborhood gem. Food here is great. Beer selction is even better. Staff know everything from the beer list to the drool worthy menu items. I was really sad they ran out of the Louisianna bbq ribs last night, but ended up getting the apple cider chicken, DELICIOUS. Because of the sweet glaze, the crispy edges were amazing. everyone else at my table was happy with teir dishes. Beer selection is awesome, I try a new beer everytime. And if you know what you like but now sure what to get, their staff knows just the thing to recommend. WIll definately frequent this place more often. -side note- no photos. it's a bit dim inside and I hate taking pics with flash, so no pics from this meal, you'll just have to try it yourself :)

    (5)

  • Catherine V.

    Loved the mac n' cheese!! The atmosphere is super cool. We also had the short ribs sandwich... Amazing! Good selection of beers. I will definitely come back.

    (4)

  • Melisa C.

    I really want to be able to give this place 4-5 stars because of the great food and beer selection; however, my past two experiences within the past year haven't been so wonderful. Last year I came here with a group of 4 people. I ordered the hamburger and it was cooked perfectly to my liking at medium rare. Overall the meal was great and we left happy. Days later while checking my credit card bill I saw that they added an extra $1 to my bill. I know, I know, it's $1! But I don't like that dishonesty--who knows, they could be doing this to multiple customers every night and stealing your money. Now fast forward to my most recent trip here the other night. For an appetizer we ordered the brussels sprouts that turned out to be fried. Those were very good. I again ordered the hamburger as did my friend since it was so great last time. We were both halfway through our burgers when my friend got this look on her face. She reached for her napkin and spit out what was in her mouth only to reveal a nice long thread of hair. She checked her burger insisting that it was her own hair, but when she continued to pull the piece of hair there was no denying that that piece of hair was intertwined in that burger patty. I couldn't stomach to eat any more of my burger, psyching myself out. Also, this place is very dimly lit. So dimly lit that it strains my 25 year old eyes to read the menu. They also do not have dessert. But in the end if you are looking for a pretty good burger (hopefully hairless!) and a nice beer selection, this isn't a bad spot to check out.

    (3)

  • Neeia G.

    Yummy fries.

    (4)

  • Kathryn M.

    This is a bar that has a German beer tavern theme that also happens to have food. Atmosphere: Okay, well the "outside dining" is really a few old beat up picnic tables. Yuck. The inside dining is dark, dingy and is completely out of place in the midst of this foodie neighborhood. We were for Sunday lunch and were seated next to a family of 15 (with several children under the age of 5). This is a small bar- not a large restaurant for a big party. Definitely NOT good for children. 2 guys were seated next to this family and within a minute, they walked out. Can't blame them. Service: friendly, but understaffed. There were 2 employees : a man who served as host, manager and server and one female server. They did the best they could, (and were nice) but our service was bad for this reason. My dining companion ordered a draft white German beer for $7.50 and I ordered a diet coke ( as I was driving). The soda was flat, but I couldn't get the servers attention for 20 minutes. When I explained to her that the soda was flat, she nodded and said, "Yes, I know. Our soda tap doesn't work very well. We tried to have it fixed, but it just doesn't work. I have to go to the 7-11 store to get my soda." If it's "always" broken and they've stopped making an effort to repair it, why wouldn't they serve soda in cans? The only alternative they offered was iced tea that was premade with sugar, or beer. I drank tap water. Beer selection: fantastic menu with pages of fun beer. This is what they do really well. Food: Very basic one page lunch menu with burgers, haddock or chicken sandwich, mac and cheese and a few salads. I had the haddock sandwich and fries. The haddock was good. The fries were edible. The brioche bun (which I usually love) was a disappointment: untoasted and not fresh. I wound up picking it off and eating the fish. My dining companion had buffalo chicken sandwich. Good chicken (extremely spicy) and also had the bad bun. The blue cheese dressing was awesome. He didn't care for the fries. Both sandwiches were $12. Parking: metered on the street. Free on Sunday's. Overall impression: Not interested in returning. We should have gone to The Abby that is located directly across the street, or the Fireplace, which is a few doors down.

    (2)

  • Demi L.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Brookline! Casual atmosphere and has a very nice menu and great service. My favorite entree is the Cider Glazed Statler Chicken Breast served with potatoes and spaghetti squash. Amazing. My boyfriend has gotten the chicken sandwich and fish & chips on the two occasions we've been- he loved both! Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • J. L.

    I went on a Sunday afternoon and it was pretty quiet. I think they might've been a little short staffed because the bartender was also acting as the hostess...which was fine...he seemed nice and my waitress was nice. I ordered a salad and it was fresh. However I really wanted a veggie burger, but it wasn't vegan. They could easily make the veggie burger vegan. My biggest concern was the fact that the waitress didn't give me my change. When I asked her about it she said the waitresses don't carry change...so does that mean you just keep people's money? Sorry when you keep my money you don't get three stars.

    (2)

  • Chris L.

    I was recommended to this place by a friend while visiting Boston for a conference, I'm glad I stopped by. The beer selection was fantastically large, and allowed a few selections that would have been nigh impossible to find in my home town. The macaroni and cheese was an excellent vegetarian option for dinner, that allowed quite a bit of customization. I had a wonderful first visit. The second visit... not so much. I took the subway back out, specifically to return and try a beer I didn't quite have room for on the first visit. When we arrived around eight pm, we were told that the restaurant was dinner service only at the moment. Despite the fact that there were several empty tables, and that we were only staying for a single beer, they wouldn't give us a seat. We found somewhere else that evening, but I'm still a bit disappointed at blindly followed policies. But, that was my only gripe, and is mostly my fault for not having looked up their policies. I'd still absolutely recommend the Publick House, just be sure to come hungry as well.

    (4)

  • Gregory B.

    This place is one of my all time favorites. Everything on the menu is amazing. That atmosphere is perfect. The craft beer selection is great. I am forever in their debt for introducing me to Heady Topper. Pricey though. When you come here, just be prepared to drop about $40 on dinner.... for one.

    (5)

  • Danielle S.

    I came here at 6 pm on a Saturday evening. The place was already packed. People hover around the bar area while waiting for tables, so it can feel very cramped. I waited 25 minutes for a table for 2. The positives of this place are the vibe, beer selection, and service. The place has a cool, low-key vibe that suits a neighborhood pub. It attracts all types of people - young and old. The beer selection is extensive. The service was surprisingly great for being so crowded. The servers were pleasant, helpful, and on top of their game. The food here was mediocre however. I ordered a burger. It was $12, but it cost an extra $2 for a piece of cheese and $2 more for bacon. Even mayo cost an extra $1 (mayo for a dollar!?). All told, it was a $17 burger that was dry and not that good. My friend had a chicken sandwich that was also so-so. I wish I had ordered the mussels instead. If you don't mind a crowd and are looking to sample some unique beers, this is a good spot for you. Don't expect too much from the food though.

    (3)

  • Lunchbox ..

    My visit to The Publick House was fantastic. I had the Seared Pork Belly with Apricot Jalapeno Glaze, Duck Confit Spring Rolls with Siracha Sesame Sauce, and Down East Original Cider. I couldn't have been happier with the service. I will return!

    (5)

  • Rory I.

    I've been back a few times now when the salad was just inedible and the service, while cordial, was incredibly delayed. I think I'm giving up on everything but beer and fries, but how often do you need that? I really wish they would veganize the veggie burger! Otherwise, this place isn't for the dietarily restricted.

    (2)

  • John S.

    Just in case someone out there is reading this and needs a quick rundown on what this place is: BELGIAN beers. Not saying the Belgians aren't brewing some slick shit these days, but don't believe your BC friend who says this place has 'Tons of Different Beers OMG' because what it actually has is tons of different BELGIAN beers. This is definitely a positive thing, because not a lot of places cater to the Belgian crowd, but you should be aware of what you're getting into. Do not expect a varied beer list. Do not expect amazing cocktails. Belgian Belgian Belgian Belgian. The food I've received at this place is American though - as in mid-range American bar food. So you don't have to get too adventurous on that side of things. Alas, what keeps this place from being the greatest little Belgium in the world is the service. If you would like to get a table, you had best be willing to fight for it. The hostess is constantly MIA, which is weird because the place is not understaffed (just undergracious). I waited for a solid five minutes last time I went in, only to be told that they would only seat people eating full dinners (I only wanted apps). This was at 11pm on a weeknight and there were tons of free seats. One other time I was in here, I just sat down and they reluctantly served me. On the weekend, this place is overrun by the local student population, which may or may not be your thing (it's not mine). But seeing as they won't let me sit down without some Rosa Parks level stuff, even on weekdays, I think I'll be steering clear in the future.

    (3)

  • Kate K.

    I love this place. I don't know why it took me so long to visit, but now I'm here and I'm highly impressed. Excellent beer selection. Homemade meal choices. Probably the best crab cakes I've ever had. Our server was really pleasant and attentive. I would recommend The Publick House to any Boston dweller.

    (5)

  • Rachele R.

    Super slow service and super loud. Came here on a busy Thursday evening and was immediately put off when the skinny hostess in the Mickey Mouse shirt (?) looked at me like I had three heads when I wanted to be seated 10 minutes before my party arrived. The food was blah, and the service was even slower. The waiter (with the beard) didn't even bother speaking half the time, he pointed and grunted. Will not be back. Sure, they had a great selection of beers -- but when you're treated like that -- why bother?

    (2)

  • David V.

    A haven for beer lovers and college students alike, The Publick House lives up to it's name! We came her for beer, Their selection did not disappoint. Any time you can find a few IPA's on tap and another 3 times as many in bottles you know you're in a great place that is going to have something for just about everyone in your group. What's more, The Publick House does it in a non-pretentious manner! We came in a little after 12 am in the summer on a week night and the place was packed. The food we saw coming out of the kitchen all looked good, so we will probably plan accordingly next time. This is one of those places that I want to transport to my neighborhood!

    (5)

  • Laura P.

    I came here for dinner earlier tonight and it was amazing. The food was great, the beer was incredible and we had awesome service. Sam was great, he had awesome recommendations and we were never disappointed. Great experience overall!

    (5)

  • Alissa R.

    I've been here two times, one was early evening during the week so it wasn't crowded at all, but the second time I was with a group of 6 on a Saturday around 6:30 p.m. and it was packed. They told us it would be a 40 minute wait so we stuck it out- the wait ended up actually being 1 hour and 15 minutes. This obviously was out of their control and we weren't starving enough yet to be "hangry". Of course, once we got our meals, which came out super fast, it was worth the wait. Both times I've been I have ordered the Publick House Burger because it's just so good, and you have a large variety of toppings to choose from (I go with carmelized onions, bleu cheese, and their Apricot-IPA bbq sauce). Also make sure you grab an order of their monk frites from the appetizer list, they have won Best Fries in Boston several times now I believe and you get to choose 2 dipping sauces from a list of about 8- which was a hard decision for us. Besides fries, the other two delicious appetizers I've tried are the dry oven-roasted wings that came with a homemade honey mustard sauce (you could tell it was homemade) and their fried brussel sprouts. Both so good. Overall, Publick house has a fun, upbeat, pub vibe! I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for a quiet, more intimate place and if you are sitting down to eat, it's probably better to go with a small group as the larger your table is, the harder it is to hear over everyone talking around the bar area. I give it a thumbs up.

    (4)

  • Kathleen C.

    Publick House - you have moved up to 5 stars for me! I suppose I should have figured this when I keep returning during every visit, but this time, I also had the most delicious chicken sandwich. I managed to eat all of it - which I typically don't do and it was so amazing. The chicken was moist and flavorful and perfectly accompanied by cheese, bacon and avocado. I literally couldn't stop eating it. My sister even tried a bite and she rarely hits me up for chicken sandwich tastes at restaurants (partially why I get them as I know my meal is safe from others!). While this is a beer bar, they do not mock me for wine drinking and thanks for the good pours, too! I love the atmosphere and the service and if you can get a seat by the little fireplace, even better! Love it!

    (5)

  • Casey F.

    Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer.. more beer! This place is a beer lovers dream come true.. the list is a mile long.. good knowledgeable bartenders, and very cool vibe about the place. I noticed that they kept the place very clean.. one of the bartenders was busy cleaning the entire time we were there.. We didn't eat any food but we drank several.. several beers!

    (4)

  • Meg S.

    Excellent food! I'm a creature of habit and have gotten the fried brussels sprouts appetizer and the Brendoni sandwich each time I've gone. The bacon aioli sauce for the brussels sprouts is fantastic and the Brendoni is a great, unique sandwich. The service was good, too! They didn't rush you along but made sure that you glass was full of beer the entire time you were there. Would definitely recommend! Meg @ whynotandnotwhy.blogspot…

    (5)

  • Cameron P.

    Many people recommended Publick House to me and since it's in Brookline's Washington Square foodie district I figured it was probably a worthwhile decision. I was wrong. This place does not take reservations so if you show up on a Friday or Saturday past 7pm you can expect to wait at least 45 minutes and more likely an hour to 1.5 hours. Unlike some of the other establishments in the area that have people who will walk around and offer you appetizers while you wait (Barcelona Wine Bar) this place does not. There is limited standing room which makes your long wait even more confusing. Getting to the bar to order a drink while you wait is a virtual impossibility. I heard a couple guys discussing how it used to be easy to get a spot at the bar or a table and how they used to come here regularly, but now the place has been taken over by outsiders and isn't enjoyable like it once was. I was urged to get the mac and cheese, so I did, with short rib and jalapenos. My friend got the fish and chips. Both items were good but nothing revolutionary. I don't have any actual complaints about the food but by comparison to the other establishments in the area, it falls short. The hostesses were rude to virtually every diner who asked them a question. I don't usually have high standards for restaurant employees because I do believe that people should be able to be comfortable and express themselves while they work. However, when you have a bad attitude and I notice you're wearing ripped stretch jeans in an area known as Boston' premier foodie destination, I'm going to deduct points for it. For the area it in, the image it presents, and how it markets itself the place is simply not worth the time. I can see myself going back here if I was in the area and someone I was with wanted American fare. Coming from Cambridge though I am more likely to go to Barcelona Wine Bar or Fugakyu. I'll even try Ribelle before coming back here. Generic at best.

    (2)

  • Kevin D.

    There are now a ton of great beer bars in Boston, but this was one of the first. Great beer list, including a really great selection of American beers among a list that otherwise leans Belgian. Great food. My wife is obsessed with the Mac and Cheese (great add-in options).

    (5)

  • Bill T.

    Olympic Themed Review! Gold medal- beer selection is outstanding Silver medal- food is tasty Bronze medal- service is very good Everything gets high marks from me! Great selection of Belgian beers...including my favorite La Chouffe (because I like when they serve it in the the gnome glasses). My steak tips and frites were great, esp. with the chipotle mayo! Service was very nice too. That would have gotten silver but the Russian judge scored it low. I blame Putin! Can get crowded and noisy, but this is definitely a fun place. Go with friends!

    (3)

  • Kris O.

    The five stars here, are for the waiters and waitresses that work their butts off! I've been there many times, and the food is really good, the beer selection is good, there is a bit of arrogance from behind the bar, but no big deal... The waitstaff does an amazing job here. The have an extremely awkward and cramped layout to work in, but they do it with ease. The table room has been packed every time I've been there, and they handle a demanding room like butter.

    (5)

  • Zack H.

    Definitely one of the best beer bars/pubs in the Boston area. The ever changing beer menu features Belgians, Belgian-Style Domestics, and American Craft Beers on draft (about 35 at any time). If you're willing to try bottles, the selection grows even more. When the sister restaurant from up the street, American Craft, closed it's doors a few years ago, Publik house started sporting a wider assortment of both local beers, and brews from abroad. They aways do a great job of balancing the menu between light and dark offerings. The food here is just as good as the beer selection. Frites (double-fried baby fries) are a great way to start. Try the beer mustard and chipotle mayo on the side). The fish and chips is among the best I've ever had, heavily seasoned, and very flakey. The chicken sandwich features an amazing chipotle aioli, ciabatta roll, and plenty of avocado. I've never had it, but my friends always rave about the Mac and Cheese. If you're looking for a local brew, try the Pretty Things Baby Tree from Cambridge. The O'Hara's Irish Stout and the Weinstephaner Heffenweissbier are always staples. They also carry about half a dozen Allagash offerings at any time. Expect a decent wait, even on week-nights; reservations aren't an option.

    (5)

  • Erin H.

    Publick house, publick house.... why have you forsaken me..... I really used to love this place. The beer list is crazy and awesome. Our server was a very nice dude. I ordered the Waterzooi, which was not as good as I remembered and got EXTREME food poisoning.... Poisoned from the poisson.... ha. Like, am I going to make it through the next 9 hours poisoned..... I called to let a manager know and came across a weird answering machine and never heard back. Left a yelp message, who knows if they check those. It sucks that they don't really seem to care that their customers got extremely sick from eating their food. Along with the beer I got and tip there goes $40 down the drain--- literally. Sorry, I'm trying not to be graphic. Don't think I can step back into that place for a long, long time... ugh.

