A lamb burger with fennel salad, smoked paprika aioli, kalamata olives and feta yogurt. Pork nachos with walt wit white cheddar sauce, love stout bbq, fresno chiles, coriander and red onion. Broccoli rabe. Garlic parmesan fries with truffle aioli. Ladies and gentlemen, this food came from a bar! Well, I guess it's defined as a Gastropub, but still, for somewhere we went to "grab a drink" that turned into "let's have a bite to eat," I was beyond impressed at their selection as well as their quality. Add to that the remarkable service we received, and the awesome beers on tap we tried (Love Stout!), and you've got yourself a 5 star experience. Nothing about this place gave me pause. The decor was dark but classic, the seats were comfortable, we experienced a short wait time on a Friday night - I can't complain. The coolest part was when the check came at the end of the meal, and the server brought over a tablet. It allowed us to check off the items that we had and pay with our card right then and there, signing with a finger and getting a receipt emailed. Then our cohorts did the same thing to pay for their portion. Such a simple concept, but it made things so easy and dare I say - made paying the bill fun?! City Tap House, whether it's for another lamb burger and fries or just some craft beers, we'll be back in no time. If only just to get to pay the bill again!
(5)
Amber W.
Great beer and wine selection and good happy hour specials. Also, very nice inside and service was great. Was not crazy about the menu options but overall, good experience if there is stuff you like.
(4)
Gautam T.
A great place to come and lounge on the rooftop during the summer, don't even bother coming here during the winter because you'll be inside, unless you're into frost bite and polar vortexes. The beer selection is great but the food is incredibly mediocre. Being a center city folk I don't get out too much in uni city but when I do I inevitably end up at city tap house (for some reason I'm really craving a dosequis right now)
(4)
Lauren M.
I came into City Tap House for brunch with high expectations because I liked the ambiance: large, roof deck, cute/kitschy signage. Unfortunately, the dining experience didn't match up -- the eggs Benedict and hash browns were very COLD and tasted plastic-like. Plus, our waitress didn't exactly go out of her way to be friendly. Will not return next time I'm in Philly.
(2)
Robyn T.
Went there around 3pm with my husband and 2 year old.... We really needed a drink after spending a few hours at a kid museum. They were very accommodating to my son's needs and very nice to him. Great beer selection. My husband is a beer snob And he left happy. My son actually ate some pizza and sweet potato fries which is saying a lot. Great atmosphere. Reasonable prices for a city place.
(3)
Vincy O.
City tap house was a great place to have my boyfriends birthday party!! My boyfriend does not like the typical sit down formal dinner. The set up was more interactive for him to get up and mingle with friends and family. We reserved a couple of cocktail tables and 3 firepits for a party of 35 on a great wknd in July. It was such a great spot to overlook Penns campus and we couldn't have asked for better!! The breeze that came by the balcony added such a great feel and the area on the balcony was more than I expected! The lower terrace was set up with corn hole, which allowed our party to go down and play!! City taps greatest asset was the waitress we had, Amanda. If your having a party or even dining you want Amanda! Our party praised Amanda! She got along with every single person and gave everyone her undivided attention. She was attentive to all our needs. Never complained, frowned, didn't seem overwhelmed because we did have a lot of demands. She composed herself the same from the very beginning to the very end with a pleasant demeanor. It felt like she was a part if our party and didn't even feel like she was our waitress, she fit in great with our family!! I had cake on my dress and she grabbed club soda and a napkin and took it off for me!! She deserves all the praise!! She sets the bar very high for others. Amanda made my boyfriends party and unforgettable one!! I hope u get a raise!!!
(5)
Jennifer D.
I cannot say enough about this place...all good. I tried the chicken and waffles a few months ago and I loved it then, but trying it again on Valentine's Day, I loved it all the more. It is one amazing meal. The wait staff was great on both occasions, and my hubs was impressed with the beer that was suggested for him. amazing. If you can get by the fact that it's in University City...it's pretty amazing. That being said, get the chicken and waffles. A-Mazing.
(5)
Lehigh Valley Eats K.
The City Tap House is a great place to go to sit back and watch the phillies game. They have a wide range of beers on tap including Aventinus, one of my favorites. I have yet to eat anything here but when i look around at all of the dishes everything looks...mediocre. I enjoy the bartenders most of the time however there are a few that can be a somewhat pretentious when you mispronounce the name of beers or don't quite know what to order...(mostly the female bartenders.. cough cough). I manage a restaurant here in Philadelphia and like to enjoy a beer at CTH at the end of the night while my crew is cleaning up. One really neat addition to the restaurant is their outdoor seating with a number of firepits that anyone can cozy up to and hang out all night long. Overall i enjoy going to CTH but i feel like the service staff could be a little friendlier. Well, i'm headed over there for a beer now so lets see how this turns out. Thanks for reading and Happy eating and drinking Philly.
(4)
Brian T.
Quality - 4 stars (Good). Price - $$$ (Pricy) Taste - Fine Good: City Tap House Steak on Saturday. First of all, If you are looking for decent nice steak, Tap House may not really satisfy you. But if you are looking for a place for dining or drinking. Tap house is always a good choice especially for couple. I personally amazed by Tap House's everyday special, they keep change their menu, so you always get surprise from them. In opposite way, it creates some problems. You may see some very nice pictures from yelp. But they may stop serve them from long time ago. You always need to confirm with your servant. So far I think City Tap House Steak is the most tasty dish they offer. The steak is pretty big portion, taste juicy and rich. So if you go to there on Saturday, don't miss it. I also recommend their mussel. The Pacho Mussel is a little bit of spicy but leave very strong impression to your tongue. The Arbigail Mussel is not spicy, but the ingredient mix with tomato and garlic just made it taste rich. I actually kind of disappointed by the way they cook Sea Bass. They pan fry sea bass, so when kitchen is busy, it's very easy to make it overcook. For delicate meat like sea bass, they really need to carefully mange the temperature to maintain the tender quality. Otherwise pan fry may just made the expensive fish taste dry up. Beside these advice above, go for their happy hour for drink. Try their burgers, you will enjoy the casual environment there. (Especially if you seated outdoor.)
(4)
Nataly N.
City Tap house has a great selection of beers and plenty of seating in a roomy and relaxed atmosphere. They have booth seating that can fit over ten people. I also like the fire pits they have outside - for fireside chats with friends while overlooking the edge of Penn campus. I've ordered food here several times. For the price they charge, the food could be better. I've ordered both the Tap Burger and the free range Turkey burger - and both had good burger patties, but the brioche buns they used were very stale and dry, and I ended up leaving them aside every time. The appetizers I've had were also just OK. I guess I'd be better off coming here with a greater focus on beer than anything else.
(3)
Nina P.
There is nothing more appealing to a bunch of twenty-somethings on a cold weekend night than a bunch of fire pits! I went to City Tap House once before and again on Saint Patrick's day. The bar has delicious food (not your typical burgers and fries like at other bars) and always has an upscale feel. The prices on the menu are a little more expensive but the ambiance and unique menu options are worth a few extra dollars. I enjoyed my experience at this bar and I would certainly go again!
(4)
Dana R.
This place is just okay. The atmosphere is really nice, and the waitstaff was also pretty nice. They have interesting beers on tap here. My bf and I shared an order of the Abigail mussels. HUGE portion, and two hunks of slightly-burnt and overly salty bread. I did not partake in the bred but I ate quite a few of the mussels. We were unable to finish them. Overall, if I wish to drink interesting beer close the my bf's apartment and feeling too lazy to go anywhere else, I'll come back here. Otherwise, I'm going to Monk's Cafe.
(3)
Angela J.
Ok, the chicken wings here??!!!!! Hands down, quite possibly the best I've ever had. Really. Crispy outside, not breaded, and served with some amazing rub on the outside, they were phenomenal! There was some kind of horseradhishy dipping sauce to go with them too that was super tasty. I was here for a private event, so I don't know what it's like during normal hours, but the ambiance was pretty cool, and I love that it's an upstairs bar, very fun. The margherita pizza was also very good...perfect amount of sauce, thick slices of mozzarella, and a nicely cooked crust. I'll have to check this place out again when I'm in the neighborhood...
(4)
Anne K.
How have I not reviewed this place already? Having a drink at Tap House always takes me back to my college years. I've always been a big fan of how spacious their bar is - it's one big rectangle! They turn on their fire pits on chilly nights, which is always a plus. I'm a big fan of their ciders - they used to have a delicious pear cider, but they rotate through their drink selections like a good bar should. It's definitely the classiest watering hole on campus.
(4)
C C.
My boyfriend and I head here semi-frequently when we're in the mood for a few beers and some awesome snacks (shishito peppers and wings are to die for!!) but tonight's experience really set itself apart from the usual good food and good service. Our server was Bryan and he was awesome, he was extremely polite and professional from beginning to end. He had great recommendations when a few things we wanted weren't available ( totally understandable for a sunday night) and was great about checking in on us and making sure we had what we needed. He even went out of his way to catch us on our way out to let us know about a discount we could use for our next visit. I have never once been disappointed in the food or service here but tonight was definitely above and beyond.
(5)
Sarah K.
I came here with a bunch of friends in late fall/early winter. The fire places outside are awesome! I was disappointed that they had run out of the banana bread beer, but they have a great variety of drinks available. I ordered a pear cider that the waitress recommended, and I'm glad I did. The food was awesome (not sure if that's due to drunkenness haha). But, the mussels were delicious and I just sopped up all the soup/juice with my bread. :) I have dreams about that meal. It's a nice place to come and drink with your friends. I wish there was a bar like this at Temple campus. Definitely will be returning once the weather gets warmer.
(4)
Walter K.
Does hold up as much as my first few visit. The beer list, as large as it is, lacks ambition. The dinner entrees are okay, but overpriced and unimpressive. The service, the atmosphere, and really, just the general feel of this place simply exist without any real effort. This place is a good idea that needs more direction and attention to truly be worthwhile. But then again, most place in University City don't really need to try all that hard.
(3)
Colin H.
I've been here more than I should probably admit. Whenever I have friends come into town, this is one of the first places I bring them. It's without a doubt the largest contributor to West Philly / UC area's craft beer scene. I've had a bunch of the food and it's all incredible, I highly suggest the shishoto peppers, 10 spice wings, and creole shrimp and grits. Let's talk about the service first. The bartenders are very knowledgeable about what they've got on tap. They will not only help you pick a beer of you're feeling lost, which is understandable considering the number of taps they have. Beyond just that, they're all friendly, I wouldn't feel uncomfortable calling a few of them friends. They regularly host some of the best beer events in the city. Their "Black Friday" event was incredible, they must plan these things years in advance. I came over today on a whim and there's some $4 Abita beers on. Excellent. I can't speak much to the liquor as I'm a beer guy through and through, but I assume the selection is nearly as varied. Their glassware is kept in pristine condition and properly cleaned. It's one of very few times I've seen foam rings form properly on a double ipa in a 10oz glass in Philly. I've had the pleasure of speaking with Andy, the GM a few times, and he is a great guy. Never before has the GM come over to me while I am eating wings and ask how they are. He's even replying to most people on here! Great guy. I don't want to rave too much because my meal just arrived and I am hungry, but if there's one bar within a mile or two you can't go wrong visiting it, it's City Tap House.
(5)
Lorenzo L.
Love Tap House, everything I've eaten there I have liked. I especially enjoy their regular fries (go figure!). They also have an amazing beer selection. A couple of factors keep me from giving it a 5-star, though it is one of my favorite places in Philly. It is pricey and there's only a random happy hour on Wednesdays I think. (and it's not substantially cheaper.) Also service could use some improvement. The places fills up with large groups that can monopolize the staff but even in the absence of large groups sometimes you have to wait a while for a second round or the bill. It's not bad enough to keep me from recommending this place though!
(4)
Clint R.
We had a birthday party come there and the fire alarm started going off from the time we got there. It was very distracting. The manager came over at the end of the meal and rectified it. We ended up having a great time. The service and food were on par. All of the appetizers were delicious and everyone loved their meal. I would recommend!
(5)
Emily K.
Amazing veggie burger, and great beer selection. Space is nice and big but inviting. Location is perfect.
(4)
Karen G.
Ate dinner here last night, asked to be seated in a more secluded area but hostess only wanted to seat us right next to other customers even though there were many open tables. The food was great, we had pancho muscles without the chorizo, a Tartufo piZza and a Caesar salad and it was delicious
(3)
Benjamin M.
Wesside! I never get over to University City, but I've always wanted to check out City Tap House. So, Pumpkin Smash 2012 was a good enough reason to meet up with Michael F. and Jennifer N. for an afternoon of football, food and pumpkin beer. The place was extremely busy and I was lucky to secure a seat at the huge bar in front of one of the flat screens. Before they arrived I ordered the Roast Pumpkin Ranchero, a brunch special comprised of a pumpkin quesadilla, two sunny eggs, hashbrowns and a black bean chili. It was such a unique combination of things, but I had no problem inhaling all of it and pushing away an empty plate. While I ate, one of the bartenders asked me if I enjoyed the meal (Yes!) and then informed me that I got one of the last brunch plates before they ran out. Great timing for me I guess. Once they arrived, we started looking (well, not just looking) over the list of 30+ pumpkin beers, which were all tapped at 1 pm. So many interesting options: Elysian Apocalypse Blight, RJ Rockers Gruntled Pumpkin...uhh, I forgot to take any other notes after that. Or was it after Jenn ordered all three of us delicious pumpkin bombs...twice? Oh boy...
(5)
Justin A.
Wow. I was looking forward to coming to City Tap. Overall: City Tap is a huge place with unknowledgeable beer servers. "wet hops or dry hops"? The waiter did not know. If you are a beer restaurant, train the waiters in the art of craft beer. Or just stay a pretender forever.
(2)
Jessica S.
I don't usually make it over to U City but every so often, we get an urge to take a cab over and end up at this place. My last visit solidified my opinion on this place: LOVE the beer options, love the atmosphere, good food, but lacking in the service department. We always get the 10 spice wings when we come here. They are grilled, no fried excessive skin, and have a really great flavor which is not spicy at all. We tried a couple of the pizzas and flat breads last visit, and the pulpo flat bread definitely came out the winner. Other than that, fairly basic food options, but a great compliment to really great beers. With that many draft beers, there really is something for everyone, and the list rotates seasonally. We discovered Brewworks Rude Elf during our last visit and I'm still trying to find somewhere to buy bottles of it. They have brewery nights where they feature specific brewers and have a dinner and beer pairing, which I haven't tried but would be looking forward to giving a shot. The only reason this place doesn't get more stars is the fact that every time I go I'm waiting forever for service. It was not busy last time we visited, so I'm not sure whats going on here. Because of this, I'll still come back but probably not as frequent in the rotation as some other places.
(3)
Erik G.
Food and beer selection, great! Service... meh. Our waiter was fine but the front desk all but completely ignored us. Would go back and hopefully have better people at the front desk.
(4)
Eric B.
I can't believe that I have lived in Philly so long and never knew about this place. If you're a craft beer person, this is the place to come...over 50 options on tap and many I haven't seen before, which is a big deal for a beer person like myself. I didn't try the food, but the menu looks really good as well. The decor of the bar/restaurant is modern with a enthuses on dark wood, plus, they have a large outdoor terrace overlooking U of Penn that I will certainly coming back for when the weather changes. Nothing better than relaxing outside and enjoy a beer. Can't wait to come back!
(4)
Brianna K.
The few times that I've been here, it's been nice, but not worth the money. They do not label any vegan items on their menu. And although they do have decently good food, I prefer going to restaurants where I don't have to grill the servers about every possible animal ingredient. Cute atmosphere, great location. Good beer as well from what I've heard but I have not yet had the chance to partake.
(3)
Kiki L.
You would enjoy their various selection of appetizers and entrees. Honey lavender ice-cream was refreshing and creative.
(3)
Dylan G.
This place is phenomenal! The beers on tap are diverse and delicious, and the food is much more than you'd expect from a bar in a "college town". Even the service is great. The waitstaff is friendly and fast, and there is one blonde hostess who is is out of this world. And by out of this world, I mean she's good at her job and really hot ;)
(5)
Vichet O.
I just feel like I need to reiterate how much I love this place. Remember that show, "Cheers"? With Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammar? Yeah, it's kind of like that, but with me instead of a whole bunch of actors that I can't name because they aren't Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer. If any place could be considered a red flag for my questionable drinking habits, this place is it. Even better, it teeters in that price range between cheap and pricey that scares off most Penn and Drexel undergrads who would rather drink room temperature, lightly hopped piss at Blarney, Smokes, and Cav's. Beers I've discovered here: Bear Republic Racer 5 Kona Brewing Koko Brown Kwak Hitachino Nest Bell's Two Hearted Ale And many more that I can't remember because I was drinking when I discovered them. A lot of the food is pretty good. Specifically, the burger, the lamb burger, the chicken-sausage griddle sandwich, the calamari, the sweet potato fries, the mussels, and the pizza. Their hummus could use a little more salt, but I'm not really there for hummus. Here's to you, Tap House. As long as he's in Philly, your boy Vichet will always be a customer.
(4)
Phi Psi PA Sigma U.
Always a great time. They NEVER dissapoint. City Tap House has always been willing to work with us- a men's organization, to organize events including Happy Hours and Dinner events. Consistently they support us with City Tap House donations that we auction/raffle off at our events and that is what makes all of the difference. Many business' tell us, a LARGE group of college gentlemen, that they don't want to help. When they do it is incredibly frustrating but City Tap House is one of the Businesses that never lets us down, always ready to work with us and always ready to make a difference on the local as well as national effort to better the world.
(5)
T S.
This place has a fire pit, if I had a date this would be perfect, I recommend. City Tap!, AWESOME !!!!!,EVERY ONE IS SO NICE, AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEER,the Food was delicious,I took home leftovers..
(4)
Shane J.
This restaurant that is located on Penn's Campus in University City is a nice surprise with good food and if you see a trend in my reviews - GREAT BEER selections!! I enjoyed the open layout and ability to see the kitchen. The food is unique and tasty. I like that it has a fun vibe - I have been here several times and one night it was quizzo night. My table participated and it was super fun. Those types of unexpected things can make a dining experience go from ok-to rememberable. The service was average and the wait staff friendly enough. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys a great beer from time to time.
(3)
S P.
Second time back and it was such a disappointment. The place was just about empty, but it took someone 5 minutes to come and greet us. A person at the bar had to go let the staff know that we were there. They were behind the bar chewing the fat instead of in place. Once seated, our beverage order was taken, but that was it. Almost 10 minutes went bay and our waitress never came back. Again, the place is just about empty. We decided to get up and leave. They didn't even realize we were leaving. My husband went back and told them we were leaving, and why, and the waitress came up with an off excuse. It looked like a 'manager/supervisor's away, so the staff will play' atmosphere. It will be awhile before we return.
(2)
Mike R.
I was a little harsh on my previous review so after a recent trip to Penn I figured I'd update and show some much needed love. The food at Tap House is delicious to say the least. I went on a Monday so the college crowd wasn't around and the servers were able to focus and really make us the center of attention. I loved my burger and the shared pulled pork nachos were amazing. It actually got me thinking that I wish I would have opened my eyes to CTH food while still in school... service was very good and the food was positively delicious. As always, the beer selection was superb. I opted to go with the Green Flash Green Bullet which is simply out of this world. The CA brewery is nearly impossible to find on the East Coast. I've been impressed in the past that CTA brought in Cisco Whale's Tail (Nantucket) and High Five (Sweden) but as an IPA lover I was delighted to see Green Flash. We ate outside by the fire pits which was lovely on a "light jacket" evening in October. Love the fire pits outside on the deck overlooking Spruce Street. There is no better place to hang out around Penn. Love the slate benches and the HUGE bar inside. The mood is wonderful and the beer selection is simply unmatched by anything in UCity let alone the city of Philadelphia. Good luck to you guys with your opening in DC. I'm really excited to get some good beer in town. See you at your opening at 901!!
(5)
Lauren S.
City Tap gets 4 stars for the atmosphere. It is the perfect setting for a crisp fall night: fires blazing outside, views of university city, cozied up to your guy or group of friends...Sounds amazing, right? Even the inside is warm and inviting! Lots of places to sit, and love the open kitchen! I have eaten here many times, and the food does not match up to the atmosphere. Sweet potato fries are probably the only winner on the menu for me. Calamari is rubbery and unseasoned. I would suggest grabbing food at Chipotle, BBP or Hummus and then coming up to enjoy City Tap. That is what we have been doing recently. Beer selection is amazing. From local beer to bud light, they have everything you could want. LOVE the pear cider, it is a perfect accompaniment to the outside setting. City Tap has a place in my heart.
(4)
John F.
One of the few places in university city you can go to where you actually feel like you are in a nice upscale bar. During the summer and fall this spot is great with the roof top outside area with Bon fires. The bar is huge, I have never had a problem getting a seat. The options of seasonal and craft beer are the best I've came across in ucity. If you don't mind spending 60-100 bucks for two people I recommend coming here for a chill night. That's my only con, the prices.
(4)
L G.
Went there a few days ago with a friend - they have wonderful selection of beers on tap, and not only that, but they will offer you a small sample of your chosen selections so that you can make your final choice. But best of all - we had been chatting with our wonderful bartender, Jenny, who is also a nurse. When my friend felt ill (a problem with her leg), Jenny came over and was extremely supportive and helpful until my friend could sufficiently recover. Thanks so much again Jenny! We are fans of this place and look forward to returning!
(5)
Chris T.
Awesome place! Good craft beers! Try the Evil Genius Purple Monkey! Also try the Lamb Burger!! Couldn't put the burger down!
(5)
Mary H.
The place is very cozy, pretty and fancy. I love restaurants with tall ceilings. The prices are a little steep but you wont be surprised when you step in and check out the vibrant atmosphere. I ordered the Striped Sea Bass plate and it was really good. The citrus caramel sauce they line on the plate is especially good, i wanted so much more of it. The bass was cooked well and very moist. The corn relish was very delish and gave a punch of flavor when combined with everything else on the plate. I was able to finish everything on the plate because it was so light and healthy. The burgers and potato fries look really good, I will probably try them the next time I come here.
(4)
Jemi J.
Ugh, they are so picky about non diners drinking at the tables toward the rear of the venue. Often times, these tables are empty, and the bar overflowing. It's not as if the empty tables will magically fill up with people if the kitchen is already closed! And the waiters can sometimes be snippy, which is surprising because tap house gets a mix of college, grad and neighborhood people. But besides this, Taphouse is just a beautiful place to sit and relax with friends, especially when the weather is beautiful out on the patio, and/or when they have fires going (! I still have to experience the latter, but can't wait!!) The Pear Cider is UHMAZING. I had the lamb burger, medium well,which had a surprising amount of flavor packed into the huge burger. I am conflicted as to whether it was worth $15 ( especially if you can get the same burger, if not a lot better, at copa) but with the fries and ambience, I guess I had it coming. The lamb burger had an overwhelming rosemary flavor, and I'm glad that I asked for it medium well, because it was more tender ( our waiter warned us that getting it well done might be too dry, and I could see his point. Thanks!)
(4)
Sooin L.
City tap house is a little expensive but I like it a lot. I think their menu is a little limited but there is something for everyone. In case of dinner, I've had the steak which was underwhelming. Probably better to get the pizzas or something. Personally i go for brunch. I love the steak&eggs as well as the waffle. Delicious!!
(4)
Ruchi G.
City Tap offers DELICIOUS food. Seriously. Come for the food, stay for the beer. Amazing selection on both--I'm particularly partial to the shrimp n grits (cried when they left the menu rotation, actually cried) which are creamy, smoky, juicy...perfect. The sweet potato fries and gnocchi are always amazing, too. Dry rub wings were meh, but still better than most places. And the beer selection! Wowza. The people here know their stuff and there's a LOT of stuff on offer. It's a great place to come if you're a regular (but a little pricey for regular patronage) because the bartenders who stay really try to get to know you (shoutout to Cathy!!!!) Altho there's been a lot of bartender turnover since I first started coming here in 2010. I took a star off for the seating on crowded nights--it's extremely hard to get bar seating, although in the summer maybe it'll be better 'cause the outdoor space (I don't want to have to pay for fire pit seating though!) and obviously you can't sit down unless you're going to order food too. Dunno what the solution is, but it's made some Friday nights kind of uncomfortable--though again, not nearly as bad as most CC bars! I love this place.
(4)
Alli H.
I've been three times and have had the same experience each time: Beer = Excellent Service = Mediocre (or less) All three times, I've sat at the bar - And all three times have waited quite a while before finally being greeted by anybody, had to flag down the bartender to ask for another round, etc. The beer selection is great. I wish the service could match the beer selection in awesomeness.
(3)
Grace F.
Man, I really want to love this place. But I can't...all I can say is that I kind of like it. First let me say, I love their outdoor deck. My husband and I love craft beers, and City Tap House seems to be an amazing craft beer bar/restaurant...and yet we leave every time (5X now) feeling disappointed. The bartenders move slowly, they are disinterested, and the beer is overpriced with very limited happy hour specials. I did have a very friendly waitress who actually appreciated beer and she was wonderful, now they just need that to be consistent across the board! Oh and the food, is sometimes good. It depends what you get: their baked wings are fab-u-lous! As is their mussel, frites, and beer special (if they still have it). Their burgers and entrees leave something to be desired. Maybe I would have loved the food if I had been able to enjoy my beer a little bit more beforehand...
(3)
Dave H.
City Tap House isn't your typical University City bar. Then again, it doesn't pretend to be. A massive bar fills the venue, and there's seating throughout. Outside is a terrace perfect for mixers, or a meal with friends. Feeling cold? Don't worry, there's an app for that. Well, fireplace. Our bartender's pulchritude enchanted, but her creative streak impressed us more. When I asked about milkshakes, she suggested a root beer float - vanilla ice cream and all - which hit the spot. I wanted a shot to go with it, and she made me a baby Guinness (a shot I haven't had in years), which was perfect. During happy hour, the Tap House offers special-priced appetizers. Their margherita pizza will feed you, and their grilled vegetable bruschetta is tasty enough - can't beat grilled peppers and eggplant - but be sure to try their sweet fries; ours were mostly crispy, and the mustard on the side has a bite.
(4)
Jillian R.
As a first time visitor to City Tap House, I have to admit... I was impressed. I met a friend for dinner on Monday night, and the bar was hopping with professionals (both young and seasoned) with a sprinkling of college kids. The dining room was nearly empty when we sat down for dinner, but quickly filled up as our evening went on. The beer menu was extensive and they have a special called Flight Night on Monday nights. $10 for 4, 6 ounce tastes of almost any beer on the menu (only bumping off a star since the one beer I was really in the mood for, they ran out of). For dinner, my friend ordered the mussels (with a red spicy sauce) and I ordered the Hanger Steak with parmesan fries with truffle aioli. Both were delicious. The wait staff was courteous and quick. Between the food and the service, I'm sure we'll be back.
(4)
Adam P.
After a fun Quizzo experience at Local 44, we decided to see how City Tap's compared last week and left disappointed. First off, the website lists that it starts at 10pm (which I even called to confirm). The host didn't show up until 10:40, which according to our waitress, is the new standard this summer. And as it turns out, Johnny 'Goodtimes' is actually a miserable guy in his 30s with the personality and emceeing skills of a log. Pretty tough to sit through that for over an hour. Beer list is huge, albeit more expensive than it really should be for a lot of the selection. Our friends ordered a pizza, which they said was good despite being pretty small for $14+. All in all, can't say there's much of a reason that I'd come here over Local 44, so approach with caution.
(3)
Tracy N.
I remember anxiously awaiting Taphouse's opening my freshmen year - it's a nicer alternative to the normal Smokes' and Blarney's nights. The drinks are pretty reasonable and they change the beers they have on tap every now and then. There is always some cool even going on, especially during the summers (watermelon/crab/all you can eat/drink nights). The food is above average as far as bar food goes. The crafted sandwiches are tasty, I suggest the burger. The brick oven pizzas and mussels (huge portions) make for great h'orderves to split if you're just out drinking with a friend. It can get pretty loud and overrun with undergrads on weekends, although I think Taphouse attracts more young professionals and graduate students. The outdoor fireplaces are amazing and add more personality to the patio space. Definitely worth stopping by if you're looking for a chill night of drinks and good food.
(4)
DanaJoy88 ..
food is a little overpriced i think but it's delicious so i guess i will deal. My boyfriend and I stopped in for just a few beers and a snack and we didnt leave disappointed.
(4)
Christian S.
I made my first visit to the City Tap House this past Friday for lunch. I initially thought my coworkers were leading me into a trap after walking into a hallway and coming to an elevator. I thought we were going to need a special code to get in. The minute you walk into City Tap House you can help but marvel at the layout of the place. The bar area is huge and there is plenty of outdoor seating. I am sure this has been mentioned in just about every other post, but if you are here to drink, this is your place as there is an excellent selection of drafts. After reviewing the menu, I choose to go with the Mussels. Not my usual choice for lunch unless I am on vacation, but after seeing the various ways City Tap prepares their mussels, I was extremely curious. I decided to try the Abigail style mussels served in roasted garlic butter, leaks, and Belgian ale broth. Some of the mussels were a little undercooked, but overall the dish was quite delicious. Of course I used the fresh focaccia bread to soak up the rest of that perfectly seasoned broth. This place is on my list of must visit again establishments. I really need to find out how the other mussels dishes are prepared. The burgers look pretty good as well.
