Who is this Penny Black? What’s her deal? Research (pff, OK, one Google search and a Wikipedia page later) tells us she wasn’t a real person, but the name given to the world’s first adhesive postage stamp used in the public postal system. What has this got to do with beer then? You’d be surprised, plus we’re sure you enjoyed the random bit of trivia. It is, in fact, a cheeky nod to this famed Sydney Road drinkery’s heritage, as it used to be home to the Brunswick General Post Office. Clever, right?
The Penny Black pub is a favourite among locals and Sydney Road excursionists alike: lazy afternoon sippers, abundant and energised party people, hungry pub diners and lovers of free live music, all in one majestic setting with one giant fuck off beer garden out the back. Cloud Control even did a free acoustic gig here in March, how cool is that? Yes, the beer garden is massive, but never for a second does it feel impersonal, pretentious or disingenuous, quite the contrary: the atmosphere is friendly, easy-going and light-hearted.
The eats, particularly the pizzas and steaks, are well above standard for your average pub, with no try-hard gastropub wankerisms, either. Tuesday night is movie night (good movies, too), with entry for freesies, a big screen out back, deck chairs on the Astroturf and table (read: cushion) service is available, plus free popcorn. Yes, free popcorn. $12 specials run throughout the week (Wednesday is steak night); with $4 pizzas on the reg, and your typical weekend festivities ensue on Fridays and Saturdays with DJs pumping out tunes from the beer garden. No entry fee to this bad girl, she’s free all day, every day. Bong on, soul sister!
THE PENNY BLACK 420 Sydney Road, Brunswick is open from midday to 1am Monday through Saturday, midday to 11pm Sundays.