    (1)

  • Alison B.

    I have been coming to The Publick House for about 5 years now. Food has stayed consistently delicious, beer list is obviously endless and right up my craft-brew-loving alley, the bartenders are well-versed and always have a good recommendation when I feel ambitious enough to stray away from my usual Don de Dieu.. Even the awesome doorman recognizes and greets me with a smile! The ONLY thing I cannot get over is the awful hostesses. Just within the past year, I've been noticing a lack of friendliness and accommodation when I walk up to the host stand. Just last night, I asked the girl standing at the host stand if I could have a table for two if only one of us was eating; we would probably stick around and drink. Her actual response was "Well, we can't kick you out of the table.." I looked at the other hostess who was standing next to her to see if she was having the same shocked reaction as I was, but her face was dead-pan. I said "Kick us out? No, I guess you can't." Are you kidding me? Why would I want to come back to a BAR where I am ordering FOOD and feel like I'm being rushed or unwanted for my business? My advice: Invest in some better training, or get some new hostesses. Rubbish.

    (3)

  • Jason L.

    With the way this place's name is spelled, I figured I was in for English beer, which I rather hate. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that the beer list was almost entirely Belgians and German-style beers. I probably had one too many beers, and although I kept trying to order drafts, things kept coming out in bottles. All of them were good, refreshing changes to the bitter American beers that are usually on offer. I know it isn't anything special, but I like the simple, slighly sweet Kolsch quite a bit. First we had the quite spicy buffalo-srirachia wings with Gorgonzola dipping sauce. The combination of gorgonzola with srirachia wasn't working for me, but the wings were spicy and pretty crispy. I love the garlicky srirachia on wings. Then we had Mac & Cheese with broccoli and prosciutto. Out came pasta in a delicious, slightly bitter and sour cheese sauce with big chewy chunks of prosciutto and hunks of broccoli. It was good, very creamy, not grainy at all. The prosciutto was a great touch, as it added a necessary saltiness to cut the gooey mac and cheese. The dish came out with a nice brown and crispy crust on top, adding some needed textural contrast. The weather was beautiful, we had some beers and bar food and enjoyed people-and-stroller watching as afternoon turned to evening. An enjoyable way to spend a few hours on a Tuesday.

    (4)

  • Paige C.

    long missed bar of choice nice return to duck confit mussels still the best. I haven't been to Publick House in a while because it's always crowded. ALWAYS. In addition to it always being crowded, over the years, I've seen the prices steadily increase. Which is also not my favorite thing. But after a long hiatus, I had a wonderful evening of food and beverage at the Publick House. The mussels are still as good as ever, and you get A TON ($16 plus some meat, frits, and bread depending on which broth you get). It's enough to satisfy at least 4 people. We were three, and needed a fourth because they were not finished. Fries. Delish, but not really necessary if you order mussels. Lots of sauces to choose from. Ketchup and mustard are AWESOME. Duck confit egg rolls. Duck is so in this season, and these are a duck thing that should not be missed. They have a very nice beer menu and specialize in the belgians. It'll be a night of spending money. Trust me. Our server was great, checking in often, keeping glasses full. But the atmosphere here is quite crowded, loud, and extra dark any night of the week.

    (4)

  • Larry G.

    She had the kale salad with bleu cheese: "It was a bit skimpy, topped with a skimpy piece of salmon." I had the short ribs, perfectly falling-off-the-bone delicious. Nicely upscale pub food, but not really worthy of the whole "we don't take reservations" thing.

    (3)

  • Kristy S.

    Food and beer was awesome. I got the mac n cheese and a salad. The atmosphere was fun but the server left some to be desired. I would definitely come back again.

    (4)

  • Laura S.

    Publick House a great spot for a warm meal in Brookline. There is an excellent variety of beer to choose from including some tasty local brews (like Trilium). I picked this place to eat based on yelp because I was living in Waltham and I wanted to try a place where parking would be easy with good food and good beer. A good restaurant where you can order tasty moules frites, a burger, or vegetarian options without breaking the bank. (Definitely not cheap, but for the options the prices are fair for the area.)

    (5)

  • Dorothy T.

    This place is loud. Super loud. And super busy. I came here on a Friday night with a friend without a reservation (dumb) but they were quickly able to fit us in! Luckily they put us in a quieter corner so we could actually have a conversation. Their beer menu is quite extensive and there food was all super tasty. For an appetizer we split the moules frites and each got a burger. My burger was cooked well instead of medium but the appetizer more than made up for it. The server was nice as well but quite busy so it took some time for her to get back to us, but it was Friday night around 7 so not too surprising. All in all it was a great experience and definitely coming back again!

    (4)

  • Stefan Z.

    AWESOME.. AWESOME.. AWESOME!!! I love this place for the atmosphere as much as the food. If you're looking for a place to go watch the game or dance and party your face off this isn't the place. The bar is set up on one side of the restaurant and dinning is on the other. There are no TV's but it won't matter because you'll have no time for it while you're scouring their beer menu for the perfect brew. I'm not sure how many beers they have but they're mostly imports and they're all awesome. Probably the biggest and best assortment I've seen in Boston. If it's your first time get a small order of mussels (they're huge) and get the mac and cheese. I used to go to this place 2-3 times a month when I lived in Brighton so I highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Kevin T.

    Just have to say... Fried pork belly. Their food was wonderful and their beer selection was AWESME SAUCE! One more please.

    (5)

  • Evan W.

    -- Honey I Shrunk the Broccoli -- Came in here on a Monday amazing crowd Great beer selection Ordered the meat balls : terrific side of broccoli : looked like a science experiment it was so small Definitely would come back!

    (3)

  • SaraLee C.

    DRINKS: An above-average variety in the beer list. Cocktails were mediocre. FOOD: Average American bar food. One of the many trending bars that like to advertise creative cuisine, when, in fact the themes are pretty hackneyed and can be found in a lot of other similarly envisioned bars. Their mac & cheese is ... a cop-out, because they want (?need) you to personalize with a lot of additions in order for you to really like it. As a test, I ordered it "plain" because an analogously plain mac & cheese from Armsby Abbey is phenomenal (no additional, self-serving frills needed). The plain mac & cheese was not impressive. AMBIANCE: Loud, PACKED on the weekends (a can of sardines would feel more spacious). You need to "fight" for tables. The hostesses were frequently MIA. SERVICE: Very mediocre. I will not be returning in the near future.

    (2)

  • Lucy W.

    Delicious- their lobster Mac & cheese is every bit the decadent, creamy, cheesy, lobster-y, orecchiette pasta goodness that everyone says it is! Lots of interesting and yummy sounding options for appetizers, as well as entrees...selections ever toward a slightly high end comfort food theme. Extensive beer list...they had several options of the type I always drink- Belgian blonde/white ales. Pub atmosphere with a few picnic tables outside for patio seating as well. Efficient staff turns tables pretty quickly, which is good b/c every time I've been here, the place is packed. Street parking in this area is hit or miss, and first come first serve.

    (4)

  • Alex K.

    I'm definitely a big fan of this place. The food was great and the beer selection awesome. The Publick House has a great atmosphere and dark, warm decor. I would come back just for drinks or just for food and for sure both! I had a Belgian seafood stew. It was a tomato based stew that was fantastic with the toasted bread. We also had frites on the side, which were amazing. The garlic aoli is bomb, along with the chipotle sauce. The beer selection has a great combination of things you would see anywhere to those for far off Belgian to very local breweries who's distribution may make it only to Boston and close surrounding areas. I'm glad to have had a local point out some really great Boston beers. Cheers!

    (5)

  • BJ L.

    I really, really like this place. Beer selection was very good. I love it when places have things on tap that I have never tried. It seems a rarity these days, but maybe I just drink too much? That can't be possible. I started with the Monk's Frites. They were pretty standard fries, but the sauces that came with it made it awesome. The belle of the ball was the Mac n' Cheese. You can add in whatever you want, including tomato, mushroom, Pearl hot dog, fried egg, bacon, andouille sausage, shrimp, scallop, grilled chicken, prosciutto, truffle cream, braised short ribs, fresh Maine lobster. Ok, I may have just copied that from their menu, but seriously, that is a lot of awesome stuff that is ridiculously good in Mac n' Cheese. Try it out sometime.

    (4)

  • AJ K.

    I'm a pretty big fan of this place, its my #2 haunt after Hops & Scotch down the road. The good: Great beers on Draft and really good food. I love IPAs and this place has Green Flash West Coast IPA on Draft...they also have O'Harrahs if you like Gunniess I think this is better (a little more creamy mouth texture to it) The Dry Rubbed wings are my favorite...the Sriracha ones are good too, but a little soggier (I like em crispy) The staff are all really pleasant and remember you. Theres a lot of room to sit at one of the 2 bars as well as around the restaurant if you get a table. They have a good number of TVs around and this is a good place to catch a game if its on. The Bad: This place gets obnoxiously packed on the weekends or when theres games on. Often if I get there late, Im stuck standing in the back somewhere near the restroom. Small price to pay for their beer selection though.

    (4)

  • Barry T.

    Great selection of both local and imported European craft beers here. Also, If you're feeling a bit hungry here too (or need a bit of food with the alcohol) then definitely go for the Mac and Cheese! Food is always good with alcohol. Drink responsibly.

    (5)

  • S O.

    This is a great restaurant amongst other greats. The difference is that the Publick House does not take reservations which works very well for me. I typically go here for friend meet-ups or on dates. The food is absolutely excellent. I typically get one of the seafood dishes, Waterzooi aux Poissons is the best. I had a simple salad with shrimp this time. The Apps are also great and the beer selection is wonderful. The only suggestion I would make is for them to expand the main entrées. They should add a few smaller main entrees that are a bit more affordable. Service is great! I never wait long for a table.

    (4)

  • Leanne C.

    This is probably one of my top places to head to when in a "going out" mood. Excellent Belgian drafts, satisfying and fresh chips, and mostly awesome staff. If you want a table, opt to go to Publick House for dinner and drinks (bar stools are hard to snag). On the weekends it can get awfully crowded too-- but its a nice crowd. 20-40-something beer appreciators and generally nice folks. Service has always been spot on. The only bad I have taken away from this place is like Cinderella, when the clock strikes two, the magic ends. The hired help become a lot less friendly. A general warning of "oh hey, its two so finish your drinks please" is alright but a "its 2:04. You need to leave now." is unacceptable. It leaves you with a negative end of an otherwise positive evening.

    (4)

  • Kiki L.

    What can I say that hasn't already been said? This is a great bar with a great atmosphere. Two bars, separate rooms, if you have a big group you might get lucky and score the awesome giant wooden table tucked in the back of the smaller room. The only downside to that side of the bar is that sometimes when the bar gets busy, people are brushing up against your table. The beer selection is amazing, so much to choose from, we always like to go here to try something new. Food is great, their mussels are amazing and the chicken sandwich is gigantic. As much as I'd love to love the mac & cheese (they have so many good add-ins!) my experience with it has been hit or miss-- more often than not the top is so burnt that it kind of ruins the taste of the rest of it. Sometime's it's spot on though, I recommend adding scallops or the classic bacon. All in all, I love going here! Worst part about this place is that they don't open until 5, so no lunch!

    (4)

  • Emily L.

    Publick House is a great addition to the area. I had been missing the wonderful mussels and fries found in Philly, and was glad to discover this place. The atmosphere is, indeed, cozy and is also surprisingly kid-friendly -- or at least, it seems more like a gastropub at first glance, but then tons of families came to dine, making for a rather loud atmosphere. The Tall Man and I shared an appetizer portion of moules frites (pot 2, with allagash white). Even as an appetizer, it was a generous portion and was wonderful. The fries ... delicious! I wasn't so impressed by my entree, though. I got the mac and cheese, which a friend had raved about, but I found it incredibly heavy and wayy too cheesy. (Then again ... there are many people who like it that way.) I also wish there was a higher ratio of crumb topping to bottomless cheesiness. The first few bites were great, but I couldn't finish the rest. In the future, I probably would have inverted our meal by getting the mac and cheese to share (or picking something else) and had the moules frites as an entree.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    Straight up Mac & Chz.... loved the crispy baked cheese on top and liked that it wasn't watery. Also got a basic salad (simple mixed greens) and yes, it was simple. Service was good, our waitress was nice, although, never cleared the dishes. The rest of the menu looked good, was looking at other tables and definitely want to try the mussels & the Waterzooi

    (3)

  • Ana M.

    Let's get one thing straight - you definitely do not come here for the food (although the St. Louis ribs are pretty tasty). Anam Cara's extensive beer selection is ultimately what draws the crowds, making it pretty difficult to get a table on Friday and Saturday nights.

    (3)

  • Rebecca Y.

    Looking for a local Irish pub in Brookline? Ta da! The food is ok - but the beer selection and conversations at the bar are what make this place exactly what you have in mind when you want to grab a beer at the bar.

    (3)

  • Shannon C.

    Unbelievable beer selection, better than average food. The fireplace offers a cozy place to sit, but the other tables will do just fine for huddling over some beer with your friends. One drawback: does everyone in Boston know about this place??? When it's really busy, people are kind of crammed in near the bar...watch those drinks!

    (4)

  • Kevin B.

    Kind of a mixed bag. Too crowded. Service is sometimes good, sometimes not so good. Burgers are fantastic. Mac & cheese is amazing. Trivia night on Sundays is fun, though again, too crowded. Beer list is apparently really really great, though I'll drink pretty much anything, so I wouldn't really know the difference.

    (3)

  • Paul H.

    When I'm back in Boston, I like to stop by this joint if I can. The wait times for a table tend to be ridiculous and the wait staff is hit or miss. I do enjoy Belgian beers, however, which is the main draw to this place. The beer selection is one of the best I've ran across in the Boston area, besides that of the Sunset Grill & Tap. During my last visit, I had a Belgian White along with some high test brew (over 9%) that messed with my sense of well being later that evening. None of the beers I've sampled have disappointed. In terms of food, I can't complain. I'm a fan of the mac and cheese, especially with bacon and asparagus. The mussels steamed in beer were satisfying.

    (3)

  • Tom M.

    Atmosphere was busy and exciting but not overcrowded. Two sides of a full bar makes it easy to swing by for a beer or get a quick meal. The best thing about this place is the incredible beer selection which is better than 99% of other places in Boston. My lone criticism is actually one of the things that draws people to the restaurant, which is the mac and cheese. It's good, but it's nowhere near the best that I've had. In fact, I've made better myself. Fries were delicious and the dipping sauces where phenomenal. All in all, great place, definitely worth a try if you're in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Kelly S.

    I love this place. I haven't been since they unveiled the new menu, so this review is based on the old. But wow- the cone of beglian fries with 2 dipping sauces? Awesome. The fries (frites?) are flavorful and fun, I usually go with the beer mustard and a chipotle mayo to dip. The bartenders are a crapshoot. I have had great service here; I've been able to have real conversations regarding beer selections, and I've also had guys who are too cool to serve me. When you get a good one, it's awesome. I'll buy a $20 glass and discuss the tasting notes with them. A bad one? It's frustrating, definitely, I'll buy whatever's tall cause I know they won't look at me for the next 20 mintues... though by now I've learned who's who and go out of my way to sit on the proper side of the bar! This place is great for cold or dreary weather. Cozy and homey with fun beer selections and comfort food. I have never left this place sober or hungry, and I love it for that reason.

    (5)

  • Janice T.

    Ah, this is where I discovered and fell in love with Old Rasputin. They have excellent and thorough selection of beers and the staff seem knowledgeable about what they have to offer. As the Publick House claims, the beer is fantastic and the food is, well, good but nothing spectacular. Although I do have to say that their tuna panini was pretty tasty, especially with a Belgian style pint of ale.

    (5)

  • Jordan K.

    The food: Burgers are excellent, as are the spicy chicken sandwich and eggplant parmesan. Maybe it's my exposure to real New Orleans food, but the shrimp etouffee did not impress. I've always wanted to try the beef tips, but have never been prepared to eat that much meat in one sitting. The beer: Wow. They have every great beer I've never heard of. They serve each beer in the correct glass, maximizing enjoyment and giving you an opportunity to drink out of some ridiculous vessels.

    (5)

  • Tom D.

    Can I give their beer selection SIX stars? This is the best spot around for high quality beer. Hands down. Mac and cheese is to die for.

    (5)

  • P J.

    Still "meh." Downgrading as they no longer have a website. It's 2013 folks. 2013. Plain disappointing.