(4)
Kate S.
I WANT to love this place 100% and give it 5 stars because the Beer selection is OUTSTANDING! Best in the city --I don't know any other place that has as many taps and reminds of my favorite place in SF (Toronado's) But the service can be painfully slow esp at the bar and at the outdoor firepits, esp on particularly crowded nights which seems to be about every night The bar is highly understaffed, my thing is don't have a giant bar that can sit 40 people around plus have drink orders come in from all of the tables and only have two or sometimes even only ONE bartender, its just not practical That being said, I go back time and time again because the waitstaff is very knowledgeable about their beers and I always manage to have a good time despite the slow bar service. My advice get there before 6 or get a table and eat food otherwise be prepared for slow service at the bar
(4)
Kevin S.
I came for beer, and while the draft list was long it seemed to lack any real standouts - and prices were a bit steep for a University City bar. We were served fairly quickly, but it took us an uncomfortably long time to settle our bills, as the bartender seemed to disappear for quite a while. The inside bar has a sports bar feel, but the patio is much more enjoyable (if the weather cooperates). I had a Lagunitas Lil' Sumpin Wild (California IPA) for $7, most drafts seemed to be in the 5-10 dollar range.
(3)
Jordan P.
Scheduled for a post-screeening happy hour with some fellow students, I was excited to finally give City Tap House a try. I'd heard about their Sour Saturday and crab fest, as well as their extensive draft list, so I was all in. I love the idea of Flight Nights on Monday ($10 for flights) and the day I went (a Tuesday) the special was canned beer. Naragansett, Brooklyn Lager, and an alleged "Brooklyn Summer IPA". After confirming with Brooklyn Brewery that this is not, in fact, a real beer, I call shenanigans on the offer. Thanks, but no thanks to your imaginary beer. The beer I did end up choosing, Flying Dog's Sour Cherry, was sweet and tart, just as some of my favorite sours are. The prices of the beers weren't too bad, but when I looked at the food menu and contemplated a bite to eat, I noticed that those prices were a bit too steep for my liking. Knowing that Wawa was just around the corner and I had a train to catch (on which I would happily nosh on my sub), I wasn't too worried. Others in my party got the chickpea fritters ($12) which were 3 slightly-smaller-than-a-golfball-sized fried chickpea balls and some pita wedges, along with a bitty cucumber salad that was apparently tasty, but tiny. As far as "bang for your buck" when it comes to appetizers, I think I'd go for the Mezze Plate. A few folks from my party split one, and it looked hearty and diverse. The Feta was apparently really fresh, and the hummus looked awesome, very creamy with little bits of REAL red pepper in it! We were lucky enough to nab one of the always-desirable (according to my fellow happy hour-ers) firepits (no fire needed in the summer, or at least... they weren't lit when we went from 5:40-7ish) which allowed a great seating area in the setting sun. Here's my biggest complaint, though. I'm not sure if it was a dish they'd prepared, or something had spilled, or an actual gastrointestinal problem, but the INSIDE had the distinct smell of recently spewed vomit. I can't imagine that's a norm for them, but the smell made me rush in and out with as much speed as I could muster while holding my breath. I'd prefer some sort of scented candle, or even cleaning supplies to that smell. Brutal. I know I'll be back, as I'm starting at Penn in the fall, and hopefully the odor wafts out by then. Fingers crossed.
(3)
Lincoln L.
I have lived in west philly for several years now, been here more times than I care to count, and have finally got around to writing this review. City Tap House (or just tap house) is a great all around bar/restaurant. They serve all your normal beer on tap along with a slew of other local and seasonal beers, also on tap. Beers normally run you $5 to $8, happy hour specials are pretty good with $3 drafts and $5 mixed drinks. There is a good mix of people, more college students on Thursdays. Overall the bar has a casual feel but your are not going to see a lot of drunk students and really loud music, it is a great place to get a couple drinks and meet up with friends. The quality of food ranges a lot from dish to dish, generally good but nothing spectacular for the price. I liked the lamb burger and the mussels, but was disappointed with the flatbread. Supposedly some of their pizzas are a solid choice. The huge outside deck area is one of the best in the city and boasts several fire pits with seating around them. I also really appreciate that the restaurant does a lot of events that are definitely worth going to. My favorite was the all-u-can-eat Maryland blue crab fest that I went to last year. The steamed crabs were delicious and served with potatoes, bread, and corn on the cob. Tap house also does events for philly beer week, restaurant week, and has live music sometimes. I usually find myself coming here at least once a month and is probably my favorite place to go in UC.
(4)
Herbie H.
To be honest, I have a complicated and sometimes frustrating relationship with City Tap House. The food is always good, the beer list is always extensive, and the ambiance is always very nice. My issue stems from the menu. I think the menu is a bit all over the place and sometimes mis-guided. A number of years ago they had many more sandwich options, which was nice, because most of the entrees hit around the $20+ mark. City Tap House is a great place to go with your parents, or when you feel like splurging a little bit. But to go just to grab a casual dinner (ie. not spending $15+ for just the entree) can often be a frustrating experience. There's a smattering of appetizers, none of which are as appealing or affordable as I wish they were. I've had all of their sandwiches/burgers, which are all very good. The entree list covers a wide scope of food, which is nice. My favorite of which is the Shrimp & Grits, which is really great. The Grits 'cake' is rich and luscious, and the shrimp have great flavor. On my most recent visit, I ordered the Avocado & Grapefruit Salad, which was really delicious. It had a tremendous bright and fresh flavor. With the addition of chicken, it was a light, but filling entree that I enjoyed a lot. All of my complaints aside (in an ideal world/if I ran the place, I would add 3-4 more sandwich/burger options in the $9-14 range to make it more desirable for a casual dinner, instead of always needing to splurge) I have been to City Tap House many, many times and had generally good experiences across the board.
(4)
Virginia E.
Came here on a brunch date on Saturday afternoon. The waitress suggested we try their new test items that were listed on a separate card, so I went w/ the French Toast Croque Madame. It was good! I liked the sweet and savory combo. I was a little nervous it would be TOO sweet since I'm not a sweet meal person and I think by the end, it was just that. If the chef put a little less of the maple bechamel on, that would be a good move. The dish was drowning in the sauce and by the end, it was just too cloying. Also, I 100% didn't taste the gruyere. Not a smidge. BUT I loved the idea! And the ham and egg on top of unsweetened french toast was a good idea. Both were perfectly cooked, too. Just lighten up on the sauce and double down on the gruyere and you have yourself a winner! I also had the Bloody Mary and it was probably the worst Bloody Mary ever. It was very one-note and that note was pepper. There was a ton of horseradish in there, too, but instead of giving it depth, it just gave the drink a flavorless chunky texture in not a good way. I couldn't taste any tomato juice, salt, Worcestershire, ANYTHING. It was just peppery. I'm not entirely convinced there was any alcohol in there, either. Our server was nice, but kinda not w/ it. She literally came over at one point and said she had forgotten about us b/c we were behind a pole. She wasn't on her water game AT ALL. My date had requested an item be left off his burger and the burger came w/ that item on, which she then said was her fault. She dropped the check off and said "Take your time!", but then came back 20 minutes later and asked if we could pay so she could leave. Ugh. In summation, the food was good and I enjoyed trying something different. The no bueno drink and server drag down my rating.
(3)
Bryson V.
The food and atmosphere are great, but being located in penn it sometimes draws an obnoxious crowd, and service takes a while- also expensive. This is a good option if you have picky people, a large group or your parents. There is a great selection of beer, however everything is very pricey. Similarly there is a great selection of food, ranging from muscles (delicious), through to steak, burgers, and pizzas. Most recently my girlfriend and I got the mussles and the pizza, and were both very pleased. The mussles come in white wine sauce that is acidic, and tangy, but also savory and salty. ITS PERFECT. All things considered I give this 3 stars because of the fact that often its so crowded that you cannot get a seat, and also because it takes a long time to get drinks. The outdoor firepits are very nice, though it can get very crowded.
(3)
Kyle K.
City Tap House will always hold a special place in my heart. I lived in The Radian during my 21st summer and this gastropub was my gateway into the wonderful world of craft beer. There were endless possibilities when the server handed me the clipboard of 60+ beers on tap with helpful and entertaining flavor descriptions. Every food item I've had here is solid too. I remember my friend pushing the Tartufo pizza on me (mushrooms, taleggio, fried egg, black truffle oil) and saying, "Trust me" after I questioned how an egg could work on a pizza. He was right! The unique combo of ingredients were so flavorful and worked well together. The majority of the time I opt for a Craftwich like the wild boar burger or the Free Range PA Turkey Burger. The Tap Burger, especially when an add-on of pork belly is an option, is easily the best burger in Philly. Make sure you save room for dessert: there are a variety of freshly baked cookies that come in a mini cast iron pan and can be topped with house made gelato. My mouth is watering just thinking about that killer combo! Overall, City Tap House has been the go-to place for any occasion. I've been here for birthday celebrations, farewell parties, and even a watermelon eating contest (with delicious watermelon beer of course). This West Philly institution hits the spot every time.
(5)
Syvan T.
City tap has the best of both worlds, good food and good beer. We sat outside because it was a lovely sunny day and had the pleasure of listening to Splintered sunlight. The beer selection is vast. I had half philly brewing co Walt wit with half lemonade (not on the menu but they did an excellent job making it) and my boyfriend had a Sierra Nevada Kellerweis. We ordered a Chicken Caesar Salad and the Potato Leek Flatbread. The Caesar was delicious! It had Parmesan crisps and garlic croutons and the chicken was grilled really well and was tasty. Our flatbread had a bit of a kick to it. The potatoes were a bit under done for me but were still good anyway. Our waitress was very nice but when the check came we happened to notice that were charged to split the salad. No where on the menu does it say there is a split charge nor did the waitress give the courtesy of telling us about it so that was a bit disappointing. All in all it was a good experience.
(4)
Grace L.
A decent, go-to place to go for the bar and open-fire pits, although the drinks are extremely overpriced (don't go for the hard liquor). I guess it's the only non-sketchy, non-dive bar on campus though, so there's no way not to go. It's not a terrible place to go if you just want to hang out with minimal service. However, if you do want service--especially for a meal, and ESPECIALLY with a large party, I would recommend checking your other options. Yes, they do take reservations for large parties, but are so bad at serving them. During senior week, a group of 10+ other friends and I tried to come for lunch....and ended up getting almost-dinner instead, since we waited 1+ hours to be served and another hour to get our food. After a waitress came and stopped by finally, she argued that we had already ordered, stating that the other waitresses attested to seeing us place our orders. Meanwhile, we sat there in the sun, with no waters, forlornly looking at our menus, wishing the whole time that we had picked another lunch plate. To be fair, the food, when it finally arrived, tasted great. Portions are huge, and the fries & special sauce are delicious.
(2)
Victoria L.
Tap House is the go to place to grab a drink and munch on delicious pizza with friends! Being centrally located on Penn's campus, Tap House combines the convenience and fun all in one location. They offer such a wide variety of beer on tap that you will no have a problem finding something that suites your taste buds. They also offer seasonal choices, which some of them have become my favorites over the year as well. In terms of food, I always order the pulled pork nachos and the margheritta pizza. The pulled pork nachos are a MUST try! I have even asked for the pork on the side for my vegetarian friends, and they still love the dish without the pork. It's a plate full of deliciousness! Even though I enjoy the food, beer, and rooftop/outside seating, the service is always a hit or miss. Sadly, the majority of the time it's been a miss. The service isn't really friendly, but I understand they're trying to work with a college customer base. No matter, I'll definitely come back for the food and beer though!
(3)
Tia P.
My entire experience here was so overwhelmingly "meh." First off, there was no air circulation in the place. It was a hot day outside and sitting inside did nothing to relieve that. So sweaty and miserable. Then we ordered beers, the server was not at all helpful or knowledgable about the beers so we ended up with two beers completely unlike what we expected. Both beers were flat and they tasted like the lines they used hadn't been cleaned between previous types of beer. Disappointing. We ordered a caesar salad, turkey burger, veggie burger and fries. Admittedly the Caesar salad was fantastic. Veggie burger was dry, crumbly, and not flavorful. Turkey burger was dry and flavorless. Both burgers were stacked so ridiculously high there was no way to get everything in one bite. Fries were so overdone they were inedible. Just looking at the fries you could tell they had been fried for way too long, so I'm not sure why the chef didn't just dump them and start again instead of serving bad food. The worst part was that the entire meal (for lunch, mind you) was $63!!!! That's outlandish for the mediocre service we received and disappointing food and drink. Also, the crowd was the worst (obnoxious UPenn bros and old white dude sausage fest). And the music being played was terrible early '00s pop punk. Never again.
(2)
Michael C.
As the name suggests, there's a lot of beer on TAP here. And it's in the CITY. And people live upstairs, so you can think of it as a HOUSE. But seriously they have a lot of weird beers here, and if you can't decide what you want, you can ask to try a few and then decide. Or just try a few more. Me, I'm not a huge beer person, so I usually stick to one of the Belgians on tap (Belgians are lighter beers). Some of the food here is definitely worth a try: the Tap burger is surprisingly good; the meat is usually juicy and it comes with all the trimmings. I'm not a fan of their margherita pizza -- the crust is a bit too think and floppy for a brick oven pizza and the toppings don't have much flavor -- but the Salumi pizza has a nice kick and is worth a try. Their rotating selection of chicken is also usually decently cooked. Also, the silverware is wrapped in cloth, which I like for some reason. So once you've finished sampling all of the beers on the list, grab a fork and have some dinner.
(4)
Matt W.
I'm a bit hesitant to write a poor review on the strength of only one visit, but it was just not a great experience and I won't be going back, and that's the gist of a two-star review. Yes, the City Tap has a great selection of beers on tap, a kind of nouveau California-ish inspired menu, and a fancy ski-lodge-like interior. Those are the reasons to give the place a try, and your mileage may well vary quite a bit from mine. What did not work: turkey burger that was so badly charred on the outside (yes, yes, I understand, with ground poultry they *have* to cook it to kill the pathogens) it tasted like burned toast, and the avocado was cold and kind of greasy and just lowered the temperature of the burgers. I honestly should have sent the thing back but between the late hour and the relatively slow kitchen service I was just starving. Apps were a bit unusual (the wings were fairly original cripsy style) but extremely unevenly cooked. I was a little surprised there. I am not getting the "generous portions" comments; none of the four entrees ordered by our table seemed that large. Now, let's throw in: only one wait person that day, and the front of the house staff *sharing this fact with us* as a pre-excuse. I'm sorry, well-run high-end restaurants have backup plans when servers call in sick, and *do not tell the customers about their staff management problems.* It is ****NOT OUR PROBLEM*** that you don't have enough wait staff. So we ended up at the bar. Now, I also appreciate beer recommendations, but tiny glasses at $6.50 a pop? It inhibits sampling their large selection. In turn, places that aren't willing to price their beer up front or don't automatically let their customers in on the range are running a bit of a thin game. So, you throw in the three- to four-star pricing, and it just makes it a bit discouraging. Perhaps we did get them on a bad day -- but again -- this is not *my* problem to deal with, it's the managements. Manage your kitchen. Manage your front of the house. Let the customer know what they're in for when you push something. Thank you.
(2)
Kira K.
Service: friendly and efficient :) Food: I tried the tartufo and the honey goat cheese flatbreads and the chicken and waffles - all of the tasted amazing! But I would only recommend the tartufo if you like truffle oil since it does have a strong taste Drinks: I didn't not get drinks my first time here, but my dad enjoyed the selections of beer I would definitely come here again! The portions are big so the prices are worth it
(5)
L D.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate a graduation. Our party was big 20+ strong but they manages to seat us without any issues. Got the big chick meal with summer wheat yeungling - yum. The chicken was awesome and the biscuit that it came with was great. The hash/ potato bits not so much because it was too salty and burnt. Additionally got a bite of the tap burger and it was pretty good. The salad that came with it was fresh and lightly covered with dressing, very good after eating such a meaty dish. Overall: Foods good, location is prime, service is friendly and beer selection is plenty.
(4)
Marthy S.
So much love for this place!! Every time I'm in Philly, which is usually every weekend and sometimes an additional weekday on top of that, you'll find me at this spot. And every time, you can find me somewhere at the bar since their bar takes up more than half the restaurant and the vibe is always warm and welcoming. You would think that being on a college campus, it would be filled with a rowdy young college crowd but it's far from it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the crowd here. It's always diverse and friendly. I can come here by myself and strike up convos with the bartenders or with random strangers at the bar. Tons of bartenders working on any given day and they serve up the full menu at the bar. Chris is one of my faves since we share a love of IPA's but they all share a love of beer and of this place as well. **You'll have to keep in mind the time and which day you go since they serve their brunch menu and Sat and Sundays from 11-3pm. From 3pm-4pm on these days, they only serve pizza and salads and then the kitchen opens up for the dinner menu after that.** FOOD Recommendations: - Mezze Plate is an excellent starter. As a fall/winter seasonal item they switched the original hummus to a Pumpkin hummus. Tasting this at first was a surprise and might not be for everyone but I truly enjoyed it. - The Abigail and Pancho mussels are solid. Huge plate full of mussels and the broth/sauce for either one is really flavorful. The toasted bread that accompanies this dish is perfect to sop up the sauce. (You may need to ask for more of this bread lol!) - Classic Margherita and Tartufo Pizzas are money as well. That brick oven heat makes the crust with just the right crispiness and the toppings for either are never skimped. - Brunch Menu Item: Pulled Pork Hash, was alright but too heavy for me. The man friend ate it up but still commented that it was only mediocre. And the main reason why I'm always found here is because this is a full fledged CRAFT BEER spot! They have all kinds of events where they feature certain breweries or certain types of beers such as a dark beer event, so their tap menu constantly changes. You must come in and see their selection for yourself. It does not disappoint. Firepits and a large outside patio area make chillen outside accessible all year round. Take the elevator up to the UT floor and stay for some phenomenal beer, great ambiance and an inviting vibe of chill peeps.
(5)
Shani T.
I've been to Tap House on a number of occasions for brunch, dinner, and drinks, but finally refreshed my memory of this place yesterday during my quick weekend visit to Philly. Came here for dinner with a group of 8 and got seated in the booth by the kitchen. It was almost uncomfortably warm here near the kitchen, particularly because it was also 75 degrees outside. Tap House is considered one of the nicer restaurants on campus, and the price point definitely reflects this. The food itself is pretty okay. I ordered the chicken and waffles (seems to be a new addition from two years ago, I didn't remember this and was extremely excited to try it!) for $19 and the majority of my friends ordered the Tap Burger for $13. The ten spice wings are a pretty good appetizer, but the skin is thick and fatty, which is normally not my preference with wings. The waitress was very attentive and kind to my group. Some of my friends were drunk and shit and a bit on the obnoxious side but she was just so kind and understanding. Thank you, lovely waitress. Tip was not included in our bill even though we had a party of 8 which was nice, but we made sure to tip well for the hassle we caused. My chicken and waffles were incredibly good--I was actually very surprised. The syrup was not too sweet and the fried chicken was seasoned very well, with the edges nice and crispy. The dish itself was lukewarm at best though, which made me feel like it had been sitting for awhile before being served (we waited awhile for our food, but we did have a large and obnoxious party so I let it go). That was honestly my only complaint, but it made me feel a bit more critical of the food. On other occasions I've come here in the past, I've had less than friendly waitresses before, or have felt my meal was too expensive for the price / experience), which is why this sits at a solid 3.5 stars for me. I do like their outside seating area next to the fires--makes for very cozy drinking sessions.
(3)
Ashleigh S.
Love the bar and most of the bartenders: Howie is really fun, Dan the manager is amazing and makes magic happen, and all others are always nice and will really try to help you find a beer from their gargantuan selection that fits your tastes. The fire pits outside are the best. Love coming here when its slightly warmer outside (read:not snowing) to enjoy the comforting ambiance of a toasty fire. Food is good most of the time and I particularly enjoy brunch. Only reason they are not getting 5 stars is I feel like the food is slightly too expensive-it's not out-of-the-park amazing and I feel like I can get most of their food options for a few bucks cheaper at the same quality.
(4)
Arthur C.
I would call myself a CTH regular, and it is easily my go-to spot for drinks (read: beer). All of my experiences at the bar have been positive, and the bartenders are always friendly and dependable. If you become a regular here, make sure to get the names of some of your favorite bartenders, it really does make a difference. The beer selection is what really makes Tap House stand out. The selection of beers, helpfully distinguished by type (wheat beers, pale ales, stouts, etc.), makes the drinks menu that much more welcoming, especially for the numerous beer neophytes who come through the door. I've had brunch a couple of times at Tap, as well as dinner. The brunch here is not your typical pancakes or french toast fare; it is mostly savory dishes like fried chicken, nachos, or flatbread pizzas. The quality and size is decent, but still a little pricey. Dinner is a similar story, filled with food meant to be paired with a beer. The atmosphere is also great, obviously varying in liveliness depending on the time of day and day of the week you stop by. I've been to Tap for football and basketball games alike and the crowd is decent. However, the service remains dependable, more so for drinks than for food, but great nonetheless. Also a note that Tap does quizzo on Tuesday nights if you're into that kind of thing.
(4)
Vidushi B.
Like many Penn students, I frequent Tap House. I mostly go there on weekend nights, but I've also been there for brunch/lunch a few times. Tap has a pretty great selection of beers on tap, and they're relatively affordable. Most beers are between $6-$9, and they have beers of every type complete with descriptions on their list. I've been able to try a bunch of beers I wouldn't have otherwise tried because of this. The food is good as well, though I wouldn't say it's amazing. The brunch menu is pretty good, with a bunch of sweet, savory, and lunchy items. I especially like their pizza/flatbread options. The ambiance is pretty good too. In the winter they have outdoor fire pits which are clutch if you can snag a spot. It can get pretty crowded inside at the bar on weekend nights, however. Overall - great place to have a few great pints of beer in the U City area, and a classier options to the some of the more divey bars around!
(4)
Giacomo C.
I went back to this restaurant after not having been there for a while. The staff was very friendly. we were there with a large group and they did a great job of bringing out the food so that we could enjoy each part of the meal in good time. I ordered the Hawaiian fish special with a mango chutney. The fish was exquisite. the mango chutney was a little spicy just the way I like it. It was so good I had several people at my table tasted. I love sharing good food. My wife wanted a light bite and ordered the Caesar salad. She let me taste it. And it was very good as well. My young nephew ordered the clams. He enjoyed them so much that when his father asked to taste one he said NO. Everyone at our table really enjoyed their dinner. At the end of the meal the manager came over to make sure that we had enjoyed ourselves. This is what a dining experience should be, pleasant and tasty.
(5)
Erica L.
I've been here numerous times--as have all Penn students. Although it is a bit pricey, the portions are generous and the food delicious. I've always been satisfied with the service here! So, I'll break it down into my Brunch/Dinner/Drinking experiences. Brunch: Definitely not THE brunch place if you want pancakes, eggs, stuffed french toast, etc. Their menu dominates with savory dishes, which are still delicious regardless. I would highly recommend the Pork Burger, it had a lot of flavour that was perfect for any hangover. The Big Chick was alright, a little bland and fairly dry. I'm not a huge fan of their Eggs Benedict either, I found it to be a little sour tasting and didn't bother finishing the potato hash that it came with. The Steak and Eggs is nicely seasoned, but I found the steak to be rather dry when I tried it--definitely not worth $21. Dinner: Starting off with appetizers, the Nachos are pretty popular here and understandable. It comes stacked with SO many toppings, all of which blend perfectly. Everyone knows (or at least should know) how AMAZING the Tartufo flatbread is. Despite the $17 pricetag, it is worth every bite. Even writing this, I am dying to go back and have another. For one of their specials, I tried the steak rolled in bacon. Wow. It was completely next level and if it ever comes on their special again, I HIGHLY recommend you try it. The Tap Burger is also a staple and fairly popular. It's relatively standard, but they also cook it perfectly. Also, the fries that it comes with are amazing. If you can, also try ordering the sweet potato fries! Drinks: At the bar, there are so many TVs to watch games with your friends and they even have specials--especially when the weather warms up. With every single beer you can think of on tap and other various drinks, I am always trying to try something new. Whenever you order a beer, expect it to come filled to the brim with no foam--just as any beer on tap should be. However, I will say that my friend tried getting himself a drink and they turned him away for his "fake" ID, which was absolutely real. I was disappointed because they didn't even scan it, just simply looked at it and turned him away.
(4)
Justyn W.
Great spot to delve into an array of beers with selection that is sure to have something fit for any palate. I myself love darker porters and stouts. And they've got that for sure. Food is pretty tasty as well on a consistent basis. Gotta recommend the tap burger or a pizza if you want food. Nachos are CRAAAAZY as well. Please do share those hahaha trust me. Almost forgot. WHEN you go...DO.NOT.LEAVE without going to Howie at the bar. My man does it well in the well haha. But seriously. One of the best bartenders in Philly and you can take my word he'll treat you right. Tell em I said he better!
(5)
Carrie B.
I've been going to this bar since the day it opened, what was that, five years ago or some long time like that? I remember when they opened, they had 1/2 off all beer on Wednesday happy hour. It was absolutely hands down the best thing to hit University City ever. ICE COLD EXPENSIVE BEER 1/2 off was perfect because we were young and couldn't afford it otherwise! But as we grew up, so did the bar. I've been there over the years on a fairly regular basis, and the menu has change and grown as the restaurant became more and more popular. I love the food, and I love the drink menu. The atmosphere has always leaned towards the bro-ish side of bars, but that is a-okay when in University City. What else are you going to find, really when you just want a nice craft beer? I was just there yesterday and must say, it really was still great. I don't work or live as close as I used to, so my trips have become more sporadic over time. When my friend said, let's go, I said, heck, sure! We got seats and the gigantic rectangular-shaped bar right after work at 5pm, and we were served by multiple, extremely knowledgeable bartenders, who gave us many samples of beers to try and were skilled and thoughtful with their recommendations. We had a few beers as the bar filled up. When we left at around 7:30pm, the bar was full, crowded and loud, but it didn't bother us one bit. I must say, the icing on the cake was the fact that they accepted two free beer coupons that I had been holding onto for about four years. Thank you, Howie! Definitely will be back for an ice cold beer and to enjoy the outdoor fire pits when it's just a little warmer outside.
(4)
Sonal U.
This place has an amazing mellow vibe. Most of the crowd is filled with UPenn students due to this place's location essentially on their campus. Greatest things I noticed 1) awesome fire pits 2) margarita pizza 3) diverse and wide selection of beers 4) live bands ( can be a pro or con depending on the band )
(4)
Shereen C.
This review is coming late since I was here over a year ago, but I remember the chicken wings here were great. Chicken wings were succulent & full of flavour. The other bar food I tried was fine but nothing remarkable. 3+ stars
(3)
Yatti N.
Tap House, Tap House, Tap House... I have a hate and love relationship with this place. I love their pizza. The only reason I eat here is because of their salumi pizza. One of my favorite pizza in the city. I don't need those fancy toppings. The hate; is their service. At times, I would get the worst waiters that never checks on my table. I would become a THOT in this place when I have these waiters. I can't find to get my cup refilled or order a new drink. This happens when I order take out, too. Waiting to get my take out order seems like I'm waiting for SEPTA.
(3)
Alyssa S.
Though it wasn't my first time hanging out here, last night was definitely the best experience I've had. I met a friend for drinks around dinnertime with my dog. Not only were we promptly seated outside in a comfortable area, the host brought out a bowl of water for my pup. This is a huge plus for me at any establishment, as I hate leaving him home alone when I already know I'm going somewhere with outdoor seating. For this reason, I'll probably choose CTH as a default spot for outdoor drinks over Harvest (though they're cheaper) because they don't allow dogs on their patio. Anyway, my friend ordered short rib tacos, which he loved but said they were hard to eat because the tortilla was small. This wouldn't have bothered me, though. We each had three beers, which were all great. The waitress (though I forget her name) was extremely helpful and fun to chat with. I hope to see her there again to take some of her beer recommendations. Overall, a great experience for quiet snacks and drinks. Perfect for catching up with a friend in a relaxed environment.
(4)
Victoria R.
Met my husband at this restaurant one night. We had a pleasant experience. It reminded me of a steak house chain restaurant that's prevalent on the west coast. We had the mussels for appetizers which came in a huge big bowl, so good! There were plenty for us to share, the soup in it was delicious and then we split a big burger with fries! We got beers and soda, the service was excellent. Overall, we'd go back for a chill and nice meal.
(4)
Annie B.
Lots of beers to choose from, and the food is good. BUT, expect a long wait (even if you have a reservation) and not-so-great service. It's always very busy, even if it's a week night. Waiters/waitresses/bartenders take quite a while to check up on you, take your food order, refill drinks, etc. The honey goat cheese flat bread is AMAZING.
(3)
Elli S.
We went to city tap house with a group of friends (15-20 people) for a birthday dinner and our experience was pretty pleasant more people then expected came and the hostess was very happy to help accommodate our whole party. Good food, plenty of different kinds of beer! I wish we had went during the spring/summer because it looks like they had a very nice outdoors area where you can hang out and have a couple of drinks! Only thing is it's a little bit expensive...but nothing crazy! I would definitely go back!
(4)
Tina K.
The service here is extremely slow, while the food is not that great to be worth the wait. The menu is quite pricey, too. I don't recommend going here at all.
(2)
Mo M.
