The Lansdowne Road site has undergone a complete transformation over the past few months, with the venue now boasting a more modern appeal with exposed-brick finishes, wooden features and industrial-style fixtures – a far cry from its original outmoded-yet-charming interior. The re-fit has also allowed for the seating capacity to almost triple, with around 120 seats (as opposed to Lansdowne’s 40-ish) inside and out, as well stool seating that lines the brick-clad main bar. Beer, live sports and pub food is what it’s all about here – so if that’s your trifecta for a good time, then you’re in the right place.
Traditional ‘pub grub’ is given a contemporary lift by executive chef Justin Wise, who oversees a crowd-pleasing menu that covers bar snacks, share plates, steaks, burgers and hearty mains. Fried-chicken fiends should prioritise The Local’s signature buckets of fried wings with chilli-barbecue sauce – or, if you bring your appetite, there’s a giant 1-kg bucket of Southern-style fried chicken to tackle. There’s also poutine-style loaded fries swimming in gravy, cheddar and fetta (plus a vegan version using vegetable fries, pumpkin puree and plant-based cheese), alongside other beer-friendly snacks like cheeseburger spring rolls and wagyu brisket croquettes.
The menu branches out into burgers (fried chicken to mushroom arancini), tacos (pulled pork, buttermilk chicken and mushroom), schnitzels and parmigianas, while mains like the beef-and-ale pie with wilted greens, and the grilled pork-and-fennel bangers with mash give a subtle and delicious nod to the premises’ Irish roots. Diners can also tuck in for less with weekly deals like $3-taco Tuesdays, $1-wings Wednesdays and $15 steak nights. Behind the bar you’ll find plenty of Australian and international beers on tap, plus wines, spirits and a collection of cocktails – and, like any good neighbourhood watering hole, there’s a daily happy hour.
Keen to check it out? You’ll find The Local Tavern’s opening hours and contact details over in our Stumble Guide.