    (2)

  • Gabrielle A.

    I really like this place a lot. I'm not a huge fan of Belgian beer, but I know that's entirely a personal preference, and they do have some selections for those who are like me. The food is fantastic! I recommend their fries, fried Brussel sprouts and the Mac and cheese! I also must say that the service, both at the bar and in the dining room is truly wonderful. There is always a good energy and I've never been in there when it seemed dead or boring. I recommend this place for sure

    (4)

  • Kim G.

    Oh. My. God. THE PORK CHOP! Get the pork chop! Then get a bunch of Belgian beers. Then die happy.

    (5)

  • B C.

    Came here for the Belgian beers, left feeling stuffed and satisfied from the delicious food. The bartender was super helpful in navigating their extensive beer menu. In a few short minutes, we devoured the Moules Frites (Pot 1: Echte Kriekenbier, herbed garlic butter & Pot 2: La Chouffe, tomato, chive, roasted garlic, prosciutto) and the Monk's Frites (truffle ketchup and chipotle mayo dipping sauces). The mac and cheese was amazing! Surprisingly, so were the fish & chips (obligatory but delicious). The Waterzooi Aux Poissons, the Belgian seafood stew, is also a must.

    (4)

  • Yelena Y.

    I love love love their beer selection and mac and cheese that you can customize. Love to put jalapeños into the dish and make it real hot and spicy.

    (5)

  • Gen M.

    First of all, Thursday through Saturday nights -- busiest times. If you come there, you must wait about 30 minutes to an hour to even get a seat. If you do, make sure the majority of your party made it -- because they don't seat you without it. Food -- awesome. Try their burger, you never tasted better. Their beer menu is sophisticated and tasty, a bit pricey but well worth it. Their mashed potatoes are amazing. The macaroni and cheese is too good. They do have rabbit on the menu, I am yet to try it and be amazed, perhaps. They also do a good jack and coke, but that's not tough. Awesome place.

    (4)

  • J S.

    Depending on the time, you may be in for a long wait... but it's worth it. I've never had anything at Publick House that isn't delicious. Worth mentioning: the monks frites (with various dipping sauces!), the mac and cheese (good with any fillings), and the burger (actually cooked medium rare when you ask for medium rare). Incredible beer selection. Once you get in, great service.

    (5)

  • Steve T.

    This is, beyond a doubt, a beeries dream come true. (Beerie is to beer the way foodie is to food. Got it? Good.) They've got beers you've never heard of, unless you've just gotten back from Munich. They've got food that matches that beer you've never heard of. The beer comes with the appropriate glass, which you may never have seen before. And the food is pretty damn good, too. Who expects to go to a bar and get duck? Ahh, and therein lies the rub. This isn't a bar, it's a beer experience. You go here because you like beer. All kinds of beer, including beer you've never heard of before. Beer that comes in bottles with foreign languages on the labels. Beers with names that you mangle when you order them. Ahh ... beer. Sweet nectar of the gods. The ambiance is nice - unless you opt for the Bosstones shrine, and you're not a Bosstones fan. In that case, aim for the main room. The service was pleasant, from both the waiter and the person who brought the food out. And perhaps, one day, they'll finish that addition. But, until then, there's still beer to be drunk and good food to be consumed.

    (5)

  • Brian B.

    I've been by this place a million times and decided to finally try it out! I was expecting a large beer collection and bar food. Boy was I wrong. A little pricey on the food and not your typical bar-eats but amazing food! I god the Turkey Tips with a side of greens and fries. Everything was amazing! At first I was a little annoyed because I wasn't expecting to spend $17 on food but it was well worth it! Minus one star for waiting almost 10 minutes after we sat for a server to come over. We were going to give it 5 more minutes before we walked out, but once she came over the service was A-OK. Publick House, I will return.

    (3)

  • Anna C.

    Yeah its loud and crowded but its a BAR! Food is really good and large portions ... the Belgian beers are heaven. Can't say enough nice things. Highly recommend it. Don't take the kids though - its too loud and they wil be bored.

    (5)

  • Jackie K.

    This place is great! The beer list is huge and while you might spend a little more, you'll get something you either have never tried before or something that you have a hard time finding other places. The mussels were incredible! And the portions were huge. I split them with a friend and was so full that when my mountain of mac and cheese came I couldn't eat all of it. The mac and cheese was delicious although my arteries probably beg to differ. The assortment of sandwiches that everyone else got were tasty too. Overall a great night, I can't wait to go back

    (4)

  • T L.

    this place is a good spot for a beer but no so sure about the eats... the bar area is pretty laid back but gets crowded really easily, so expect lots of crowding; there is no system for tables so everyone just stands in one retarded line that clogs shit up; the beers are pretty good, never heard of most of them but waitress gave us the lowdown, the heifizen is good; the place has a funky smell but not necessarily bad; the 3 of us actually went with the same meal, spicy pulled pork sandwitch with fries; first off there should be a disclaimer with the sandwitch cause it was pure fire; this has to be the hottest sandwitch i have ever eaten, no hot from spices but hot from peppers; i was basically crying from the meal but it was not bad and fries were good; after this sweaty meal i am not looking forward to the after effects on my ass; decent eats, good beer 6 out of 10

    (3)

  • melissa c.

    Love this place. There aren't too many places in Boston that actually carry Beers from all over the world. If you're a true Beer lover this is a great place to hang. I've acquired many new tastes and an overall stronger appreciation for beer after visiting this place frequently over the past four years.I really like the food selection too; it's paired nicely with recommended beers to try with it. Important to note: They are always super busy so you need to be patient. If you're looking for high maintenance service and easy seating this is not the place to go. Seating is pretty much self service and you have to be assertive to get a seat and get the staff's attention. It's not because the service is bad; it's because the place is packed and it's a free for all. We typically go about an hour before we know we're going to be super hungry, or we just go to drink beer and assume we'll stand. They expanded the place last year so there is more room now. It's especially good during off hours when you can get a table and just drink. Even though there' s typically a wait; I think it's worth it.

    (4)

  • Ben P.

    Best beergarden in Brookline. The beer selection is extensive and the food is pretty good. I only order two items when I go there: macaroni and cheese (insanely rich - get a lighter beer with it --- ie pilsner) and the fish and chips (big portions). Yes, it's a little expensive. Yes, it's always crowded. And yes, getting a table can be a hassle. But that's all the charm.

    (4)

  • Jenny W.

    Great beer selection and awesome mac and cheese. The atmosphere is warm and the service was decent. The food took longer than I expected and I never did get that glass for my beer, but it was crowded and we weren't in a rush, so it didn't bother me much. Make sure your whole party is with you if you want to try for a table, otherwise you'll have to wait it out and potentially lose out completely.

    (3)

  • Andrew R.

    The sole reason I joined Yelp was to tell everyone how much this place sucks. The people who work here are arrogant hipsters who subscribe to the belief that they are doing you a favor by serving you. Its like being surrounded by a bunch of bike messengers.

    (1)

  • Michele L.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE. I have spent many lovely evenings here... They have absolutely incredible beer, the bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable and can give great suggestions for what to try, and it has a great atmosphere, attracting a really chill young professional crowd (no shots, no pitchers). Their beers on tap rotate and I was always able to try something new and delicious. Most of the food is delicious, always made with fresh ingredients (try the frites with a trio of house dipping sauces - goes great with beer), onion soup, or a burger or veggie burger. The mac and cheese is sometimes amazing and sometimes mediocre depending on the cheese mix that day. Watch out for some of those Belgian brews - they can be really strong! But I could only give it 4 stars for two reasons. 1) It is way too full and busy even on week nights, to the point where its almost impossible to even stand (SUnday nights are great) 2) Its pretty pricey, both the the beer and food. The fact that its this packed even on week nights goes to show that this is truly a special place!

    (4)

  • Rinn S.

    The Publick House deserves only the highest praise. It's got excellent beer, and clearly demonstrates a respect for beer in its all-around ethos. I've had no problems with the service. It has always been friendly and helpful. As for the food, if you consider this "bar food" then you've never been to a real dive bar. This food is upscale. I'm talkin rib-eyes for $18 with gorgonzola mashed potatoes and asparagas, along side the "ubiquitous fish and chips." And the mac and cheese is TO DIE FOR. Fancy cheese board and mussel pots? I wish more bars had food like this. The decor is a hip Rathskellar meets Irish bar melange. The wait can be long during prime bar nights (this is college land after all) but it is totally worth it for the food, the ambiance, and most importantly, the beer selection.

    (5)

  • Seth J.

    So here's the deal: I really want to give the Publick house more than three stars. I truly did - this is where I first discovered good beer. This is where I learned to love mussels. Yes, the food is awesome. Of course, the beer list is good, if small (I prefer to call it curated). If you want a rare Belgian brew, then this is the place. So far, I've had nothing but good things to say about this place, but here comes the reason only three stars have been awarded: the service is mediocre at best. The bartenders are beer snobs, and that's coming from someone who gets called a beer snob. If you ask them about any of the beers, they treat you like you just wandered in from the nearest alley, your breath reeking of Colt 45. Service is very slow, and they don't split checks more than 3 ways. How hard is that? Oh Publick House, do you hurt me because you love me? Why you gotta be like that?

    (3)

  • Simon G.

    great selection of beer, dark atmosphere. an excellent place to catch up with friends. not many women, though.

    (4)

  • Alexandra R.

    The Publick house was where the s.o and I had our first date! As huge beer lovers, it couldn't have been at a better location. They have a HUGE belgian beer selection which I am really into in the winter time. Their wait staff and beer pourers are very knowledgeable and I like that they can tell the difference between customers who don't know their beer and those who do. Their food is hit or miss for me, usually I get something delicious but I got the mac and cheese twice and it had no flavor. The food is not why we go, though. We go for the one place in Boston that might be carrying a beer we haven't had yet! Oh and the monks frites are insane!

    (5)

  • Joy W.

    Awesome food, huge beer menu, great service, very cool atmosphere. I love the fish and chips and my husband loves the andouille sausage sandwich. Definitely my favorite bar/restaurant in Brookline. I've heard the bar area is packed at night, but it's always nice and roomy in the late afternoon/early evening. The fireplace and decor make it super cozy and a great place to have a few beers on a cold winter day!

    (5)

  • Chris O.

    Cheeses looked good, we were only in for a minute, saw the sign saying "no shots, no pitchers" ....... NO FUN!!

    (3)

  • Amy K.

    The Publick House is a great place to bring a group of friends for a beer and or dinner. I was suprised by how good the food was. The menu has a big enough variety for different style eaters, but isn't too large you spend hours debating over what to order. The beer list is a bit overwhelming and if you're not a seasoned beer-drinker, then it's somewhat foreign. The staff is very very knowledgeable and can point you in the right direction in terms of finding a beer you'd like. Both the restaurant and bar are always busy, especially during the warmer months. If you can score a table outside during the summer, I'd recommend staying for as long as you can considering you're right on Beacon street two blocks away from the quaint Washington Square. I highly recommend the chicken sandwich, the mussels and the cheese/meat dish along with one of their several Allash beers.

    (4)

  • Will S.

    I guess 3 stars. I never actually got to eat or drink here. I tried to get a table - ended up in a fight with another couple, and left the place in disgust. I'd love to go back to try a beer, but not to sit down (that is unless they decide to pay a hostess).

    (3)

  • Maddie N.

    Oh my god. The mac and cheese here may have been the best food I've ever tasted. Never mind I've just eaten dinner, I can't stop eating it! Yeah, it's $19, but it's 5 cheese and lobster mac and cheese! It's one of those foods you need to try before you die. Oh oh, it's normally packed balls to the wall most nights, I should take a star away for snotty hosts, but the servers are pretty understanding and I mean, if you come here, expect a wait.

    (5)

  • Kayle S.

    Definitely worth the trip out to Brookline. Astonishing selection of beer on tap and fun, comfortable culture. Trivia night is usually packed, so get there early. The beer mussels are rich and flavorful, and the beer-cheese pairings are a hoot!

    (5)

  • Benjy E.

    I wandered into The Publick House Friday night around 9. I was in town on business and was looking for something new. I was very impressed by this place. The bartender at the top bar offered great suggestions on three different beers I tried. Supposedly the menu was recently redone, and I was a little nervous trying Mexican or Cajun in Boston. However I tried the gumbo, which was excellent and ordered a shrimp po-boy, which was good although not great. In my mind, a shrimp po-boy should be dripping with shrimp and this sandwich, though good, wasn't awesome. Otherwise, the beers were great and I really enjoyed the place.

    (5)

  • David P.

    Awesome burgers especially with blue cheese...mmmm. Beer selection is absolutely amazing from Mojos to Synebrychoffs, and the ambience...extremely chill!

    (5)

  • Vincent C.

    great,extensive selection of booze.

    (4)

  • Hilary C.

    Love the beers and the food and the atmosphere. I even brought some belgian friends here who were homesick for moules frites and waterzoi. Our collective comments are the same: what?!? no curry sauce?

    (4)

  • Mike A.

    Let me first just say that I may be a douche bag...but I don't consider that to be true. Apparently the bartender on duty when I went to Publick House did, what this decision was based on is beyond me, for we had had no previous interaction, perhaps he could just smell my true desire of a PBR tallboy, and when I asked for a Guinness, he knew I didn't really want that....and was pleased indeed to inform me of the fact that they do not have Guinness. now usually when I'm told that a bar doesn't have what I want, especially a standard like Guinness, I would be nonplussed when informed of some alternative...the only alternative offered was a smug look. I don't know how to drink a smug look, so I asked if they had Murphy's, "maybe its a traditional English pub", I thought. Again, "nope" was the answer, followed only by an even more maddening shite eating smirk. "Old speckled hen?" I said...."nope" the bodybuilding beer nerd placenta said. You know at this point I was upset, I understand that these beer connoisseurs probably get frustrated with drunken college kids sidling up to the bar and asking for dumb crap at their world famous bar, but I'm not a college kid anymore, nor was I drunk...I admit, that may have been one of my many goals for the night, but I was a long way from that goal, and that guy wasn't helping me get any closer. on top of this, I pride myself on being a very good tipper, and had this guy given me just one chance, he would have realize that I truly, truly appreciate the simplest of courtesy from bartenders and waitstaff. but no...needless to say, this ruined my night for at least twenty minutes. the only thing that brought me around was some very odd looking and soft thing bouncing off of my face, and disappearing into the shadows on the floor, from my brief glance it looked like one of Yoda's ears, and was just as soft as I'd imagine said ear to be...when the adorable girl who threw it at me was asked, she wouldn't tell me what it was....I love mysteries, so this turned me right around, however, I still detest snobbery, and sorry PublicK House, but your dingbat bartender has screwed the pooch for me. I will say that the people over at the Chinese restaurant across the street with the fancy golden doors are quite nice, and more than willing to let a group of people eat drink and be merry all they want, and they have Schlitz tallboys!

    (2)

  • Anonymous P.

    the food is ok. better than you would think but not 5 stars. but this place is about the beer, and there is no better place to drink beer in boston. that includes sunset grill & tap. if you are a beer aficionado, publick house is the place to go. update 9/14/06: ok, i'll keep it at 5 stars based on the same reasoning, but this food is very...odd.

    (5)

  • Nicola P.

    I was really looking forward to a casual Saturday night with great food and beer. I was fine with the loud crowd, the barely-there/uncaring service provided by a waitress that looked more like a robot than a human but I was truly disappointed in the moules fritte, i was dying to try. We got Pot 3 with sausage, corn and a beer broth. The broth was so bitter, i would have rather eaten my mussels in urine. The bread was barely eatable and more like a pot of crap than a pot of delicious mussels topped with Belgian fries. We were delightfully happy with the fried oysters which were breaded to perfection and fried golden brown. However, I was shocked when I bit into a fried shell instead of an oyster. All aside, the best dish of fried oysters i have had in a long time. I think one would be better off at the bar and ordering fried oysters and fries.

    (2)

  • Jeffriana S.

    Publick House (formerly Anam Cara) is a great place. Although primarily a bar, the food offered is far from your typical pub fare. Examples of some great selections include: mussel frites, the veggie burger (really good with blue cheese!), and ribs (the caesar salad is decent, as well). The transition from Anam Cara to Publick House, in my opinion, was not without problems. Everyone seems to love Belgium these days: Belgian beer, Belgian fare, etc... and Publick House certianly is attempting to capitalize on this in its transition (the former name was after all a Gaelic phrase). However, the transition went a bit too far for my taste and the draught selection has been greatly effected by this -- it is criminally biased towards the Belgian. No Guinness, Bass, Newcastle (except in bottle), Boddingtons, nor Spatan and not too many American micro-brews, either. I understand that you have to judge an establishment on its own terms, but Publick House certainly portrays itself as a place with great beer and they should perhaps differentiate their beer selection a bit to be more inclusive of the great beers from places like England, France, USA, and Germany. One other note on the transition, the service has been greatly impacted. In the past, this establishment had a very friendly and knowledgeable staff. This tradition is long gone; the servers, save for one server and one bartender, lack knowledge and personality. However, all of Publick House's faults can be forgiven on Sunday nights for trivia! Every Sunday Stump! Trivia stops by the House and brings with it the (surly, yet endearing) Quiz Master! Beware though: this trivia is the most challenging and competitive in the area.

