With a dry week in Libya on my horizon and alcohol failure at Essaraya Restaurant, I’d have quite frankly taken any bar. The closest one to us though was Beer House, seemingly a bit of an institution.
And for me at least this place was pretty freaking cool. If though you are looking for a fluffy western (smoke-free) cocktail bar experience this is not the place to go. This is a proper Tunis pub and it is rugged.
Table of Contents
What the Beer House?
Beer House Tunis has been operating for several decades and is known locally as one of the city’s main beer-serving venues. The bar is privately owned and has a reputation for being straightforward, no-nonsense, and popular with locals. It is located on Rue Lenine in central Tunis.
The venue has seen a rotation of ownership but has maintained the same basic style: simple, functional, and entirely focused on drinkers rather than tourists seeking polish. It has become something of a landmark for those in the know, and its longevity speaks to its consistency and local appeal.
The Menu at Beer House Tunis
The menu is basic but effective, geared entirely toward drinks and simple bar snacks.WE did not try the food, but it looked pretty decent.
Beers come in bottles:
- Celtia (Tunisian lager) – 5–6 TND (~1.60–2 USD)
- Stella (Tunisian lager) – 5–8 TND (~1.60–2.50 USD)
Spirits & Mixed Drinks:
- Vodka + sparkling water – 10 TND (~3 USD)
- Gin + tonic – 12 TND (~3.80 USD)
- Whisky neat – 15 TND (~4.80 USD)
Food / Bar Snacks:
- Sandwiches (ham/cheese or tuna) – 12–15 TND (~4–5 USD)
- Mixed nuts – 8 TND (~2.50 USD)
- French fries – 10 TND (~3 USD)
- Small pizzas – 20 TND (~6 USD)
There are no cocktails, no fancy presentations, no draft beer — just bottled beer, spirits, and basic snacks to go with the drinks.
The Beer House Vibe
As soon as you walk in you realize that you are no longer in Kansas. The smoke hits you, as does the lack of females. In fact, it is split into two sections, kinda old-school saloon style, and there are women “next door.” Our females though were allowed to join, a big table was made, and we got down to drinking.
This is where I will give my only negative: they had no draft beer. Kinda not cool when you are the Beer House. They did though have bottled beer and were able to do me vodka and sparkling water. And the service was bloody great, even if no one actually spoke English. Bars that care make it work, and this is what happened here. Amazingly, they also took cards. What a time to be alive.
Oh and I wore a Club Africain shirt, so do this if you want to be the most popular foreigner in the house.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a polished, dare I say fake, Tunis experience then do not come here. Also do not come if you are part of the go-to-a-bar-once-a-year, social-imperialism-hate-smoking kind of guy. They smoke here.
Do though come if you like that kind of thing and want a real back-alley, down-and-dirty Tunis pub experience. And ya know what? I literally got no photos from here, because sometimes a night out can whisk you away so much you forget about social media.
What is the Address of Beer House Tunis?
Address: 34 Rue Lenine, Tunis, Tunisia
Phone: +216 52 736 000
Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Beer+House+Tunis
Click to check my Libya Tours with YPT – all of which go through Tunisia.