I've been frequenting City Tap House on various occasions.. from happy hours, dinner, day parties and networking functions. Overall, I like the place. Staff is cool!... The food is good... go for the 10 spice wings and their burgers! Definitely try a beer flight too! Atmosphere is laid back.The outdoor patio is a must when the weather is good. You can can find the college co-eds and professionals at the bar.. all just trying to have a good drink (or two), good conversation and decent food.
(4)
Kevin H.
$7 for a beer, tax not included. Even bud light is $5. There's no reason at that price the house can't eat the tax. I've never been to a bar that wants tax on top of tap prices. $8.75 for Jack on the rocks, in the smallest glass I've ever been served in. The atmosphere is ok, but I'll go somewhere else next time, hands down.
(1)
Heather S.
This place has changed for the worse !!!! If you are a college student, then you will fit right in....but the staff & management is all about themselves and not about customer service.... Never going to return, Attitude from the bartender (young and inexperienced at performing quality service & full of excuses....) the management is a JOKE & ran by some 20 year old.... STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS SHIT HOLE! NOT EVEN WORTH THIS 1 star....
(1)
Andrew B.
This place is great. I've been here too many times to count, but there are a good range of reasonably priced options that are outstanding. They recently dropped my favorite burger (lamb burger was amazing), but they still have my wife's favorite (the turkey burger). The honey goat cheese and salumi flatbreads are great for sharing, and the hushpuppies are always popular. If you have a large group getting together for happy hour, it can be a bit tough to mingle because of the layout of the bar area, but if you're there early enough you can pull a few tables together, and the servers are great. You can also reserve space outside or in a little room off the entrance, if you plan ahead and don't want to be super crowded. You can also set a limit on the tab, to be informed if your group hits a threshold based on what you're budgeting, which is nice (and they can limit the drink options, if you're into that). Basically, they're great for groups. They also have some pretty great table and booth options for groups of pretty good sizes (10-12). I also really like the beer selection, which isn't just large, but also varied. Some places will have 100 beers to choose from, as long as you like it really dark, or like it really hoppy - this has something for nearly every taste (that can be reflected in a 2 page beer list). Probably the best thing about this place is the large amount of outdoor seating! Sometimes these can be taken up by people who have called ahead, but I can probably get outside 75% of the time that I'd like to (may just reflect the distribution of when I've been, but I've been at all hours, from lunch through pretty late dinner). Sitting around the fire pits is also very cool, though you can't share appetizers with people on the other side very easily. Also, be careful that none of the paper that comes with some foods catches on fire.
(5)
Jamie C.
City Tap House is a fun sports-like bar right by Penn's campus. There are plenty of TVs to watch the game. A beer is approximately $5.50. The pizza and nachos we ordered was delicious. The City Tap House is a great place to meet up with friends. There is also an outside section.
(4)
J K.
I can't even count the number of times I've been to City Tap, but lately I find myself regretting the major cash dropped after each visit... The beer list prices no longer include Philly's 10% liquor tax - so that craft brew listed as $8 is actually $8.75. Similarly, the menu is always changing & not always for the better - the affordable options are now very limited. I've been really unimpressed with the menu as of late - the pizza is greasy, the nachos are soggy & swimming in cheese and their once delicious burgers/sandwiches (ie, the chicken-blt sam!) have been narrowed down to 3 poor burger options (1 of which is vegetarian). Of course the outdoor space is beautiful & removed from the hustle & bustle of Walnut St. below - but it comes with a price. You are PAYING for it. Many of the craft beers on tap here are available for purchase at the Local 44 Bottle Shop for half the price...
(2)
Sneha K.
City Tap House is a favorite on Penn's campus! I love their pizzas and sweet potato fries. It is a little expensive though. The service here is alright but nothing great. Their drink selection is really good and well-organized for people who don't necessarily know what they want. I also love the fire pits they have on the patio; they make standing outdoors bearable in colder weather! Tip: On Mondays they have $10 flights.
(4)
Stephanie L.
Off the bat two great things about this place are its ability to manage a crowd and the beer selection. My friend organized a two hour open bar at City Tap House for his birthday. Unlike many other open bars, bartenders were attentive, friendly, and willing to give recommendations on beers. The beer menu is extensive. Organized by style as well as a supplemental list of the rotating taps, they give a description and are transparent about price and ounces served with each pour. The fire pits outside are gas powered (so no smokey clothes - awesome) and really do help you keep warm on a chillier night. We had a variety of food served at our party and while I only tried the thin crust grandma pizza (which was amazing), the ribs, sliders and hummus looked wonderful. Friends gave the thumbs up. A great venue when solo, with a small group, or in a crowd. There's a parking garage just up the block, and the University City area is nice to be in.
(4)
R E.
I'm writing this review after visiting the City Tap House about 5 times. This last time was with a $35 gift card from Christmas. This place is way over priced. $13 for a burger is very high, and my medium rare order was brought out medium. I didn't send it back because I don't like to make a scene; instead, I just won't go back to this place. There beer options are plentiful but, again, so expensive ($7 and up for a pint). Overall, City Tap House is a mediocre place with a price that suggests a much higher quality experience. Don't be fooled.
(2)
Alex L.
The Good: Decent place to grab a casual drink. Solid beer selection and possibly the only bar on campus that isn't a total dive. If you're in the mood for food, try the Big Chick: fried chicken, fried bacon, and fried eggs on a biscuit with gravy. Mmm! The Bad: Food quality, service, and everything else. Most of their food is basically Greek Lady printed on a nicer menu and served up on a heavier plate. Bar appetizers are acceptable but not memorable. The Eggs Benedict was among the worst I've had -- eggs were cooked through completely and the hash browns on the side were chewy, not crispy. The last time I was there, the server was quite rude. She refused to seat us indoors on an incredibly hot day, even though there was plenty of seating available. Nor did they attempt to help us set up our table under one of their outdoor umbrellas. I left disappointed and sweaty.
(2)
J. Christopher E.
I'm downgrading. Happy hours specials are no longer any good (the Wednesday 1/2 price on most beers happy hour special long gone), they no longer carry Bell's Two Hearted Ale (!), service not-so-good (a few times I waited more than 10 minutes for someone to take a food and drink order in the main dining area), and staff generally less helpful and pleasant. The food is still good, but most times I leave angry because I don't like the beer choices and the service is terrible. They also need to fix the stone around the fire pits. Did the management change? Why no longer great? I used to love this place. I come here much less often (from once a week to now a few times a year). Now going instead to Local 44 or Dock Street Brewery or SSHP.
(2)
Nikki F.
The ambience of the restaurant is great. Hands down I would come here again, just for that. I didn't have the best of waiters, so my experience was just ok. The food is ok, not sure its worth the cost. But I loved the beers and the drinks. I would definitely return in the fall to experience the fire pit. Aside from that, its just ok.
(3)
Larry F.
Tap House is a classic choice at Penn. I haven't had too many food selections here, but I do think that the mussels are delicious! For somewhere around $12, you get a huge bowl of savory, fresh (or I hope) mussels with a piece of delicious olive oil baked bread. Each time I come here for food, that's what I order. Another friend is a die-hard striped bass fan, so maybe I'll give that a try next time! Drinks are always not bad either. I'm a bigger fan of their IPA, and some of the speciality drinks aren't too bad either. Happy hour is always worth the value. Service is decent but not great. The waitresses sometimes have a great sense of humor, especially if you're repeat customer that they remember. A couple of the bouncers have been kind of mean - but I guess that's what they're hired for, so I can't really complain.
(4)
Tyneisha M.
I came here for happy hour with a few friends and I must say I had a very good time. We sat outside by the fire pits which were very nice and added to the relaxed upscale atmosphere. The drinks were also reasonably priced which was great. I did not order food on this trip but I certainly will next time.
(4)
Sebastian And Nicole V.
Great location, nice atmosphere, but in my opinion the drinks are rather over-priced. This place is in the heart of University City, which is flooded with university folk on a budget, so it's a little painful when you are paying $6 for a beer, or TWELVE dollars for a shot! Due to location and ambiance, I will probably end up back here, despite the ridiculous prices.
(3)
Jimmy B.
Had basically no happy hour on a Tuesday, but beer selection was second to none and there pizza was probably the best in the city.
(4)
Victoria C.
I've come to tap for brunch, dinner and drinks, and it's been great! For brunch, I love the chorizo omelet. It's just about as good as White Dog's omelet, but I think there's more 'stuff' inside. Comes with sliced roasted potatoes. Eggs Benedict is decent. The pizzas are great to share (they come in six slices), and I'd definitely recommend the honey goat cheese and the tartufo. The wings are okay, they're good but not something I'd come to Tap House to order. I think the best bang for your buck comes with the burgers. I ordered the lamb, and it was good. None of the lamb aftertaste that sometimes come with lamb entrees. The Tap was juicy, a good burger. And I heard the chicken BLT wasn't dry as chicken can sometimes be, also good. A huge heaping of fries comes on the side.
(4)
Stephen B.
This place gets 5 starts for four good reasons! 1. The location, although a bit challenging to find on the second level, adds a bit of a clandestine feel to it once you do find the place. 2. Wait and bar staff get a solid 5 stars. Super patient in helping me figure out which of their 2 million beers I would like. 3. The burger was cooked PERFECTLY med. rare. And was flavorful. The salad was super fresh, with a great selection of greens and micro greens and a perfectly balanced light vinaigrette dressing. 4. The beer selection is incredible. And the bar persons are extremely knowledgeable. True beer connoisseurs! Will definitely be back.
(5)
Maicol B.
Good place to go to watch a game or grab a good Italian-style flatbread pizza. They also serve good burgers and have a decent beer selection. Frequently gets crowded with Penn students hosting events so be aware.
(3)
Allister D.
Great place for an evening of chit chats and beer! The place is clean and the service is friendly! The majority of the people here are a bit older and talk about politics lol and preppy adults from college. It's a quiet and intimate place for now. I ordered the Abigail mussels with a yards love stout which is a great dark beer. It's chocolate notes def stick out and there's a slight espresso bite to it! A must try! The mussels were drenched with garlic butter and comes with the best focaccia bread ever! Great beer food!
(3)
Melissa S.
Came for dinner and drinks on a friday night and it wasn't too busy so it was easy to get a table. We were seated with the dinner menu and waited a good 10 minutes before our server came up and gave us the drink menus. By then we put an order of nachos in and waited another 10 minutes for the server to come back and take our drink order. We ordered two flights of 4 beers for $16, but couldn't get our top four because they can only do the flight of the beers listed as 10oz or higher (many of ours only came in 6 or 8 oz). But no big deal, large variety of beers available so it was easy to find replacements. The nachos came out about 15 minutes after we ordered them and the flights followed shortly after. THE NACHOS WE'RE AWESOME! I highly recommend them! Dinner came out about 25 mins later. I ordered the taphouse burger for my meal with avocado and garlic parm fries - nothing special for the area but still pretty good. My boyfriend ordered a philly taco- a cheesesteak inside a slice of pizza (YES THAT'S RIGHT) and said it was pretty good as well. We finished our meal with a 6oz porter and stout which we couldn't get on the flight but still worth the extra bucks. All in all, beers were great, food was pretty good, but the service is the reason for 4 stars. Everything was a bit slow. We came in at 645 and paid the check at 930. It's a good place for a beer and bar food, but make sure you have some time for the meal.
(4)
Andrew K.
A place a few of my 20-something friends and I come once in a while to desperately pretend to be college students again. Pretty cool location, plus a great patio right outside the bar complete with fire pits. Good/very good draught list. The bar is pretty large but always seems to be well-staffed with friendly and helpful bartenders. They've been great for offering recommendations and describing the beers, and are always really prompt to make sure someone is taking care of you. Crowd seems to be significantly less douchey than what I have seen at Blarney Stone (and City Tap is a lot nicer anyway). Considering I still hop the R5 and lovely MFL (always an experience) on occasion to come out here, I have to say it's a pretty good spot to grab a few drinks.
(4)
Alex M.
I was surprised by this place. It's near so much fratty awfulness that I expected it to be the same way. I have heard it's a place to avoid during the evening hours so maybe going at lunchtime was choice. In any case, this is a wonderful spot to have lunch during the late spring/all summer. Sit out on the patio and have a beer or two. The 21st Amendment's Hell or High Watermelon is particularly good. Enjoy a burger. Their veggie burger is one of the best I've ever had. My friend thought their regular burger was also super solid. Great fries. Ask for some of their house-made aioli. Mmmm.
(4)
Minh H.
I came here once for some afternoon beers with a friends and really enjoyed it. I didn't know it was on the second floor, so going up I was really surprised at the nice view and layout of the outdoor patio. The selection of beer is fantastic, it makes it difficult to choose. The menu is also pretty great. I got a pulled pork and hash brown mixture, which was the bomb. I would definitely come here again.
(4)
Adam F.
Stopped in the Tap House for a late lunch yesterday. I had been here before during happy hour and the food was decent, but over priced. I thought the Tri-Tip Cheesesteak sounded delicious and couldn't pass it up. At $18, I was expecting an awesome sandwich. I have never had a sandwich in Philly that failed this badly. Shitty bread and horribly chewy meat. When I first got the sandwich, my first thought was, "Are you kidding me? Where is the meat?" After my first bite, I was grateful they skimped out on the meat. There was so much sinew, it was almost inedible. The bread reminded me of that crappy generic Italian bread you get at Acme. It was a day away from becoming croutons. And just to rub salt in the wound, the upcharge to upgrade from a house side salad to Caesar was $2!? So $18 for a shitty sandwich, $2 upcharge to add croutons to a side salad and $3 for an unsweet iced tea. For $23, I could have done so much better with all the food options in this neighborhood. After logging into Yelp to leave this review, I was checking out the pictures and saw the City Tap Burger. The guy I was at lunch with got that burger. I can tell you his patty was half the size of the ones in the pictures. So either the cook sucks or was not trained to properly portion the serving sizes or management told them to go easy on the meat. Either way, you won't catch me gambling with my money with this joint.
(1)
Christine V.
This place is a nice place to come and grab a drink with friends. They have daily happy hours for their craft beers and other drinks. I came here with a few people after class. We were seated outside right by the fire pits so that was nice. Only slightly awkward thing is the two benches on either side of the fire pit are pretty far apart so you'd have to put a little more effort into speaking to your friends on the other side. Not a big deal but it'd be nice to have adjacent benches next to the fire. As for drinks, I got the Southern Tier Pumpking. We also got a little hungry so we ordered the pulled pork nachos and the goat cheese pizza. The pumpkin beer was pretty good for the first half and then since it was just chilling by the fire, it got really warm and just tasted pretty bad towards the end of our meal so we couldn't finish it. The pulled pork nachos consisted of a white cheddar sauce, some sort of bbq sauce, some fresno chiles, and onion. A little heavy on the white cheddar sauce but it was pretty tasty even for me, who isn't too big a fan of cheese. I also thought the nachos were pretty pricey for what they gave. The goat cheese pizza was really...interesting. It was a honey goat cheese pizza that had truffled honey, pistachios, and red onions on it. It has a very sweet taste to it. It wasn't bad but I wouldn't say it's great. It's definitely different and enjoyable with one or two slices but nothing more than that in my opinion. The pizza didn't complement the beer very well since it was pretty sweet, causing the beer to taste awfully bitter. Overall, this is a decent place to come if you're in UC and want to grab a drink or some grub. I definitely appreciate the fact that it's so close to Penn and would take me maybe less than 10 minutes to walk there.
(3)
Rose V.
Came to this place randomly for a drink and love how spacious it is in here. My friend and I wanted to still outside by the fire (nice outdoor seating) but it was a chilly night so, we decided to seat indoors instead. Although the kitchen was going to close the minute we walked in, I was able to order the margherita brick oven pizza which was delicious. They have a lot of beer on tap so it great for people who love to drink beer. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that we had to go to the bar to order our drinks and food; I felt like we should've been waited on especially since the night wasn't busy at all.
(3)
Cliff S.
Second time here during my stay. Up from MS for surgery at CHOP. CTH is a little pricey, but a great atmosphere, with great service and the food is flawless. I would've given 4 stars because of price, but that's not fair. Great job y'all!
(5)
Olivia R.
Tap House is a nicer alternative to the bars in University City. Although the drinks are a bit pricier, the selection on tap is extensive and the list is very descriptive which is nice. The bar tenders are generally helpful although they can take a while to serve you if it's busy. The outdoor section with the fire pits is great for a cooler night and the copper counter top is very nice touch. The crowd is often a mix of Penn students, grad students, and older people, which can sometimes be a nice change from the bars nearby. As far as eating goes, I have not been overly impressed but their pizza is pretty decent. They also have a lot of fun events, often including live music which is fun.
(4)
Jack J.
This place is packed from the bar to all the seating on a Friday afternoon through early evening. Understandable since it's happy hour and people with social life tend to de-stress during this time. Make reservations early if you want seating. BIG selection of beers; went with the V-12 to start which packs 12% for a beer. The tap burger was cooked just right at medium, and it came with a fairly large portion of fries. Service was quick and friendly, and the ambience was nice for happy hour conversations.
(4)
Jessica K.
I do enjoy the City Tap House; I've been here with friends, dates and for events. For the most part, they are very consistent in service and the food/drink menu (with seasonal rotations). The bar itself is comfortable and the outdoor space is lovely, weather-permitting. The only thing that makes me hesitant to walk in the doors is the cost. There are a number of other awesome places around this area that are cheaper so I tend to go to those. There's no real happy hour here to speak of, which is a shame when I can walk across the street for an amazing happy hour with food that is just as good. I always have a good time, however and will continue to patronize this place...but only occasionally.
(3)
Amy P.
City Tap for short has the best draft list in West Philadelphia. The regularly rotating list, usually offering ~40 unique beers, is fairly priced and covers many genres having a particular rapport with American ale fans. The draw at Tap does not stop there; service is congenial and will put on your choice of sports on one of the many TV's in the establishment. Get here early on drinking nights--the restaurant and bar will fill up, leaving standing room only around the bar and beautiful outside patio. The food at Tap is far better--and more expensive--than your typical pub fare. The menu is broad, offering gussied-up bar snacks like excellent fries with truffle aioli and pulled pork nachos. I particularly enjoyed my pizza, which is cooked neapolitan style and had a very flavorful crust. All in all, my go-to for drinks!
(4)
Katie P.
This place is pretty casual with an extensive amount of beers on tap. I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. It is usually bumpin' with people, but not too crowded. The outdoor seating is great especially with the fire pits if it is a little chilly. That area is always popular. I have also been here for lunch/dinner the food is good. I had the grilled chicken and apple salad. I was satisfied with my meal as were the other people I was with. City Tap House is a good spot to visit, but it is not my favorite.
(3)
Dave B.
I hardly make it to University City anymore. I'm usually in this neighborhood for work or to occasionally hang out with friend but most of the time I'm in Center City. I discovered City Tap House during a happy hour on a beautiful summer day. We sat on the patio overlooking Walnut Street and UPenn. The staff are super friendly and accommodating, they do not care if you split the check because they are accustomed to having college students doing that. They have an amazing wide range of beers and of course, cocktails for all. I have not had dinner here so I can't talk so much about the food. I did, however, had the chicken wings, nachos and fries and I was not disappointed. That chicken wings with the dry rub is seasoned and cooked perfectly. The fries are great, you can't really mess that up but the nachos with pulled pork is something else, in a good way. The nachos is so delicious that I could literally eat the whole entire serving. It is cheesy, meaty, fresh and I live for it. I love coming here and I'm a fan so they will continue to see more of me.
(4)
Alfreda D.
I came here for lunch in between a long work day. The venue is large inside and out. It was a decent day so my colleague and I sat on the outside patio. I ordered the turkey burger and substituted the cheese and spread for cheddar and smoked paprika aioli and had a side salad. The salad definitely looked like a full order size and the dressing was on the lighter-to-non existent side. I would've preferred a little more flavor but that was okay and allowed me to focus on the burger that looked very juicy. I cut it in half which confirmed that assessment... but again the flavor was just okay. It's not a place I would recommend or be excited about trying again. There are too many great food options in Philly to end up here. Just my opinion. My coworker agreed.
(3)
Jason D.
We come here relatively often. Usually it's pretty good. Have had the Korean Short Rib Tacos and burgers, which are consistently good. This time had the Pulled Pork Nachos, which were very greasy and soaked the chips. I wouldn't get them again. The Panang Mussels were OK, better to just stick with the burgers. Service this time was really pretty poor. Took a long time to get served initially, get refills or get the final check. Used open table for reservations. Asked for a table outside, but was told it would be a 25 or 30 min wait vs sitting inside immediately. We were seated inside near the window. Was very hot inside, as we looked out onto 4 open tables outside. Good craft beer selection, but this time nearly all on the front menu were kicked. The place is not cheap for burgers, regular food and beers. Probably won't come back for awhile.
(2)
Edward W.
Intro: Too many good nights here. It is really one of the only nicer establishments to get a drink in West Philly. Plus Tap is a full service restaurant which is a huge plus. Basics: 1. Bar set up sucks dong. Whoever designed this place was an idiot and didn't consider humans, traffic flow, basic spacial organization, etc. It gets incredibly difficult to get around when packed. I didn't leave Smokes for this. 2. Food has been variable, but mostly a thumbs up. The pizzas are great. Thin crust, and pretty damn artisan. Go for the one with the mushrooms, truffle oil, and a sunny side up on it. Damn good son. 3. Burger was a bit dry. But well dressed. 4. Good selection of local and foreign beers. Not too craft (which I think is a good thing), but they do get pretty quirky sometimes, eg blueberry chocolate chicken tikka masala IPA from montana. Ok maybe not that quirky. Conclusion: Place where the grown ups go, or people who've learned that there are indeed other establishments besides the Stone and McD's for a meal and a beer.
(4)
Kristin N.
We had a nice dinner on the outside deck. Started with the pork belly app...not as tender as others I've had, but flavorful and the corn spoon read that accompanied it was tasty. Hubby had the burger...he thought it was average and sort of small. I had the honeyed goat cheese pizza and loved it!! He had several beers, all of which he liked. The server brought him several options to try, which was nice. As the eternal DD, I only had a pear cider, which was tasty enough. Our bill came to 75, which kind of surprised me, considering the lighter food fare. I always forget how much more $$$ you spend at tap houses in general. The beers go down easy, while the bill goes up ;o)
(3)
Justine J.
Not a fan of the goat cheese pizza (red onions, goat cheese, pistachios, truffle honey). It's a white pizza, which I did not realize, but that's just me. The server was such a good sport about it, insisting on switching my order since I only took one bite and wasn't too fond if it. I didn't change my order and just kept the pizza, since there wasn't anything wrong with it - I just don't particularly care for white pizza. I don't regret getting it either. I might get it again and just ask for sauce.
(3)
Julia N.
Tap House is a go-to place at Penn. I headed there on Sunday for brunch with a party of 6. Since it was homecoming weekend, we were unable to get a seat (should have booked a table!), so we just sat at the bar. I ordered The Big Chick, which was pretty satisfying. Fried chicken on a biscuit, topped with gravy - how could you go wrong with that? The chicken was crispy and the batter wasn't too heavy. However, the hash browns were a little tasteless, a little more salt would have been nice. While the food was good, the service was slow and disappointing - we waited about 20-30 minutes for our food. Perhaps it was homecoming weekend and the kitchen was backlogged with orders.
(4)
Kay A.
F*ck yeah, lamb burger. I had a (medium) lamb burger here that was faaaaantastic. My friend got 2 Mad Elf beers that he enjoyed thoroughly, and the pulled pork nachos. When he got the pulled pork nachos, he looked like he wanted to just put his face in them. I couldn't have them because of dietary restrictions, but the look on his face was ecstasy.
(5)
Rich B.
Beer review only as I never tried the food. Nice large (40 tap) selection. Especially fun during Philly Beer Week. Had an extremely sick Avery Tap takeover. Also 1st place I had Flying Fish Exit 4 on tap! Service can be a bit slow. Walked out once as I waited 10 minutes during a slow afternoon for service and did not receive any.
(3)
Stephen D.
Very expensive and a decent draft list. Best thing about this place is the fire pits out on the patio, awesome in the fall
(3)
Rachel R.
Huge draft beer selection, decent food, and large bar area with TVs in additional to regular indoor and outdoor seating. I usually come here when in the area because of the vast beer selection but my last visit was probably the worst I've had here. The ground was very sticky all around the bar area so you almost lost a shoe when picking up your feet. The first bathroom stall I tried had a broken door with no clasp so it wouldn't close. The first soap dispenser I tried had no soap. The first and second table the hostess tried to sit us at only had 5 seats when we were a party of 6... why it took us walking to three tables for her to figure this out - I have no clue. Several people in our party were overwhelmed with the beer list and took at least 10 minutes to figure out which to order. They also only gave us two lists for a table of 6 people. And we had to ask for the second list. I liked however how they had the beers grouped on the menu. It was mid September and they had ZERO pumpkin beers on tap or in bottles. Very disappointing. The pulled pork flat bread was eh and my pulled pork nachos were served in a puddle of orange grease. Huge! But covered in liquid grease. Overall disappointing. But I will still come back as they have an extensive list of beers on draft when in the area. Maybe won't get food though.
(2)
Laura B.
I love coming here when I really want a good beer. It is a bit pricey, but they always have an excellent selection of multiple types of beer (sorted by style). The food is good, if a little more expensive than I would expect, and there are several delicious vegetarian options. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is some of the best in the city. If you are a beer lover, you have to try City Tap House.
(4)
Daniel C.
I've been here for brunch and dinner. The menu is limited during brunch. For dinner I got their BBQ pork Stromboli. I enjoyed it however it was dry, but the waiter suggested a side of their signature BBQ sauce and that saved it. Their beer menu is impressive and they offer a menu of seasonal beers. I would say I'm more impressed with their drink selection more than their food. I do look forward to eating their again. Perhaps what draws me to this location the most is their deck. It looks over university city. They have a lower deck and during the day they have games like corn hole out for customers to play. Next fall they are adding another location to center city. They will lack the experience of the university city location, however I think it'll be a great addition to the area. Park at the super fresh parking lot at the end of the street, its easier than finding a spot on the street.
(4)
Monique M.
Great for beer.... Best to grab a seat at the bar! If you like beer: you can get a flight of 4, taste any you want to try, and drink lots of local and your non-local craft beers.
(4)
Michael F.
I've been delaying my review of City Tap House because I was searching for something to put it over the top and let it lock up a 5-star review. Believe me, I really enjoy CTH, having grabbed dinner and a drink on multiple occasions without a hint of a bad experience. Great beers, solid food offerings, a nice outdoor area with warm fire pits in the winter are just a few of its features. Plenty of TVs to catch the game means you don't need a special reason to come here. But if you do, events like Pumpkin Smash and specials like Flight Nights could encourage you. So why only 4-stars? I don't know, but I can't quite bring myself to put CTH over the top. Check it out for yourself and let me know if you agree...
(4)
Juli K.
This place is a tiny chunk of beer heaven nestled above a perfect dessert place. Every day the beer list is reprinted because the taps rotate often; they have every kind of beer you could want and every dinner option is amazing. An incredible spot for brunch, their morning drinks are perfect and the hangover pizza is everything you would've dreamed of had you not blacked out the night before. Steak and eggs also highly recommended. Do yourself a favor and go during the warm months to take advantage of the balcony and fire pits which, from my experience, promote camaraderie among the patrons. It's great.
(5)
Keith K.
When I get to Philly, and need a great place to link up with friends and grab some cold craft beers , and watch the game or enjoy the outside fire pits . The atmosphere is college chill. Service is good, and food tasty.
(4)
Danielle M.
Okay, so for an establishment called Tap House, this place really nails it. The selection is quite often superb--though last time I went I didn't find anything I really liked. Pout. As far as non tap-related stuff goes...not so amazing. Pros: (1) Like I said, vast selection of good beers on tap. I tried two of the best beers I've ever had here: Stone "Drink By" and Victory "Dirt Wolf." (2) Lots of TVs for the watching of sports. (3) Big roomy bar with the aforementioned TVs in full view. (4) One of the bartenders (looks like he lifts weights, round butt) is really helpful and will give you tastes of beer before you commit to a pint. Saved me a couple of times when I tried to order some of the more unusual selections. (5) Good looking place with a variety of types of seating/ambience. Negatives: (1) The food is really expensive and not awesome for the price. Also there is not bar menu with cheaper things to nibble on, as there should be. (2) It always seems that "sorry, the keg *just* kicked" on at least one beer I really want to drink. (3) All the other bartenders aren't very helpful, personable or attentive. (4) Call me crazy but this place is just too huge and not cozy enough to ever even feel like it could be a favorite hangout spot. (5) Last time I was there during an event (not as part of the group) and there was a terrible band and a guy leading some sort of game and THE MIC WAS UP SO LOUD I WANTED TO DIE.
(3)
Carter P.
University City has changed a lot over the past decade. With both Penn and Drexel doing a lot to upgrade the surrounding area, I am glad to say that Penn has built a set of buildings on Walnut which include this watering hole. Tall ceilings, tons of beer choices (on draft) and a rooftop bar area all make this a great spot to have a beverage. Although I tried a beer that was a bit too sour for me, it was still a good experience. I've been here a few times and the food has been good. They have fire pits so the outdoor area is still a good spot in the winter. Important to keep in mind though, this place is not priced like a college bar - so expect the crowd to be late-college to young-adult.