    (4)

  • A D.

    Awesome beer list, fantastic mussels menu with five different flavor pots of mussel sauces. I had a bad stomach after, might have been due to 3-5 spoiled mussels in there - overall great experience.

    (5)

  • JC M.

    Pretty good atmosphere,all other reviews were right,NO organization with the seating.Biut if you're patient you'll get there. Also,some of the previous reviews mentioned a "curious" smell and they were right,it was the first thing i noticed,you forget about it soon enough but it is noticible,not horrible just there. The food was alright,fatty steak,I'd say more fat than meat.Mashed potatoes were dry,asparagus soggy.Hubby had the fish and chips which he simply desribed as "eh.....just alright".I'd deduct,not the best not the worst.This place really is ALL about the BEER,BEER,BEER!! Great selection and until my nose got used to the "mystery Smell" of the place,i felt like i was chewing my beer-again,once my schnoz adjusted it was all good.Our waitress,incidently knew absolutley nothing about any of the beers-starting each decription with,"Well,it's kinda hoppy with a full flavor...." and then would trail off.It would help if they had even a few descriptions of the beers.It's almost always busy.Have patience for this place.

    (4)

  • Lyndsey T.

    I have been trying to come to Publick House all summer, so the expectations were certainly high. I came with a group of 6 on a Sunday night right around dinnertime. The wait for indoor seating was 20 minutes but we were starving and it was actually pretty nice out, so we opted to skip the wait and sit at an outdoor picnic table. Our waiter was really nice and informative, and he definitely made the massive beer menu a little easier to decipher. I'm ridiculously indecisive so I went for the 4-beer sample paddle, where you get to choose four beers from the draft list and each is only 1.50 for beers less than 8% alcohol and $2.00 for over 8%. It comes out in a cute little wooden board that looks like a mini-oar. Definitely points for presentation! To the food--the majority of us got the mussels and fries appetizer, and mac n cheese for the entrée. The catch is that there's five different "pots" of mussels to choose from and an unlimited combination of toppings for the mac n cheese. I went for pot #1: Mussels with Allagash White beer, garlic, and thyme. The broth definitely tastes just like the beer, but luckily I really like Allagash White (though I actually prefer the Summer variety) so I thought it was good and definitely dippable. You get a small cone of delicious fries and yummy garlic bread with your order, so overall a really good deal for $7.75. Add a beer and that could be a meal in itself if you're looking for a light dinner. But I was hungry and apparently going all out, so I ordered a main course as well. I went for the mac and cheese with carmelized onions, broccoli, and grilled chicken. I loved how the noodles were actually orchecciette, the "little ear" shape. I wouldn't say this is the best mac and cheese I've ever tried, but it was definitely up there. A head's up, there's a surcharge for the different kinds of toppings you add to your mac and cheese. For mine, the carmelized onions were $1, broccoli was $2 and the grilled chicken was $3. So when all was said and done, my mac and cheese was $17. They didn't skimp on the toppings, though so I'd say it was worth it. My portion of the bill came out to about $40 including tax and tip which isn't horrible considering everything I had to eat and drink. I'll be returning, when my wallet recovers. PS-- This place would be the perfect spot for a first date-- relaxed atmosphere, good food, and great beer.

    (4)

  • Micaela L.

    Outstanding selection of rare imported beer and food that's better than what many of Brookline's restaurants have to offer. Try the Pumpkin Ravioli and the cheese boards. The staff was helpful and accomodating .. do not miss this spot, it's wonderful!

    (5)

  • Kathleen C.

    While the beer selection was certainly interesting and very reasonably priced (and the beer itself was good), the food menu was kind of all over the place and the food was just so-so. Most notably, though, was the service - which was completely aloof and indifferent at best, and rude at worst (plus they had an annoying habit of clearing away drinks and food from the bar before we were finished with them).

    (2)

  • Josh B.

    This is my favorite bar in Boston/Brookline. The beer selection is really amazing especially if you like Belgian style beer. While the drinks can be expensive, being able to select from such a wide variety of beers is really great. The beer also seems to be fresh as opposed to other bars with comparable numbers of beer selections such as Sunset Grill in Allston where the beer always tastes like its kicked. Many of the beers also come in large servings so you often get your money's worth in terms of volume as well as product quality. Food is decent here including the french fries and mac and cheese. It can get crowded but the clientele is pretty chill so its not like dealing with the drunken violent individuals that populate some of the bars in Allston. Another downside is the mixed bag of bartender attitudes you can encounter. Most of the bartenders are helpful in making beer selections and will even allow you to taste the beer before making a purchase. On the other hand, I've also dealt with bartenders who seem to thumb their nose at anyone who isn't familiar with every new beer import. Its important to remember that in the end its only beer.

    (4)

  • kathy a.

    great food, great drinks, great vibe, good music..only thing is the wait..but if you come at a right time its all good!

    (4)

  • Anita C.

    the most delicious mac and cheese in the world. i'm craving it even 3000 miles away. the beer samples were great. love it love it!

    (4)

  • Timmy S.

    Are you a foreign diplomat of distinguished palate? Chances are your Motherland's brew is likely on tap at this Ample Ale Hole. See how many lands you can sample in an evening while learning to say "this round's on me" in exotic tongues.

    (4)

  • Sarah R.

    Damn, do I enjoy going to the Publick House. A tremendous selection of obscure beers, down-home comfort food (mac & cheese with sausage, anyone?), and reasonable distance to my apartment all make for a great bar. Last night I got the pub burger and several different kinds of beer (Allagash White, Belhaven, and Nostradamus, for anyone who's interested in what exactly went into my tummy last night). I now have a love affair going with Belhaven Scottish ale; one of the smoothest beers evar. Don't come here if you're looking for any of the following: (insert trendy flavor here)-tinis, Cosmopolitans, pitchers of cheap "lawnmower beer" (ahem, Bud Lite?), anything flaming and/or blue and/or accompanied by a little paper umbrella, or Screaming Orgasm shots. Or any shots, period. That said, Publick House is pretty straightforward--a business committed to serving good food and great, hard-to-find beer. As the sticker on the cash register says,"Life's too short to drink crap beer." The only beef I have with PH is how piggity-packed it gets. Even the addition of The Monk's Cell doesn't help much. Every time I've gone to PH results in waiting around for a table to open up while nursing a beer and inadvertantly being in someone's way.

    (4)

  • Laura A.

    i went here last night on a double-date w/Lisa H and her fiance and i thought it was really excellent. it's a great double-date place whether you're sitting inside or outside because there are so many different beers it can make everyone happy, and it has great ambiance. the beer selection was fantastic - i love that this is a beer-snob place, not a get-wasted place. i had two different pilsners that i thought were excellent and at $4.50 each i thought the price was decent. my mac & cheese entree was pretty intense (i could only finish half of it!) and really tasty. they have some fun appetizers to share - we shared fries with smoked ketchup & this interesting mustard, and the cheese plate that comes with this fantastic mustard reminiscent of deep ellum's plus bread and tiny pickles. and you can sit outside!! really, you can't ask for much more. get here early like we did and enjoy drinking outside in the sun! my only complaint was that my ass was killing me after sitting on the picnic benches for a few hours, but that's not their fault :)

    (4)

  • Joe S.

    Food is great. If you like comfort food, this is a good place. The ribs and Mac & Cheese are tasty. The beer selection is amazing. Beer lovers will enjoy the selection. However, the wait is usually very long on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I prefer the Publick House for a mid-week dinner. Once you're seated, the service is good.

    (4)

  • Aaron S.

    The Publick House has an amazing selection of beer on tap!!! Well worth going to the place on its own. They also have outside seating which is nice, except they don't let you sit there unless you order food. This is the only reason that i'm not giving them 5 stars. The place is amazing in all other respects. Washington Sq. is becoming quite the spot as well.

    (4)

  • Joe J.

    We live nearby and go fairly often. Love the beer selection. Best french fries I have ever eaten (and I am 60YO and have eaten many). Fish and chips my favorite. Cheeseburger my wife's favorite....but it's all about the fries.

    (5)

  • Jacqueline P.

    Visit The Publick House every weekend, and you could try a different beer every time with no repeats. I especially enjoy their extensive list of Belgian beers. Don't listen to the naysayers- the food is actually good, especially the cheese boards. The best part is that they always serve your beer in the proper glass! My only complaint is that it is impossible to get a seat during the weekend.

    (5)

  • Anuj S.

    The beer selection at this place is absolutely amazing, and they actually carry my favoriate beer (Delirium) which is a rarity. I've had the cheeseburger and fries, mussels, and mac & cheese. Of course, the place has one of the best mac & cheese in the city. You can add extras to your mac & cheese too if you want. The cheeseburger and fries were both filling and fairly priced. And the mussels were pretty good as well (they come cooked in a few different ways so you have options). The only thing that sucks about this place is that the wait to be seated can be painful (especially when you're starving). Fortunately, you can go to the bar and have a drink in the meantime (it can get a little crowded though). After we placed the order, the meals did take a while to come out, but the waiter / waitress were always really nice. Overall, fun place with fairly priced meals (average to most places) and an amazing beer selection. If you love mac & cheese, than you definitley want to visit this place.

    (4)

  • Claudia L.

    one of my favorite haunts. a stone's throw and comfortable stumbling distance from my apartment, i've been here many, many times and it never gets old. good eats and fantastic beer selection - be prepared to experiment. oh arrogant bastard IPA, i love you so.

    (5)

  • C S.

    Fantastic beer list-- and the fries are great, too! There can be a bit of a wait and they pack their customers in like sardines, though.

    (4)

  • Joe P.

    Unbelieveable beer selection... If you are into trying new great beers and are sick of Bud Light you definitely have to give PH a try. It's a laid back, ski-lodge type atmosphere, but it can definitely be a great time! It's busy EVERY night of the week, so expect to wait in line, although they just expanded, so now it is a little quicker. Basically this is a great place to drink beers that you won't find at any other bar in Boston.

    (5)

  • Jason A.

    I've been going to this establishment since it was called Anam Cara, seen the break of out the Monk's Cell and have seen them evolve into of the best beer bars / Belgian eateries in the US. Staff is knowledgeable of nearly every beer that is on and if they don't know they'll find out. They are great on giving recommendations if you don't know what you are looking for. The food is amazing, mussels kick some major ass. Frites, can't go there without ordering them. Heavy Belgian focus for the beer list, you can order any beer on the list no matter where you are. The rest of the selection keeps up with a smattering of seasonals, new releases and solid stand-bys. Proper glassware really makes this place shine with a proper pour to boot. If you are in the Boston area it is a must visit, if you live in the area and never have been you have been missing out.

    (5)

  • Don N.

    Love this place. I stopped here with a friend for a quick beer over the weekend and we stayed for 3 because it had been so long since our last visit. I'll be back sooner than later

    (5)

  • Scott C.

    5 for beer selection. 4 for food. 2.5 for price. This place is awesome if you're down for a great beer and some upscale gastropub food, but don't expect cheap bar eats. I made that mistake on my first visit. After knowing, and going with the right crowd, I've been back numerous times since. Also, expect a wait list if youre looking to eat. That being said, it will probably be worth it. Try the steamed mussels and a beer you've never heard of.

    (4)

  • Mike K.

    Why pay $18 for macaroni and cheese? Because at Publick House they add five cheeses and lobster to it, turning macaroni and cheese into an art form. Of course the beer selection is excellent, the staff knowledgeable, and the other menu items well above average for pub fare. But it's the lobster mac and cheese that will draw me out to Brookline next time I find myself in Boston.

    (5)

  • Happy Eater B.

    This is a terrific restaurant/pub. Food: ordered the short ribs. Melt-in-your-mouth, perfectly cooked. Service: very helpful bar staff (didn't sit at a table - there was a relatively short 30 minute wait). Sometimes it can be difficult to get the attention of bar staff, but these guys were on point. Beer: almost an overwhelming selection. Great descriptions, fair prices (some of them are quite high - $10+ - but they are rare, specialty beers). Good atmosphere, nice menu.... a nice place to go for dinner or on a date!

    (5)

  • Christina K.

    I wish that I could eat their mussels pot #5 (coconut milk, chipotle, basil, lime) and a mac and cheese with truffled cream every single day of my life. If I did this I would probably weigh over 300 lbs, and would it be worth it? maybe....For now I will keep these items as an indulgence. Not only do they have great beer but the staff is super friendly and knowledgeable, and will offer you a taste if you want to try something. I wish I could deduct a point because I despise gnomes and they are everywhere in there, but the food, service, and beer are just too good.

    (5)

  • Frank B.

    Great place to go with a group of friends to enjoy a great selection of import ,domestic,and micro brewed beers accompanied by some Bavarian and domestic bar fare. Be prepared to wait, place is usually busy, which is testament to a good meal, take this time to sample some incredible beers from around the corner or around the world. When you are seated the staff are attentive and knowledgeable of beers and menu. For apps we shares seafood fritters and Monk's frittes,both great choices,the fritters are served with a spicy remoulade and the fries come with two choices of dipping sauces. From the menu we pretty much covered all the bases , I ordered the steak with roasted bliss and broccoli rabe cooked to perfection. Admittedly I kept looking at the meatloaf that my son ordered , judging from the clean plate it was a winner as well . Overall a great choice for groups to get together for beers and dinner

    (4)

  • David V.

    Don't worry Publick House. I still love you and will put up with that clusterfuck known as Beacon Street in order to reach you. But for the love of Christ, please put the grazing plate back on the menu! For around $16 it was a perfect combination of charcuterie meats, cheeses, fruit, spreads and bread. Now you're left with ordering an all-meat one or a cheese plate. And I just don't feel like paying $28 for what used to be $16... And the last time I visited, my mac and cheese seemed a little under-done. The appeal of their mac and cheese is its gooey-ness, which is baked just right and hard on top. The cheese should be more stretchy than liquid, which is how I got it this time. I'll be back, for sure, it just might be in a season or two rather than a month or two.

    (3)

  • Annmarie A.

    I almost want write two reviews for The Publick House, one for the beer & bar service, one for the food & waitstaff. Instead, I'll average out the experience, since unfortunately, you usually get one with the other. Beer: 5 stars. Absolutely, hands down, the easiest 5 stars I've given yet. I came in in a bad mood (the 45 minute wait at 6:30 didn't help either), sat down at the bar, and asked for something that would make me happy. And they delivered. Food: 2 stars. Service was AWEFUL. I felt like I was imposing simply by being there, nevermind the audacity I displayed by ordering a second beer. The taste of the food was pretty good, but it was the cheese platter that stole the show. To sum it up: Get there early, not to avoid the wait (seemingly impossible) but so that its not very late by the time you eat. Sit at the bar. The bartenders should be the face of the restaurant; they are the only ones who seem to want you there, and actually check to see if theres anything you need. Frankly, future plans for me are going up the street to the Publick House Provisions and buying the beer & cheese to bring home.

    (3)

  • snow g.

