Overview
Beers or cocktails? There's no need to go without thanks to a new drinks and dining hub on the Lower North Shore. Centred around two impressive venues – Depot Brewery and Buckle Cafe & Distillery – both share a stunning glass-domed space. Perfect for making the most of summer, this sprawling operation has a massive beer garden to boot alongside family-friendly features, so no one has to miss out on the fun.
Starting with Depot Brewery, this industrial-chic venue offers 250 seats for beer-drinking goodness with all your pals. With large-screen TVs spread throughout the space, it's a stellar choice for catching the big game. Plus, there's a vibrant beer garden where you can soak up the sunshine while downing a refreshing pint. Speaking of pints, Depot has 12 rotating taps of house-brewed craft beers, from bold IPAs to fruity pale ales.
There's also a great food menu bursting with gastronomic pleasures. A selection of signature pizzas spans classic flavours like margherita, pepperoni and meat lovers, while mains hit the spot with fish & chips, a 250g rump steak and the Depot double cheeseburger. If you're keen to mix things up, there's also a quality line-up of Australian wines and punchy cocktails, including espresso martinis and negronis.
Next door, Buckle Cafe & Distillery is a day-to-night cafe and restaurant. When the sun is shining, quality coffee is the main event. But as the evening kicks off, expect cocktails crafted with house-distilled gin and vodka. Spanning brunch, lunch and dinner, this place is just as good for avocado on toast as beer-battered barramundi or the Buckle wagyu cheeseburger. Pair with an Aperol spritz or a glass of pinot gris to make your get-together even better.
If you're heading along with the kids, a dedicated play zone surrounded by lush plants makes it a little easier for adults to kick back.
Buckle also has a pet-friendly outdoor area, so you can bring the pooch too. Find a cosy outdoor lounge beneath the festoon lights for your group, then relish the last moments of daylight with a refreshing drink in hand.
Depot Brewery and Buckle Cafe & Distillery are open at 1 Frederick St, Artarmon. Head to their websites for more information.