(3)
Jay L.
City Tap House has a great open space bar and dinning inside, an even better outdoor seating for nice days, coupled with good food. My favorite dish was the BBQ Pork Flatbread. It was flavorful with a bit of a spicy kick. I would definitely recommend it and get it next time. The rest of the food I have found to be on par with other American Grills/Bars. I have had the Free Range Turkey burger and sweet fries, pastrami sliders, ten spice wings, and steamed edemame. Overall, a great place to hang out, and the food is not bad either.
(3)
Khanh V.
When I was here, I felt in love with the Tartufo pizza and Pancho mussels. I also had scallops, they were ok. My favorite has to be the pizza, it was amazing. Also service was good, spacious indoor and outdoor space. I had a great time with friends and would love to come back.
(4)
Mike C.
The food was decent. The service decent. The cask beer was on point. Taken there by family. It's american pub food. Good job.
(3)
Kimberly Y.
Food and drinks are solid, but service is lacking. I come here sometimes for Quizzo on Tuesday nights. Tap House has an extensive drink list, and they're mostly reasonably priced. I'm not the biggest fan of beer, but I've yet to have a bad experience with theirs! The striped bass was surprisingly good, especially considering I'm pretty picky with seafood. The chicken and waffles are tasty at first, but get old by the end. Some people really enjoy the burgers, but I find them to be forgettable and overpriced. The brunch is decent and very convenient for most upperclassmen on campus (best to make a reservation for brunch!). I really enjoy the steak and eggs, as well as the big chick. However, all the food is still a little overpriced for the quality and relative to many of the other options on campus, though the portions are pretty large. My main problem with Tap House is the service. I can't count the number of times I've came in only to wait minutes for the hostess to return. Today, I mentioned that I had a reservation for 2 at 1 PM, and they asked us to wait a few minutes. Almost ten minutes later, I checked back again, and they said they were waiting for reservations to come in, so it would take a while. I then repeated that I had a reservation, and we were finally seated. Then the waiters took forever, but this is normal. Tap House gets full at random times because they host many private parties or events, so I've had to wait or even just leave. I once ate here at the same time as a bachelorette party, and the atmosphere and the events in the bathroom were a little wild. They should probably give private parties more privacy.
(4)
Roopa S.
I've been here for brunch, lunch and dinner and I've had good experiences with all. I love how convenient the location is and the decor is warm and cute as well. As a vegetarian, I'm a huge fan of the veggie burger. The Bistro Breakfast Burger can be made vegetarian and is a little on the dry side, but still tasty. I probably wouldn't order this again, but I love the egg on top concept. The veggie burger for lunch and dinner is absolutely STELLAR. I often crave veggie bugers, and this is the first I think about in the Philly area. It's light and tasty, and I usually opt to not eat the bun and it's still amazing on its own. Perfect flavors. I've also tried a pasta dish here, as well as a pizza. The Margherita Pizza is awesome, and I love adding eggs to pizzas so I've tried the Margherita Pizza with an egg on top which was awesome! The sweet potato fries are also excellent, but beware that when they ask you for what you would like with a SIDE with your dish (salad, fries, sweet potato fries) they charge you extra for sweet potato fries and it ends up adding around $2 to your dish price. The waiters and waitresses also tend to not mention anything to you about the extra charge for sweet potato fries as a side, which irks me. Not worth it in my opinion for the extra cost, but yummy to eat as an appetizer! Overall, yummy and would definitely recommend because it seems to provide a solid and stable dining experience regardless of the hour of day!
(4)
Jill L.
City Tap House is one of those places where you sorta just end up at. Like if you are in U City at dinner and need a place to get a drink afterwards. Or if you go to the movies up the street and need a quick bite beforehand. Or if you have a bus/train to catch and have some time to kill beforehand. The food I've had there has been unmemorable, however, they did make some really amazing scallops for the 2012 Yelp Halloween party. The real attraction is their great beer list and the roof deck. If you can go when the weather gets a bit cooler, they have really awesome fire pits on the roof deck that create a really cozy atmosphere. The service can be hit or miss. On our last visit on a Saturday night in September around 8 pm, the wait staff was all over the place. Our waitress gave my husband a really hard time for ordering a Miller Lite, which was awkward. Also, you can apparently reserve the seating around the fire pits, which led to the wait staff constantly having to kick people out of those seats, even though no one was sitting in them. Which was also awkward. My suggestion to you would be to visit when the Penn/Drexel students are home on break. Unless you like hanging around 21 year olds that can't handle their liquor (no shame- I was one of them a decade ago- but now I'm old and shiz and can't be bothered).
(3)
Pam S.
I've only been to City Tap House to hang, really, and for events. I'd put it as my top bar in U City, because you can count on having enough space to loiter somewhere with your people and the beer list is good. And of course the outdoor area is a top benefit, and accessible in winter thanks to some heaters (and well, you're lugging your coat around anyway, aren't you?). I've also been to CTH for private events, and it's worked out well, and the snacky foods are good with a couple vegan friendly options (hummus, the usual). Downside? Something they can't do much about; the fact that it's in U City and crawling with drunk collegiates on the weekend. Can't win everything, right? Just remember to bring yourself, your multiple forms of identification saying that you're over 21 (every drink you order needs an id associated with it), and you're good.
(4)
Suman B.
They got a ton of options on draft...tried the sweet corn pizza..tasted really good. Good ambience. Good for large group.
(4)
Ben W.
Even though I've been to tap house numerous times over the years, I really wanted to write a review on their brunch options, which are delightfully surprising! Came on a quiet Saturday morning with a friend and went straight to ordering food. I ordered their Eggs Benedict, probably one of my all-time favorite brunch dishes. It took a while for the food to come out, but I was so happy with what I got. The eggs, while not as runny as I normally like, were nice and plump and dripped a little as I cut through them. The hollandaise sauce was also great, having the right balance between creamy and sour. Home fries were also great, a little on the salty end, but very hot and crispy. I've always loved Tap House for their drinks, but now it's on my list of go-to places for brunch!
(4)
Michael N.
One of the less douchy bars in the greater University City area (which isn't saying too much), this place has a pretty solid draft beer selection and the food quality is pretty spot on as well. I went here with a fairly large wedding party and they were very accommodating, reserving us a private area outside near the fire pits. When we got there and it was 35F outside, they moved us into a nice spot inside. So that night was great. Unfortunately the next night, it got a little weird. After the wedding we rolled up with a fairly large crew only to be told by the bouncer that we could stay and drink but the bathrooms weren't working. Wtf? The bar was packed and the bathrooms weren't working. Something didn't add up. Either he was just lying or the place was violating some sort of health code rule. It was quite disappointing.
(3)
Brittany B.
Wound up here randomly on a trip to Philadelphia. Such a nice staff... Turned on my football game for me, went out of their way to modify an item to make it vegetarian for me, bartender was so knowledgeable and helpful about the beer selection. Food was unbelievable. I couldn't recommend this bar enough!
(5)
J J.
We were staying at a local hotel and looking for a place for dinner. We walked around and noticed there isn't much of a selection of nice sit down restaurants around . Everything seemed like quick , take out places. We settled on this place. We were greeted quickly and sat out side since it was nice out. The patio is not big but it's nice. The menu is limited and pricy. $16 for a burger !? The sweet potatoes fries were tasty. My chicken was tough. Our waitress was friendly. But everything took so loooong. It took a while for our drinks , for our food , for the check( not even busy. We were tired of waiting. 2 drinks , 3 sandwiches , no appetizer or desserts and out bill was $70!! This place is defiantly overpriced and everything to so damn long!
(2)
Alyse W.
I go here a lot but I think it's a bit overrated. It's very expensive beer. This is Pennsylvania. Yuengling should not be $6 for a draft... at least not in UNIVERSITY CITY with all the college kids. The food is expensive an also a bit over rated. I'm not a fan of their nachos, which most people rave about. There is a nice big bar, and lots of selection, if that's your thing! I have always just sat at the bar, and truthfully never had a bar tender that was particularly good. They have all been either rude, or slow. I know tending bar is a tough job, but I just wasn't impressed.
(2)
Nick G.
Its a great place to hang out with your friends and the entire bar, inside and outside is very stylish and built nicely. The fire pits outside are pretty cool to. Food isn't half bad but when its busy the service can be a tad slow at the bar. My one major complaint is the pricing. While the beer prices are not bad, anything like mixed drinks, liquor and so on can be quite high in my opinion compared to other bars near by. But if your with a group of friends, it can be a chill place, just stick with the beer.
(4)
Kyle S.
The City Tap House is a great place to go to sit back and watch the phillies game. They have a wide range of beers on tap including Aventinus, one of my favorites. I have yet to eat anything here but when i look around at all of the dishes everything looks...mediocre. I enjoy the bartenders most of the time however there are a few that can be a somewhat pretentious when you mispronounce the name of beers or don't quite know what to order...(mostly the female bartenders.. cough cough). I manage a restaurant here in Philadelphia and like to enjoy a beer at CTH at the end of the night while my crew is cleaning up. One really neat addition to the restaurant is their outdoor seating with a number of firepits that anyone can cozy up to and hang out all night long. Overall i enjoy going to CTH but i feel like the service staff could be a little friendlier. Well, i'm headed over there for a beer now so lets see how this turns out. Thanks for reading and Happy eating and drinking Philly.
(3)
Abigail W.
It's fun to sit outside on the deck, and have lots of greenery around, and then look up and realize you are smack dab in a city. Great beer list and happy hour specials. I snacked on the Abigail mussels, tons of mussels, great broth and giant delicious crostinis. The server was attentive and quick, Great spot to meet up with co-workers after a hectic day.
(4)
Michele R.
I'm updating my review without taking the manager up on his offer of a free meal. Much time has passed anyhow. I do believe your experience at this restaurant will be determined heavily by when you dine. We came for the Game of Thrones brunch, & sat at the bar. The servers were all pleasant & attentive, the brunch options were interesting. I took a risk on the pulled duck pot pie, the hubs got a Belgian waffle with caramelized bananas & strawberries, & a side of hash browns. I really enjoyed my dish. My biggest complaint is that the shredded hash browns weren't browned on the grill first like the side dish was. So they were seemingly bland & undercooked in comparison to the side dish...which was truly delicious, & how I like my breakfast potatoes cooked. The Belgian waffle was also really tasty, though the bananas were anything but caramelized. Perhaps they were tossed on the heat for a moment but they were mostly raw. Still, all very enjoyable. I'd give brunch a shot again but dinner hour deters me a bit.
(3)
Phanna P.
Visited for the first time on a rainy evening, celebrating a friend's birthday. I like that it's spacious and has outdoor seating. Flight of beers were good, nice happy hour special. As you can see I'm a big fan of HAPPY HOUR! Server was attentive, big flat screens at the bar. You'll enjoy your visit. I can't remember what I ate, which doesn't account for much, but drinking is my thing.
(4)
Mina A.
This is a great place to go if you're just trying to grab a few drinks and hangout with friends. In fact I was just there last night and it was extremely packed for a Sunday night. The music isn't too loud so it's always easy to have conversations with people. The ambiance is nice, its spacious so you don't feel crowded (unless it's st.patties day) Their food is pretty good too. The burger is extremely juicy and perfectly cooked. I also really enjoyed the salmon. I'm taking two stars off for the fact that their bar is pretty slow, only two people were working last night and there was a lot of wait time. Additionally the drinks and the food is on the pricey side, so if you're willing to drop some $$$ on casual night, id give this place a go!
(3)
Eva H.
It's in West Philly! I hate University City! I think Penn kids are ridiculously sucky! I still liked City Tap House! End exclamation points. I haven't visited CTH in 4 or so years, but it seems the beer list is still huge, the menu has changed a bit (and gotten way expensive--$31 entrees in WEST PHILLY?!), and the staff is still alright. When I entered I kind of stood by the hostess stand for 5 or so minutes. Then I ambled toward the bar. And stood for awhile more. Finally, the bartender asked if I wanted a table, and then seated me. The servers were all sitting around eating (totally understandable--it was 3:45pm, there was only one other table of guests) and our friendly server (whose name I forget, but she's blonde, has dreds, and is a total doll) quickly asked me if I wanted something while I waited for my dining companion. I had a beer. It was an IPA that tasted more like a Belgian wheat, but it was good. She made sure I liked it (totally kind, as I didn't request a gratis taster), and informed me that they were only serving pizzas and salads until 4pm--no biggie, as it was 15 minutes 'til I could have something other than that. Anyway, we ordered food. It was a lot, and it was good, though next time I would have chosen more eclectic selections (totally my fault). The pulled pork nachos were kind of awesome. The cheese sauce wasn't your typical Velveeta crap, the pulled pork tasted slightly like yesterday's reheated stuff but this is Philly not Memphis, and everything just made sense--even the not too sweet barbecue sauce. It didn't get too soggy, even after about an hour of my inhaling it, either. Also got the pulled pork flatbread. It was less of a fan of mine, though the other end of the table liked it. It seemed like more of the same--flatbread (which was a little too black for me on the bottom), some cheese I couldn't really taste, barbecue sauce, the pulled pork, and some red cabbage and carrots that looked straight out of a grocery store salad bag. (Seriously, white, shriveled up carrot shreds that add nothing to the dish?) It wasn't bad, and had I not also gotten the far superior nachos, I wouldn't have quibbled. Service (except for the bartender) was quite good, the meal was good, and though a bit pricey for bar food I felt that the quality almost justified it. Given that we were there on an off hour, it was also not loud, nearly quaint (considering the giant space this is a feat), and reminiscent of Center City, not West Philly--in a good way. Minor quibble: the bathrooms. They smelled clean. So why did I have to go into 4 different stalls before I found one that didn't have toilet paper, pee, hair, or other unmentionables on the toilet seat? I can only imagine at 11pm on a Friday...
(4)
Kaynaz M.
Love the atmosphere here , large, open, high ceilings, lots of people and energy. They've got a large patio that overlooks walnut street with a fire pit. Perfect to grab a beer on a warm night. They have an extensive beer list, I like that they have a lot of beers in each category. I like Belgians and wheats and was happy by how many of those they had on draft. They offered a flight where u can sample 4 beers. A little pricey at 15 dollars. Also, a decent amount of their draft beers were already kicked, which was kind of frustrating. I ordered the turkey burger and it was so dry. The cheese, aioli, and avocado were good, but not enough to salvage how dry and awful this patty was. I asked the waiter if I could substitute sweet potato fries instead of the regular fries that come with the burger. The waiter didn't tell me he would charge 5 dollars for this substitution. I could've ordered an extra side of the sweet potato fries for that price. On the bill, I was charged 17 dollars for that awful burger. I could've gone to village whiskey or a Steven Starr restaurant and gotten an amazing burger for cheaper than that cardboard. Our waiter was slow, frazzled, never came around to get additional drink orders, forgot about drinks we ordered, and took forever to get the bill after we asked. I am on the fence whether I'd return here or not.
(2)
Srujana Y.
To me the outside seating has a big appeal (except in winter of course). I have been to tap house after work on several occasions. I am not into beer as much but I like their selection of wines and cocktails. I love their flatbreads especially the honey goat cheese and mushroom with truffle oil. Little pricey but service is quick, and nice-elegant ambience is worth it.
(4)
Victoria L.
I came here for a casual drinks + dinner yesterday. It wasn't crowded at all on this Wednesday so we decided to just sit at the bar. The bartenders and waiters here are very patient as you decide which beer you'd like from the clipboard. They have around 60 beers or so on draft, which is amazing. A bunch of the ones I wanted were kicked last night, but I assume that was because it's in between seasons. Can't wait for them to have pumpkin beer on tap. After much deliberation and two other tasters, I ended up the Great Lake Silver & Gold, which was very good. My friend decided to be not as picky and played it safe with a Victory Love Stout. We then shared the Pancho mussels in a tomato broth with spicy chorizo. They were fantastic; the spice level was just right. It came with a couple slices of grilled focaccia, and our waitress was very kind in getting us some more for us to scoop up the delicious broth. I've been here in the past and the pizzas are also delicious. One of the best parts about City Tap House is the amazing roof-top patio they had. Since the weather is around 50-60s at night now, they've turned on the fire pits for a cozy factor. There's no bar out there though, which is a bummer.
(4)
Grace F.
Man, I really want to love this place. But I can't...all I can say is that I kind of like it. First let me say, I love their outdoor deck. My husband and I love craft beers, and City Tap House seems to be an amazing craft beer bar/restaurant...and yet we leave every time (5X now) feeling disappointed. The bartenders move slowly, they are disinterested, and the beer is overpriced with very limited happy hour specials. I did have a very friendly waitress who actually appreciated beer and she was wonderful, now they just need that to be consistent across the board! Oh and the food, is sometimes good. It depends what you get: their baked wings are fab-u-lous! As is their mussel, frites, and beer special (if they still have it). Their burgers and entrees leave something to be desired. Maybe I would have loved the food if I had been able to enjoy my beer a little bit more beforehand...
(3)
Dave H.
City Tap House isn't your typical University City bar. Then again, it doesn't pretend to be. A massive bar fills the venue, and there's seating throughout. Outside is a terrace perfect for mixers, or a meal with friends. Feeling cold? Don't worry, there's an app for that. Well, fireplace. Our bartender's pulchritude enchanted, but her creative streak impressed us more. When I asked about milkshakes, she suggested a root beer float - vanilla ice cream and all - which hit the spot. I wanted a shot to go with it, and she made me a baby Guinness (a shot I haven't had in years), which was perfect. During happy hour, the Tap House offers special-priced appetizers. Their margherita pizza will feed you, and their grilled vegetable bruschetta is tasty enough - can't beat grilled peppers and eggplant - but be sure to try their sweet fries; ours were mostly crispy, and the mustard on the side has a bite.
(4)
Herbie H.
To be honest, I have a complicated and sometimes frustrating relationship with City Tap House. The food is always good, the beer list is always extensive, and the ambiance is always very nice. My issue stems from the menu. I think the menu is a bit all over the place and sometimes mis-guided. A number of years ago they had many more sandwich options, which was nice, because most of the entrees hit around the $20+ mark. City Tap House is a great place to go with your parents, or when you feel like splurging a little bit. But to go just to grab a casual dinner (ie. not spending $15+ for just the entree) can often be a frustrating experience. There's a smattering of appetizers, none of which are as appealing or affordable as I wish they were. I've had all of their sandwiches/burgers, which are all very good. The entree list covers a wide scope of food, which is nice. My favorite of which is the Shrimp & Grits, which is really great. The Grits 'cake' is rich and luscious, and the shrimp have great flavor. On my most recent visit, I ordered the Avocado & Grapefruit Salad, which was really delicious. It had a tremendous bright and fresh flavor. With the addition of chicken, it was a light, but filling entree that I enjoyed a lot. All of my complaints aside (in an ideal world/if I ran the place, I would add 3-4 more sandwich/burger options in the $9-14 range to make it more desirable for a casual dinner, instead of always needing to splurge) I have been to City Tap House many, many times and had generally good experiences across the board.
(4)
Allister D.
Great place for an evening of chit chats and beer! The place is clean and the service is friendly! The majority of the people here are a bit older and talk about politics lol and preppy adults from college. It's a quiet and intimate place for now. I ordered the Abigail mussels with a yards love stout which is a great dark beer. It's chocolate notes def stick out and there's a slight espresso bite to it! A must try! The mussels were drenched with garlic butter and comes with the best focaccia bread ever! Great beer food!
(3)
Virginia E.
Came here on a brunch date on Saturday afternoon. The waitress suggested we try their new test items that were listed on a separate card, so I went w/ the French Toast Croque Madame. It was good! I liked the sweet and savory combo. I was a little nervous it would be TOO sweet since I'm not a sweet meal person and I think by the end, it was just that. If the chef put a little less of the maple bechamel on, that would be a good move. The dish was drowning in the sauce and by the end, it was just too cloying. Also, I 100% didn't taste the gruyere. Not a smidge. BUT I loved the idea! And the ham and egg on top of unsweetened french toast was a good idea. Both were perfectly cooked, too. Just lighten up on the sauce and double down on the gruyere and you have yourself a winner! I also had the Bloody Mary and it was probably the worst Bloody Mary ever. It was very one-note and that note was pepper. There was a ton of horseradish in there, too, but instead of giving it depth, it just gave the drink a flavorless chunky texture in not a good way. I couldn't taste any tomato juice, salt, Worcestershire, ANYTHING. It was just peppery. I'm not entirely convinced there was any alcohol in there, either. Our server was nice, but kinda not w/ it. She literally came over at one point and said she had forgotten about us b/c we were behind a pole. She wasn't on her water game AT ALL. My date had requested an item be left off his burger and the burger came w/ that item on, which she then said was her fault. She dropped the check off and said "Take your time!", but then came back 20 minutes later and asked if we could pay so she could leave. Ugh. In summation, the food was good and I enjoyed trying something different. The no bueno drink and server drag down my rating.
(3)
Bryson V.
The food and atmosphere are great, but being located in penn it sometimes draws an obnoxious crowd, and service takes a while- also expensive. This is a good option if you have picky people, a large group or your parents. There is a great selection of beer, however everything is very pricey. Similarly there is a great selection of food, ranging from muscles (delicious), through to steak, burgers, and pizzas. Most recently my girlfriend and I got the mussles and the pizza, and were both very pleased. The mussles come in white wine sauce that is acidic, and tangy, but also savory and salty. ITS PERFECT. All things considered I give this 3 stars because of the fact that often its so crowded that you cannot get a seat, and also because it takes a long time to get drinks. The outdoor firepits are very nice, though it can get very crowded.
(3)
Suman B.
They got a ton of options on draft...tried the sweet corn pizza..tasted really good. Good ambience. Good for large group.
(4)
Ben W.
Even though I've been to tap house numerous times over the years, I really wanted to write a review on their brunch options, which are delightfully surprising! Came on a quiet Saturday morning with a friend and went straight to ordering food. I ordered their Eggs Benedict, probably one of my all-time favorite brunch dishes. It took a while for the food to come out, but I was so happy with what I got. The eggs, while not as runny as I normally like, were nice and plump and dripped a little as I cut through them. The hollandaise sauce was also great, having the right balance between creamy and sour. Home fries were also great, a little on the salty end, but very hot and crispy. I've always loved Tap House for their drinks, but now it's on my list of go-to places for brunch!
(4)
Kyle K.
City Tap House will always hold a special place in my heart. I lived in The Radian during my 21st summer and this gastropub was my gateway into the wonderful world of craft beer. There were endless possibilities when the server handed me the clipboard of 60+ beers on tap with helpful and entertaining flavor descriptions. Every food item I've had here is solid too. I remember my friend pushing the Tartufo pizza on me (mushrooms, taleggio, fried egg, black truffle oil) and saying, "Trust me" after I questioned how an egg could work on a pizza. He was right! The unique combo of ingredients were so flavorful and worked well together. The majority of the time I opt for a Craftwich like the wild boar burger or the Free Range PA Turkey Burger. The Tap Burger, especially when an add-on of pork belly is an option, is easily the best burger in Philly. Make sure you save room for dessert: there are a variety of freshly baked cookies that come in a mini cast iron pan and can be topped with house made gelato. My mouth is watering just thinking about that killer combo! Overall, City Tap House has been the go-to place for any occasion. I've been here for birthday celebrations, farewell parties, and even a watermelon eating contest (with delicious watermelon beer of course). This West Philly institution hits the spot every time.
(5)
Syvan T.
City tap has the best of both worlds, good food and good beer. We sat outside because it was a lovely sunny day and had the pleasure of listening to Splintered sunlight. The beer selection is vast. I had half philly brewing co Walt wit with half lemonade (not on the menu but they did an excellent job making it) and my boyfriend had a Sierra Nevada Kellerweis. We ordered a Chicken Caesar Salad and the Potato Leek Flatbread. The Caesar was delicious! It had Parmesan crisps and garlic croutons and the chicken was grilled really well and was tasty. Our flatbread had a bit of a kick to it. The potatoes were a bit under done for me but were still good anyway. Our waitress was very nice but when the check came we happened to notice that were charged to split the salad. No where on the menu does it say there is a split charge nor did the waitress give the courtesy of telling us about it so that was a bit disappointing. All in all it was a good experience.
(4)
Grace L.
A decent, go-to place to go for the bar and open-fire pits, although the drinks are extremely overpriced (don't go for the hard liquor). I guess it's the only non-sketchy, non-dive bar on campus though, so there's no way not to go. It's not a terrible place to go if you just want to hang out with minimal service. However, if you do want service--especially for a meal, and ESPECIALLY with a large party, I would recommend checking your other options. Yes, they do take reservations for large parties, but are so bad at serving them. During senior week, a group of 10+ other friends and I tried to come for lunch....and ended up getting almost-dinner instead, since we waited 1+ hours to be served and another hour to get our food. After a waitress came and stopped by finally, she argued that we had already ordered, stating that the other waitresses attested to seeing us place our orders. Meanwhile, we sat there in the sun, with no waters, forlornly looking at our menus, wishing the whole time that we had picked another lunch plate. To be fair, the food, when it finally arrived, tasted great. Portions are huge, and the fries & special sauce are delicious.
(2)
Victoria L.
Tap House is the go to place to grab a drink and munch on delicious pizza with friends! Being centrally located on Penn's campus, Tap House combines the convenience and fun all in one location. They offer such a wide variety of beer on tap that you will no have a problem finding something that suites your taste buds. They also offer seasonal choices, which some of them have become my favorites over the year as well. In terms of food, I always order the pulled pork nachos and the margheritta pizza. The pulled pork nachos are a MUST try! I have even asked for the pork on the side for my vegetarian friends, and they still love the dish without the pork. It's a plate full of deliciousness! Even though I enjoy the food, beer, and rooftop/outside seating, the service is always a hit or miss. Sadly, the majority of the time it's been a miss. The service isn't really friendly, but I understand they're trying to work with a college customer base. No matter, I'll definitely come back for the food and beer though!
(3)
Tia P.
My entire experience here was so overwhelmingly "meh." First off, there was no air circulation in the place. It was a hot day outside and sitting inside did nothing to relieve that. So sweaty and miserable. Then we ordered beers, the server was not at all helpful or knowledgable about the beers so we ended up with two beers completely unlike what we expected. Both beers were flat and they tasted like the lines they used hadn't been cleaned between previous types of beer. Disappointing. We ordered a caesar salad, turkey burger, veggie burger and fries. Admittedly the Caesar salad was fantastic. Veggie burger was dry, crumbly, and not flavorful. Turkey burger was dry and flavorless. Both burgers were stacked so ridiculously high there was no way to get everything in one bite. Fries were so overdone they were inedible. Just looking at the fries you could tell they had been fried for way too long, so I'm not sure why the chef didn't just dump them and start again instead of serving bad food. The worst part was that the entire meal (for lunch, mind you) was $63!!!! That's outlandish for the mediocre service we received and disappointing food and drink. Also, the crowd was the worst (obnoxious UPenn bros and old white dude sausage fest). And the music being played was terrible early '00s pop punk. Never again.
(2)
Michael C.
As the name suggests, there's a lot of beer on TAP here. And it's in the CITY. And people live upstairs, so you can think of it as a HOUSE. But seriously they have a lot of weird beers here, and if you can't decide what you want, you can ask to try a few and then decide. Or just try a few more. Me, I'm not a huge beer person, so I usually stick to one of the Belgians on tap (Belgians are lighter beers). Some of the food here is definitely worth a try: the Tap burger is surprisingly good; the meat is usually juicy and it comes with all the trimmings. I'm not a fan of their margherita pizza -- the crust is a bit too think and floppy for a brick oven pizza and the toppings don't have much flavor -- but the Salumi pizza has a nice kick and is worth a try. Their rotating selection of chicken is also usually decently cooked. Also, the silverware is wrapped in cloth, which I like for some reason. So once you've finished sampling all of the beers on the list, grab a fork and have some dinner.
(4)
Matt W.
I'm a bit hesitant to write a poor review on the strength of only one visit, but it was just not a great experience and I won't be going back, and that's the gist of a two-star review. Yes, the City Tap has a great selection of beers on tap, a kind of nouveau California-ish inspired menu, and a fancy ski-lodge-like interior. Those are the reasons to give the place a try, and your mileage may well vary quite a bit from mine. What did not work: turkey burger that was so badly charred on the outside (yes, yes, I understand, with ground poultry they *have* to cook it to kill the pathogens) it tasted like burned toast, and the avocado was cold and kind of greasy and just lowered the temperature of the burgers. I honestly should have sent the thing back but between the late hour and the relatively slow kitchen service I was just starving. Apps were a bit unusual (the wings were fairly original cripsy style) but extremely unevenly cooked. I was a little surprised there. I am not getting the "generous portions" comments; none of the four entrees ordered by our table seemed that large. Now, let's throw in: only one wait person that day, and the front of the house staff *sharing this fact with us* as a pre-excuse. I'm sorry, well-run high-end restaurants have backup plans when servers call in sick, and *do not tell the customers about their staff management problems.* It is ****NOT OUR PROBLEM*** that you don't have enough wait staff. So we ended up at the bar. Now, I also appreciate beer recommendations, but tiny glasses at $6.50 a pop? It inhibits sampling their large selection. In turn, places that aren't willing to price their beer up front or don't automatically let their customers in on the range are running a bit of a thin game. So, you throw in the three- to four-star pricing, and it just makes it a bit discouraging. Perhaps we did get them on a bad day -- but again -- this is not *my* problem to deal with, it's the managements. Manage your kitchen. Manage your front of the house. Let the customer know what they're in for when you push something. Thank you.
