Behind Every Small Business is a Family: Porters Liquor Northwood 46 Years

Updated October 2026

Celebrating 46 years in business, Porters Liquor Northwood is an iconic part of Sydney’s north shore and Lane Cove.

David Leckie started out in 1980 when he opened his store, Northwood Cellars. He soon became well known in the community for looking after locals in all things wine, beer and spirits. In fact, Northwood Cellars housed NSW’s FIRST legal liquor and grocery drive-through. Unfortunately it closed down due to large traffic queues and congestion!

In 1994 he joined forces with like-minded independent retailers to bring Porters to life. Since then the store has built a loyal following thanks to its long-serving staff, knowledge and old-school service. David’s son Ben has now taken over. He continues the same traditions with a focus on party services, fine wine and delivery.

Community Supporters

The Leckie family are long-time supporters of many Lane Cove sporting clubs, schools and community groups. They have been the official supplier for the bar tent at the annual Lane Cove Summer 7s competition at Blackman Park. Ben and his family are well known in the local community. Ben went to Lane Cove Public School himself and his own children followed in his footsteps.

Party Services and Delivery

Ben and the team have catered for many social and corporate events over the years. Here’s what they offer:

• Expert local party planning and advice for over 40 years
• FREE hire of glassware and drinks tubs
• FREE delivery within the local area to your home, work or event venue
• Drinks packages for all budgets and occasions, from small parties to big events

Their dedicated delivery van offers FREE delivery to Northwood and the surrounding area, Monday to Saturday. Just give the team a call to place an order.

You can also shop online at portersliquor.com.au or order through Uber and DoorDash.

Drinking Choices

When Northwood Cellars opened its doors in 1980, Australians drank very differently. Here are a few fun facts about Australia’s drinking choices from 1980:

• In 1980 beer made up 64% of Australian alcohol consumption. By 2020 this had dropped to around 40%, on par with wine consumption.
• Craft breweries started emerging in the 80s, however the big players were Fosters and Castlemaine XXXX. Who can forget Allan Border’s famous cricket ads (“I can feel a XXXX coming on”) or Paul Hogan promoting Fosters as the “amber nectar” to UK audiences? You can see some of his iconic TV ads here.
• By the early 1980s Australia was 18th in the table of wine exporters. By the early 1990s it was 6th.
• The popularity of Lindemans Ben Ean Moselle in the 70s started to wane in the 1980s as drinkers looked for more sophisticated wines to celebrate social status. Cask wine and Lambrusco did manage to hang around for a while though!
• Ordering spirits at a bar in the 80s, you’d most likely be shouting a round of B52 shots or a classy Blue Lagoon cocktail. Named after the 1980 film starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, it contained Blue Curaçao and came with an orange slice and a paper umbrella.

Porters Liquor Northwood, happy 46th anniversary!

Contact Details

Address: 1 Northwood Rd, Northwood (opposite The Diddy)
Opening hours: 9.30am to 8pm Monday to Saturday. 10am to 7pm Sunday
Phone: (02) 9427 1337 for grab and go, home delivery or party services
Order online: portersliquor.com.au
Delivery apps: Uber and DoorDash
Facebook: facebook.com/portersliquornorthwood
Instagram: @portersliquornorthwood

Newsletter

Sign up to the Porters newsletter for wine offers, tasting invitations, special promotions and the annual Leckie Dozen: eepurl.com/dmPe55

Porters Liquor is an ITC sponsor and without the support of our sponsors we could not provide local news, our community issues advocacy and our charity work. Thank you Porters. Please support those who support ITC.