City July 23, 2012 2:04 PM

Patio Time: Tap House Pub & Grille

Patio Time: Tap House Pub & Grille
queenseyes
queenseyes 10
It was back in December of '11 when Justin Anderson first announced that he would be converting the former Barrel House on Chippewa into the Tap House Pub & Grille (see article). Since that time, Justin has been busy running the operation and serving up pub-style food and drinks to downtown-goers. This week Justin is also busy getting the back patio in working order for his dining-clientele. 

Honestly, I wasn't even aware that there was an area behind the pub that was suitable for a patio. I am told that it was always just a place to store sundries and no one ever put the time and money into fixing it up. That, to me, is a mystery, because there are not a lot of places on Chippewa that offer a dining area away from the street. Once the patio is complete (it's just about there), patrons to the district will have a place to drink and eat that will offer both sun and shade... and relative quiet. 

As for the menu, one of the servers at Tap House told me that the best selling menu item is the Tap House "Original" Beef Sandwich. "A new twist on a Buffalo favorite." - Choice beef slow cooked for 24-hours and seasoned with Tap House spices on a kimmelweck roll with waffle fries. She also told me that the house burger has been a big hit - 1/2 brisket chuck mix seasoned and served on a toasted roll, also with waffle fries. 

Having another pub on Chippewa dedicated to a crowd that is interested in eating as well as drinking... hopefully we will see this trend continue. The next time that you're looking to head out to raise a pint and grab something to eat, I'm sure that the Tap House patio will be ready for you. And come fall and winter, this place looks like it will have plenty of warmth to go around.

Tap House Pub & Grille - Facebook
85 West Chippewa 
Buffalo, NY
716-332-2433

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10 Comments Leave a comment
Gardner
July 23, 2012 2:24 PM
Gardner

I was in here a couple weeks ago and the place looks great.... They have obvioulsy made signifcant investments in the patio since that time as well... glad to see it... My only concern is there were rats running along the back wall between the garbage area to the west and the property to the east.... hope they control that.

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Travelrrr
July 23, 2012 2:31 PM
Travelrrr

More upmarket--excellent.

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FTheRedTape
July 23, 2012 4:29 PM
FTheRedTape

I love the concept. I was in there about two months ago and wasn't altogether thrilled -- warm beer and not a great variety, given the name. The bartender was cool as ice though and said it was a work in progress. Looks like it's coming along. I'm certainly willing to give it another shot; Chippewa needs as many non-meathead joints as possible. Now if only the neighboring bars to its left would get on board...

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ByronBrownsTie
July 23, 2012 4:40 PM
ByronBrownsTie

If your gripe about Chippewa is of the people who frequent the street and its establisments -- then, there isn't any person who is more "Chippewa" than Justin Anderson.

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FTheRedTape
July 23, 2012 9:59 PM
FTheRedTape

Meh... I'll still give it a second chance; one more warm pint won't kill me. And if it's overly Chip-strip, the Pan-Am Brewery is right around the corner.

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paulsobo
July 23, 2012 6:46 PM
paulsobo

I like it but Id rather have rooftop patio than a rear patio. Better views!

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AuBurn Pain
July 23, 2012 7:13 PM
AuBurn Pain

Live music to christen the patio this Friday night at 9:00!

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Frankenberry
July 25, 2012 12:44 PM
Frankenberry

The original article stated that they were to have 25 beers on tap. What happened to that? It seems to me that they should focus on that first since tap house is in their name and worry about the porch later. My husband and I went in there a couple months ago and thought it was a joke. Terrible beer selection, one of the owners eating at the bar instead of serving his new customers and the music turned up so loud you couldn't have a conversation. I have already told a number of people not to waste their time on this place.

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Frankenberry
July 25, 2012 1:50 PM
Frankenberry

The original article stated that they were to have 25 beers on tap. What happened to that? It seems to me that they should focus on that first since tap house is in their name and worry about the porch later. My husband and I went in there a couple months ago and thought it was a joke. Terrible beer selection, one of the owners eating at the bar instead of serving his new customers and the music turned up so loud you couldn't have a conversation. I have already told a number of people not to waste their time on this place.

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Tom Jones
January 10, 2013 11:59 AM
Tom Jones

The Barrel House was sold, closed, extensively remodeled, re-opened under a new name & management back in 2007 or 2008 as an Irish Pub. Not 2011. The patio was back there since at least 1973... which is when I first saw it.

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