In this episode, David is joined by returning co-host Cecilia Hollins to explore the wholesome world of pub hobbies — from choirs to chess, knitting to Dungeons & Dragons.

We chat to Ben Dudman from Brisbane Pub Chess, a community group blending board games and beers to reconnect people offline. Plus, they round up the best pub-based pastimes across Australia and test each other’s knowledge in a “Hobbies Edition” pub quiz.

In This Episode

• The origin story of Brisbane Pub Chess – how Ben turned casual games into community connection.
• Why breweries make the perfect “third spaces” for hobbies.
• Pub activities worth checking out: book clubs, D&D nights, drunken knitting groups, and pub choirs.
• The joy of sitting solo with a pint.
• Pub Quiz – Hobbies Edition

Tapped In (What’s On At Your Local)

East Village (Darlinghurst, NSW) – Great happy hour, hearty $15 lunches, and a newly refreshed menu. @eastvillagehotel_
Spring Lake Hotel (Springfield Lakes, QLD) – Family Sundays, kids eat free, petting zoo, live music. @springlakehotel

The Gov (Adelaide, SA) – Ukulele Choir & front bar jam nights. @lovethegov
Fortress (Sydney/Melbourne) – Dungeons & Dragons, gaming tavern vibes. @fortresssydney / @fortressmelb
Bar Oussou (Brunswick, VIC) – Spoken-word poetry and open mic nights. @baroussou
Future Magic Brewing (Brisbane, QLD) – Home base for Brisbane Pub Chess meetups. @futuremagicbrewingco
Flat Lizard Brewing (Stafford, QLD) – Hosting the next northside chess meetup. @flatlizardbrewing
Island State Brewing (TAS) – Run-to-the-pub events and craft beer culture. @islandstatebrewing
Yulli’s Brews (Alexandria, NSW) – Beer run stopover with Fat Cat Content crew. @yullisbrews

The Beers

• Seventh Day XPA – Brookvale, NSW (@7daybrewery)

Chapters (Auto-Generated)

00:00 – Welcome to Chat on Tap
02:35 – Naming the Listener Community (Scooneys vs Chatty Tappys)
03:17 – Tapped In: Pub Picks Across Australia
06:10 – Pub Hobbies List: From Choirs to Knitting Nights
15:15 – Interview: Ben from Brisbane Pub Chess
33:02 – Creating Community Over a Board Game
41:00 – Finding Third Spaces & Why Hobbies Matter
42:55 – Pub Quiz: Hobbies Edition
45:40 – Monopoly Pieces & Darts Glory
47:00 – Closing Cheers & Next Round

📍 Recorded at: Pyrmont Point Hotel – Sydney, NSW
🍺 Proudly supported by: Oasis Brewing Co – @oasisbrewingofficial
| oasisbrewing.com.au

Special guest: Ben from Brisbane Pub Chess – @brisbanepubchess

Episode produced by: WHEN Studios
Follow: @WHEN.Studios,

Insta: @chatontap

Email: hello@chatontap.com

Host: David A. Lennon – @davidalennon
Website: chatontap.com