(2)
Kira K.
Service: friendly and efficient :) Food: I tried the tartufo and the honey goat cheese flatbreads and the chicken and waffles - all of the tasted amazing! But I would only recommend the tartufo if you like truffle oil since it does have a strong taste Drinks: I didn't not get drinks my first time here, but my dad enjoyed the selections of beer I would definitely come here again! The portions are big so the prices are worth it
(5)
L D.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate a graduation. Our party was big 20+ strong but they manages to seat us without any issues. Got the big chick meal with summer wheat yeungling - yum. The chicken was awesome and the biscuit that it came with was great. The hash/ potato bits not so much because it was too salty and burnt. Additionally got a bite of the tap burger and it was pretty good. The salad that came with it was fresh and lightly covered with dressing, very good after eating such a meaty dish. Overall: Foods good, location is prime, service is friendly and beer selection is plenty.
(4)
Marthy S.
So much love for this place!! Every time I'm in Philly, which is usually every weekend and sometimes an additional weekday on top of that, you'll find me at this spot. And every time, you can find me somewhere at the bar since their bar takes up more than half the restaurant and the vibe is always warm and welcoming. You would think that being on a college campus, it would be filled with a rowdy young college crowd but it's far from it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the crowd here. It's always diverse and friendly. I can come here by myself and strike up convos with the bartenders or with random strangers at the bar. Tons of bartenders working on any given day and they serve up the full menu at the bar. Chris is one of my faves since we share a love of IPA's but they all share a love of beer and of this place as well. **You'll have to keep in mind the time and which day you go since they serve their brunch menu and Sat and Sundays from 11-3pm. From 3pm-4pm on these days, they only serve pizza and salads and then the kitchen opens up for the dinner menu after that.** FOOD Recommendations: - Mezze Plate is an excellent starter. As a fall/winter seasonal item they switched the original hummus to a Pumpkin hummus. Tasting this at first was a surprise and might not be for everyone but I truly enjoyed it. - The Abigail and Pancho mussels are solid. Huge plate full of mussels and the broth/sauce for either one is really flavorful. The toasted bread that accompanies this dish is perfect to sop up the sauce. (You may need to ask for more of this bread lol!) - Classic Margherita and Tartufo Pizzas are money as well. That brick oven heat makes the crust with just the right crispiness and the toppings for either are never skimped. - Brunch Menu Item: Pulled Pork Hash, was alright but too heavy for me. The man friend ate it up but still commented that it was only mediocre. And the main reason why I'm always found here is because this is a full fledged CRAFT BEER spot! They have all kinds of events where they feature certain breweries or certain types of beers such as a dark beer event, so their tap menu constantly changes. You must come in and see their selection for yourself. It does not disappoint. Firepits and a large outside patio area make chillen outside accessible all year round. Take the elevator up to the UT floor and stay for some phenomenal beer, great ambiance and an inviting vibe of chill peeps.
(5)
Rose V.
Came to this place randomly for a drink and love how spacious it is in here. My friend and I wanted to still outside by the fire (nice outdoor seating) but it was a chilly night so, we decided to seat indoors instead. Although the kitchen was going to close the minute we walked in, I was able to order the margherita brick oven pizza which was delicious. They have a lot of beer on tap so it great for people who love to drink beer. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that we had to go to the bar to order our drinks and food; I felt like we should've been waited on especially since the night wasn't busy at all.
(3)
Cliff S.
Second time here during my stay. Up from MS for surgery at CHOP. CTH is a little pricey, but a great atmosphere, with great service and the food is flawless. I would've given 4 stars because of price, but that's not fair. Great job y'all!
(5)
Shani T.
I've been to Tap House on a number of occasions for brunch, dinner, and drinks, but finally refreshed my memory of this place yesterday during my quick weekend visit to Philly. Came here for dinner with a group of 8 and got seated in the booth by the kitchen. It was almost uncomfortably warm here near the kitchen, particularly because it was also 75 degrees outside. Tap House is considered one of the nicer restaurants on campus, and the price point definitely reflects this. The food itself is pretty okay. I ordered the chicken and waffles (seems to be a new addition from two years ago, I didn't remember this and was extremely excited to try it!) for $19 and the majority of my friends ordered the Tap Burger for $13. The ten spice wings are a pretty good appetizer, but the skin is thick and fatty, which is normally not my preference with wings. The waitress was very attentive and kind to my group. Some of my friends were drunk and shit and a bit on the obnoxious side but she was just so kind and understanding. Thank you, lovely waitress. Tip was not included in our bill even though we had a party of 8 which was nice, but we made sure to tip well for the hassle we caused. My chicken and waffles were incredibly good--I was actually very surprised. The syrup was not too sweet and the fried chicken was seasoned very well, with the edges nice and crispy. The dish itself was lukewarm at best though, which made me feel like it had been sitting for awhile before being served (we waited awhile for our food, but we did have a large and obnoxious party so I let it go). That was honestly my only complaint, but it made me feel a bit more critical of the food. On other occasions I've come here in the past, I've had less than friendly waitresses before, or have felt my meal was too expensive for the price / experience), which is why this sits at a solid 3.5 stars for me. I do like their outside seating area next to the fires--makes for very cozy drinking sessions.
(3)
Ashleigh S.
Love the bar and most of the bartenders: Howie is really fun, Dan the manager is amazing and makes magic happen, and all others are always nice and will really try to help you find a beer from their gargantuan selection that fits your tastes. The fire pits outside are the best. Love coming here when its slightly warmer outside (read:not snowing) to enjoy the comforting ambiance of a toasty fire. Food is good most of the time and I particularly enjoy brunch. Only reason they are not getting 5 stars is I feel like the food is slightly too expensive-it's not out-of-the-park amazing and I feel like I can get most of their food options for a few bucks cheaper at the same quality.
(4)
Kevin H.
$7 for a beer, tax not included. Even bud light is $5. There's no reason at that price the house can't eat the tax. I've never been to a bar that wants tax on top of tap prices. $8.75 for Jack on the rocks, in the smallest glass I've ever been served in. The atmosphere is ok, but I'll go somewhere else next time, hands down.
(1)
Heather S.
This place has changed for the worse !!!! If you are a college student, then you will fit right in....but the staff & management is all about themselves and not about customer service.... Never going to return, Attitude from the bartender (young and inexperienced at performing quality service & full of excuses....) the management is a JOKE & ran by some 20 year old.... STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS SHIT HOLE! NOT EVEN WORTH THIS 1 star....
(1)
Arthur C.
I would call myself a CTH regular, and it is easily my go-to spot for drinks (read: beer). All of my experiences at the bar have been positive, and the bartenders are always friendly and dependable. If you become a regular here, make sure to get the names of some of your favorite bartenders, it really does make a difference. The beer selection is what really makes Tap House stand out. The selection of beers, helpfully distinguished by type (wheat beers, pale ales, stouts, etc.), makes the drinks menu that much more welcoming, especially for the numerous beer neophytes who come through the door. I've had brunch a couple of times at Tap, as well as dinner. The brunch here is not your typical pancakes or french toast fare; it is mostly savory dishes like fried chicken, nachos, or flatbread pizzas. The quality and size is decent, but still a little pricey. Dinner is a similar story, filled with food meant to be paired with a beer. The atmosphere is also great, obviously varying in liveliness depending on the time of day and day of the week you stop by. I've been to Tap for football and basketball games alike and the crowd is decent. However, the service remains dependable, more so for drinks than for food, but great nonetheless. Also a note that Tap does quizzo on Tuesday nights if you're into that kind of thing.
(4)
Vidushi B.
Like many Penn students, I frequent Tap House. I mostly go there on weekend nights, but I've also been there for brunch/lunch a few times. Tap has a pretty great selection of beers on tap, and they're relatively affordable. Most beers are between $6-$9, and they have beers of every type complete with descriptions on their list. I've been able to try a bunch of beers I wouldn't have otherwise tried because of this. The food is good as well, though I wouldn't say it's amazing. The brunch menu is pretty good, with a bunch of sweet, savory, and lunchy items. I especially like their pizza/flatbread options. The ambiance is pretty good too. In the winter they have outdoor fire pits which are clutch if you can snag a spot. It can get pretty crowded inside at the bar on weekend nights, however. Overall - great place to have a few great pints of beer in the U City area, and a classier options to the some of the more divey bars around!
(4)
Giacomo C.
I went back to this restaurant after not having been there for a while. The staff was very friendly. we were there with a large group and they did a great job of bringing out the food so that we could enjoy each part of the meal in good time. I ordered the Hawaiian fish special with a mango chutney. The fish was exquisite. the mango chutney was a little spicy just the way I like it. It was so good I had several people at my table tasted. I love sharing good food. My wife wanted a light bite and ordered the Caesar salad. She let me taste it. And it was very good as well. My young nephew ordered the clams. He enjoyed them so much that when his father asked to taste one he said NO. Everyone at our table really enjoyed their dinner. At the end of the meal the manager came over to make sure that we had enjoyed ourselves. This is what a dining experience should be, pleasant and tasty.
(5)
Erica L.
I've been here numerous times--as have all Penn students. Although it is a bit pricey, the portions are generous and the food delicious. I've always been satisfied with the service here! So, I'll break it down into my Brunch/Dinner/Drinking experiences. Brunch: Definitely not THE brunch place if you want pancakes, eggs, stuffed french toast, etc. Their menu dominates with savory dishes, which are still delicious regardless. I would highly recommend the Pork Burger, it had a lot of flavour that was perfect for any hangover. The Big Chick was alright, a little bland and fairly dry. I'm not a huge fan of their Eggs Benedict either, I found it to be a little sour tasting and didn't bother finishing the potato hash that it came with. The Steak and Eggs is nicely seasoned, but I found the steak to be rather dry when I tried it--definitely not worth $21. Dinner: Starting off with appetizers, the Nachos are pretty popular here and understandable. It comes stacked with SO many toppings, all of which blend perfectly. Everyone knows (or at least should know) how AMAZING the Tartufo flatbread is. Despite the $17 pricetag, it is worth every bite. Even writing this, I am dying to go back and have another. For one of their specials, I tried the steak rolled in bacon. Wow. It was completely next level and if it ever comes on their special again, I HIGHLY recommend you try it. The Tap Burger is also a staple and fairly popular. It's relatively standard, but they also cook it perfectly. Also, the fries that it comes with are amazing. If you can, also try ordering the sweet potato fries! Drinks: At the bar, there are so many TVs to watch games with your friends and they even have specials--especially when the weather warms up. With every single beer you can think of on tap and other various drinks, I am always trying to try something new. Whenever you order a beer, expect it to come filled to the brim with no foam--just as any beer on tap should be. However, I will say that my friend tried getting himself a drink and they turned him away for his "fake" ID, which was absolutely real. I was disappointed because they didn't even scan it, just simply looked at it and turned him away.
(4)
Justyn W.
Great spot to delve into an array of beers with selection that is sure to have something fit for any palate. I myself love darker porters and stouts. And they've got that for sure. Food is pretty tasty as well on a consistent basis. Gotta recommend the tap burger or a pizza if you want food. Nachos are CRAAAAZY as well. Please do share those hahaha trust me. Almost forgot. WHEN you go...DO.NOT.LEAVE without going to Howie at the bar. My man does it well in the well haha. But seriously. One of the best bartenders in Philly and you can take my word he'll treat you right. Tell em I said he better!
(5)
Keith K.
When I get to Philly, and need a great place to link up with friends and grab some cold craft beers , and watch the game or enjoy the outside fire pits . The atmosphere is college chill. Service is good, and food tasty.
(4)
Carrie B.
I've been going to this bar since the day it opened, what was that, five years ago or some long time like that? I remember when they opened, they had 1/2 off all beer on Wednesday happy hour. It was absolutely hands down the best thing to hit University City ever. ICE COLD EXPENSIVE BEER 1/2 off was perfect because we were young and couldn't afford it otherwise! But as we grew up, so did the bar. I've been there over the years on a fairly regular basis, and the menu has change and grown as the restaurant became more and more popular. I love the food, and I love the drink menu. The atmosphere has always leaned towards the bro-ish side of bars, but that is a-okay when in University City. What else are you going to find, really when you just want a nice craft beer? I was just there yesterday and must say, it really was still great. I don't work or live as close as I used to, so my trips have become more sporadic over time. When my friend said, let's go, I said, heck, sure! We got seats and the gigantic rectangular-shaped bar right after work at 5pm, and we were served by multiple, extremely knowledgeable bartenders, who gave us many samples of beers to try and were skilled and thoughtful with their recommendations. We had a few beers as the bar filled up. When we left at around 7:30pm, the bar was full, crowded and loud, but it didn't bother us one bit. I must say, the icing on the cake was the fact that they accepted two free beer coupons that I had been holding onto for about four years. Thank you, Howie! Definitely will be back for an ice cold beer and to enjoy the outdoor fire pits when it's just a little warmer outside.
(4)
Sonal U.
This place has an amazing mellow vibe. Most of the crowd is filled with UPenn students due to this place's location essentially on their campus. Greatest things I noticed 1) awesome fire pits 2) margarita pizza 3) diverse and wide selection of beers 4) live bands ( can be a pro or con depending on the band )
(4)
Shereen C.
This review is coming late since I was here over a year ago, but I remember the chicken wings here were great. Chicken wings were succulent & full of flavour. The other bar food I tried was fine but nothing remarkable. 3+ stars
(3)
Yatti N.
Tap House, Tap House, Tap House... I have a hate and love relationship with this place. I love their pizza. The only reason I eat here is because of their salumi pizza. One of my favorite pizza in the city. I don't need those fancy toppings. The hate; is their service. At times, I would get the worst waiters that never checks on my table. I would become a THOT in this place when I have these waiters. I can't find to get my cup refilled or order a new drink. This happens when I order take out, too. Waiting to get my take out order seems like I'm waiting for SEPTA.
(3)
Alyssa S.
Though it wasn't my first time hanging out here, last night was definitely the best experience I've had. I met a friend for drinks around dinnertime with my dog. Not only were we promptly seated outside in a comfortable area, the host brought out a bowl of water for my pup. This is a huge plus for me at any establishment, as I hate leaving him home alone when I already know I'm going somewhere with outdoor seating. For this reason, I'll probably choose CTH as a default spot for outdoor drinks over Harvest (though they're cheaper) because they don't allow dogs on their patio. Anyway, my friend ordered short rib tacos, which he loved but said they were hard to eat because the tortilla was small. This wouldn't have bothered me, though. We each had three beers, which were all great. The waitress (though I forget her name) was extremely helpful and fun to chat with. I hope to see her there again to take some of her beer recommendations. Overall, a great experience for quiet snacks and drinks. Perfect for catching up with a friend in a relaxed environment.
(4)
Victoria R.
Met my husband at this restaurant one night. We had a pleasant experience. It reminded me of a steak house chain restaurant that's prevalent on the west coast. We had the mussels for appetizers which came in a huge big bowl, so good! There were plenty for us to share, the soup in it was delicious and then we split a big burger with fries! We got beers and soda, the service was excellent. Overall, we'd go back for a chill and nice meal.
(4)
Annie B.
Lots of beers to choose from, and the food is good. BUT, expect a long wait (even if you have a reservation) and not-so-great service. It's always very busy, even if it's a week night. Waiters/waitresses/bartenders take quite a while to check up on you, take your food order, refill drinks, etc. The honey goat cheese flat bread is AMAZING.
(3)
Elli S.
We went to city tap house with a group of friends (15-20 people) for a birthday dinner and our experience was pretty pleasant more people then expected came and the hostess was very happy to help accommodate our whole party. Good food, plenty of different kinds of beer! I wish we had went during the spring/summer because it looks like they had a very nice outdoors area where you can hang out and have a couple of drinks! Only thing is it's a little bit expensive...but nothing crazy! I would definitely go back!
(4)
Tina K.
The service here is extremely slow, while the food is not that great to be worth the wait. The menu is quite pricey, too. I don't recommend going here at all.
(2)
Mo M.
I've been frequenting City Tap House on various occasions.. from happy hours, dinner, day parties and networking functions. Overall, I like the place. Staff is cool!... The food is good... go for the 10 spice wings and their burgers! Definitely try a beer flight too! Atmosphere is laid back.The outdoor patio is a must when the weather is good. You can can find the college co-eds and professionals at the bar.. all just trying to have a good drink (or two), good conversation and decent food.
(4)
Andrew B.
This place is great. I've been here too many times to count, but there are a good range of reasonably priced options that are outstanding. They recently dropped my favorite burger (lamb burger was amazing), but they still have my wife's favorite (the turkey burger). The honey goat cheese and salumi flatbreads are great for sharing, and the hushpuppies are always popular. If you have a large group getting together for happy hour, it can be a bit tough to mingle because of the layout of the bar area, but if you're there early enough you can pull a few tables together, and the servers are great. You can also reserve space outside or in a little room off the entrance, if you plan ahead and don't want to be super crowded. You can also set a limit on the tab, to be informed if your group hits a threshold based on what you're budgeting, which is nice (and they can limit the drink options, if you're into that). Basically, they're great for groups. They also have some pretty great table and booth options for groups of pretty good sizes (10-12). I also really like the beer selection, which isn't just large, but also varied. Some places will have 100 beers to choose from, as long as you like it really dark, or like it really hoppy - this has something for nearly every taste (that can be reflected in a 2 page beer list). Probably the best thing about this place is the large amount of outdoor seating! Sometimes these can be taken up by people who have called ahead, but I can probably get outside 75% of the time that I'd like to (may just reflect the distribution of when I've been, but I've been at all hours, from lunch through pretty late dinner). Sitting around the fire pits is also very cool, though you can't share appetizers with people on the other side very easily. Also, be careful that none of the paper that comes with some foods catches on fire.
(5)
Jamie C.
City Tap House is a fun sports-like bar right by Penn's campus. There are plenty of TVs to watch the game. A beer is approximately $5.50. The pizza and nachos we ordered was delicious. The City Tap House is a great place to meet up with friends. There is also an outside section.
(4)
J K.
I can't even count the number of times I've been to City Tap, but lately I find myself regretting the major cash dropped after each visit... The beer list prices no longer include Philly's 10% liquor tax - so that craft brew listed as $8 is actually $8.75. Similarly, the menu is always changing & not always for the better - the affordable options are now very limited. I've been really unimpressed with the menu as of late - the pizza is greasy, the nachos are soggy & swimming in cheese and their once delicious burgers/sandwiches (ie, the chicken-blt sam!) have been narrowed down to 3 poor burger options (1 of which is vegetarian). Of course the outdoor space is beautiful & removed from the hustle & bustle of Walnut St. below - but it comes with a price. You are PAYING for it. Many of the craft beers on tap here are available for purchase at the Local 44 Bottle Shop for half the price...
(2)
Sneha K.
City Tap House is a favorite on Penn's campus! I love their pizzas and sweet potato fries. It is a little expensive though. The service here is alright but nothing great. Their drink selection is really good and well-organized for people who don't necessarily know what they want. I also love the fire pits they have on the patio; they make standing outdoors bearable in colder weather! Tip: On Mondays they have $10 flights.
(4)
Stephanie L.
Off the bat two great things about this place are its ability to manage a crowd and the beer selection. My friend organized a two hour open bar at City Tap House for his birthday. Unlike many other open bars, bartenders were attentive, friendly, and willing to give recommendations on beers. The beer menu is extensive. Organized by style as well as a supplemental list of the rotating taps, they give a description and are transparent about price and ounces served with each pour. The fire pits outside are gas powered (so no smokey clothes - awesome) and really do help you keep warm on a chillier night. We had a variety of food served at our party and while I only tried the thin crust grandma pizza (which was amazing), the ribs, sliders and hummus looked wonderful. Friends gave the thumbs up. A great venue when solo, with a small group, or in a crowd. There's a parking garage just up the block, and the University City area is nice to be in.
(4)
R E.
I'm writing this review after visiting the City Tap House about 5 times. This last time was with a $35 gift card from Christmas. This place is way over priced. $13 for a burger is very high, and my medium rare order was brought out medium. I didn't send it back because I don't like to make a scene; instead, I just won't go back to this place. There beer options are plentiful but, again, so expensive ($7 and up for a pint). Overall, City Tap House is a mediocre place with a price that suggests a much higher quality experience. Don't be fooled.
(2)
Alex L.
The Good: Decent place to grab a casual drink. Solid beer selection and possibly the only bar on campus that isn't a total dive. If you're in the mood for food, try the Big Chick: fried chicken, fried bacon, and fried eggs on a biscuit with gravy. Mmm! The Bad: Food quality, service, and everything else. Most of their food is basically Greek Lady printed on a nicer menu and served up on a heavier plate. Bar appetizers are acceptable but not memorable. The Eggs Benedict was among the worst I've had -- eggs were cooked through completely and the hash browns on the side were chewy, not crispy. The last time I was there, the server was quite rude. She refused to seat us indoors on an incredibly hot day, even though there was plenty of seating available. Nor did they attempt to help us set up our table under one of their outdoor umbrellas. I left disappointed and sweaty.
(2)
Nikki F.
The ambience of the restaurant is great. Hands down I would come here again, just for that. I didn't have the best of waiters, so my experience was just ok. The food is ok, not sure its worth the cost. But I loved the beers and the drinks. I would definitely return in the fall to experience the fire pit. Aside from that, its just ok.
(3)
Maicol B.
Good place to go to watch a game or grab a good Italian-style flatbread pizza. They also serve good burgers and have a decent beer selection. Frequently gets crowded with Penn students hosting events so be aware.
(3)
Larry F.
Tap House is a classic choice at Penn. I haven't had too many food selections here, but I do think that the mussels are delicious! For somewhere around $12, you get a huge bowl of savory, fresh (or I hope) mussels with a piece of delicious olive oil baked bread. Each time I come here for food, that's what I order. Another friend is a die-hard striped bass fan, so maybe I'll give that a try next time! Drinks are always not bad either. I'm a bigger fan of their IPA, and some of the speciality drinks aren't too bad either. Happy hour is always worth the value. Service is decent but not great. The waitresses sometimes have a great sense of humor, especially if you're repeat customer that they remember. A couple of the bouncers have been kind of mean - but I guess that's what they're hired for, so I can't really complain.
(4)
Tyneisha M.
I came here for happy hour with a few friends and I must say I had a very good time. We sat outside by the fire pits which were very nice and added to the relaxed upscale atmosphere. The drinks were also reasonably priced which was great. I did not order food on this trip but I certainly will next time.
(4)
Sebastian And Nicole V.
Great location, nice atmosphere, but in my opinion the drinks are rather over-priced. This place is in the heart of University City, which is flooded with university folk on a budget, so it's a little painful when you are paying $6 for a beer, or TWELVE dollars for a shot! Due to location and ambiance, I will probably end up back here, despite the ridiculous prices.
(3)
Jimmy B.
Had basically no happy hour on a Tuesday, but beer selection was second to none and there pizza was probably the best in the city.
(4)
Victoria C.
I've come to tap for brunch, dinner and drinks, and it's been great! For brunch, I love the chorizo omelet. It's just about as good as White Dog's omelet, but I think there's more 'stuff' inside. Comes with sliced roasted potatoes. Eggs Benedict is decent. The pizzas are great to share (they come in six slices), and I'd definitely recommend the honey goat cheese and the tartufo. The wings are okay, they're good but not something I'd come to Tap House to order. I think the best bang for your buck comes with the burgers. I ordered the lamb, and it was good. None of the lamb aftertaste that sometimes come with lamb entrees. The Tap was juicy, a good burger. And I heard the chicken BLT wasn't dry as chicken can sometimes be, also good. A huge heaping of fries comes on the side.
(4)
Stephen B.
This place gets 5 starts for four good reasons! 1. The location, although a bit challenging to find on the second level, adds a bit of a clandestine feel to it once you do find the place. 2. Wait and bar staff get a solid 5 stars. Super patient in helping me figure out which of their 2 million beers I would like. 3. The burger was cooked PERFECTLY med. rare. And was flavorful. The salad was super fresh, with a great selection of greens and micro greens and a perfectly balanced light vinaigrette dressing. 4. The beer selection is incredible. And the bar persons are extremely knowledgeable. True beer connoisseurs! Will definitely be back.
(5)
Melissa S.
Came for dinner and drinks on a friday night and it wasn't too busy so it was easy to get a table. We were seated with the dinner menu and waited a good 10 minutes before our server came up and gave us the drink menus. By then we put an order of nachos in and waited another 10 minutes for the server to come back and take our drink order. We ordered two flights of 4 beers for $16, but couldn't get our top four because they can only do the flight of the beers listed as 10oz or higher (many of ours only came in 6 or 8 oz). But no big deal, large variety of beers available so it was easy to find replacements. The nachos came out about 15 minutes after we ordered them and the flights followed shortly after. THE NACHOS WE'RE AWESOME! I highly recommend them! Dinner came out about 25 mins later. I ordered the taphouse burger for my meal with avocado and garlic parm fries - nothing special for the area but still pretty good. My boyfriend ordered a philly taco- a cheesesteak inside a slice of pizza (YES THAT'S RIGHT) and said it was pretty good as well. We finished our meal with a 6oz porter and stout which we couldn't get on the flight but still worth the extra bucks. All in all, beers were great, food was pretty good, but the service is the reason for 4 stars. Everything was a bit slow. We came in at 645 and paid the check at 930. It's a good place for a beer and bar food, but make sure you have some time for the meal.
(4)
Andrew K.
A place a few of my 20-something friends and I come once in a while to desperately pretend to be college students again. Pretty cool location, plus a great patio right outside the bar complete with fire pits. Good/very good draught list. The bar is pretty large but always seems to be well-staffed with friendly and helpful bartenders. They've been great for offering recommendations and describing the beers, and are always really prompt to make sure someone is taking care of you. Crowd seems to be significantly less douchey than what I have seen at Blarney Stone (and City Tap is a lot nicer anyway). Considering I still hop the R5 and lovely MFL (always an experience) on occasion to come out here, I have to say it's a pretty good spot to grab a few drinks.
(4)
Alex M.
I was surprised by this place. It's near so much fratty awfulness that I expected it to be the same way. I have heard it's a place to avoid during the evening hours so maybe going at lunchtime was choice. In any case, this is a wonderful spot to have lunch during the late spring/all summer. Sit out on the patio and have a beer or two. The 21st Amendment's Hell or High Watermelon is particularly good. Enjoy a burger. Their veggie burger is one of the best I've ever had. My friend thought their regular burger was also super solid. Great fries. Ask for some of their house-made aioli. Mmmm.
(4)
Minh H.
I came here once for some afternoon beers with a friends and really enjoyed it. I didn't know it was on the second floor, so going up I was really surprised at the nice view and layout of the outdoor patio. The selection of beer is fantastic, it makes it difficult to choose. The menu is also pretty great. I got a pulled pork and hash brown mixture, which was the bomb. I would definitely come here again.
(4)
Adam F.
Stopped in the Tap House for a late lunch yesterday. I had been here before during happy hour and the food was decent, but over priced. I thought the Tri-Tip Cheesesteak sounded delicious and couldn't pass it up. At $18, I was expecting an awesome sandwich. I have never had a sandwich in Philly that failed this badly. Shitty bread and horribly chewy meat. When I first got the sandwich, my first thought was, "Are you kidding me? Where is the meat?" After my first bite, I was grateful they skimped out on the meat. There was so much sinew, it was almost inedible. The bread reminded me of that crappy generic Italian bread you get at Acme. It was a day away from becoming croutons. And just to rub salt in the wound, the upcharge to upgrade from a house side salad to Caesar was $2!? So $18 for a shitty sandwich, $2 upcharge to add croutons to a side salad and $3 for an unsweet iced tea. For $23, I could have done so much better with all the food options in this neighborhood. After logging into Yelp to leave this review, I was checking out the pictures and saw the City Tap Burger. The guy I was at lunch with got that burger. I can tell you his patty was half the size of the ones in the pictures. So either the cook sucks or was not trained to properly portion the serving sizes or management told them to go easy on the meat. Either way, you won't catch me gambling with my money with this joint.
(1)
Christine V.
This place is a nice place to come and grab a drink with friends. They have daily happy hours for their craft beers and other drinks. I came here with a few people after class. We were seated outside right by the fire pits so that was nice. Only slightly awkward thing is the two benches on either side of the fire pit are pretty far apart so you'd have to put a little more effort into speaking to your friends on the other side. Not a big deal but it'd be nice to have adjacent benches next to the fire. As for drinks, I got the Southern Tier Pumpking. We also got a little hungry so we ordered the pulled pork nachos and the goat cheese pizza. The pumpkin beer was pretty good for the first half and then since it was just chilling by the fire, it got really warm and just tasted pretty bad towards the end of our meal so we couldn't finish it. The pulled pork nachos consisted of a white cheddar sauce, some sort of bbq sauce, some fresno chiles, and onion. A little heavy on the white cheddar sauce but it was pretty tasty even for me, who isn't too big a fan of cheese. I also thought the nachos were pretty pricey for what they gave. The goat cheese pizza was really...interesting. It was a honey goat cheese pizza that had truffled honey, pistachios, and red onions on it. It has a very sweet taste to it. It wasn't bad but I wouldn't say it's great. It's definitely different and enjoyable with one or two slices but nothing more than that in my opinion. The pizza didn't complement the beer very well since it was pretty sweet, causing the beer to taste awfully bitter. Overall, this is a decent place to come if you're in UC and want to grab a drink or some grub. I definitely appreciate the fact that it's so close to Penn and would take me maybe less than 10 minutes to walk there.