    My husband and his best friend really like(d) Publick House, so when they wanted to go there tonight, I agreed, despite not really liking the place. On being seated for our table, after a long wait, I perused the menu and was disappointed to find that the vegetarian entree was still Stuffed Bell Pepper. I've had the stuffed pepper before, and didn't care for it. I tweeted, "@thepublickhouse Please get rid of the stuffed pepper as the vegetarian entree, it sucks. Bring back pumpkin ravioli." My table had a conversation about how inappropriate we thought it was that children were allowed into a bar, after a pair of -10 year olds ran past our table in a race to the bathroom, unsupervised. I opened my Twitter client and tweeted, "@thepublickhouse Also children should never, ever be allowed." At that point, I realized that the @thepublickhouse Twitter had replied to my first tweet, saying, "@snowgray or just get rid of u?" Almost immediately after my second tweet, the one about kids, @thepublickhouse replied to it as well, saying, "@snowgray where u sitting so we can toss ur ass?" I replied to the first tweet, "@thepublickhouse Wow. Whoever runs your Twitter is an asshole. And I was just considering changing my opinion of your service." I was surprised by his second tweet, but I was also sitting in the restaurant at the time, so I replied: "@thepublickhouse Table of four by the ATM, stairs. Are we gonna fight?" After several minutes, @thepublickhouse replied, "@snowgray imagine if u were even here." I was irritated, because I'd expected a staff person to actually come talk to me, since I'd said exactly where I was sitting. So I replied, "@thepublickhouse Bitch I *am* here, though only b/c husband likes it. And I am so serious about fighting. Scared of a girl, are you?" At this point, there were no more replies to my tweets. My table received our food. I noticed a person who was obviously staff, but not a waiter, walking from the kitchen to the room behind the bathrooms several times. At one point, he pulled out an iPhone and appeared to be attempting to take a picture of my table. I stared at his camera to indicate that I saw him, and he instead took a picture of the general bar area. After we finished eating, and paid our bill, I went up to the bar and asked the bartender who ran the Twitter account for the Publick House. He replied that it was the owner. I asked if he were here, and could I speak with him, assuming that whoever came to talk to me would say that he'd been trying to look tough on Twitter, and was sorry, or something to that effect. The bartender left and returned with the owner, the same staff person who had been taking iPhone pictures. I shook his hand and said, "Hello, I'm the person you've been fighting with on Twitter." He replied, "Our Twitter only posts the specials of the day." I said, "Oh? Then who has been replying to my tweets?" He said, "You told a million people that something fucking sucked." I replied, "It does. It-" The owner cut me off and said, "And you said we shouldn't allow kids." I replied, "You're a bar!" He interjected again, "Why are you even here?" I said, "My husband likes it here. I don't." He said, "Get the fuck out." I called him an asshole. He told me to get the fuck out again. I turned around and left to meet my friends who were outside. My husband had been behind me during this conversation, though I hadn't realized. He said to the owner, "That behavior is not necessary. I think you owe her an apology." The owner replied angrily, and told him to get the fuck out, too. Once outside, my husband and I were standing far away from the door, talking to our friends. The owner came out and pointed out myself and my husband to the bartender, yelling, "Don't ever let them in again, they are the biggest fucking cunts I've ever met." There was a small crowd of people milling about outside the bar, and it was obvious from their responses that they heard the owner. I'm sure that hardcore Publick House fans aren't going to care about this, but I can't really understand how any rational businessperson could think that it would be a good idea to treat patrons this way, even patrons who criticized something about the business. I didn't start the swearing on Twitter, and I certainly didn't intend to cuss him out in person, though that did happen. I'm also quite mad that, though he threatened to "toss ur ass," he didn't bother to actually throw us out, so we did, in fact, pay our bill and tip the waitress. I mean, if he'd thrown us out when he'd threatened to, we could've left and had a lovely dinner somewhere else. Screencaps of the Twitter conversation: Tweet #1 and responses (my reply to this tweet came after @thepublickhouse's second tweet): farm7.static.flickr.com/… Tweet #2 and responses: farm7.static.flickr.com/…

    (1)

  • Rebecca S.

    Disclaimer: I am not very knowledgeable about beer. When faced with a large menu of beer options, I seek guidance often from the guys in my party or from the bartender. Guys and bartenders generally seem to know about beer. Such was the case at the Publick House last night. The bartender gave me the thumbs up when I asked about the amusingly named "Pretty Things Fluffy White Rabbits" beer (brewed in Cambridge, MA). It was delicious, with a complex spiciness, and the higher alcohol content did not go unnoticed as I sipped it. Later a friend recommended that I try the Belgian "Kwak" which comes in a curiously slender goblet set in a wooden holder. The container was funny, the beer tasty, and I managed to finish it without spilling any on myself (I think my companions were kinda hoping for some in-my-face spillage at the end -- nyah nyah!). OK so kudos to Publick House for making beer drinking tasty AND entertaining. But they do even more -- they serve some excellent food! I might not know much about beer but I make a mean macaroni and cheese and have exacting standards for the dish that most restaurants sadly fail to meet. But our friends, who'd been to Publick House before, swore by their build-your-own mac-and-cheese, so we tried it too. They split the basic with broccoli, tomatoes and truffle cream added; we shared the basic with asparagus, caramelized onions, and truffle cream (big portions so I was glad to share). And a roasted fig salad. Splendid -- I would go back to Brookline for more of that. Wow, yum. And fun!

    (4)

  • Barb B.

    Tired of the BS... Often told the wait is going to be 25-30 minutes-- even when the place is empty! Great beer, decent food, poor business model especially because of plentiful options in the vicinity.

    (2)

  • alex M.

    this place is heaven

    (5)

  • Stockton M.

    AKA "The Washington Square Tavern" -- see also those superior reviews. Overall: Terrific food. Clam Chowder is probably the best of Boston and I have tried almost all of them. The lamb chops are outstanding. Appetizers are always very sophistocated albeit small. There are high tables and low tables. Wait at the bar if a table isn't ready. There can be a long wait on the weekend. It's much better than it's louder and more arrogant new sister Beacon Street Tavern, which is too cool for school and too cool for take-out despite it's inferior food compared to this more established and refined restaurant.

    (4)

  • Colleen Y.

    Update: So depressed -- Sunday night trivia was officially killed last night. No reason was provided and even the staff looked confused. Everyone agreed it brought in a huge crowd and was one of the best trivia nights in town. :) Sad, sad, sad. I plan on letting the owner know how disappointed I am. You should too! Amazing veggie burger. Amazing beer list (love the Golden Monkey, try it if you like Sam Adams). I would venture to say this is one of my favorite restaurants and places to be with friends except...it is hard to get a seat most big nights. Don't go with a group. The wait staff acts too cool for school, but that is because they are. You can tell they don't hire air heads, you've got to have a little 'tude and a lot of rock and roll haha.

    (4)

  • Mike D.

    I had one of the worst bar experiences of my life at the Publick House recently, which is why it pains me to write this. I have always loved the Publick House. Loved it. It was one of the first places I want to when I turned 21, and I have come back again and again because of the fantastic beer list and wonderful food. However. I came in the other evening to meet some of my friends. Granted, I had come from another bar, I had a few drinks previously. But I was not by any means over the line, or belligerent, or sloppy. I stepped between a few of my friends at the bar and ordered a drink. The bartender came back to me with a glass of water. "Drink this," he said to me. "Then we'll talk." Fine. Maybe he saw that my eyes were a little red, and that's his prerogative as a bartender. So I drink his glass of water. All I want is a beer to share with my friends before I walk the 10 minutes home and go to sleep. But no, I drink that glass and he brings me another one. At this point I'm intrigued, so I ask him, "Do I seem too drunk, like I'd be a problem?" "No," he says, "but it seems like you've had a few already." "Yes," I admit, "I have had a few drinks, but I don't think I'm causing a problem." "Well," he says, have another water. Wait ten or fifteen minutes, then we'll talk. I'm just worried about everybody's safety." Their safety? Seriously? I walked in, clearly with several friends, and ordered one beer. I managed to do so without threatening anybody or falling down or puking on any of their property. Are people not supposed to be intoxicated in this bar? (I'd like to point out at this juncture that I wrote this review as soon as I got home from the bar, approximately 10 minutes later. Judge my level of intoxication on my writing ability, if you'd like.) At this point, it was fine because my sister (who, believe me, was far more intoxicated than I) had purchased a beer and slid it over to me. Fine. So I took it and walked over to my friends table to drink it while talking to them. But no. Eagle-eye bartender saw through our charade (it wasn't very clever, I admit) and instructed the bouncers to kick me out. Seriously? I calmly ordered a beer, was refused, and then took a beer to a table with my friends and had a civil conversation with them. But, again, no. I explained to the bouncer my predicament. He even agreed that I wasn't causing a problem or any danger to the bar. The bartender then waddled over (I'm upset, I will not refrain from petty fat jokes) and asked me, charmingly, "Have you ever been in a bar before?" "Certainly," I replied. "This bar, many times, with many of my friends." "Well," he chortled, "if a bartender cuts you cannot have any more to drink." "Was I causing a problem for other customers? Was I causing a scene?", I asked. "No.. he said, but.." I could continue to write dialogue, but of course I was forced to leave. I suppose the moral of this story is that, though this bar has always been a pleasant place for me, the bartenders apparently hold needless grudges, and as such, I will never return. I advise everyone against going to this bar. It's really a pity, I liked it. But that is simply not how you treat customers.

    (1)

  • Taryn C.

    Burgers, Mac and Cheese, Fish and Chips...oh and delicious beer. What else do you really need? This place doesn't have any frills and there is almost always a wait, but it is so worth it. The staff their are cool, low-key but attentive. I'm almost tempted to give this place a crappy review so we don't have to wait for a table...but that wouldn't be fair. Thanks for keeping our belly's full and happy!

    (5)

  • Olivia C.

    The serious beer, gourmet and local foods, hip music, pop gothic decor, makes the Publick house fun. Sometimes too much "fun" if you are trying to catch up with your friends or connect with your date. It is also wicked crowded and loud and dark with an extra long wait complete with beepers and hot hostesses on the weekends. Points for Publick house playing an entire Pavement album. Enjoyed drinking Brooklyn brew on tap in Brookline. Would have had more beer but alas I was on antibotics in beer haven! The "Obligatory Fish and Chips" is so fresh and tasty and is enough food for a 200 pound gaelic alcoholic fisherman. You get three large pieces of local cod in a batter that tastes like pancakes. The fries are thick and Belgium, there is even a "beer ketchup" option. the slaw is zesty and creamy. I got a strong, 8%, hoppy blonde German wheat beer strong brewed in Brooklyn. Jax got the Brooklyn Pilsner cause she thinks she likes light tasting beer cause she doesn't like to drink a lot:) J enjoyed my wheat beer and said it had a raspberry taste. The Brooklyn actually reminded me of a Golden Monkey, very hoppy,rich, with high alcohol content, not my fav, but interesting. Each beer comes in a glass of its name. " Do not take beer glasses home or you will be forced to forever drink lawnmower swill" Yes, the Publick house will shame you into not stealing their glasses if you want to come back and shame you into not drinking cheap beer! HA! J enjoyed the homemade vegetable burger. Look forward to being more ambitious next time, there is rabbit, and there is fish stew. I am actually brewing my own beer so I look forward to exploring hop/yeast/grain options in places like this, Sunset Grill, Beer Works.. Say hi to the 4 yr manager/tatted-up artist Remy, my old neighbor!

    (4)

  • A M.

    First take the beer selection. This one of Publick House's strongest points. There's a ridiculous number of beers (domestic/foreign, tap/bottle) to choose from. The bar staff are very friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to help you find the beer you're looking for or else something very close to it. I'd recommend the Delerium Tremens on tap, or one of the many Norwegian bottled beers. update: beer and see service no longer as good. I had a bad hefeweizen and the server did not even care that I drank none of it and then paid. will not go back.

    (3)

  • Theodore W.

    Admittedly I am not a beer snob, so I might not be the target market for this place. It is interesting seeing over a hundred types of beers sold in one place though, pretty much all of which I've never even heard of. I've been here twice, had a good time both times, but I always walk out much, much poorer than when I had walked in. The food is good (from what I've tried), but even more overpriced than the beers (I mean, at least the beers are rare - mac & cheese is EVERYWHERE, why the hell is it $16???). The atmosphere is great here, but the staff is just mediocre - no one is going out of their way to be nice to you or make you feel welcome, but no one is being outwardly rude either. If you're really jonesing for an obscure beer, foreign or domestic, and don't mind dropping the $$, give The Publick House a shot. But it wouldn't be my first choice, personally, and even if it were, I couldn't afford it on a regular basis.

    (3)

  • Dan K.

    Went on down to this place with two of my buddies because we heard they carried quite a few craft beers. We wanted to broaden our beer tasting horizons and we were very impressed with their collection. After throwing a couple solid brews back we wanted to get a taste of their grub. Ordered calamari for an app and it was great fish...I'm telling you it was real quality. The cocktail sauce it came with was more of a salsa but provided a great touch. However. From my experience in the culinary world, onions are meant to supplement food to add a touch of extra flavor...we had to dig through the onions to find the pieces of calamari. I never complain about onions added to my food but this was nucking futs. Although it didn't ruin my experience, I thought it was worth noting.

    (4)

  • Danie R.

    I like all places that serve downeast cider.. But even if they didn't, I'd still like it here. Especially since I actually didn't drink ANY cider or booze because I was driving this night! Mac & cheese was great. I got it without any additions. I wanted to judge it solely on the mac merit and completely unadulterated. It passed the test with flying colors. My date got the veggie burger with hand cut fries. Lactose intolerant, he got it without cheese. He said it was probably for the best anyway, because it was a curry/indianish flavored patty. He smothered it with ketchup and loved it. I loved his fries. Waitress was super nice and not annoyed about us siting there for 2 hours catching up, especially without any drinks. We got there pretty early and she had other tables open, so that's probably why.... We appreciated it anyway. She had a good balance between checking up on us and ignoring us. We never felt abandoned or stalked. I dig it. It's a hard line to balance upon.

    (5)

  • Mikhail H.

    This is one of my favorite places to visit in Boston. I am also not a beer drinker, but my husband sure is and loves to visit for their beer selection. I love their food and other drinks. They are also open very late with full food service so getting an amazing hamburger with tons of stuff and just about some of the better fries I have ever had at 130am...YES PLEASE. It gets pretty packed and load but even with that the service did not falter!

    (5)

  • Rachel P.

    Great bar! Incredible beer and bourbon selection. The food was delicious. We ordered the duck confeit eggrolls, oh my goodness...they had a great spicy Sriracha dipping sauce. For entrée I had the harvest salad with grilled chicken, a recommendation I got from our server. And my man got the chicken breast with spaghetti squash and fingerling potatoes. We also shared an order on their famous mac and cheese.....GREAT DECISION. Our server was warm and Friendly and gave great recommendation's. (I wish i remembered her name, she has a cute pixie hair cut) food was delicious, authentic flavor, and all served hot in in a timely manner from a very attractive and courteous food runner in a dress! She was probably the best looking food runner I've ever seen. It is a busy restaurant and bar so get there early. Food is delicious and reasonably priced. I can't stress how amazing the beer menu is.

    (5)

  • Emily S.

    Went here on a Saturday night in July. We sat down almost right away with a group of 5. The beer list is extensive, like very hard to decide what to drink. But the menu is the opposite, very limited with not many choices that got me excited. I ended up getting an appetizer portion of the wings (I got the honey mustard and my boyfriend got the buffalo) and they were really crispy and good, probably about 7 in the app. I also got a side of the smashed potatoes, which was huge! I think there were 3 potatoes in there! All in all, it wasn't a bad meal, but the menu is small and limited with pretty standard offerings. Also, a pet peeve of mine is dim lighting and this place was basically pitch black!

    (3)

  • Kappster Z.

    If there was sixth star, I would give it. I've tried almost every item on the menu and always enjoyed it. It's our go to place in Brookline for great quality beer/food in a relaxed atmosphere. This place will get busy but after many visits I can say the service is usually top notch. Staff is very knowledgable about their brews. I don't understand some of these mediocre ratings I read here because it's not my experience.

    (5)

  • Mary M.

    Boring menu and mediocre food. I've tried the calamari, veggie burger, hamburger, and coleslaw- all were less than impressive. The fries and mussels are pretty good. Food is overpriced. Unique beer selection, slightly pretentious. Overall I like the atmosphere and sitting at the bars. Will not be going back for a meal.

    (2)

  • Ash C.

    10 of us went out on Halloween. Everyone seemed happy with what they ordered. I ordered mac n cheese and it was really good. They have an option to add stuff on it so i added scallops and janapeno. One of my friends ordered a hamburger however it was very soggy. It was the only complaint on that night. Other than that we all had fun and enjoyed the foods

    (4)

  • Amy O.

    Man, forgot how friendly east coasters are! Sarcasm! This is a very popular place in Boston as they have a large beer selection. However this is quite common in Denver so they didn't earn too many points on me there. My food was just ok. I liked the crowded, bustling environment though and our server was nice.

    (3)

  • Sarah M.

    I've never had the food, but they have one of the best beer menus in the city. Usually I go on a random weekday to avoid the crowds though. If you go on a Saturday, be prepared to stand until a stool becomes available (which is pretty standard for a bar on a Saturday). The only reason I am giving them 4 stars instead of 5 is because they wouldn't let my friends and I sit down, even though they had a completely empty dining room. It didn't make sense that they didn't use their booths when they had paying customers in the building. And no, there wasn't some private event. They told us that they were still hoping for dinner guests to show up (at 10PM!)

    (4)

  • Scott S.

