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Republic Tavern

250 Cooper St, Epping

Phone: 1300 817 773

16 November, 2024

Relatively new to the pub/brew pub scene (2019), the Republic Tavern forms part of (but not related to) the Mantra Hotel in the outer northern suburb Epping.

In spite of the anodyne surroundings of buildings/factories/hospital in Cooper St, the Republic is slowly carving out its own territory be it from guests at the hotel or nearby workers and in a curious way, has an advantage being set away from the ever-busy local plaza.

Modern in look, over a good sized single storey space, the backdrop to the bar showcases stainless steel tanks churning its range of lagers, pilsners and pale ales. Very good too is the Republic lager ($6.5/pot).

Discrete kitchen to the rear, polished timbers and sealed concrete floor, with tables and booths covering the space, the venue is completed with the hop garden which greets you on entering (carpark at back, entrance is there). And keeping with accepted pub themes, live music, trivia and meal deals are just part of the package here.

And following on from last week, another late night happy hour – $15 cocktails, Fridays, 10pm- 11pm. (What you can save on the drink may get you a night at the Mantra?!!) A more conventional $9/pint is available daily, 3-6pm.

Pokies: No
TAB: No

Plenty of territory is covered in the menus. For starters, there are around 10 to choose from including calamari, house seasoning, charred lemon, tartare sauce ($19), buffalo chicken wings/drumettes (12/$19) with house buffalo sauce.

Fully plated mains come in around mid-high $20s, and all the favourites are there including beer batter fish and chips (rockling fillet), leafy salad, lemon, fries, tartare sauce ($29), bangers and mash, onion gravy, peas ($29).

Nice touch is the express lunch, where a number of items cop a shave of $7, and a pot will set you back $4.

A couple of highlights were the triple cheese and potato croquettes ($18), rich, filling, tasty and the house Burger – $22 at lunch (normally $29) was a fine, tightly packed wagyu patty.

Good, straightforward pub eating.

The taps are dominated by Republic brews (and good too), but also a number of local heroes are available in cans, from Bad Shepherd, Cheltenham, Hop Nation, Footscray and a local, Venom Cherry Sour (Epping).

Like many in hospitality, the Republic Tavern was hit by Covid lockdowns, just after commencing trading. Well done to them for holding the line, and now that the gloom has lifted, it presents a good offer out in the suburbs.

In closing, the Republic Tavern sums itself up as …’a small bar atmosphere in a bigger space’, and for once a venue’s own descriptor is bang on.

No faults.

SCORE: 13.5