(3)
Olivia R.
Tap House is a nicer alternative to the bars in University City. Although the drinks are a bit pricier, the selection on tap is extensive and the list is very descriptive which is nice. The bar tenders are generally helpful although they can take a while to serve you if it's busy. The outdoor section with the fire pits is great for a cooler night and the copper counter top is very nice touch. The crowd is often a mix of Penn students, grad students, and older people, which can sometimes be a nice change from the bars nearby. As far as eating goes, I have not been overly impressed but their pizza is pretty decent. They also have a lot of fun events, often including live music which is fun.
(4)
Jack J.
This place is packed from the bar to all the seating on a Friday afternoon through early evening. Understandable since it's happy hour and people with social life tend to de-stress during this time. Make reservations early if you want seating. BIG selection of beers; went with the V-12 to start which packs 12% for a beer. The tap burger was cooked just right at medium, and it came with a fairly large portion of fries. Service was quick and friendly, and the ambience was nice for happy hour conversations.
(4)
Jessica K.
I do enjoy the City Tap House; I've been here with friends, dates and for events. For the most part, they are very consistent in service and the food/drink menu (with seasonal rotations). The bar itself is comfortable and the outdoor space is lovely, weather-permitting. The only thing that makes me hesitant to walk in the doors is the cost. There are a number of other awesome places around this area that are cheaper so I tend to go to those. There's no real happy hour here to speak of, which is a shame when I can walk across the street for an amazing happy hour with food that is just as good. I always have a good time, however and will continue to patronize this place...but only occasionally.
(3)
Amy P.
City Tap for short has the best draft list in West Philadelphia. The regularly rotating list, usually offering ~40 unique beers, is fairly priced and covers many genres having a particular rapport with American ale fans. The draw at Tap does not stop there; service is congenial and will put on your choice of sports on one of the many TV's in the establishment. Get here early on drinking nights--the restaurant and bar will fill up, leaving standing room only around the bar and beautiful outside patio. The food at Tap is far better--and more expensive--than your typical pub fare. The menu is broad, offering gussied-up bar snacks like excellent fries with truffle aioli and pulled pork nachos. I particularly enjoyed my pizza, which is cooked neapolitan style and had a very flavorful crust. All in all, my go-to for drinks!
(4)
Katie P.
This place is pretty casual with an extensive amount of beers on tap. I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. It is usually bumpin' with people, but not too crowded. The outdoor seating is great especially with the fire pits if it is a little chilly. That area is always popular. I have also been here for lunch/dinner the food is good. I had the grilled chicken and apple salad. I was satisfied with my meal as were the other people I was with. City Tap House is a good spot to visit, but it is not my favorite.
(3)
Dave B.
I hardly make it to University City anymore. I'm usually in this neighborhood for work or to occasionally hang out with friend but most of the time I'm in Center City. I discovered City Tap House during a happy hour on a beautiful summer day. We sat on the patio overlooking Walnut Street and UPenn. The staff are super friendly and accommodating, they do not care if you split the check because they are accustomed to having college students doing that. They have an amazing wide range of beers and of course, cocktails for all. I have not had dinner here so I can't talk so much about the food. I did, however, had the chicken wings, nachos and fries and I was not disappointed. That chicken wings with the dry rub is seasoned and cooked perfectly. The fries are great, you can't really mess that up but the nachos with pulled pork is something else, in a good way. The nachos is so delicious that I could literally eat the whole entire serving. It is cheesy, meaty, fresh and I live for it. I love coming here and I'm a fan so they will continue to see more of me.
(4)
Alfreda D.
I came here for lunch in between a long work day. The venue is large inside and out. It was a decent day so my colleague and I sat on the outside patio. I ordered the turkey burger and substituted the cheese and spread for cheddar and smoked paprika aioli and had a side salad. The salad definitely looked like a full order size and the dressing was on the lighter-to-non existent side. I would've preferred a little more flavor but that was okay and allowed me to focus on the burger that looked very juicy. I cut it in half which confirmed that assessment... but again the flavor was just okay. It's not a place I would recommend or be excited about trying again. There are too many great food options in Philly to end up here. Just my opinion. My coworker agreed.
(3)
Jason D.
We come here relatively often. Usually it's pretty good. Have had the Korean Short Rib Tacos and burgers, which are consistently good. This time had the Pulled Pork Nachos, which were very greasy and soaked the chips. I wouldn't get them again. The Panang Mussels were OK, better to just stick with the burgers. Service this time was really pretty poor. Took a long time to get served initially, get refills or get the final check. Used open table for reservations. Asked for a table outside, but was told it would be a 25 or 30 min wait vs sitting inside immediately. We were seated inside near the window. Was very hot inside, as we looked out onto 4 open tables outside. Good craft beer selection, but this time nearly all on the front menu were kicked. The place is not cheap for burgers, regular food and beers. Probably won't come back for awhile.
(2)
Rich B.
Beer review only as I never tried the food. Nice large (40 tap) selection. Especially fun during Philly Beer Week. Had an extremely sick Avery Tap takeover. Also 1st place I had Flying Fish Exit 4 on tap! Service can be a bit slow. Walked out once as I waited 10 minutes during a slow afternoon for service and did not receive any.
(3)
Stephen D.
Very expensive and a decent draft list. Best thing about this place is the fire pits out on the patio, awesome in the fall
(3)
Edward W.
Intro: Too many good nights here. It is really one of the only nicer establishments to get a drink in West Philly. Plus Tap is a full service restaurant which is a huge plus. Basics: 1. Bar set up sucks dong. Whoever designed this place was an idiot and didn't consider humans, traffic flow, basic spacial organization, etc. It gets incredibly difficult to get around when packed. I didn't leave Smokes for this. 2. Food has been variable, but mostly a thumbs up. The pizzas are great. Thin crust, and pretty damn artisan. Go for the one with the mushrooms, truffle oil, and a sunny side up on it. Damn good son. 3. Burger was a bit dry. But well dressed. 4. Good selection of local and foreign beers. Not too craft (which I think is a good thing), but they do get pretty quirky sometimes, eg blueberry chocolate chicken tikka masala IPA from montana. Ok maybe not that quirky. Conclusion: Place where the grown ups go, or people who've learned that there are indeed other establishments besides the Stone and McD's for a meal and a beer.
(4)
Kristin N.
We had a nice dinner on the outside deck. Started with the pork belly app...not as tender as others I've had, but flavorful and the corn spoon read that accompanied it was tasty. Hubby had the burger...he thought it was average and sort of small. I had the honeyed goat cheese pizza and loved it!! He had several beers, all of which he liked. The server brought him several options to try, which was nice. As the eternal DD, I only had a pear cider, which was tasty enough. Our bill came to 75, which kind of surprised me, considering the lighter food fare. I always forget how much more $$$ you spend at tap houses in general. The beers go down easy, while the bill goes up ;o)
(3)
Justine J.
Not a fan of the goat cheese pizza (red onions, goat cheese, pistachios, truffle honey). It's a white pizza, which I did not realize, but that's just me. The server was such a good sport about it, insisting on switching my order since I only took one bite and wasn't too fond if it. I didn't change my order and just kept the pizza, since there wasn't anything wrong with it - I just don't particularly care for white pizza. I don't regret getting it either. I might get it again and just ask for sauce.
(3)
Julia N.
Tap House is a go-to place at Penn. I headed there on Sunday for brunch with a party of 6. Since it was homecoming weekend, we were unable to get a seat (should have booked a table!), so we just sat at the bar. I ordered The Big Chick, which was pretty satisfying. Fried chicken on a biscuit, topped with gravy - how could you go wrong with that? The chicken was crispy and the batter wasn't too heavy. However, the hash browns were a little tasteless, a little more salt would have been nice. While the food was good, the service was slow and disappointing - we waited about 20-30 minutes for our food. Perhaps it was homecoming weekend and the kitchen was backlogged with orders.
(4)
Kay A.
F*ck yeah, lamb burger. I had a (medium) lamb burger here that was faaaaantastic. My friend got 2 Mad Elf beers that he enjoyed thoroughly, and the pulled pork nachos. When he got the pulled pork nachos, he looked like he wanted to just put his face in them. I couldn't have them because of dietary restrictions, but the look on his face was ecstasy.
(5)
Rachel R.
Huge draft beer selection, decent food, and large bar area with TVs in additional to regular indoor and outdoor seating. I usually come here when in the area because of the vast beer selection but my last visit was probably the worst I've had here. The ground was very sticky all around the bar area so you almost lost a shoe when picking up your feet. The first bathroom stall I tried had a broken door with no clasp so it wouldn't close. The first soap dispenser I tried had no soap. The first and second table the hostess tried to sit us at only had 5 seats when we were a party of 6... why it took us walking to three tables for her to figure this out - I have no clue. Several people in our party were overwhelmed with the beer list and took at least 10 minutes to figure out which to order. They also only gave us two lists for a table of 6 people. And we had to ask for the second list. I liked however how they had the beers grouped on the menu. It was mid September and they had ZERO pumpkin beers on tap or in bottles. Very disappointing. The pulled pork flat bread was eh and my pulled pork nachos were served in a puddle of orange grease. Huge! But covered in liquid grease. Overall disappointing. But I will still come back as they have an extensive list of beers on draft when in the area. Maybe won't get food though.
(2)
Laura B.
I love coming here when I really want a good beer. It is a bit pricey, but they always have an excellent selection of multiple types of beer (sorted by style). The food is good, if a little more expensive than I would expect, and there are several delicious vegetarian options. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is some of the best in the city. If you are a beer lover, you have to try City Tap House.
(4)
Daniel C.
I've been here for brunch and dinner. The menu is limited during brunch. For dinner I got their BBQ pork Stromboli. I enjoyed it however it was dry, but the waiter suggested a side of their signature BBQ sauce and that saved it. Their beer menu is impressive and they offer a menu of seasonal beers. I would say I'm more impressed with their drink selection more than their food. I do look forward to eating their again. Perhaps what draws me to this location the most is their deck. It looks over university city. They have a lower deck and during the day they have games like corn hole out for customers to play. Next fall they are adding another location to center city. They will lack the experience of the university city location, however I think it'll be a great addition to the area. Park at the super fresh parking lot at the end of the street, its easier than finding a spot on the street.
(4)
Monique M.
Great for beer.... Best to grab a seat at the bar! If you like beer: you can get a flight of 4, taste any you want to try, and drink lots of local and your non-local craft beers.
(4)
Michael F.
I've been delaying my review of City Tap House because I was searching for something to put it over the top and let it lock up a 5-star review. Believe me, I really enjoy CTH, having grabbed dinner and a drink on multiple occasions without a hint of a bad experience. Great beers, solid food offerings, a nice outdoor area with warm fire pits in the winter are just a few of its features. Plenty of TVs to catch the game means you don't need a special reason to come here. But if you do, events like Pumpkin Smash and specials like Flight Nights could encourage you. So why only 4-stars? I don't know, but I can't quite bring myself to put CTH over the top. Check it out for yourself and let me know if you agree...
(4)
Juli K.
This place is a tiny chunk of beer heaven nestled above a perfect dessert place. Every day the beer list is reprinted because the taps rotate often; they have every kind of beer you could want and every dinner option is amazing. An incredible spot for brunch, their morning drinks are perfect and the hangover pizza is everything you would've dreamed of had you not blacked out the night before. Steak and eggs also highly recommended. Do yourself a favor and go during the warm months to take advantage of the balcony and fire pits which, from my experience, promote camaraderie among the patrons. It's great.
(5)
Danielle M.
Okay, so for an establishment called Tap House, this place really nails it. The selection is quite often superb--though last time I went I didn't find anything I really liked. Pout. As far as non tap-related stuff goes...not so amazing. Pros: (1) Like I said, vast selection of good beers on tap. I tried two of the best beers I've ever had here: Stone "Drink By" and Victory "Dirt Wolf." (2) Lots of TVs for the watching of sports. (3) Big roomy bar with the aforementioned TVs in full view. (4) One of the bartenders (looks like he lifts weights, round butt) is really helpful and will give you tastes of beer before you commit to a pint. Saved me a couple of times when I tried to order some of the more unusual selections. (5) Good looking place with a variety of types of seating/ambience. Negatives: (1) The food is really expensive and not awesome for the price. Also there is not bar menu with cheaper things to nibble on, as there should be. (2) It always seems that "sorry, the keg *just* kicked" on at least one beer I really want to drink. (3) All the other bartenders aren't very helpful, personable or attentive. (4) Call me crazy but this place is just too huge and not cozy enough to ever even feel like it could be a favorite hangout spot. (5) Last time I was there during an event (not as part of the group) and there was a terrible band and a guy leading some sort of game and THE MIC WAS UP SO LOUD I WANTED TO DIE.
(3)
Carter P.
University City has changed a lot over the past decade. With both Penn and Drexel doing a lot to upgrade the surrounding area, I am glad to say that Penn has built a set of buildings on Walnut which include this watering hole. Tall ceilings, tons of beer choices (on draft) and a rooftop bar area all make this a great spot to have a beverage. Although I tried a beer that was a bit too sour for me, it was still a good experience. I've been here a few times and the food has been good. They have fire pits so the outdoor area is still a good spot in the winter. Important to keep in mind though, this place is not priced like a college bar - so expect the crowd to be late-college to young-adult.
(3)
J. Christopher E.
I'm downgrading. Happy hours specials are no longer any good (the Wednesday 1/2 price on most beers happy hour special long gone), they no longer carry Bell's Two Hearted Ale (!), service not-so-good (a few times I waited more than 10 minutes for someone to take a food and drink order in the main dining area), and staff generally less helpful and pleasant. The food is still good, but most times I leave angry because I don't like the beer choices and the service is terrible. They also need to fix the stone around the fire pits. Did the management change? Why no longer great? I used to love this place. I come here much less often (from once a week to now a few times a year). Now going instead to Local 44 or Dock Street Brewery or SSHP.
(2)
Jay L.
City Tap House has a great open space bar and dinning inside, an even better outdoor seating for nice days, coupled with good food. My favorite dish was the BBQ Pork Flatbread. It was flavorful with a bit of a spicy kick. I would definitely recommend it and get it next time. The rest of the food I have found to be on par with other American Grills/Bars. I have had the Free Range Turkey burger and sweet fries, pastrami sliders, ten spice wings, and steamed edemame. Overall, a great place to hang out, and the food is not bad either.
(3)
Khanh V.
When I was here, I felt in love with the Tartufo pizza and Pancho mussels. I also had scallops, they were ok. My favorite has to be the pizza, it was amazing. Also service was good, spacious indoor and outdoor space. I had a great time with friends and would love to come back.
(4)
Mike C.
The food was decent. The service decent. The cask beer was on point. Taken there by family. It's american pub food. Good job.
(3)
Kimberly Y.
Food and drinks are solid, but service is lacking. I come here sometimes for Quizzo on Tuesday nights. Tap House has an extensive drink list, and they're mostly reasonably priced. I'm not the biggest fan of beer, but I've yet to have a bad experience with theirs! The striped bass was surprisingly good, especially considering I'm pretty picky with seafood. The chicken and waffles are tasty at first, but get old by the end. Some people really enjoy the burgers, but I find them to be forgettable and overpriced. The brunch is decent and very convenient for most upperclassmen on campus (best to make a reservation for brunch!). I really enjoy the steak and eggs, as well as the big chick. However, all the food is still a little overpriced for the quality and relative to many of the other options on campus, though the portions are pretty large. My main problem with Tap House is the service. I can't count the number of times I've came in only to wait minutes for the hostess to return. Today, I mentioned that I had a reservation for 2 at 1 PM, and they asked us to wait a few minutes. Almost ten minutes later, I checked back again, and they said they were waiting for reservations to come in, so it would take a while. I then repeated that I had a reservation, and we were finally seated. Then the waiters took forever, but this is normal. Tap House gets full at random times because they host many private parties or events, so I've had to wait or even just leave. I once ate here at the same time as a bachelorette party, and the atmosphere and the events in the bathroom were a little wild. They should probably give private parties more privacy.
(4)
Roopa S.
I've been here for brunch, lunch and dinner and I've had good experiences with all. I love how convenient the location is and the decor is warm and cute as well. As a vegetarian, I'm a huge fan of the veggie burger. The Bistro Breakfast Burger can be made vegetarian and is a little on the dry side, but still tasty. I probably wouldn't order this again, but I love the egg on top concept. The veggie burger for lunch and dinner is absolutely STELLAR. I often crave veggie bugers, and this is the first I think about in the Philly area. It's light and tasty, and I usually opt to not eat the bun and it's still amazing on its own. Perfect flavors. I've also tried a pasta dish here, as well as a pizza. The Margherita Pizza is awesome, and I love adding eggs to pizzas so I've tried the Margherita Pizza with an egg on top which was awesome! The sweet potato fries are also excellent, but beware that when they ask you for what you would like with a SIDE with your dish (salad, fries, sweet potato fries) they charge you extra for sweet potato fries and it ends up adding around $2 to your dish price. The waiters and waitresses also tend to not mention anything to you about the extra charge for sweet potato fries as a side, which irks me. Not worth it in my opinion for the extra cost, but yummy to eat as an appetizer! Overall, yummy and would definitely recommend because it seems to provide a solid and stable dining experience regardless of the hour of day!
(4)
Jill L.
City Tap House is one of those places where you sorta just end up at. Like if you are in U City at dinner and need a place to get a drink afterwards. Or if you go to the movies up the street and need a quick bite beforehand. Or if you have a bus/train to catch and have some time to kill beforehand. The food I've had there has been unmemorable, however, they did make some really amazing scallops for the 2012 Yelp Halloween party. The real attraction is their great beer list and the roof deck. If you can go when the weather gets a bit cooler, they have really awesome fire pits on the roof deck that create a really cozy atmosphere. The service can be hit or miss. On our last visit on a Saturday night in September around 8 pm, the wait staff was all over the place. Our waitress gave my husband a really hard time for ordering a Miller Lite, which was awkward. Also, you can apparently reserve the seating around the fire pits, which led to the wait staff constantly having to kick people out of those seats, even though no one was sitting in them. Which was also awkward. My suggestion to you would be to visit when the Penn/Drexel students are home on break. Unless you like hanging around 21 year olds that can't handle their liquor (no shame- I was one of them a decade ago- but now I'm old and shiz and can't be bothered).
(3)
Pam S.
I've only been to City Tap House to hang, really, and for events. I'd put it as my top bar in U City, because you can count on having enough space to loiter somewhere with your people and the beer list is good. And of course the outdoor area is a top benefit, and accessible in winter thanks to some heaters (and well, you're lugging your coat around anyway, aren't you?). I've also been to CTH for private events, and it's worked out well, and the snacky foods are good with a couple vegan friendly options (hummus, the usual). Downside? Something they can't do much about; the fact that it's in U City and crawling with drunk collegiates on the weekend. Can't win everything, right? Just remember to bring yourself, your multiple forms of identification saying that you're over 21 (every drink you order needs an id associated with it), and you're good.
(4)
Michael N.
One of the less douchy bars in the greater University City area (which isn't saying too much), this place has a pretty solid draft beer selection and the food quality is pretty spot on as well. I went here with a fairly large wedding party and they were very accommodating, reserving us a private area outside near the fire pits. When we got there and it was 35F outside, they moved us into a nice spot inside. So that night was great. Unfortunately the next night, it got a little weird. After the wedding we rolled up with a fairly large crew only to be told by the bouncer that we could stay and drink but the bathrooms weren't working. Wtf? The bar was packed and the bathrooms weren't working. Something didn't add up. Either he was just lying or the place was violating some sort of health code rule. It was quite disappointing.
(3)
Brittany B.
Wound up here randomly on a trip to Philadelphia. Such a nice staff... Turned on my football game for me, went out of their way to modify an item to make it vegetarian for me, bartender was so knowledgeable and helpful about the beer selection. Food was unbelievable. I couldn't recommend this bar enough!
(5)
J J.
We were staying at a local hotel and looking for a place for dinner. We walked around and noticed there isn't much of a selection of nice sit down restaurants around . Everything seemed like quick , take out places. We settled on this place. We were greeted quickly and sat out side since it was nice out. The patio is not big but it's nice. The menu is limited and pricy. $16 for a burger !? The sweet potatoes fries were tasty. My chicken was tough. Our waitress was friendly. But everything took so loooong. It took a while for our drinks , for our food , for the check( not even busy. We were tired of waiting. 2 drinks , 3 sandwiches , no appetizer or desserts and out bill was $70!! This place is defiantly overpriced and everything to so damn long!
(2)
Alyse W.
I go here a lot but I think it's a bit overrated. It's very expensive beer. This is Pennsylvania. Yuengling should not be $6 for a draft... at least not in UNIVERSITY CITY with all the college kids. The food is expensive an also a bit over rated. I'm not a fan of their nachos, which most people rave about. There is a nice big bar, and lots of selection, if that's your thing! I have always just sat at the bar, and truthfully never had a bar tender that was particularly good. They have all been either rude, or slow. I know tending bar is a tough job, but I just wasn't impressed.
(2)
Nick G.
Its a great place to hang out with your friends and the entire bar, inside and outside is very stylish and built nicely. The fire pits outside are pretty cool to. Food isn't half bad but when its busy the service can be a tad slow at the bar. My one major complaint is the pricing. While the beer prices are not bad, anything like mixed drinks, liquor and so on can be quite high in my opinion compared to other bars near by. But if your with a group of friends, it can be a chill place, just stick with the beer.
(4)
Kyle S.
The City Tap House is a great place to go to sit back and watch the phillies game. They have a wide range of beers on tap including Aventinus, one of my favorites. I have yet to eat anything here but when i look around at all of the dishes everything looks...mediocre. I enjoy the bartenders most of the time however there are a few that can be a somewhat pretentious when you mispronounce the name of beers or don't quite know what to order...(mostly the female bartenders.. cough cough). I manage a restaurant here in Philadelphia and like to enjoy a beer at CTH at the end of the night while my crew is cleaning up. One really neat addition to the restaurant is their outdoor seating with a number of firepits that anyone can cozy up to and hang out all night long. Overall i enjoy going to CTH but i feel like the service staff could be a little friendlier. Well, i'm headed over there for a beer now so lets see how this turns out. Thanks for reading and Happy eating and drinking Philly.
(3)
Abigail W.
It's fun to sit outside on the deck, and have lots of greenery around, and then look up and realize you are smack dab in a city. Great beer list and happy hour specials. I snacked on the Abigail mussels, tons of mussels, great broth and giant delicious crostinis. The server was attentive and quick, Great spot to meet up with co-workers after a hectic day.
(4)
Michele R.
I'm updating my review without taking the manager up on his offer of a free meal. Much time has passed anyhow. I do believe your experience at this restaurant will be determined heavily by when you dine. We came for the Game of Thrones brunch, & sat at the bar. The servers were all pleasant & attentive, the brunch options were interesting. I took a risk on the pulled duck pot pie, the hubs got a Belgian waffle with caramelized bananas & strawberries, & a side of hash browns. I really enjoyed my dish. My biggest complaint is that the shredded hash browns weren't browned on the grill first like the side dish was. So they were seemingly bland & undercooked in comparison to the side dish...which was truly delicious, & how I like my breakfast potatoes cooked. The Belgian waffle was also really tasty, though the bananas were anything but caramelized. Perhaps they were tossed on the heat for a moment but they were mostly raw. Still, all very enjoyable. I'd give brunch a shot again but dinner hour deters me a bit.
(3)
Phanna P.
Visited for the first time on a rainy evening, celebrating a friend's birthday. I like that it's spacious and has outdoor seating. Flight of beers were good, nice happy hour special. As you can see I'm a big fan of HAPPY HOUR! Server was attentive, big flat screens at the bar. You'll enjoy your visit. I can't remember what I ate, which doesn't account for much, but drinking is my thing.
(4)
Mina A.
This is a great place to go if you're just trying to grab a few drinks and hangout with friends. In fact I was just there last night and it was extremely packed for a Sunday night. The music isn't too loud so it's always easy to have conversations with people. The ambiance is nice, its spacious so you don't feel crowded (unless it's st.patties day) Their food is pretty good too. The burger is extremely juicy and perfectly cooked. I also really enjoyed the salmon. I'm taking two stars off for the fact that their bar is pretty slow, only two people were working last night and there was a lot of wait time. Additionally the drinks and the food is on the pricey side, so if you're willing to drop some $$$ on casual night, id give this place a go!
(3)
Eva H.
It's in West Philly! I hate University City! I think Penn kids are ridiculously sucky! I still liked City Tap House! End exclamation points. I haven't visited CTH in 4 or so years, but it seems the beer list is still huge, the menu has changed a bit (and gotten way expensive--$31 entrees in WEST PHILLY?!), and the staff is still alright. When I entered I kind of stood by the hostess stand for 5 or so minutes. Then I ambled toward the bar. And stood for awhile more. Finally, the bartender asked if I wanted a table, and then seated me. The servers were all sitting around eating (totally understandable--it was 3:45pm, there was only one other table of guests) and our friendly server (whose name I forget, but she's blonde, has dreds, and is a total doll) quickly asked me if I wanted something while I waited for my dining companion. I had a beer. It was an IPA that tasted more like a Belgian wheat, but it was good. She made sure I liked it (totally kind, as I didn't request a gratis taster), and informed me that they were only serving pizzas and salads until 4pm--no biggie, as it was 15 minutes 'til I could have something other than that. Anyway, we ordered food. It was a lot, and it was good, though next time I would have chosen more eclectic selections (totally my fault). The pulled pork nachos were kind of awesome. The cheese sauce wasn't your typical Velveeta crap, the pulled pork tasted slightly like yesterday's reheated stuff but this is Philly not Memphis, and everything just made sense--even the not too sweet barbecue sauce. It didn't get too soggy, even after about an hour of my inhaling it, either. Also got the pulled pork flatbread. It was less of a fan of mine, though the other end of the table liked it. It seemed like more of the same--flatbread (which was a little too black for me on the bottom), some cheese I couldn't really taste, barbecue sauce, the pulled pork, and some red cabbage and carrots that looked straight out of a grocery store salad bag. (Seriously, white, shriveled up carrot shreds that add nothing to the dish?) It wasn't bad, and had I not also gotten the far superior nachos, I wouldn't have quibbled. Service (except for the bartender) was quite good, the meal was good, and though a bit pricey for bar food I felt that the quality almost justified it. Given that we were there on an off hour, it was also not loud, nearly quaint (considering the giant space this is a feat), and reminiscent of Center City, not West Philly--in a good way. Minor quibble: the bathrooms. They smelled clean. So why did I have to go into 4 different stalls before I found one that didn't have toilet paper, pee, hair, or other unmentionables on the toilet seat? I can only imagine at 11pm on a Friday...
(4)
Kaynaz M.
Love the atmosphere here , large, open, high ceilings, lots of people and energy. They've got a large patio that overlooks walnut street with a fire pit. Perfect to grab a beer on a warm night. They have an extensive beer list, I like that they have a lot of beers in each category. I like Belgians and wheats and was happy by how many of those they had on draft. They offered a flight where u can sample 4 beers. A little pricey at 15 dollars. Also, a decent amount of their draft beers were already kicked, which was kind of frustrating. I ordered the turkey burger and it was so dry. The cheese, aioli, and avocado were good, but not enough to salvage how dry and awful this patty was. I asked the waiter if I could substitute sweet potato fries instead of the regular fries that come with the burger. The waiter didn't tell me he would charge 5 dollars for this substitution. I could've ordered an extra side of the sweet potato fries for that price. On the bill, I was charged 17 dollars for that awful burger. I could've gone to village whiskey or a Steven Starr restaurant and gotten an amazing burger for cheaper than that cardboard. Our waiter was slow, frazzled, never came around to get additional drink orders, forgot about drinks we ordered, and took forever to get the bill after we asked. I am on the fence whether I'd return here or not.
(2)
Srujana Y.
To me the outside seating has a big appeal (except in winter of course). I have been to tap house after work on several occasions. I am not into beer as much but I like their selection of wines and cocktails. I love their flatbreads especially the honey goat cheese and mushroom with truffle oil. Little pricey but service is quick, and nice-elegant ambience is worth it.
(4)
Victoria L.
I came here for a casual drinks + dinner yesterday. It wasn't crowded at all on this Wednesday so we decided to just sit at the bar. The bartenders and waiters here are very patient as you decide which beer you'd like from the clipboard. They have around 60 beers or so on draft, which is amazing. A bunch of the ones I wanted were kicked last night, but I assume that was because it's in between seasons. Can't wait for them to have pumpkin beer on tap. After much deliberation and two other tasters, I ended up the Great Lake Silver & Gold, which was very good. My friend decided to be not as picky and played it safe with a Victory Love Stout. We then shared the Pancho mussels in a tomato broth with spicy chorizo. They were fantastic; the spice level was just right. It came with a couple slices of grilled focaccia, and our waitress was very kind in getting us some more for us to scoop up the delicious broth. I've been here in the past and the pizzas are also delicious. One of the best parts about City Tap House is the amazing roof-top patio they had. Since the weather is around 50-60s at night now, they've turned on the fire pits for a cozy factor. There's no bar out there though, which is a bummer.
(4)
Amanda C.