    I couldn't think of a good reason not to give the Publick House 5 stars, so I didn't hold back. Sure, it gets swamped and there is a mild element of what I would classify as acceptable beer snobbery (*Note, I'm a man that enjoys quality craft brews but that doesn't mean that I won't drink a pitcher of $7 PBR with the best/rest of them; adapt or die). But, the prices are reasonable for what you get, the beer list and quality are arguably the best in the greater Boston area, and the mac and cheese ranks among my favorite dishes of all time. I'm a comfort food man when the weather calls for it, and the warm tavern atmosphere, coupled with a St. Bernardus Quad and a dish of creamy mac and cheese with bacon chunks and tomatoes are pretty much the cure for any bout of seasonal depression that you might suffer. Thankfully, I'm a native New Englander.

    (5)

  • Nitya D.

    They have a great beer selection and a pretty good menu. But after 7 pm this place is way too crowded and the set up is not conducive to the massive crowds. That's why I like to come here mid-day for an early beer. The decor is supposed to be trappist-abbey style and I guess it is but it's kinda lackluster to say the least. Oh well, it's a cool spot and is worth checking out if you're in the area.

    (3)

  • Aleena C.

    The mussels I had were shriveled and sad and the pancetta was dried out. This is their signature dish and was disappointing at best. Their signature fries we were served was also short bits and bobs that were probably left over in their fryer. I looked forward to this place because it was rated highly on yelp.

    (3)

  • Mike S.

    Great, great beer selection. Fantastically cozy on an evening when the snow was coming down hard outside. I started with a raspberry ale which was absolutely amazing. 5 stars. We got french fries with dipping sauces--pretty good, 4 stars. My wife got a burger, which she said was pretty normal and a bit overpriced, 3 stars. I got meatloaf--tasted amazing, but a bit overpriced, 4 stars. Friendly service, 5 stars. My second beer was a local pale ale, very tasty, 4 stars. Short walk from the t, 5 stars. This is not your cheap local pub, but I would definitely come here again. 4 stars over all.

    (4)

  • Michelle E.

    I'm writing this as I eat my left over half of Brendoni sandwich from last night.... This place is always amazing. Great beer selection, delicious food, great service, and cool atmosphere. All of their food is sooo good, you can't go wrong with any decision. You MUST try: Monk's frites Mac-n-cheese (with lobster!) Brendoni So many good memories here :)

    (5)

  • A B.

    Nice staff....good food....I mostly enjoyed the fries and brussels sprouts. We went right when they opened and we were taken care of right away and service was fast. I am not sure how they are during busy times.

    (4)

  • Kate R.

    I live in Washington Square and have eaten at the Publick House about 10 times. Overall I enjoy coming here. The food is good albeit mostly heavy, comfort food. I wish the menu had a bit more variety. When we eat here we usually order one of the pots of mussels (all preparations have been good) and the honey-ale wings. They do have a small nightly specials menu - which I'll usually find something on. I have had an outstanding burger here in the past but other burgers I've had here were not consistently good. I also think the burgers should come with 1-2 sauces/toppings without additional charge ($2.00 for cheese?). The beer list is certainly extensive and somewhat difficult to navigate - however all of the waiters and bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable and often have great suggestions. The waitstaff is generally laid-back, friendly and efficient. Although I have to make note of one time we dined here where we ordered a special, jerk wings. Our waitress did not mention that these were EXCEPTIONALLY hot when we ordered them. The wings arrived and I struggled to eat one. I generally love spicy food and have a high tolerance for heat but these were honestly not edible. We explained this to the waitress and at this point she mentioned that other customers had complained about how hot these were earlier that night. Needless to say we did not bring the rest home! I was shocked when we received the bill and we were charged for these wings that we were completely unsatisfied with and could not eat! Poor customer service!

    (3)

  • Grasz H.

    What happened to this place? Used to be great; now, I find the food nasty, got food poisoning from them and they charged my credit card tip when i left the tip in cash. Not cool guys. Overpriced and cutting too many corners to make your buck. I came here at 4:50PM one afternoon to grab a beer but because they don't open until 5, they wouldn't let me in. Lots of staff was already there, at the open window, a step away from me, they avoided eye contact, wouldn't say hi or come back at 5, nothing. Clearly don't want my business. I used to be a regular, not anymore. I'm done with this place. Go across the street to the Abbey. That's a great place with much friendlier servers, bartender and FRESH food that won't make you sick. Cheers.

    (1)

  • Jill M.

    Beer selection is great. Food was okay. Service was terrible. In for dinner and drinks last night and our server, Michelle (name on our check) did not check on us more than one time during drinks, apps and meal. We sat for 30 minutes (and I literally checked my phone, so I am not even exaggerating) with empty beer glasses and half of our food on the table until I finally asked a different server to please wrap our food to go and get us our check. My boyfriends burger was way over cooked, but we didn't even have a chance to ask for a new one. She never asked or checked on us. Don't think we will be back.

    (2)

  • laura W.

    This is a review about a girl and a sandwich. You see, I am on a lifelong journey for the perfect Cuban. It takes all I have to not order one when I see it, batting its eyes at me on the menu. What is so tragic about this quest is that there are so many mediocre Cuban sandwiches out there. So. Many. The $14 Cuban at Publick arrived looking extra attractive. I just have a weakness for sandwiches cut diagonally and then propped on the other half. It's so... Food Network. But better because I can eat it. Publick House's Cuban was not up to snuff. The bread was delicious but the meat tasted like generic deli meat. Plus there wasn't even a dab of mayo. =/ Looks like the quest continues onward...

    (3)

  • Austin D.

    It pains me to write this review, I have lived in the area for a long period of time, and in the past 4-6 months I have seen a steady decline in the quality of the service at the bar. I work in the industry, and exit work relatively late, I used to frequent Publik House, but after a few notable interactions with a specific bartender (Tattooed arms, glasses) I will not return and encourage everyone reading to pop across the street to the Abbey for a notable upgrade in service, and quality. Publik house has an amazing craft and international beer selection, and it truly saddens me that this one bartender has turned me off to such a great place.

    (1)

  • Maria D.

    We were a group of about 10 people, of whom the first of us who entered the bar all white looking didn't get asked for an ID, the next people of our group consisting of a black male, an indian male and a foreign female were asked for their IDs. We all look about 30 years old because that is our age, and I am guessing its why the first of us entering didn't get asked for an ID. A couple of them didn't have an ID (who would want to carry a passport everywhere?) and were not let in. The bar was almost empty. We asked them to please at least let them sit with us, and they refused to do so. It is difficult to explain how rude, disrespectful and terrible the management of this place was (and I dare to say RACIST) Terrible place, terrible plp. I can understand now why their bar was empty a night before a holiday. If I could give them ZERO stars I would.

    (1)

  • Robert O.

    Come here once a month, every month for as long as you live in Boston. The food is outstanding!!! Never will disappoint you. My favorite is the Mac & Cheese with all the add-in options. The beer----let me tell you---they send their bartenders abroad for beer tastings just to ensure they've got staff with genuine expertise. And beyond the staff---there's an endless river of beer options---you'll never get to the end of the menu and you'll never get bored here with the beer choices. This is a place you can keep coming back to. Its a place you WANT to come back to.

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    Great calamari with spicy coating Ana andoule, super loud douchy crowd

    (3)

  • Juliana N.

    Solid rotation of beers, and a great place to find the latest Trillium brews. Mac and Cheese is great, but I also love the Veggie Burger and Duck Spring Rolls.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    Best meal I've had in a while! First time here. Went with a friend a friend, we were just looking for a place to catch up, have a few beers and some dinner. Wasn't expecting much out of the food being at a bar but boy we were very surprised. We both started with a couple Allagash White Ales. Everything on the menu sounded good. We ordered the calamari to start with. It as for both of us the best calamari we have ever eaten and that's saying a lot as we were both from Rhode Island. For our meals I ordered the strip steak and he got the pork chop. Both meals were executed perfectly. My steak was cooked perfect as was his pork chop. Every side on either plate was paired perfectly with the protein. Couldn't have been anymore satisfied with the meals. The service was also excellent. As soon as we sat at the bar we were greeted and our order was taken. The food came out very quickly. I would recommend this place to anyone even if you are not looking for the bar scene the restaurant are of the place was just as nice. I will definitely be back here again to try the fish and chips and have the calamari.

    (5)

  • Lauren B.

    Beer selection is very good. Let me preface this and confirm this is the first review I've ever written, ever. I have lived in Boston since 2002 and it is very hard to displease me. The service is absolutely horrendous. They are completely elitist and do not understand customer service. A beer was spilt and a beer glass was broken on one of the patrons in our group and they would only offer a half beer, accusing us of spilling the glass ourselves. They were berating us in front of customers and initially refused to seat us. Please keep this in mind when going there. Vast beer selection. Terrible service. This bar has completed disappointed me as a patron. Every time I go there, I expect something more than is received, and I know it's reputation is big due to the big beer selection. The hostess yelled at us when we arrived as they misunderstood that we asked for a table for 5 instead of 4, and she made us feel betlittled that there was a miscommunication, and even asked us to leave. As we waited for our seat, we asked for a beer, and we were told that we were no longer being served as the hostess told the bartender that we couldn't be served. Even after apologizing for any inconvenience, our service through out the night was terrible. It has been a terrible experience which really ruined the night. The hostess was mean, as well as the bartenders. Hopefully we can attribute this to the busy work day or the holiday.

    (1)

  • Sara C.

    I looked forward to trying this place out after reviews and recommendations on the forums. I won't eat there again. The soda was flat. The burger was under seasoned and poor quantity. The chicken buffalo sandwich, inedible. The fries, which everyone told me were awesome, kind of sucked. - Then I read the menu they have "special" fries one can order. Those must be the one's everyone's head-over heels about. I ask, "Why two fries? Why make sucky fries at all?" The only good thing was the Mac and Cheese, but the price was exorbitant for such a small portion. Nor was I impressed by the staff. I went just as they opened for lunch. Ordered and waited a long time for our food to arrive. People (one more person in their party than mine) that came in 10 minutes after us were served first. Really?

    (2)

  • Justin L.

    Publick House is a serious beer bar that was absolutely packed when I came early on a Saturday evening. It's themed partially as a Belgian abbey with monk-related paraphernalia, except for the music which is a good range of classic rock. Through all the chaos, the bartenders are very friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. Eventually after standing at the secondary bar for awhile, someone got up and we were able to procure seats. The tap selection is pretty phenomenal, ranging from American beer geek favorites, like Founders Breakfast Stout and Green Flash West Coast IPA, to a variety of typical and more rare Belgian beers; I recommend sticking to the Belgians as that seems to be their specialty, but it's all reasonably priced. I got a glass of Allagash Confluence which was on tap, and the girl got a Unibroue La Fin Du Monde since it was la fin du monde day (12/23)! Confluence was my first American Wild Ale, and it was interesting to say the least; that old library book taste takes a little getting used to! I got to try the La Fin Du Monde and it was one of the better Tripels I've had; I'm going to hunt down more of the stuff. Considering my brother lives by the Canadian border in upstate NY, maybe a visit up by him is in order. Next time I'm in Boston I'd definitely come back here, as this was one of the better beer bars I've been to!

    (4)

  • Cindy W.

    Visited the Publick house again, one of my favorite establishments when I lived in Brookline a fews ago. The place was packed, just like I remembered it. Got a cozy seat for two after a thirty minute wait. Our friendly waitress greeted us and took our order fairly promptly. We ordered the steamed mussels for an app along with chicken and broccoli Mac n cheese, and the pulled pork sandwich. [Soap box moment] When you order an appertiser and entree they should not come out at the same time. Our table was cozy (that means small). So 3 gigantic plates of food do not fit. The mussels were good and it seemed like a very popular app amongst the crowd. THe mac N cheese was watery and lack in flavor. Not sure whats the big deal with this dish. The pulled pork was good and interesting. The cole slaw on top on the sandwhich was a nice idea. It gave the sandwich a nice crunch to it. I'll go back for the assortments of beer but not for the food.

    (3)

  • Rachel C.

    There's not much to say that hasn't been said already. Great food, even better beer. Packed house, frantic bartenders who still seem to manage to find time to chat and answer questions. This is the beer drinkers institution. I am very happy to call this my local pub!

    (4)

  • Gina M.

    as a server for the past few years in the boston area, this place is one of my all-time favorite hang out spots after a long ass day at work. i couldn't ask for more knowledgeable, amazingly friendly people to serve me after a long day myself. thank you thank you to bartenders brian and josh for kickin' ass. i'd choose sitting at the bar over a table any day of the week here. amazing food and the best beer & service in the biz. come here. you will not regret it.

    (5)

  • Ashley M.

    Dark tavern style with a great beer list and great food. Everything from the mussels in ale broth to the make your own mac n cheese (!) is really good. Waiter was extremely helpful and friendly. Awesome place to meet up with friends, or a date.

    (5)

  • Emilie J.

    I have now gone to the Publick House twice and I left both times wanting a bit more from the experience. Pros of this place are: great bartenders who are very knowledgeable about their extensive beer selection, and a nice casual neighborhood vibe at the bar. And of course the mac and cheese - amazing, with a wide range of choices of things to add in to make it your own style. Now here's the issue...they are very strict about the fact that you have to "order dinner" if you sit at a table. However, this policy is obviously very difficult to enforce and is a complete turn-off right when you come in. It makes the host staff seem stuck up to have to say this to people, and I'm not sure that the policy really has it's intended effect. Furthermore, a group of people can easily spend as much (or more) on few rounds of drinks and some apps as it would cost to "order dinner" but it's unclear why this is not ok. The time I went with a group and sat at a table, I found the service to be slow, and the waitress seemed to be annoyed that we weren't ordering our food fast enough...Went back a second time last night. Ended up with the same general impression as the first time but decided not to wait long enough to be seated at the table that we promised to order dinner at. Bottom line - some of the most wonderful mac and cheese anywhere, so I'd go back if I'm craving that but probably won't otherwise make this a regular destination.

    (2)

  • Jan Marie D.

    Well Publick House, you would've gotten four stars, except then you charged my credit card 20% more than you should've, didn't return my call when I left a voicemail asking for help remedying that, spoke to someone days later who said it would be fixed in a few days, and here we are weeks later with no money returned to me and no call back. So now your poor customer service has knocked you down tithe lowest possible rating for me. Such a shame. You also put us at the worst table (by the window across from the bar), so I guess it was a doomed experience from there.

    (1)

  • Zack G.

    Pros: Consistently good; One of the few places that will consistently serve you a burger actually cooked medium rare when you order it that way; Craft beers on tap. Cons: Beers are neither mainstream nor cheap, starting at around $7.50.

    (4)

  • Nikki C.

    Fantastic beer selection. The food is also pretty decent. Nothing to write home about, but still tastey and comforting. I had the mac and cheese with add ins: mushrooms (1$) broccoli (2$) and brisket (3$). I wish there was more broccoli in it for paying 2$ (I only had 3 pieces), and would have felt better about spending 18 on mac and cheese after the add ins if the portion was bigger. I go to this place more for the beer selection than anything elsw though.

    (3)

  • Celia N.

    One of the best beer selections in the city! Friendly staff, always willing to answer questions or suggest beers. As for food -- their mac & cheese is AMAZING (but be careful with the hot baking dish, more than one friend has gotten burned by it). Gooey, cheesy, delicious, carbs. And you can add whatever you want to it (although I generally stick to straight up cheese). Burger and fries are pretty solid as well, although there are better nearby (The Abbey). The fish sandwich is good, too. It can get really busy around the weekend, so grab seats at the bar if you can find them.

    (5)

  • Jeremy K.

    This establishment found a niche market in Boston that no one really managed to fill - at least not as well as they do; that niche I speak of is that of imported beers. Belgian beer mostly. Sure, Sunset has tons of beers on tap but they aren't all quality beers like the ones you can get at Publick House. And beer is just part of it - with it comes great food (especially their mac and cheese but more on that later). This Brookline gem is located right on Beacon Street in between Coolidge corner and Cleveland circle. The place is fairly big but never big enough to fully accommodate the big crowds on the week-ends. The service is great but does sometimes crumble on busy nights; but to their credit, they try hard; afterall, this place is often packed on the week-ends. Their selection of beers is impressive and they have a fine selection of high-quality brews (Lambic, Trappist, Flemish, Pilsners, Hefe Weizen, etc...) and tons more. Because of the fact that most are imported and in limited quantities, the drinks are fairly expensive (my beloved Chimay, costs $9 a pop there if I recall correctly) but then again, the quality is remarkable. As far as food goes, the kitchen there can definitely hold its own. I've had the mac and cheese there which you can customize by adding anything from peas to tuna, bacon, spinach and a ton of other add ins. I found that concept to be pretty neat and decided to have mine with peas and bacon. It was as addictive as crack (although more expensive; no side-effects though!) - they have a ton of other things on their menu, including a few Belgian specialties which I have yet to try; one of them is the Belgian national dish of "moules frittes" (mussels & fries). Because of its high prices, I don't always go to the Publick House but do like going there on occasion, especially during week nights when the places isn't as crowded. Parking is usually fairly easy to find since Beacon street has parking on both sides of the trolley tracks right in the middle of this wide street. You might have to circle a few times during week-end nights though. A terrific place which caters to the beer snobs! I dig it.

