Permaculture at the Pub
Simple. Decentralised. Connection-first.
Permaculture at the Pub is a growing network of casual monthly meetups where locals gather in pubs, cafés, breweries, RSLs or other relaxed third places to connect, chat and share a bit of gardening and sustainability conversation along the way.
There’s no organiser, no agenda, no RSVPs and no program. Just people meeting each month, getting to know each other and creating a bit of community goodness in the process.
Permaculture at the Pub is a casual, open social meetup that happens in venues already operating for normal trade. It isn’t a formal event, class or organised activity. People simply choose to meet in the same place at the same time — like any group of friends or community club gathering socially.
Everyone attends as ordinary patrons of the venue. The venue manages its space and operations as it normally would for any other group of customers.
The Big Ideas (Why This Works)
Permaculture at the Pub runs like a social mycelium.
The gatherings you see — the nights in pubs, cafés or verandahs — are the fruiting bodies, the visible mushrooms. The real work happens between the meetings: neighbours connecting, ideas travelling, friendships forming, local knowledge circulating and small towns feeling just a little more alive.
This model spreads naturally — without committees, funding or a complicated structure.
1. Community Connection (First and Foremost)
People come for the human contact: meeting neighbours, making friends, feeling part of something welcoming and local.
2. Sharing Local Knowledge (Happens Naturally)
Every conversation carries a little bit of practical wisdom — growing tips, drought strategies, soil tricks, backyard experiments. But knowledge is a bonus, not the goal.
3. Strengthening Local Venues
Pubs and cafés get gentle weeknight activation and a friendly community presence — with no work required from staff.
What It Looks Like in Practice
• A regular monthly date
• A pub/café/RSL that’s already open
• A table or two
• A few locals
• Chatting about gardens, life and whatever else comes up
• Absolutely no formal hosting or teaching
It’s free to take part — the only cost is whatever you choose to spend as a normal patron of the venue.
Anyone can wander in.
Anyone can join the conversation.
It’s deliberately easy.
For People Wanting to Start a New Meetup
Starting your own Permaculture at the Pub is simple, because there’s nothing to run — it’s just choosing a place and a time, and letting others know they’re welcome to join if they want to.
1. Pick a Venue
Any relaxed “third place” works. It doesn’t need to be a pub — a café works just as well. Alcohol and drinking are not the focus — the “at the pub” idea refers to the social nature of the setting.
Reaching out to the venue is optional, but can be helpful — for example, if you want to check whether the space will be quiet enough for conversation, or simply to give them a friendly heads-up. This is not an event arrangement, just common courtesy.
2. Pick a Monthly Time
Same day each month. Consistency builds trust and helps people remember.
3. Post Something Casual
For example:
“A casual catch-up at [Venue] on the first Thursday of each month.
No agenda, no RSVPs — just locals connecting and talking gardening and life.
All welcome.”
4. Show Up
That’s it. If others come, brilliant. If not, try again next month.
A quick call to say “Can we grab a table for a few of us tonight?” is fine — just like any group of friends going out.
Don’t make formal venue bookings or hire spaces as an event.
No booking function rooms, arranging programs or running activities.
Keeping it this way means the meetup stays casual and easy — people attending as ordinary patrons, and venues operating exactly as they normally do.
Just keep it simple and social.
For Anyone Who Shares the PATP Date in Their Community
If you’re someone who shares the monthly PATP date, thank you — that’s genuinely all it takes to help your local meetup be visible.
A few gentle reminders:
• PATP stays casual — no activities, no agenda
• Use everyday, friendly language
• You don’t have to be there every month
• You’re not responsible for numbers
• Quiet nights are normal
• Let the group shape itself
• Share the date if you want to — not because you have to
PATP works because it isn’t run by anyone. It grows through visibility, not hosting.
Info for Pubs & Venues
Permaculture at the Pub brings gentle, friendly trade — but requires almost nothing from venues.
What You Need to Know
It’s simply locals choosing your venue as a monthly meeting place.
• No event bookings
• No room hire
• No formal events
• No programming
• No equipment
• No duties for staff
People attend as normal patrons.
(A normal table booking for a few people is fine — just like any group of customers.)
What Helps (Optional)
• Share the monthly date on your socials
• Keep a consistent time each month
• Offer a corner or a couple of tables
Why This Matters
Permaculture at the Pub quietly strengthens community by:
• reducing social isolation
• building local connection
• supporting mental wellbeing
• circulating practical knowledge
• revitalising hospitality spaces
• fostering resilience and community pride
It’s simple.
It’s human.
It’s scalable.
It’s a growing community about growing community.