A lamb burger with fennel salad, smoked paprika aioli, kalamata olives and feta yogurt. Pork nachos with walt wit white cheddar sauce, love stout bbq, fresno chiles, coriander and red onion. Broccoli rabe. Garlic parmesan fries with truffle aioli. Ladies and gentlemen, this food came from a bar! Well, I guess it's defined as a Gastropub, but still, for somewhere we went to "grab a drink" that turned into "let's have a bite to eat," I was beyond impressed at their selection as well as their quality. Add to that the remarkable service we received, and the awesome beers on tap we tried (Love Stout!), and you've got yourself a 5 star experience. Nothing about this place gave me pause. The decor was dark but classic, the seats were comfortable, we experienced a short wait time on a Friday night - I can't complain. The coolest part was when the check came at the end of the meal, and the server brought over a tablet. It allowed us to check off the items that we had and pay with our card right then and there, signing with a finger and getting a receipt emailed. Then our cohorts did the same thing to pay for their portion. Such a simple concept, but it made things so easy and dare I say - made paying the bill fun?! City Tap House, whether it's for another lamb burger and fries or just some craft beers, we'll be back in no time. If only just to get to pay the bill again!
(5)
Amber W.
Great beer and wine selection and good happy hour specials. Also, very nice inside and service was great. Was not crazy about the menu options but overall, good experience if there is stuff you like.
(4)
Gautam T.
A great place to come and lounge on the rooftop during the summer, don't even bother coming here during the winter because you'll be inside, unless you're into frost bite and polar vortexes. The beer selection is great but the food is incredibly mediocre. Being a center city folk I don't get out too much in uni city but when I do I inevitably end up at city tap house (for some reason I'm really craving a dosequis right now)
(4)
Lauren M.
I came into City Tap House for brunch with high expectations because I liked the ambiance: large, roof deck, cute/kitschy signage. Unfortunately, the dining experience didn't match up -- the eggs Benedict and hash browns were very COLD and tasted plastic-like. Plus, our waitress didn't exactly go out of her way to be friendly. Will not return next time I'm in Philly.
(2)
Robyn T.
Went there around 3pm with my husband and 2 year old.... We really needed a drink after spending a few hours at a kid museum. They were very accommodating to my son's needs and very nice to him. Great beer selection. My husband is a beer snob And he left happy. My son actually ate some pizza and sweet potato fries which is saying a lot. Great atmosphere. Reasonable prices for a city place.
(3)
Vincy O.
City tap house was a great place to have my boyfriends birthday party!! My boyfriend does not like the typical sit down formal dinner. The set up was more interactive for him to get up and mingle with friends and family. We reserved a couple of cocktail tables and 3 firepits for a party of 35 on a great wknd in July. It was such a great spot to overlook Penns campus and we couldn't have asked for better!! The breeze that came by the balcony added such a great feel and the area on the balcony was more than I expected! The lower terrace was set up with corn hole, which allowed our party to go down and play!! City taps greatest asset was the waitress we had, Amanda. If your having a party or even dining you want Amanda! Our party praised Amanda! She got along with every single person and gave everyone her undivided attention. She was attentive to all our needs. Never complained, frowned, didn't seem overwhelmed because we did have a lot of demands. She composed herself the same from the very beginning to the very end with a pleasant demeanor. It felt like she was a part if our party and didn't even feel like she was our waitress, she fit in great with our family!! I had cake on my dress and she grabbed club soda and a napkin and took it off for me!! She deserves all the praise!! She sets the bar very high for others. Amanda made my boyfriends party and unforgettable one!! I hope u get a raise!!!
(5)
Jennifer D.
I cannot say enough about this place...all good. I tried the chicken and waffles a few months ago and I loved it then, but trying it again on Valentine's Day, I loved it all the more. It is one amazing meal. The wait staff was great on both occasions, and my hubs was impressed with the beer that was suggested for him. amazing. If you can get by the fact that it's in University City...it's pretty amazing. That being said, get the chicken and waffles. A-Mazing.
(5)
Lehigh Valley Eats K.
The City Tap House is a great place to go to sit back and watch the phillies game. They have a wide range of beers on tap including Aventinus, one of my favorites. I have yet to eat anything here but when i look around at all of the dishes everything looks...mediocre. I enjoy the bartenders most of the time however there are a few that can be a somewhat pretentious when you mispronounce the name of beers or don't quite know what to order...(mostly the female bartenders.. cough cough). I manage a restaurant here in Philadelphia and like to enjoy a beer at CTH at the end of the night while my crew is cleaning up. One really neat addition to the restaurant is their outdoor seating with a number of firepits that anyone can cozy up to and hang out all night long. Overall i enjoy going to CTH but i feel like the service staff could be a little friendlier. Well, i'm headed over there for a beer now so lets see how this turns out. Thanks for reading and Happy eating and drinking Philly.
(4)
Brian T.
Quality - 4 stars (Good). Price - $$$ (Pricy) Taste - Fine Good: City Tap House Steak on Saturday. First of all, If you are looking for decent nice steak, Tap House may not really satisfy you. But if you are looking for a place for dining or drinking. Tap house is always a good choice especially for couple. I personally amazed by Tap House's everyday special, they keep change their menu, so you always get surprise from them. In opposite way, it creates some problems. You may see some very nice pictures from yelp. But they may stop serve them from long time ago. You always need to confirm with your servant. So far I think City Tap House Steak is the most tasty dish they offer. The steak is pretty big portion, taste juicy and rich. So if you go to there on Saturday, don't miss it. I also recommend their mussel. The Pacho Mussel is a little bit of spicy but leave very strong impression to your tongue. The Arbigail Mussel is not spicy, but the ingredient mix with tomato and garlic just made it taste rich. I actually kind of disappointed by the way they cook Sea Bass. They pan fry sea bass, so when kitchen is busy, it's very easy to make it overcook. For delicate meat like sea bass, they really need to carefully mange the temperature to maintain the tender quality. Otherwise pan fry may just made the expensive fish taste dry up. Beside these advice above, go for their happy hour for drink. Try their burgers, you will enjoy the casual environment there. (Especially if you seated outdoor.)
(4)
Nataly N.
City Tap house has a great selection of beers and plenty of seating in a roomy and relaxed atmosphere. They have booth seating that can fit over ten people. I also like the fire pits they have outside - for fireside chats with friends while overlooking the edge of Penn campus. I've ordered food here several times. For the price they charge, the food could be better. I've ordered both the Tap Burger and the free range Turkey burger - and both had good burger patties, but the brioche buns they used were very stale and dry, and I ended up leaving them aside every time. The appetizers I've had were also just OK. I guess I'd be better off coming here with a greater focus on beer than anything else.
(3)
Nina P.
There is nothing more appealing to a bunch of twenty-somethings on a cold weekend night than a bunch of fire pits! I went to City Tap House once before and again on Saint Patrick's day. The bar has delicious food (not your typical burgers and fries like at other bars) and always has an upscale feel. The prices on the menu are a little more expensive but the ambiance and unique menu options are worth a few extra dollars. I enjoyed my experience at this bar and I would certainly go again!
(4)
Dana R.
This place is just okay. The atmosphere is really nice, and the waitstaff was also pretty nice. They have interesting beers on tap here. My bf and I shared an order of the Abigail mussels. HUGE portion, and two hunks of slightly-burnt and overly salty bread. I did not partake in the bred but I ate quite a few of the mussels. We were unable to finish them. Overall, if I wish to drink interesting beer close the my bf's apartment and feeling too lazy to go anywhere else, I'll come back here. Otherwise, I'm going to Monk's Cafe.
(3)
Angela J.
Ok, the chicken wings here??!!!!! Hands down, quite possibly the best I've ever had. Really. Crispy outside, not breaded, and served with some amazing rub on the outside, they were phenomenal! There was some kind of horseradhishy dipping sauce to go with them too that was super tasty. I was here for a private event, so I don't know what it's like during normal hours, but the ambiance was pretty cool, and I love that it's an upstairs bar, very fun. The margherita pizza was also very good...perfect amount of sauce, thick slices of mozzarella, and a nicely cooked crust. I'll have to check this place out again when I'm in the neighborhood...
(4)
Anne K.
How have I not reviewed this place already? Having a drink at Tap House always takes me back to my college years. I've always been a big fan of how spacious their bar is - it's one big rectangle! They turn on their fire pits on chilly nights, which is always a plus. I'm a big fan of their ciders - they used to have a delicious pear cider, but they rotate through their drink selections like a good bar should. It's definitely the classiest watering hole on campus.
(4)
C C.
My boyfriend and I head here semi-frequently when we're in the mood for a few beers and some awesome snacks (shishito peppers and wings are to die for!!) but tonight's experience really set itself apart from the usual good food and good service. Our server was Bryan and he was awesome, he was extremely polite and professional from beginning to end. He had great recommendations when a few things we wanted weren't available ( totally understandable for a sunday night) and was great about checking in on us and making sure we had what we needed. He even went out of his way to catch us on our way out to let us know about a discount we could use for our next visit. I have never once been disappointed in the food or service here but tonight was definitely above and beyond.
(5)
Dylan G.
This place is phenomenal! The beers on tap are diverse and delicious, and the food is much more than you'd expect from a bar in a "college town". Even the service is great. The waitstaff is friendly and fast, and there is one blonde hostess who is is out of this world. And by out of this world, I mean she's good at her job and really hot ;)
(5)
Mary H.
The place is very cozy, pretty and fancy. I love restaurants with tall ceilings. The prices are a little steep but you wont be surprised when you step in and check out the vibrant atmosphere. I ordered the Striped Sea Bass plate and it was really good. The citrus caramel sauce they line on the plate is especially good, i wanted so much more of it. The bass was cooked well and very moist. The corn relish was very delish and gave a punch of flavor when combined with everything else on the plate. I was able to finish everything on the plate because it was so light and healthy. The burgers and potato fries look really good, I will probably try them the next time I come here.
(4)
Colin H.
I've been here more than I should probably admit. Whenever I have friends come into town, this is one of the first places I bring them. It's without a doubt the largest contributor to West Philly / UC area's craft beer scene. I've had a bunch of the food and it's all incredible, I highly suggest the shishoto peppers, 10 spice wings, and creole shrimp and grits. Let's talk about the service first. The bartenders are very knowledgeable about what they've got on tap. They will not only help you pick a beer of you're feeling lost, which is understandable considering the number of taps they have. Beyond just that, they're all friendly, I wouldn't feel uncomfortable calling a few of them friends. They regularly host some of the best beer events in the city. Their "Black Friday" event was incredible, they must plan these things years in advance. I came over today on a whim and there's some $4 Abita beers on. Excellent. I can't speak much to the liquor as I'm a beer guy through and through, but I assume the selection is nearly as varied. Their glassware is kept in pristine condition and properly cleaned. It's one of very few times I've seen foam rings form properly on a double ipa in a 10oz glass in Philly. I've had the pleasure of speaking with Andy, the GM a few times, and he is a great guy. Never before has the GM come over to me while I am eating wings and ask how they are. He's even replying to most people on here! Great guy. I don't want to rave too much because my meal just arrived and I am hungry, but if there's one bar within a mile or two you can't go wrong visiting it, it's City Tap House.
(5)
Walter K.
Does hold up as much as my first few visit. The beer list, as large as it is, lacks ambition. The dinner entrees are okay, but overpriced and unimpressive. The service, the atmosphere, and really, just the general feel of this place simply exist without any real effort. This place is a good idea that needs more direction and attention to truly be worthwhile. But then again, most place in University City don't really need to try all that hard.
(3)
Eric B.
I can't believe that I have lived in Philly so long and never knew about this place. If you're a craft beer person, this is the place to come...over 50 options on tap and many I haven't seen before, which is a big deal for a beer person like myself. I didn't try the food, but the menu looks really good as well. The decor of the bar/restaurant is modern with a enthuses on dark wood, plus, they have a large outdoor terrace overlooking U of Penn that I will certainly coming back for when the weather changes. Nothing better than relaxing outside and enjoy a beer. Can't wait to come back!
(4)
Brianna K.
The few times that I've been here, it's been nice, but not worth the money. They do not label any vegan items on their menu. And although they do have decently good food, I prefer going to restaurants where I don't have to grill the servers about every possible animal ingredient. Cute atmosphere, great location. Good beer as well from what I've heard but I have not yet had the chance to partake.
(3)
Kiki L.
You would enjoy their various selection of appetizers and entrees. Honey lavender ice-cream was refreshing and creative.
(3)
Vichet O.
I just feel like I need to reiterate how much I love this place. Remember that show, "Cheers"? With Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammar? Yeah, it's kind of like that, but with me instead of a whole bunch of actors that I can't name because they aren't Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer. If any place could be considered a red flag for my questionable drinking habits, this place is it. Even better, it teeters in that price range between cheap and pricey that scares off most Penn and Drexel undergrads who would rather drink room temperature, lightly hopped piss at Blarney, Smokes, and Cav's. Beers I've discovered here: Bear Republic Racer 5 Kona Brewing Koko Brown Kwak Hitachino Nest Bell's Two Hearted Ale And many more that I can't remember because I was drinking when I discovered them. A lot of the food is pretty good. Specifically, the burger, the lamb burger, the chicken-sausage griddle sandwich, the calamari, the sweet potato fries, the mussels, and the pizza. Their hummus could use a little more salt, but I'm not really there for hummus. Here's to you, Tap House. As long as he's in Philly, your boy Vichet will always be a customer.
(4)
Phi Psi PA Sigma U.
Always a great time. They NEVER dissapoint. City Tap House has always been willing to work with us- a men's organization, to organize events including Happy Hours and Dinner events. Consistently they support us with City Tap House donations that we auction/raffle off at our events and that is what makes all of the difference. Many business' tell us, a LARGE group of college gentlemen, that they don't want to help. When they do it is incredibly frustrating but City Tap House is one of the Businesses that never lets us down, always ready to work with us and always ready to make a difference on the local as well as national effort to better the world.
(5)
T S.
This place has a fire pit, if I had a date this would be perfect, I recommend. City Tap!, AWESOME !!!!!,EVERY ONE IS SO NICE, AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEER,the Food was delicious,I took home leftovers..
(4)
Shane J.
This restaurant that is located on Penn's Campus in University City is a nice surprise with good food and if you see a trend in my reviews - GREAT BEER selections!! I enjoyed the open layout and ability to see the kitchen. The food is unique and tasty. I like that it has a fun vibe - I have been here several times and one night it was quizzo night. My table participated and it was super fun. Those types of unexpected things can make a dining experience go from ok-to rememberable. The service was average and the wait staff friendly enough. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys a great beer from time to time.
(3)
S P.
Second time back and it was such a disappointment. The place was just about empty, but it took someone 5 minutes to come and greet us. A person at the bar had to go let the staff know that we were there. They were behind the bar chewing the fat instead of in place. Once seated, our beverage order was taken, but that was it. Almost 10 minutes went bay and our waitress never came back. Again, the place is just about empty. We decided to get up and leave. They didn't even realize we were leaving. My husband went back and told them we were leaving, and why, and the waitress came up with an off excuse. It looked like a 'manager/supervisor's away, so the staff will play' atmosphere. It will be awhile before we return.
(2)
Mike R.
I was a little harsh on my previous review so after a recent trip to Penn I figured I'd update and show some much needed love. The food at Tap House is delicious to say the least. I went on a Monday so the college crowd wasn't around and the servers were able to focus and really make us the center of attention. I loved my burger and the shared pulled pork nachos were amazing. It actually got me thinking that I wish I would have opened my eyes to CTH food while still in school... service was very good and the food was positively delicious. As always, the beer selection was superb. I opted to go with the Green Flash Green Bullet which is simply out of this world. The CA brewery is nearly impossible to find on the East Coast. I've been impressed in the past that CTA brought in Cisco Whale's Tail (Nantucket) and High Five (Sweden) but as an IPA lover I was delighted to see Green Flash. We ate outside by the fire pits which was lovely on a "light jacket" evening in October. Love the fire pits outside on the deck overlooking Spruce Street. There is no better place to hang out around Penn. Love the slate benches and the HUGE bar inside. The mood is wonderful and the beer selection is simply unmatched by anything in UCity let alone the city of Philadelphia. Good luck to you guys with your opening in DC. I'm really excited to get some good beer in town. See you at your opening at 901!!
(5)
Lauren S.
City Tap gets 4 stars for the atmosphere. It is the perfect setting for a crisp fall night: fires blazing outside, views of university city, cozied up to your guy or group of friends...Sounds amazing, right? Even the inside is warm and inviting! Lots of places to sit, and love the open kitchen! I have eaten here many times, and the food does not match up to the atmosphere. Sweet potato fries are probably the only winner on the menu for me. Calamari is rubbery and unseasoned. I would suggest grabbing food at Chipotle, BBP or Hummus and then coming up to enjoy City Tap. That is what we have been doing recently. Beer selection is amazing. From local beer to bud light, they have everything you could want. LOVE the pear cider, it is a perfect accompaniment to the outside setting. City Tap has a place in my heart.
(4)
John F.
One of the few places in university city you can go to where you actually feel like you are in a nice upscale bar. During the summer and fall this spot is great with the roof top outside area with Bon fires. The bar is huge, I have never had a problem getting a seat. The options of seasonal and craft beer are the best I've came across in ucity. If you don't mind spending 60-100 bucks for two people I recommend coming here for a chill night. That's my only con, the prices.
(4)
L G.
Went there a few days ago with a friend - they have wonderful selection of beers on tap, and not only that, but they will offer you a small sample of your chosen selections so that you can make your final choice. But best of all - we had been chatting with our wonderful bartender, Jenny, who is also a nurse. When my friend felt ill (a problem with her leg), Jenny came over and was extremely supportive and helpful until my friend could sufficiently recover. Thanks so much again Jenny! We are fans of this place and look forward to returning!
(5)
Chris T.
Awesome place! Good craft beers! Try the Evil Genius Purple Monkey! Also try the Lamb Burger!! Couldn't put the burger down!
(5)
Jemi J.
Ugh, they are so picky about non diners drinking at the tables toward the rear of the venue. Often times, these tables are empty, and the bar overflowing. It's not as if the empty tables will magically fill up with people if the kitchen is already closed! And the waiters can sometimes be snippy, which is surprising because tap house gets a mix of college, grad and neighborhood people. But besides this, Taphouse is just a beautiful place to sit and relax with friends, especially when the weather is beautiful out on the patio, and/or when they have fires going (! I still have to experience the latter, but can't wait!!) The Pear Cider is UHMAZING. I had the lamb burger, medium well,which had a surprising amount of flavor packed into the huge burger. I am conflicted as to whether it was worth $15 ( especially if you can get the same burger, if not a lot better, at copa) but with the fries and ambience, I guess I had it coming. The lamb burger had an overwhelming rosemary flavor, and I'm glad that I asked for it medium well, because it was more tender ( our waiter warned us that getting it well done might be too dry, and I could see his point. Thanks!)
(4)
Sooin L.
City tap house is a little expensive but I like it a lot. I think their menu is a little limited but there is something for everyone. In case of dinner, I've had the steak which was underwhelming. Probably better to get the pizzas or something. Personally i go for brunch. I love the steak&eggs as well as the waffle. Delicious!!
(4)
Ruchi G.
City Tap offers DELICIOUS food. Seriously. Come for the food, stay for the beer. Amazing selection on both--I'm particularly partial to the shrimp n grits (cried when they left the menu rotation, actually cried) which are creamy, smoky, juicy...perfect. The sweet potato fries and gnocchi are always amazing, too. Dry rub wings were meh, but still better than most places. And the beer selection! Wowza. The people here know their stuff and there's a LOT of stuff on offer. It's a great place to come if you're a regular (but a little pricey for regular patronage) because the bartenders who stay really try to get to know you (shoutout to Cathy!!!!) Altho there's been a lot of bartender turnover since I first started coming here in 2010. I took a star off for the seating on crowded nights--it's extremely hard to get bar seating, although in the summer maybe it'll be better 'cause the outdoor space (I don't want to have to pay for fire pit seating though!) and obviously you can't sit down unless you're going to order food too. Dunno what the solution is, but it's made some Friday nights kind of uncomfortable--though again, not nearly as bad as most CC bars! I love this place.
(4)
Jillian R.
As a first time visitor to City Tap House, I have to admit... I was impressed. I met a friend for dinner on Monday night, and the bar was hopping with professionals (both young and seasoned) with a sprinkling of college kids. The dining room was nearly empty when we sat down for dinner, but quickly filled up as our evening went on. The beer menu was extensive and they have a special called Flight Night on Monday nights. $10 for 4, 6 ounce tastes of almost any beer on the menu (only bumping off a star since the one beer I was really in the mood for, they ran out of). For dinner, my friend ordered the mussels (with a red spicy sauce) and I ordered the Hanger Steak with parmesan fries with truffle aioli. Both were delicious. The wait staff was courteous and quick. Between the food and the service, I'm sure we'll be back.
(4)
Adam P.
After a fun Quizzo experience at Local 44, we decided to see how City Tap's compared last week and left disappointed. First off, the website lists that it starts at 10pm (which I even called to confirm). The host didn't show up until 10:40, which according to our waitress, is the new standard this summer. And as it turns out, Johnny 'Goodtimes' is actually a miserable guy in his 30s with the personality and emceeing skills of a log. Pretty tough to sit through that for over an hour. Beer list is huge, albeit more expensive than it really should be for a lot of the selection. Our friends ordered a pizza, which they said was good despite being pretty small for $14+. All in all, can't say there's much of a reason that I'd come here over Local 44, so approach with caution.
(3)
Tracy N.
I remember anxiously awaiting Taphouse's opening my freshmen year - it's a nicer alternative to the normal Smokes' and Blarney's nights. The drinks are pretty reasonable and they change the beers they have on tap every now and then. There is always some cool even going on, especially during the summers (watermelon/crab/all you can eat/drink nights). The food is above average as far as bar food goes. The crafted sandwiches are tasty, I suggest the burger. The brick oven pizzas and mussels (huge portions) make for great h'orderves to split if you're just out drinking with a friend. It can get pretty loud and overrun with undergrads on weekends, although I think Taphouse attracts more young professionals and graduate students. The outdoor fireplaces are amazing and add more personality to the patio space. Definitely worth stopping by if you're looking for a chill night of drinks and good food.
(4)
DanaJoy88 ..
food is a little overpriced i think but it's delicious so i guess i will deal. My boyfriend and I stopped in for just a few beers and a snack and we didnt leave disappointed.
(4)
Christian S.
I made my first visit to the City Tap House this past Friday for lunch. I initially thought my coworkers were leading me into a trap after walking into a hallway and coming to an elevator. I thought we were going to need a special code to get in. The minute you walk into City Tap House you can help but marvel at the layout of the place. The bar area is huge and there is plenty of outdoor seating. I am sure this has been mentioned in just about every other post, but if you are here to drink, this is your place as there is an excellent selection of drafts. After reviewing the menu, I choose to go with the Mussels. Not my usual choice for lunch unless I am on vacation, but after seeing the various ways City Tap prepares their mussels, I was extremely curious. I decided to try the Abigail style mussels served in roasted garlic butter, leaks, and Belgian ale broth. Some of the mussels were a little undercooked, but overall the dish was quite delicious. Of course I used the fresh focaccia bread to soak up the rest of that perfectly seasoned broth. This place is on my list of must visit again establishments. I really need to find out how the other mussels dishes are prepared. The burgers look pretty good as well.
(4)
Kate S.
I WANT to love this place 100% and give it 5 stars because the Beer selection is OUTSTANDING! Best in the city --I don't know any other place that has as many taps and reminds of my favorite place in SF (Toronado's) But the service can be painfully slow esp at the bar and at the outdoor firepits, esp on particularly crowded nights which seems to be about every night The bar is highly understaffed, my thing is don't have a giant bar that can sit 40 people around plus have drink orders come in from all of the tables and only have two or sometimes even only ONE bartender, its just not practical That being said, I go back time and time again because the waitstaff is very knowledgeable about their beers and I always manage to have a good time despite the slow bar service. My advice get there before 6 or get a table and eat food otherwise be prepared for slow service at the bar
(4)
Alli H.
I've been three times and have had the same experience each time: Beer = Excellent Service = Mediocre (or less) All three times, I've sat at the bar - And all three times have waited quite a while before finally being greeted by anybody, had to flag down the bartender to ask for another round, etc. The beer selection is great. I wish the service could match the beer selection in awesomeness.
(3)
Kevin S.
I came for beer, and while the draft list was long it seemed to lack any real standouts - and prices were a bit steep for a University City bar. We were served fairly quickly, but it took us an uncomfortably long time to settle our bills, as the bartender seemed to disappear for quite a while. The inside bar has a sports bar feel, but the patio is much more enjoyable (if the weather cooperates). I had a Lagunitas Lil' Sumpin Wild (California IPA) for $7, most drafts seemed to be in the 5-10 dollar range.
(3)
Jordan P.
Scheduled for a post-screeening happy hour with some fellow students, I was excited to finally give City Tap House a try. I'd heard about their Sour Saturday and crab fest, as well as their extensive draft list, so I was all in. I love the idea of Flight Nights on Monday ($10 for flights) and the day I went (a Tuesday) the special was canned beer. Naragansett, Brooklyn Lager, and an alleged "Brooklyn Summer IPA". After confirming with Brooklyn Brewery that this is not, in fact, a real beer, I call shenanigans on the offer. Thanks, but no thanks to your imaginary beer. The beer I did end up choosing, Flying Dog's Sour Cherry, was sweet and tart, just as some of my favorite sours are. The prices of the beers weren't too bad, but when I looked at the food menu and contemplated a bite to eat, I noticed that those prices were a bit too steep for my liking. Knowing that Wawa was just around the corner and I had a train to catch (on which I would happily nosh on my sub), I wasn't too worried. Others in my party got the chickpea fritters ($12) which were 3 slightly-smaller-than-a-golfball-sized fried chickpea balls and some pita wedges, along with a bitty cucumber salad that was apparently tasty, but tiny. As far as "bang for your buck" when it comes to appetizers, I think I'd go for the Mezze Plate. A few folks from my party split one, and it looked hearty and diverse. The Feta was apparently really fresh, and the hummus looked awesome, very creamy with little bits of REAL red pepper in it! We were lucky enough to nab one of the always-desirable (according to my fellow happy hour-ers) firepits (no fire needed in the summer, or at least... they weren't lit when we went from 5:40-7ish) which allowed a great seating area in the setting sun. Here's my biggest complaint, though. I'm not sure if it was a dish they'd prepared, or something had spilled, or an actual gastrointestinal problem, but the INSIDE had the distinct smell of recently spewed vomit. I can't imagine that's a norm for them, but the smell made me rush in and out with as much speed as I could muster while holding my breath. I'd prefer some sort of scented candle, or even cleaning supplies to that smell. Brutal. I know I'll be back, as I'm starting at Penn in the fall, and hopefully the odor wafts out by then. Fingers crossed.
(3)
Sarah K.
I came here with a bunch of friends in late fall/early winter. The fire places outside are awesome! I was disappointed that they had run out of the banana bread beer, but they have a great variety of drinks available. I ordered a pear cider that the waitress recommended, and I'm glad I did. The food was awesome (not sure if that's due to drunkenness haha). But, the mussels were delicious and I just sopped up all the soup/juice with my bread. :) I have dreams about that meal. It's a nice place to come and drink with your friends. I wish there was a bar like this at Temple campus. Definitely will be returning once the weather gets warmer.
(4)
Lincoln L.
I have lived in west philly for several years now, been here more times than I care to count, and have finally got around to writing this review. City Tap House (or just tap house) is a great all around bar/restaurant. They serve all your normal beer on tap along with a slew of other local and seasonal beers, also on tap. Beers normally run you $5 to $8, happy hour specials are pretty good with $3 drafts and $5 mixed drinks. There is a good mix of people, more college students on Thursdays. Overall the bar has a casual feel but your are not going to see a lot of drunk students and really loud music, it is a great place to get a couple drinks and meet up with friends. The quality of food ranges a lot from dish to dish, generally good but nothing spectacular for the price. I liked the lamb burger and the mussels, but was disappointed with the flatbread. Supposedly some of their pizzas are a solid choice. The huge outside deck area is one of the best in the city and boasts several fire pits with seating around them. I also really appreciate that the restaurant does a lot of events that are definitely worth going to. My favorite was the all-u-can-eat Maryland blue crab fest that I went to last year. The steamed crabs were delicious and served with potatoes, bread, and corn on the cob. Tap house also does events for philly beer week, restaurant week, and has live music sometimes. I usually find myself coming here at least once a month and is probably my favorite place to go in UC.
(4)
Lorenzo L.
Love Tap House, everything I've eaten there I have liked. I especially enjoy their regular fries (go figure!). They also have an amazing beer selection. A couple of factors keep me from giving it a 5-star, though it is one of my favorite places in Philly. It is pricey and there's only a random happy hour on Wednesdays I think. (and it's not substantially cheaper.) Also service could use some improvement. The places fills up with large groups that can monopolize the staff but even in the absence of large groups sometimes you have to wait a while for a second round or the bill. It's not bad enough to keep me from recommending this place though!
(4)
Clint R.
We had a birthday party come there and the fire alarm started going off from the time we got there. It was very distracting. The manager came over at the end of the meal and rectified it. We ended up having a great time. The service and food were on par. All of the appetizers were delicious and everyone loved their meal. I would recommend!
(5)
Emily K.
Amazing veggie burger, and great beer selection. Space is nice and big but inviting. Location is perfect.