    (4)

  • Benjamin C.

    No shots. No pitchers. I went here to celebrate my girlfriend's graduation. I was impressed by the two bars, massive foreign craft beer menu, and food menu. The cocktails are strong and generous. They have great glassware, and a note on the menu to not steal them. I'd recommend this place for anyone looking to enjoy beer outside of the light lager comfort zone.

    (4)

  • Bret F.

    Every time I go to Publick house I think that they forgot to pay their electricity bill. It's so dark there. It reminds me of the basement my parents used to lock me in. I enjoy their food there, they're good at making it. I just used all three there their they're's in a sentence. But, I also enjoy food anywhere, so that's nothing to really listen to. One time, I got the burger. I ate it. It was good. I said yum. Then flashbacks of my parents throwing raw hamburger meat at me while I was locked in the basement caused for some prettaaaayyyyyyy awkward moments.

    (4)

  • Lizzie E.

    Huge fan of Publick House for it's location and selection. Price is the only reason I'm knocking off a star, but I must say, every time go, at least one of my drinks is paid for by somebody else, and they (staff and patrons, alike) treated us VERY nicely on my roommate's birthday. :) Every beer is delicious, even the ones I cannot pronounce, and the staff is very knowledgeable and quick to offer a good recommendation. That being said, if you don't like beer, I don't really understand coming here. Go to the wine bar the next block down. The food is also fantastic. I had the marinated steak tips with mashed potatoes, because I like the classics, but well-executed. It was amazing and worth every penny. Sometimes ya just gotta treat yourself. It does get pretty packed on Fridays and Saturdays, so I try to avoid those nights. It's not horrible, but it makes it difficult to pour over the beer menu, ask questions and truly appreciate what you're ordering. Good atmosphere and an interesting array of people.

    (4)

  • Joshua M.

    Visiting from AUS I have heard good things about this place, and I was not disappointed. A great selection of craft beers. Aussies can only dream of having a place like this. There cheesy mac is so decadent. If you love good beer, this is a must.

    (4)

  • Dani S.

    Mediocre at best. I know many people like this place for the beer selection, but I wanted to have a nice salad and I was less than impressed. It could definitely be my fault for wanting a salad at a pub, but from the menu the salad sounded good but what they delivered was not appetizing at all. Also, our server repeatedly called everyone at our table "hun" or "sweety". Little tip from someone in the hospitality business: don't ever call your guests pet names. It is degrading, especially when we are all older than you.

    (2)

  • Sara D.

    I went to the Publick House for lunch/afternoon snack because the rave reviews about the food and beer selection. They had a good selection of beers; however, I was not that impressed with the food. I ordered the Moules Frites with Petrus Oud Bruin, herbed garlic butter. The frites (fries) were nothing special and the sauce for the mussels needed to be brightened up with lemon or something. Additionally, I felt like the wait staff could have been more attentive and friendly. I would have stayed longer to try another beer, but I felt like I was being rushed.

    (3)

  • Hope C.

    The beer selection was a bit overwhelming, but they had sooo much beer to choose from! The food was AMAZING

    (4)

  • Kyle V.

    Went here once for my birthday. Beers are great as well as the wings. Tried to go for lunch this past weekend (both their website AND yelp say they open at noon on weekends), but we arrived and were told they don't open until 4. Majorly disappointed. How hard is it to update your hours??

    (3)

  • Gwen H.

    Went for lunch. Food was pretty good, it usually is. But not good enough to make me go back to this place, since our waitress was simply rude. We ordered soft drinks, they were totally flat so we told her and she said, with entry of attitude, 'well, that's how our machine is, that's how the drinks are going to be.' I'm thinking, 'ok thanks for that information, let me tell you about how carbonation works and that you probably need to replace your tank.' Then she says, 'soooo, you don't want them?' We say no, of course. Anyway she grabbed our glasses and took off, didn't ask if we wanted something else. Following that she was generally not attentive, and whenever we got her attention we were made to feel as if we were totally ruining her day. She never asked how he food was or if we wanted anything else, just dropped off the check. And we are all very friendly and easy customers, two in our party of 4 were sweet older ladies. I get the sense we were brushed off simply because we weren't boozing. Anyway, this is the second time I've been treated rudely by staff here, first time around last year I was sitting at the bar. Sorry publik house, your food is just not that good that you can get away with this. I see others have been treated the same way. Won't be going again unless I start reading reviews that say the staff have had a good attitude adjustment.

    (2)

  • Jack F.

    Some of the highlights of the Publick House menu include their mac and cheese, their fish and chips, their cheese plates and (pay attention, because this last one is what matters) their frites. That's before we get to their selection of craft beers, which is fairly expansive and high quality. The waitstaff tend to be helpful if you have any questions, despite the fact that the place gets packed, a little loud and definitely frantic later in the evening. If you're not a beer person (and you haven't had that disorder checked out by a medical professional yet), they do have a few ciders on tap as well, and they'll mix a strong cocktail if you ask, although they certainly aren't known for it. Despite the crowds, the atmosphere -all dim lighting, packed-in chairs and heavy tables - is charming, and the waitstaff make it work. It's the best for what it is, which a quality beer gastro pub with a slightly Belgian feel. It's a good place to get together with a group of friends, have a few beers and eat some good food (actually, all of those things are just an excuse to consume frites). I've been here for work, for small get-togethers with people visiting the city, and with large groups of friends who wanted to let off steam. A few tips: this is quality beer and it isn't college cheap. A lot of the complaints I see about this place are people expecting to find a $4 PBR. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I guess, this just isn't that kind of place. Also, if you can manage to show up just when they're opening, you can usually avoid the crowds and the waiting. Finally, and this is important, because your life's happiness may depend upon it: order the frites. Ask for ten orders with all the different sauces if you have to. Make that your meals for the week. If you don't finish them, you can send them to me.

    (5)

  • Anthony L.

    1. Amazing beer menu... AMAZING 2. Veggie burgers are OUT OF THIS WORLD! Go get one, now. 3. Awesome service 4. Great setting GREAT GREAT GREAT

    (5)

  • Haley A.

    Well, I'm not a drinker, but my boyfriend enjoys trying new and different beer whenever possible. While driving into Boston for a hockey game at BC, we searched online for a good place to eat. The Publick house sounded good- best decision I've made in a long time. The atmosphere of the pub is great- old tavern style, beautiful woodwork, whimsical cartoons of monks painted on the walls, stained glass windows, and it all fit with the theme of the place without being over-the-top. The bartender gave us our menus before we even sat down at the end of the bar and really made us feel welcome. He was young- but equally professional and extremely knowledgeable about the various libations they offer. I think they have something like three hundred different kinds of beer! Did I mention I'm not a drinker? I decided to try one though(when in Rome), and asked our attentive bartender for his suggestion. 1. He did not for a moment make me feel like I was annoying him- like so many people in his position might be inclined to do and 2. He hit the nail on the head (excuse the cliche). But honestly, it was a miracle! I actually liked the beer he suggested and I even finished it! So, the beer was great- now on to the dinner - the menu was short - not one of those ten page deals that makes your head spin. Less is more- they even had a daily special menu- I'm a sucker for specials - I also have a difficult time ordering anything other than salmon. So when on the special menu I saw bacon wrapped salmon. I was ready to order- ecstatic and sipping my beer! The food came out in a short time, even though it was dinner time and the whole place was packed. It was delicious- I mean ridiculously good. I've had salmon pretty much everywhere I've been and this salmon was cooked to perfection. I couldn't believe how good it was. I will defiantly return to The Publick house the next time I'm in the area- which I hope is sooner than later!

    (5)

  • Jenn G.

    This place is awesome!! I've been here for casual drinks and dinner, both of which are great! They place is into the Belgium theme, which I totally love! The selection of beers is pretty large, as most of the other reviewers have commented on. Again, I love Belgian beer so their separate section of Belgian beers really drew me in. The bartenders were all really nice and attentive as well! The food is also so delicious. I had their short rib grilled cheese, which was so delicious and incredibly filling (could only eat half). Considering I got two meals out of it, I'd say it was totally worth it. Their fries are also good and they have a great selection of dipping sauces you can choose to enjoy them with. I don't normally like mustard, but their beer mustard was really good and their chipotle mayo was soooo good. Again, split them with a friend and had enough to eat later that night (such a good late night snack). Between the atmosphere, food, drinks and prices, I'll be back here plenty more times!

    (5)

  • Chiara G.

    Great place, great selection of beer, nice staff. We went on a Saturday night, and it was packed, but we still managed to find a place to sit at the bar.The bartender was really nice, had a wide knowledge of beers and suggested us a couple of them to try. We went after dinner, so we didn't have any food there, but we're looking forward to it.

    (5)

  • Stephanie A.

    Full disclosure: I am not a huge fan of beer and so I can't comment on the beer selection here, besides the fact that my friends rave about it regularly. This is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in the Boston/Brookline area. I'm surprised I haven't spent all my money here, now that I live nearby. The food menu is substantial, and while they rotate the menu seasonally, they always keep some great standby dishes. The cheese plate is great, as are the moules frites. Some of my favorite go-to entrees are the mac and cheese (the add-ins offer endless combinations), fish and chips, and the steak tips. Honestly, though, I've come here and just ordered frites and cider. The frites are incredible. Sometimes, I order additional frites after we've gotten our entrees, have a couple of them, and then ask to bring them home (they don't do take-out). The food is reasonably priced, although it's not cheap. The bathrooms are clean, and there's an ATM in the back. The waitstaff is incredibly friendly and professional; they've done everything from offering food/beer suggestions to moving us to bigger tables on slow nights. It's never too loud to hear your dining companions, or too quiet to have conversations without being overheard by the whole restaurant. The biggest downside to this place is that it gets packed on weekend evenings, and they don't take reservations. I've had to wait up to an hour for a table on more than one occasion. I love this place so much, though, that I can't even dock it a star for that.

    (5)

  • Melissa F.

    Went here for dinner and drinks after work and fell in love with this place. The ambiance is great, ample seating and nice bar. I tried their mac n' cheese after reading rave reviews and it did not disappoint. Probably the best I've ever had. If you love beer (like me) you will have trouble deciding what to order here. I looked at the menu for 5 minutes but ended up with one of my favorites, Pretty Things Jack D'Or. On tap and only $6! I can't wait to come back here and try other beers. Easily accessible from bus and train. Good food, great beer and nice crowd. HIghly recommend!

    (4)

  • Nina W.

    Fun atmosphere with just the right amount of tacky charm. Extensive craft beer list and many Belgian style beers. Fries are yummy and you get a crazy amount, and the dips are good. We got the ipa mustard and something with garlic. Beers are pretty reasonably priced considering how good they are. We'll be back for sure! Also, loved the clean bathrooms

    (5)

  • Jonathan W.

    MY god.....if you want beer, this place rocks. Aside from the amazing knowledgeable staff, you can get a sampler of the best stuff and leave with a stomach full of sudsy goodness. Our waitress was such a pro, good-looking, efficient and friendly. Careful with certain samplers though, the alcohol content is a little stiffer than one would expect. Wash down a burger or MacNCheese and you're set for the night. Mind you, a few of us went over the limit but the stumble home was well worth it.

    (5)

  • Chelsea C.

    This place is right down the street from my apartment, and even closer to the apartment I'll be living in starting in September, which makes me an extremely happy girl! The inside of the restaurant is quite large, the bar is huge and the seating area is really spread out so you don't feel like you're on top of your neighbor. The beer list is expansive and includes Allagash White, so they definitely had me at hello here. I get the veggie burger with a fried egg, chipotle mayo, and cheese. Getting a veggie burger is always a gamble at any restaurant, sometimes you end up with some morningstar-esque pattie, other times it completely falls apart and tastes strange, and on rare occasion, you get a winner. At the Publick House, there is definitely a winner. The chipotle mayo is actually spicy, which is an added treat. One of the first times I came here, the service was a bit shoddy, the waitress didn't write down our orders, and we all added things onto our orders. She had to come back to the table a few times to clarify, and then our order came out wrong. She then fixed our order, but that order came out wrong too. We acted like everything was okay and just swapped sides and plates until it seemed like we each almost had what we had ordered. She did, however, not charge us for the beers, which was nice. The other times I've been back, the service has been fine, so I'm hopeful that this was just a fluke and not the norm. This will definitely become one of my new hangouts once I move closer.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    For my first night in Boston/Brookline, my hosts wanted to take me to their favorite neighborhood spot - a juxtaposition of Belgian and American in both cuisine and beer. As a huge craft beer fan and foodie, I was intrigued and honestly up for anything. As got there on a Thursday night, the place was already packed. We put our names down in the main room and went to the bar room. Now this needs to be noted because of the difference in atmosphere and ambiance. The main room feels like a main drinking and eating room with wood tables, floor and ceiling; while the back room feels more like you're in a Belgian abbey, what with the plastered walls and the stained glass window against one wall. We ordered some great beers at the bar while we waited and were quickly given a seat. The menu is large and diverse, but I was feeling anxious about trying as much as I could so my friend and I split an order of the Mussels, Thai style, and the mac and cheese with prosciutto. While I know this is an odd blend of flavors, it went well. The garlic and chilies of the muscles was fantastic and I had to stop myself from just lifting the pot and chugging down the broth after we were done. The slight saltiness of the prosciutto was a nice contrast to the cheese. As well, the Mac and Cheese is a bit thick, so it was a nice change to split rather than try to wolf it all down. I had a great experience here and would gladly go again for both drinks and food.

    (5)

  • Tiffany Y.

    So... many... beers... made me wish I were more of a beer connoisseur. Came here with a few friends who lived nearby. We sat at this strange wooden table in the back that was oddly seated on 3 sides for 5 people. The good news was that the bar was facing away from us so we didn't get much noise from them. I ordered the mac and cheese based on the reviews. Threw bacon into the mix because... well, bacon just makes everything better, doesn't it? :-) I ate about 80% of the dish--it was good but very heavy (as mac and cheese usually is)... and that combined with the beer just made me very, very full.

    (2)

  • David C.

    I'm not a beer drinker, so I can't really review what The Publick House is most famous for, but I can tell you they have a damn good mac & cheese. For $13 (without add-ons) it's a little expensive, but totally worth it if you want to indulge in cheesy goodness. Now let me tell you a story. Like I said, I don't really drink beer, but I've been known to enjoy a good cocktail or two. The Publick House doesn't even have a cocktail menu, but they were willing to accommodate me when I (somewhat sheepishly) asked for a lemon drop martini. A few minutes later, I saw the bartender heading towards our table, a beer in one hand, my martini in the other. "Quick!" I said. "How much do you want to bet he gives me the beer and you the martini?" Before my lovely female roommate had a chance to respond, the bartender was at our table handing me her beer. I thanked him and waited until he left to switch our drinks.

    (3)

  • Michelle R.

    Oh hey, Publick House, just stopping in to say now that I live in Brookline I visit you all too often and don't hate it. Still the best mac n' cheese evah. Also, the steak is fantastic now. See you later for some Baby Tree.

    (5)

  • Chantal G.

    The Publick House is a good time! Great beer selection, yummy appetizers, that's all I really need to have great time.....And so I did. It does get packed on weekend nights, but you meet lots of interesting people. Also, the bartenders were great at picking out beers that I may like. They were very successful.

    (4)

  • Allison R.

    Review #600? No one's gonna read this. I love beer. Especially from Belgium. I also like ribeye steaks. I like dark cozy bars. I like the Publick House. A whole lot.

    (4)

  • Adriana T.

    This place is always pact any day of the week so that means they must be doing something good. I have only had food there once (mac and cheese) which I wasn't too wowed about..last night my GF and I went there for a beer. We were gonna go to the Abbey but it was pact-that place always is especially on the weekends(I ll review the Abbey soon) now back to the Public House. They have a huge selection of beer so maybe that's why so many people go there otherwise I don't see what the fuss is all about. It's a big bar, very divey looking and a lot of young professionals from Brookline and kids from Brighton go there. The beer is not very cheap-we got charged $15 for a cider and a German beer on draft. I guess if you like beer it's a good spot but I would recommend Washington Tavern which is across the street and the food is OUTSTANDING and the place is much better looking!! So overall, it is a really crowded place.

    (3)

  • Moe B.

    This place has always been freaking awesome for beer selection and food, but the service is even better. A date and I went here (we've been a couple times) but there was a 25 minute wait. I have a knee injury which makes it extremely painful for me to stand at all, so waiting 25 minutes would have been awful. We asked the hostess if there was somewhere I could sit to wait for the table since I have a bum knee, and without hesitation, she cleared a table and didn't make us wait the 25 minutes. I was so impressed. They really care about their clientele. I will definitely continue to frequent and recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Julie B.

    "Eat good food, drink better beer." I'd say that lovely slogan sums up The Publick House pretty well. I'm a sucker for Belgian beer and don't know how I resisted Publick House for so long. I was thrilled when a friend suggested heading over to Brookline and was surprised at how close to the T it was. For some reason I'm always hesitant to leave my little Boston bubble but this was just too easy. It was surprisingly quiet on a Friday night around 7 and we got prime spots at the bar -- the kind of spot where I have full ability to annoy the bartender with tons of questions and beer sample requests. The bartender was more than helpful and happy to make suggestions and bring over samples. The beers weren't cheap but quality is priceless. And plus, there's no need to drop major bones when you're downing beers with 14% ABV... She also knew what I was talking about when I ordered the secret off-menu "bag of fries." If you're just looking for a snack, ask for these! They are super cheap and these delicious fries come in a brown paper bag, piping hot and ready to eat. I will absolutely be back...I need to try the moules frittes!!

    (5)

  • Wendy Y.

    Artisanal Cheese Board, Mac N Cheese, and carries my favorite German beer: Weihenstephaner. I love the various Lambic beer options (I am definitely a "girl" when it comes down to my beer)

    (4)

  • Kevin A.

    Now, I normally enjoy the Publick House. They have an amazing beer selection and tasty food (albeit expensive) and I've had good experiences there each time I've gone before. My wife and I live in Coolidge Corner and the Publick House is a quick jaunt up Beacon to Washington Square so we go here from time to time, especially when friends come into town. We visited the Publick House this past Saturday night hoping to grab some drinks and some of their frites. We arrived around 10:30pm and we wanted to sit outside because it was a gorgeous evening. There were plenty of open tables but they would not let us sit outside. We were slightly annoyed but we saw an open two-seater directly in front of an open window so we decided to go snag that table only to be refused that table because we weren't ordering dinner. As if it would make us feel better they told us we could wait until 11pm and then we could sit there. I can understand general rules for seating people in various sections so that servers don't get gypped with smaller checks (I was a server back in the day). However, the place was not very full and there were plenty of open tables. I don't see why the hostess (or server - whoever it was who told us we could not sit at the table), could not use her best judgment to flex the rules since the place was pretty slow. I know the restaurant is very successful but it seems backwards to me to refuse service to a willing customer with the hopes that someone will come to grab dinner and have a bigger bill in the next 30 minutes so late in the evening. We ended up going across the street to The Abbey, where they actually let us sit at an outdoor table without any concern about what we were ordering. We ended up having a couple drinks and some fries and enjoyed ourselves. The Publick House was a disappointment but I've been wanting to try out the Abbey for a while now.

    (2)

  • Kim V.

    Although I'm not a regular beer drinker, my friends who are love the variety of beers Publick House offers. The good thing about this is that the bartenders and servers are very knowledgeable and can make good suggestions. Since it's fall, there are a lot of pumpkin flavored beers out there. If I drink a beer, my preferences are the fruity beers (Wachusett Blueberry, Watermelon ales...). I also generally like ciders and lambics. When I went there on Sunday, I was debating between the Original Sin Cider and the Pumpkin beer. I asked the bartender his opinion and he gave me samples of both. That was awesome! I was leaning towards the pumpkin beer, until I tried it. I would have been miserable if I chose that one instead of the cider. We had a big party (of 10) and asked if we could take the back table on the bar side. Even though the hostess said that there wasn't wait staff, we mentioned this to the bartender, and he made an extra effort to help us out. The service was great! He made sure we were taken care of, even though he was also working the bar (yes, we tipped accordingly.) I shared the fish n chips and the mussel appetizer with the bf. The fish was really tasty: flaky and delicious. The batter was ok, though. The fries are yummy... The mussel appetizer is a great deal. It was a HUGE portion and awesome!

    (5)

  • Diana G.

    Thank you, Beer Gods, for this awesome, laid-back restaurant that not only has fantastic beer, but amazing food and service as well. The staff is not only attentive, but really knows the beer and food menus. My favorite is the Kulmbacher (why do I drink anything else?), the mustard chicken wings, and the salad with goat cheese. Every time my husband and I go back, we try to get something that we haven't tried before, and it's SO hard, because everything we've had has been so fantastic that we want to get it again. Cheers, Publick House!

    (5)

  • J p.

    Still has a great selection of beer and decent food selection (if you get to eat). Alas the service appears to be going downhill. Good luck getting a table even after putting your name on the wait list. Met some friends there last night for supper. After having the 'super friendly and polite' woman put us on the wait list, we were promptly told that the wait is ~30mins. Alas 2 hours later no table and attitude from our 'wait list guard' stunningly hostile. I'm have to wonder why people work in service industry jobs when they clearly lack the tact. I fully understand and sympathize with their having to deal with difficult clientele but that doesn't mean all clients get the same hostile service. Hopefully the publick house will better train or take care of this key position. After all they are pretty much the face of the establishment with clients most likely interacting with them FIRST. So, 2.5 hours later we leave , without any supper and go to The Abbey - WOW... day and night when it comes to service. So, if you feel the wait too long and the 'wait list guard' to hostile, there are better choices to spend your hard earned money and be treated well... Note: The bar staff are always good and helpful. There are also dining spots at the bar but you may have to put up with people reaching over/around you with their drink orders.

    (2)

  • Akbar M.

    Mac N' Cheese, Mac N' Cheese... all anyone can speak about is the Mac N' Cheese! (and honestly, I'm not a big fan of their "world famous" Mac N' Cheese. Too Graten-esq) I'll do you one better! Belgian Meatballs! That by itself is reason enough to save your paycheck (because the publick house isn't cheap!)! These warm aps come out perfect every time, covered in rich gravy, and the perfect flavor! Really, I couldn't really care less about the rest of the menu... the meatballs... is where it's at! The rest you already know. The Publick House bills itself as more than just a watering hole, and with a staggeringly huge beer menu, it's fun to come here and try something new! The wait staff is also super friendly and helpful with your choices. I think my only complaint about the Publick House is that it can be pretty uncomfortable. The owners were a little too obsessed with the Pub decor, and the rustic furniture makes it tough to sit for long. The temperature also tends to run hot, so this is a place to avoid during busy hours. *Edit* In hindsight, the menu is actually a bit of a hit or miss. As previously mentioned, there are some winners on the menu, but plenty of losers too. Anyone who says that the "great" mac & cheese was awesome was simply drinking the kool-aid. It's actually a lot closer to a graten. Burger was pretty lack-luster too. Like I said, the belgian meatballs are a win every time.

    (3)

  • Leslie C.

    Everything is great. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the extensive Belgian beer menu. Food is some of the best pub food I've had anywhere in the US. Easily one of the most consistent, delicious places to eat in Boston.

    (5)

  • Stephen P.

    Publick House gives you a taste of Belgium with a touch of American influence They have a fantastic beer selection, most of which you've probably never heard of. But thats ok, because your waiter and bar tender can help you navigate the tome that they call a menu. If you're serious about your beer, then this is the place for you. And of course for those of you who enjoy a good beer The Publick House also has great Belgian pub fare -Moules Frites, were soft and chewy. they offer different sauces and variations. I had it with herbed garlic butter, which added a good blend of flavor. its also served with a side of Belgian frites with truffle ketchup which was delightful -Mac and cheese, this was ordered at the behest of fellow yelpers. Very cheesy and thick, with a lot of options to add-on. Portions are big to begin with. It was good, but nothing to rave about. Good beer menu, good food, good times

    (4)

  • Dorise G.

    I'm not sure how I haven't rated this place yet, given that I'm here on a nearly-weekly basis. Get a Left Hand Milk Stout. Cozy up at the bar. Talk to Milwaukee Mike about how they should add cheese curds to the menu. ...but seriously, it's nearly always crowded, and they don't take reservations, so don't expect to sit down anytime soon. It's fine tho - it's the atmosphere at the Publick House that you can't beat. No pitchers and no shots = fewer douchey college students, plus it's close enough to the city to get to relatively conveniently, but far enough out that it's mostly young professionals. Besides, if you want to be trashy later, there's always the Golden Temple across the street... **GF tip! The fries are GF, and the moules frites can be made with wine or GF beer so you can do the mussels GF too :)

    (5)

  • Martha M.

    The beer selection is phenomenal. I wish that I'd written down what I'd gotten. The fries and dipping sauces are amazing. What a fry should be. The mac and cheese was good, a little too salty for my taste, but my friend said that usually, the dish is not as salty. The service was really good. I had to wait for my friend for an hour, and even though the place was packed and it was a Thursday night, the waitress still let me stay at my table and wait. Next time I'm in town, I'll be here.

    (5)

  • Liz K.

    I met a friend for dinner here on Saturday night and could not have had a better experience. The bar was full and lively so we expected a long wait for a table but it was only about 15-20 minutes. Everything we ordered (Monk's Frites, Sriracha Buffalo wings, Mac and Cheese, and drinks) tasted amazing and the portions were very generous! At the end of the night I couldn't believe how low the total of the bill was. will definitely be back soon!

    (5)

  • Gardenbeth I.

    I'm not a huge beer drinker, but the selection here is excellent, and the trappist ales are fantastic. The frites are also some of the best fries around, and the dipping sauces are good - try them! My experience is that the servers are quite helpful and knowledgeable about the beer selections. This is a favorite place where my husband and I like to go.

    (4)

  • Big S.

    this is one of the better bars around. they have great beers on tap and cider as well. the wait wasnt too long at all. the food was very good, top bar food around. we had the fries w/ mustard and bacon/horseradish sauce, chicken wings and mac and cheese with bacon and mushrooms. all of this was very good, especially the fries. will be coming back

    (5)

  • Mary P.

    Love that there is a bar so close to me that serves such a vast range of beers, and not just "whatever" beers, but premium beers. The bartenders are awesome in giving suggestions. I've been pleased with what they have suggested. Price is reasonable for the types of beer that they serve. I'm definitely coming back to try out some other delicious beer and get my hands on some great eats that others have suggested. My mouth is already watering thinking about the mac 'n' cheese with bacon and caramelized onions and the fish 'n' chips!!!

    (4)

  • Steve L.

    Publick House gets 5 stars for what it is - a high end beer bar with phenomenal taps and delicious food. The tap list is always changing but you can always expect a diverse selection with rare imports and hoppy domestic craft beers. The mussel dishes with different beer broths are a must try!

    (5)

  • Ryan F.

    Great food and atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Lizzz E.

    What a find! YUM! The mac & cheese and beer selection were GREAT! Oh and so was the meatloaf! (Skip the croquetts and fries - I thought both were taseless.) Overall we LOVED the rich comfort food, friendly service and cozy/cool atmosphere. I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Tracy L.

    The frites + dipping sauces are delicious! The beer selection is fantastic! The (one) entree that I had (the veggie panini) was OK. My next stop there will be on a night when I'm in the mood for only beer and frites! The atmosphere was warm, inviting, cozy & dim.

    (4)

  • Michael N.

    i come here every friday after a long work week. great european atmosphere and a great beer selection that is rare to find. Especially the belgium beer plus the food is good.

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    I used to have a 4-star review posted up here where I let them a little bit off the hook for bad service because their beer was so great and overall, it was usually a pleasant experience. But the dining experience I had there two nights ago -- paired with some other recent experiences -- made me revisit things. I hate to have to do this to such an esteemed beer mecca, but now I think they suck. First, I have to say the service has advanced from mediocre to appalling. Not borderline rude, like it's been in the past, but indifferent to the point of insulting. I ate there the other night with my dad (visiting from out of town), my brother-in-law (fellow beer enthusiast) and my uncle. There was a wait for a table -- no problem. Good place to hang out and great system where they call you on your cell when the table is ready. But then it took an hour to get our food after we ordered. Not once during that time did the waitress come over on her own to check to see if we needed anything or to update us or to show any concern at all for the situation (during which time she could have sold us more beer). We did flag her down after 45 minutes to see where our food was, and she said, "It takes 20 minutes usually to prepare these dishes." This is after we've already been sitting there for 45 minutes! We were also seated in view of the kitchen and by that point could see what had to be our our meals sitting there waiting to be delivered for about 15 minutes. Finally we got someone else's attention, asked him to check on our food, and he brought it right away. The same dishes we saw sitting up on the counter for the previous 15 minutes. Except my dad's meal was cold. The waitress acted put upon and defensive when we flagged her down to take it back to get warmed (took about 10 minutes to even get her attention -- no timely check back). At the end of the meal, my dad had to get up and deliver his credit card to her (he insisted on footing the whole tab) because she left us the check and disappeared for about 10 more minutes and then blew by us on her way to the register to chat with a co-worker. So he delivered the card and calmly and quietly told her he found the service to be very indifferent. She got defensive again, and said, "Well, I DID check back." Yeah, right. A half-hour after our food was finally there, when it would have been too late to do anything anyway. As for the food itself, it was certainly tasty and well prepared as always, but very poor value. The beef stew looked huge at first, but at a closer glance, there were just 4 or 5 skimpy bits of beef, a couple of tater-tot sized potato chunks and a few carrots in a huge bowl of gravy with an equally huge hunk of bread. Pretty deceptive. We paid 17 bucks for bread and gravy. My bro-in-law's fried oysters -- 15 bucks -- showed up with about 6 little fried oysters on the plate along with some wilted salad. Appetizer portion at an entree price. My dad had the only meal that looked like good value -- the 1/2 roast chicken -- but would have been better if his broccoli hadn't gotten all clammy from sitting around for 15-20 minutes before it was served. As far as the beer -- as we all know, the selection is outstanding. Second-to-none, really. It's tough to go wrong in here that department. And I thoroughly enjoyed my Gouden Carolus Tripel on tap, as well as my McChouffe. At the same time, however, Publick House seems to have stopped paying attention to small details. A lot of the beers that should be served at cellar temperature are being served ice-cold like a Bud Light on tap at the 99. That's something that would have never happened 2 years ago. And the pours aren't quite as artful as they were a year or two ago -- a lot of ales that are supposed to show some head show none. But management couldn't give a rat's ass. The place is always jammed, there's always a wait for a table and they're making money hand over fist. As long as the hipsters and yuppies keep coming to be seen, they could care less if their loyal but more discerning customers give up on them. Pains me to say it, but I'm reaching that point. I'm close to saying screw 'em. Oh yeah -- they have a chalkboard sign overlooking the dining room imploring us to "remember our servers" when our servers obviously couldn't give a shit about us. Nonetheless, my father was generous enough to leave a 15 percent tip, which I would have never done, despite the fact that in college I worked as a waiter in a high-stress establishment, have experienced how tough it is and how crappy the hourly wage is, and as a result almost never tip less than 20 percent myself. Of course if their service was on the ball, they could turn over tables MUCH faster, serve their patrons MORE drinks and make even more money than they're obviously making now. Unless slacker indifference is supposed to be part of the charm, like the feigned rudeness for tourists at Durgin Park.

    (2)

  • Natasha N.

    The perfect pub when you crave something a step above the typical neighborhood fare. The food is excellent even if you're just here for the beer who doesnt like accompanying a great beer with tasty frites or mussels?

    (3)

  • E M.

    A bible of beer, home-made food and awesome people, how could you go wrong? If you drink beer with drinkability i.e. Bud Light, if you buy beer in racks instead of packs this is not the place for you. If you actually enjoy beer, fear not you will be in good company. We went on a Saturday night which was relatively packed for the smallish restaurant and waited about ~20 min since we did not have a reservation. We all got a different beer at the bar. I asked the bartender an incredibly stupid beer question that I will not repeat here. Instead of a pretentious response I got an educated but thoughtful response without it being pretentious. Moving on now, I had Duvell with an amazing burger. The Home-made french fries and slaw were freshly made on site. I am most definitely going back when I have the chance! Need a great pub with world-class beer and great food? Look no further than The Publick House

    (5)

  • Robert B.

    I take that comment about the food being good back.... I had the mussels with spinach- it was bitter and gross, couldn't even dip anything in the broth. (usually I would use bread in that situation but they serve their mussels with fries?????) and I LOVE mussels usually--- I don't know... and now I am sick of the whale tale shrimp so I probably won't be back for .... um... ever. Especially since there are other places with much better service and much better food literally surrounding the place.

    (2)

  • patrick r.

    the publik house is a beer lover's dream.... you can always find the beer to fit your mood here, not to mention the burgers are fantastic and the fries offer something different than your run-of-the-mill greasy salty fries... this is a must try! on a nice evening, the outside dining area is a great place to relax, people watch, and enjoy a good meal...

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Loud
    Music : Background
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : No
    Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Wed
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

The Publick House

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