(4)
Karen G.
Ate dinner here last night, asked to be seated in a more secluded area but hostess only wanted to seat us right next to other customers even though there were many open tables. The food was great, we had pancho muscles without the chorizo, a Tartufo piZza and a Caesar salad and it was delicious
(3)
Benjamin M.
Wesside! I never get over to University City, but I've always wanted to check out City Tap House. So, Pumpkin Smash 2012 was a good enough reason to meet up with Michael F. and Jennifer N. for an afternoon of football, food and pumpkin beer. The place was extremely busy and I was lucky to secure a seat at the huge bar in front of one of the flat screens. Before they arrived I ordered the Roast Pumpkin Ranchero, a brunch special comprised of a pumpkin quesadilla, two sunny eggs, hashbrowns and a black bean chili. It was such a unique combination of things, but I had no problem inhaling all of it and pushing away an empty plate. While I ate, one of the bartenders asked me if I enjoyed the meal (Yes!) and then informed me that I got one of the last brunch plates before they ran out. Great timing for me I guess. Once they arrived, we started looking (well, not just looking) over the list of 30+ pumpkin beers, which were all tapped at 1 pm. So many interesting options: Elysian Apocalypse Blight, RJ Rockers Gruntled Pumpkin...uhh, I forgot to take any other notes after that. Or was it after Jenn ordered all three of us delicious pumpkin bombs...twice? Oh boy...
(5)
Justin A.
Wow. I was looking forward to coming to City Tap. Overall: City Tap is a huge place with unknowledgeable beer servers. "wet hops or dry hops"? The waiter did not know. If you are a beer restaurant, train the waiters in the art of craft beer. Or just stay a pretender forever.
(2)
Jessica S.
I don't usually make it over to U City but every so often, we get an urge to take a cab over and end up at this place. My last visit solidified my opinion on this place: LOVE the beer options, love the atmosphere, good food, but lacking in the service department. We always get the 10 spice wings when we come here. They are grilled, no fried excessive skin, and have a really great flavor which is not spicy at all. We tried a couple of the pizzas and flat breads last visit, and the pulpo flat bread definitely came out the winner. Other than that, fairly basic food options, but a great compliment to really great beers. With that many draft beers, there really is something for everyone, and the list rotates seasonally. We discovered Brewworks Rude Elf during our last visit and I'm still trying to find somewhere to buy bottles of it. They have brewery nights where they feature specific brewers and have a dinner and beer pairing, which I haven't tried but would be looking forward to giving a shot. The only reason this place doesn't get more stars is the fact that every time I go I'm waiting forever for service. It was not busy last time we visited, so I'm not sure whats going on here. Because of this, I'll still come back but probably not as frequent in the rotation as some other places.
(3)
Erik G.
Food and beer selection, great! Service... meh. Our waiter was fine but the front desk all but completely ignored us. Would go back and hopefully have better people at the front desk.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Amanda C.
A lamb burger with fennel salad, smoked paprika aioli, kalamata olives and feta yogurt. Pork nachos with walt wit white cheddar sauce, love stout bbq, fresno chiles, coriander and red onion. Broccoli rabe. Garlic parmesan fries with truffle aioli. Ladies and gentlemen, this food came from a bar! Well, I guess it's defined as a Gastropub, but still, for somewhere we went to "grab a drink" that turned into "let's have a bite to eat," I was beyond impressed at their selection as well as their quality. Add to that the remarkable service we received, and the awesome beers on tap we tried (Love Stout!), and you've got yourself a 5 star experience. Nothing about this place gave me pause. The decor was dark but classic, the seats were comfortable, we experienced a short wait time on a Friday night - I can't complain. The coolest part was when the check came at the end of the meal, and the server brought over a tablet. It allowed us to check off the items that we had and pay with our card right then and there, signing with a finger and getting a receipt emailed. Then our cohorts did the same thing to pay for their portion. Such a simple concept, but it made things so easy and dare I say - made paying the bill fun?! City Tap House, whether it's for another lamb burger and fries or just some craft beers, we'll be back in no time. If only just to get to pay the bill again!
(5)Amber W.
Great beer and wine selection and good happy hour specials. Also, very nice inside and service was great. Was not crazy about the menu options but overall, good experience if there is stuff you like.
(4)Gautam T.
A great place to come and lounge on the rooftop during the summer, don't even bother coming here during the winter because you'll be inside, unless you're into frost bite and polar vortexes. The beer selection is great but the food is incredibly mediocre. Being a center city folk I don't get out too much in uni city but when I do I inevitably end up at city tap house (for some reason I'm really craving a dosequis right now)
(4)Lauren M.
I came into City Tap House for brunch with high expectations because I liked the ambiance: large, roof deck, cute/kitschy signage. Unfortunately, the dining experience didn't match up -- the eggs Benedict and hash browns were very COLD and tasted plastic-like. Plus, our waitress didn't exactly go out of her way to be friendly. Will not return next time I'm in Philly.
(2)Robyn T.
Went there around 3pm with my husband and 2 year old.... We really needed a drink after spending a few hours at a kid museum. They were very accommodating to my son's needs and very nice to him. Great beer selection. My husband is a beer snob And he left happy. My son actually ate some pizza and sweet potato fries which is saying a lot. Great atmosphere. Reasonable prices for a city place.
(3)Vincy O.
City tap house was a great place to have my boyfriends birthday party!! My boyfriend does not like the typical sit down formal dinner. The set up was more interactive for him to get up and mingle with friends and family. We reserved a couple of cocktail tables and 3 firepits for a party of 35 on a great wknd in July. It was such a great spot to overlook Penns campus and we couldn't have asked for better!! The breeze that came by the balcony added such a great feel and the area on the balcony was more than I expected! The lower terrace was set up with corn hole, which allowed our party to go down and play!! City taps greatest asset was the waitress we had, Amanda. If your having a party or even dining you want Amanda! Our party praised Amanda! She got along with every single person and gave everyone her undivided attention. She was attentive to all our needs. Never complained, frowned, didn't seem overwhelmed because we did have a lot of demands. She composed herself the same from the very beginning to the very end with a pleasant demeanor. It felt like she was a part if our party and didn't even feel like she was our waitress, she fit in great with our family!! I had cake on my dress and she grabbed club soda and a napkin and took it off for me!! She deserves all the praise!! She sets the bar very high for others. Amanda made my boyfriends party and unforgettable one!! I hope u get a raise!!!
(5)Jennifer D.
I cannot say enough about this place...all good. I tried the chicken and waffles a few months ago and I loved it then, but trying it again on Valentine's Day, I loved it all the more. It is one amazing meal. The wait staff was great on both occasions, and my hubs was impressed with the beer that was suggested for him. amazing. If you can get by the fact that it's in University City...it's pretty amazing. That being said, get the chicken and waffles. A-Mazing.
(5)Lehigh Valley Eats K.
The City Tap House is a great place to go to sit back and watch the phillies game. They have a wide range of beers on tap including Aventinus, one of my favorites. I have yet to eat anything here but when i look around at all of the dishes everything looks...mediocre. I enjoy the bartenders most of the time however there are a few that can be a somewhat pretentious when you mispronounce the name of beers or don't quite know what to order...(mostly the female bartenders.. cough cough). I manage a restaurant here in Philadelphia and like to enjoy a beer at CTH at the end of the night while my crew is cleaning up. One really neat addition to the restaurant is their outdoor seating with a number of firepits that anyone can cozy up to and hang out all night long. Overall i enjoy going to CTH but i feel like the service staff could be a little friendlier. Well, i'm headed over there for a beer now so lets see how this turns out. Thanks for reading and Happy eating and drinking Philly.
(4)Brian T.
Quality - 4 stars (Good). Price - $$$ (Pricy) Taste - Fine Good: City Tap House Steak on Saturday. First of all, If you are looking for decent nice steak, Tap House may not really satisfy you. But if you are looking for a place for dining or drinking. Tap house is always a good choice especially for couple. I personally amazed by Tap House's everyday special, they keep change their menu, so you always get surprise from them. In opposite way, it creates some problems. You may see some very nice pictures from yelp. But they may stop serve them from long time ago. You always need to confirm with your servant. So far I think City Tap House Steak is the most tasty dish they offer. The steak is pretty big portion, taste juicy and rich. So if you go to there on Saturday, don't miss it. I also recommend their mussel. The Pacho Mussel is a little bit of spicy but leave very strong impression to your tongue. The Arbigail Mussel is not spicy, but the ingredient mix with tomato and garlic just made it taste rich. I actually kind of disappointed by the way they cook Sea Bass. They pan fry sea bass, so when kitchen is busy, it's very easy to make it overcook. For delicate meat like sea bass, they really need to carefully mange the temperature to maintain the tender quality. Otherwise pan fry may just made the expensive fish taste dry up. Beside these advice above, go for their happy hour for drink. Try their burgers, you will enjoy the casual environment there. (Especially if you seated outdoor.)
(4)Nataly N.
City Tap house has a great selection of beers and plenty of seating in a roomy and relaxed atmosphere. They have booth seating that can fit over ten people. I also like the fire pits they have outside - for fireside chats with friends while overlooking the edge of Penn campus. I've ordered food here several times. For the price they charge, the food could be better. I've ordered both the Tap Burger and the free range Turkey burger - and both had good burger patties, but the brioche buns they used were very stale and dry, and I ended up leaving them aside every time. The appetizers I've had were also just OK. I guess I'd be better off coming here with a greater focus on beer than anything else.
(3)Nina P.
There is nothing more appealing to a bunch of twenty-somethings on a cold weekend night than a bunch of fire pits! I went to City Tap House once before and again on Saint Patrick's day. The bar has delicious food (not your typical burgers and fries like at other bars) and always has an upscale feel. The prices on the menu are a little more expensive but the ambiance and unique menu options are worth a few extra dollars. I enjoyed my experience at this bar and I would certainly go again!
(4)Dana R.
This place is just okay. The atmosphere is really nice, and the waitstaff was also pretty nice. They have interesting beers on tap here. My bf and I shared an order of the Abigail mussels. HUGE portion, and two hunks of slightly-burnt and overly salty bread. I did not partake in the bred but I ate quite a few of the mussels. We were unable to finish them. Overall, if I wish to drink interesting beer close the my bf's apartment and feeling too lazy to go anywhere else, I'll come back here. Otherwise, I'm going to Monk's Cafe.
(3)Angela J.
Ok, the chicken wings here??!!!!! Hands down, quite possibly the best I've ever had. Really. Crispy outside, not breaded, and served with some amazing rub on the outside, they were phenomenal! There was some kind of horseradhishy dipping sauce to go with them too that was super tasty. I was here for a private event, so I don't know what it's like during normal hours, but the ambiance was pretty cool, and I love that it's an upstairs bar, very fun. The margherita pizza was also very good...perfect amount of sauce, thick slices of mozzarella, and a nicely cooked crust. I'll have to check this place out again when I'm in the neighborhood...
(4)Anne K.
How have I not reviewed this place already? Having a drink at Tap House always takes me back to my college years. I've always been a big fan of how spacious their bar is - it's one big rectangle! They turn on their fire pits on chilly nights, which is always a plus. I'm a big fan of their ciders - they used to have a delicious pear cider, but they rotate through their drink selections like a good bar should. It's definitely the classiest watering hole on campus.
(4)C C.
My boyfriend and I head here semi-frequently when we're in the mood for a few beers and some awesome snacks (shishito peppers and wings are to die for!!) but tonight's experience really set itself apart from the usual good food and good service. Our server was Bryan and he was awesome, he was extremely polite and professional from beginning to end. He had great recommendations when a few things we wanted weren't available ( totally understandable for a sunday night) and was great about checking in on us and making sure we had what we needed. He even went out of his way to catch us on our way out to let us know about a discount we could use for our next visit. I have never once been disappointed in the food or service here but tonight was definitely above and beyond.
(5)Sarah K.
I came here with a bunch of friends in late fall/early winter. The fire places outside are awesome! I was disappointed that they had run out of the banana bread beer, but they have a great variety of drinks available. I ordered a pear cider that the waitress recommended, and I'm glad I did. The food was awesome (not sure if that's due to drunkenness haha). But, the mussels were delicious and I just sopped up all the soup/juice with my bread. :) I have dreams about that meal. It's a nice place to come and drink with your friends. I wish there was a bar like this at Temple campus. Definitely will be returning once the weather gets warmer.
(4)Walter K.
Does hold up as much as my first few visit. The beer list, as large as it is, lacks ambition. The dinner entrees are okay, but overpriced and unimpressive. The service, the atmosphere, and really, just the general feel of this place simply exist without any real effort. This place is a good idea that needs more direction and attention to truly be worthwhile. But then again, most place in University City don't really need to try all that hard.
(3)Colin H.
I've been here more than I should probably admit. Whenever I have friends come into town, this is one of the first places I bring them. It's without a doubt the largest contributor to West Philly / UC area's craft beer scene. I've had a bunch of the food and it's all incredible, I highly suggest the shishoto peppers, 10 spice wings, and creole shrimp and grits. Let's talk about the service first. The bartenders are very knowledgeable about what they've got on tap. They will not only help you pick a beer of you're feeling lost, which is understandable considering the number of taps they have. Beyond just that, they're all friendly, I wouldn't feel uncomfortable calling a few of them friends. They regularly host some of the best beer events in the city. Their "Black Friday" event was incredible, they must plan these things years in advance. I came over today on a whim and there's some $4 Abita beers on. Excellent. I can't speak much to the liquor as I'm a beer guy through and through, but I assume the selection is nearly as varied. Their glassware is kept in pristine condition and properly cleaned. It's one of very few times I've seen foam rings form properly on a double ipa in a 10oz glass in Philly. I've had the pleasure of speaking with Andy, the GM a few times, and he is a great guy. Never before has the GM come over to me while I am eating wings and ask how they are. He's even replying to most people on here! Great guy. I don't want to rave too much because my meal just arrived and I am hungry, but if there's one bar within a mile or two you can't go wrong visiting it, it's City Tap House.
(5)Lorenzo L.
Love Tap House, everything I've eaten there I have liked. I especially enjoy their regular fries (go figure!). They also have an amazing beer selection. A couple of factors keep me from giving it a 5-star, though it is one of my favorite places in Philly. It is pricey and there's only a random happy hour on Wednesdays I think. (and it's not substantially cheaper.) Also service could use some improvement. The places fills up with large groups that can monopolize the staff but even in the absence of large groups sometimes you have to wait a while for a second round or the bill. It's not bad enough to keep me from recommending this place though!
(4)Clint R.
We had a birthday party come there and the fire alarm started going off from the time we got there. It was very distracting. The manager came over at the end of the meal and rectified it. We ended up having a great time. The service and food were on par. All of the appetizers were delicious and everyone loved their meal. I would recommend!
(5)Emily K.
Amazing veggie burger, and great beer selection. Space is nice and big but inviting. Location is perfect.
(4)Karen G.
Ate dinner here last night, asked to be seated in a more secluded area but hostess only wanted to seat us right next to other customers even though there were many open tables. The food was great, we had pancho muscles without the chorizo, a Tartufo piZza and a Caesar salad and it was delicious
(3)Benjamin M.
Wesside! I never get over to University City, but I've always wanted to check out City Tap House. So, Pumpkin Smash 2012 was a good enough reason to meet up with Michael F. and Jennifer N. for an afternoon of football, food and pumpkin beer. The place was extremely busy and I was lucky to secure a seat at the huge bar in front of one of the flat screens. Before they arrived I ordered the Roast Pumpkin Ranchero, a brunch special comprised of a pumpkin quesadilla, two sunny eggs, hashbrowns and a black bean chili. It was such a unique combination of things, but I had no problem inhaling all of it and pushing away an empty plate. While I ate, one of the bartenders asked me if I enjoyed the meal (Yes!) and then informed me that I got one of the last brunch plates before they ran out. Great timing for me I guess. Once they arrived, we started looking (well, not just looking) over the list of 30+ pumpkin beers, which were all tapped at 1 pm. So many interesting options: Elysian Apocalypse Blight, RJ Rockers Gruntled Pumpkin...uhh, I forgot to take any other notes after that. Or was it after Jenn ordered all three of us delicious pumpkin bombs...twice? Oh boy...
(5)Justin A.
Wow. I was looking forward to coming to City Tap. Overall: City Tap is a huge place with unknowledgeable beer servers. "wet hops or dry hops"? The waiter did not know. If you are a beer restaurant, train the waiters in the art of craft beer. Or just stay a pretender forever.
(2)Jessica S.
I don't usually make it over to U City but every so often, we get an urge to take a cab over and end up at this place. My last visit solidified my opinion on this place: LOVE the beer options, love the atmosphere, good food, but lacking in the service department. We always get the 10 spice wings when we come here. They are grilled, no fried excessive skin, and have a really great flavor which is not spicy at all. We tried a couple of the pizzas and flat breads last visit, and the pulpo flat bread definitely came out the winner. Other than that, fairly basic food options, but a great compliment to really great beers. With that many draft beers, there really is something for everyone, and the list rotates seasonally. We discovered Brewworks Rude Elf during our last visit and I'm still trying to find somewhere to buy bottles of it. They have brewery nights where they feature specific brewers and have a dinner and beer pairing, which I haven't tried but would be looking forward to giving a shot. The only reason this place doesn't get more stars is the fact that every time I go I'm waiting forever for service. It was not busy last time we visited, so I'm not sure whats going on here. Because of this, I'll still come back but probably not as frequent in the rotation as some other places.
(3)Erik G.
Food and beer selection, great! Service... meh. Our waiter was fine but the front desk all but completely ignored us. Would go back and hopefully have better people at the front desk.
(4)Eric B.
I can't believe that I have lived in Philly so long and never knew about this place. If you're a craft beer person, this is the place to come...over 50 options on tap and many I haven't seen before, which is a big deal for a beer person like myself. I didn't try the food, but the menu looks really good as well. The decor of the bar/restaurant is modern with a enthuses on dark wood, plus, they have a large outdoor terrace overlooking U of Penn that I will certainly coming back for when the weather changes. Nothing better than relaxing outside and enjoy a beer. Can't wait to come back!
(4)Brianna K.
The few times that I've been here, it's been nice, but not worth the money. They do not label any vegan items on their menu. And although they do have decently good food, I prefer going to restaurants where I don't have to grill the servers about every possible animal ingredient. Cute atmosphere, great location. Good beer as well from what I've heard but I have not yet had the chance to partake.
(3)Kiki L.
You would enjoy their various selection of appetizers and entrees. Honey lavender ice-cream was refreshing and creative.
(3)Dylan G.
This place is phenomenal! The beers on tap are diverse and delicious, and the food is much more than you'd expect from a bar in a "college town". Even the service is great. The waitstaff is friendly and fast, and there is one blonde hostess who is is out of this world. And by out of this world, I mean she's good at her job and really hot ;)
(5)Vichet O.
I just feel like I need to reiterate how much I love this place. Remember that show, "Cheers"? With Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammar? Yeah, it's kind of like that, but with me instead of a whole bunch of actors that I can't name because they aren't Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer. If any place could be considered a red flag for my questionable drinking habits, this place is it. Even better, it teeters in that price range between cheap and pricey that scares off most Penn and Drexel undergrads who would rather drink room temperature, lightly hopped piss at Blarney, Smokes, and Cav's. Beers I've discovered here: Bear Republic Racer 5 Kona Brewing Koko Brown Kwak Hitachino Nest Bell's Two Hearted Ale And many more that I can't remember because I was drinking when I discovered them. A lot of the food is pretty good. Specifically, the burger, the lamb burger, the chicken-sausage griddle sandwich, the calamari, the sweet potato fries, the mussels, and the pizza. Their hummus could use a little more salt, but I'm not really there for hummus. Here's to you, Tap House. As long as he's in Philly, your boy Vichet will always be a customer.
(4)Phi Psi PA Sigma U.
Always a great time. They NEVER dissapoint. City Tap House has always been willing to work with us- a men's organization, to organize events including Happy Hours and Dinner events. Consistently they support us with City Tap House donations that we auction/raffle off at our events and that is what makes all of the difference. Many business' tell us, a LARGE group of college gentlemen, that they don't want to help. When they do it is incredibly frustrating but City Tap House is one of the Businesses that never lets us down, always ready to work with us and always ready to make a difference on the local as well as national effort to better the world.
(5)T S.
This place has a fire pit, if I had a date this would be perfect, I recommend. City Tap!, AWESOME !!!!!,EVERY ONE IS SO NICE, AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEER,the Food was delicious,I took home leftovers..
(4)Shane J.
This restaurant that is located on Penn's Campus in University City is a nice surprise with good food and if you see a trend in my reviews - GREAT BEER selections!! I enjoyed the open layout and ability to see the kitchen. The food is unique and tasty. I like that it has a fun vibe - I have been here several times and one night it was quizzo night. My table participated and it was super fun. Those types of unexpected things can make a dining experience go from ok-to rememberable. The service was average and the wait staff friendly enough. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys a great beer from time to time.
(3)S P.
Second time back and it was such a disappointment. The place was just about empty, but it took someone 5 minutes to come and greet us. A person at the bar had to go let the staff know that we were there. They were behind the bar chewing the fat instead of in place. Once seated, our beverage order was taken, but that was it. Almost 10 minutes went bay and our waitress never came back. Again, the place is just about empty. We decided to get up and leave. They didn't even realize we were leaving. My husband went back and told them we were leaving, and why, and the waitress came up with an off excuse. It looked like a 'manager/supervisor's away, so the staff will play' atmosphere. It will be awhile before we return.
(2)Mike R.
I was a little harsh on my previous review so after a recent trip to Penn I figured I'd update and show some much needed love. The food at Tap House is delicious to say the least. I went on a Monday so the college crowd wasn't around and the servers were able to focus and really make us the center of attention. I loved my burger and the shared pulled pork nachos were amazing. It actually got me thinking that I wish I would have opened my eyes to CTH food while still in school... service was very good and the food was positively delicious. As always, the beer selection was superb. I opted to go with the Green Flash Green Bullet which is simply out of this world. The CA brewery is nearly impossible to find on the East Coast. I've been impressed in the past that CTA brought in Cisco Whale's Tail (Nantucket) and High Five (Sweden) but as an IPA lover I was delighted to see Green Flash. We ate outside by the fire pits which was lovely on a "light jacket" evening in October. Love the fire pits outside on the deck overlooking Spruce Street. There is no better place to hang out around Penn. Love the slate benches and the HUGE bar inside. The mood is wonderful and the beer selection is simply unmatched by anything in UCity let alone the city of Philadelphia. Good luck to you guys with your opening in DC. I'm really excited to get some good beer in town. See you at your opening at 901!!
(5)Lauren S.
City Tap gets 4 stars for the atmosphere. It is the perfect setting for a crisp fall night: fires blazing outside, views of university city, cozied up to your guy or group of friends...Sounds amazing, right? Even the inside is warm and inviting! Lots of places to sit, and love the open kitchen! I have eaten here many times, and the food does not match up to the atmosphere. Sweet potato fries are probably the only winner on the menu for me. Calamari is rubbery and unseasoned. I would suggest grabbing food at Chipotle, BBP or Hummus and then coming up to enjoy City Tap. That is what we have been doing recently. Beer selection is amazing. From local beer to bud light, they have everything you could want. LOVE the pear cider, it is a perfect accompaniment to the outside setting. City Tap has a place in my heart.
(4)John F.
One of the few places in university city you can go to where you actually feel like you are in a nice upscale bar. During the summer and fall this spot is great with the roof top outside area with Bon fires. The bar is huge, I have never had a problem getting a seat. The options of seasonal and craft beer are the best I've came across in ucity. If you don't mind spending 60-100 bucks for two people I recommend coming here for a chill night. That's my only con, the prices.
(4)L G.
Went there a few days ago with a friend - they have wonderful selection of beers on tap, and not only that, but they will offer you a small sample of your chosen selections so that you can make your final choice. But best of all - we had been chatting with our wonderful bartender, Jenny, who is also a nurse. When my friend felt ill (a problem with her leg), Jenny came over and was extremely supportive and helpful until my friend could sufficiently recover. Thanks so much again Jenny! We are fans of this place and look forward to returning!
(5)Chris T.
Awesome place! Good craft beers! Try the Evil Genius Purple Monkey! Also try the Lamb Burger!! Couldn't put the burger down!
(5)Mary H.
The place is very cozy, pretty and fancy. I love restaurants with tall ceilings. The prices are a little steep but you wont be surprised when you step in and check out the vibrant atmosphere. I ordered the Striped Sea Bass plate and it was really good. The citrus caramel sauce they line on the plate is especially good, i wanted so much more of it. The bass was cooked well and very moist. The corn relish was very delish and gave a punch of flavor when combined with everything else on the plate. I was able to finish everything on the plate because it was so light and healthy. The burgers and potato fries look really good, I will probably try them the next time I come here.
(4)Jemi J.
Ugh, they are so picky about non diners drinking at the tables toward the rear of the venue. Often times, these tables are empty, and the bar overflowing. It's not as if the empty tables will magically fill up with people if the kitchen is already closed! And the waiters can sometimes be snippy, which is surprising because tap house gets a mix of college, grad and neighborhood people. But besides this, Taphouse is just a beautiful place to sit and relax with friends, especially when the weather is beautiful out on the patio, and/or when they have fires going (! I still have to experience the latter, but can't wait!!) The Pear Cider is UHMAZING. I had the lamb burger, medium well,which had a surprising amount of flavor packed into the huge burger. I am conflicted as to whether it was worth $15 ( especially if you can get the same burger, if not a lot better, at copa) but with the fries and ambience, I guess I had it coming. The lamb burger had an overwhelming rosemary flavor, and I'm glad that I asked for it medium well, because it was more tender ( our waiter warned us that getting it well done might be too dry, and I could see his point. Thanks!)
(4)Sooin L.
City tap house is a little expensive but I like it a lot. I think their menu is a little limited but there is something for everyone. In case of dinner, I've had the steak which was underwhelming. Probably better to get the pizzas or something. Personally i go for brunch. I love the steak&eggs as well as the waffle. Delicious!!
(4)Ruchi G.
City Tap offers DELICIOUS food. Seriously. Come for the food, stay for the beer. Amazing selection on both--I'm particularly partial to the shrimp n grits (cried when they left the menu rotation, actually cried) which are creamy, smoky, juicy...perfect. The sweet potato fries and gnocchi are always amazing, too. Dry rub wings were meh, but still better than most places. And the beer selection! Wowza. The people here know their stuff and there's a LOT of stuff on offer. It's a great place to come if you're a regular (but a little pricey for regular patronage) because the bartenders who stay really try to get to know you (shoutout to Cathy!!!!) Altho there's been a lot of bartender turnover since I first started coming here in 2010. I took a star off for the seating on crowded nights--it's extremely hard to get bar seating, although in the summer maybe it'll be better 'cause the outdoor space (I don't want to have to pay for fire pit seating though!) and obviously you can't sit down unless you're going to order food too. Dunno what the solution is, but it's made some Friday nights kind of uncomfortable--though again, not nearly as bad as most CC bars! I love this place.
(4)Alli H.
I've been three times and have had the same experience each time: Beer = Excellent Service = Mediocre (or less) All three times, I've sat at the bar - And all three times have waited quite a while before finally being greeted by anybody, had to flag down the bartender to ask for another round, etc. The beer selection is great. I wish the service could match the beer selection in awesomeness.
(3)Grace F.
Man, I really want to love this place. But I can't...all I can say is that I kind of like it. First let me say, I love their outdoor deck. My husband and I love craft beers, and City Tap House seems to be an amazing craft beer bar/restaurant...and yet we leave every time (5X now) feeling disappointed. The bartenders move slowly, they are disinterested, and the beer is overpriced with very limited happy hour specials. I did have a very friendly waitress who actually appreciated beer and she was wonderful, now they just need that to be consistent across the board! Oh and the food, is sometimes good. It depends what you get: their baked wings are fab-u-lous! As is their mussel, frites, and beer special (if they still have it). Their burgers and entrees leave something to be desired. Maybe I would have loved the food if I had been able to enjoy my beer a little bit more beforehand...
(3)Dave H.
City Tap House isn't your typical University City bar. Then again, it doesn't pretend to be. A massive bar fills the venue, and there's seating throughout. Outside is a terrace perfect for mixers, or a meal with friends. Feeling cold? Don't worry, there's an app for that. Well, fireplace. Our bartender's pulchritude enchanted, but her creative streak impressed us more. When I asked about milkshakes, she suggested a root beer float - vanilla ice cream and all - which hit the spot. I wanted a shot to go with it, and she made me a baby Guinness (a shot I haven't had in years), which was perfect. During happy hour, the Tap House offers special-priced appetizers. Their margherita pizza will feed you, and their grilled vegetable bruschetta is tasty enough - can't beat grilled peppers and eggplant - but be sure to try their sweet fries; ours were mostly crispy, and the mustard on the side has a bite.
(4)Jillian R.
As a first time visitor to City Tap House, I have to admit... I was impressed. I met a friend for dinner on Monday night, and the bar was hopping with professionals (both young and seasoned) with a sprinkling of college kids. The dining room was nearly empty when we sat down for dinner, but quickly filled up as our evening went on. The beer menu was extensive and they have a special called Flight Night on Monday nights. $10 for 4, 6 ounce tastes of almost any beer on the menu (only bumping off a star since the one beer I was really in the mood for, they ran out of). For dinner, my friend ordered the mussels (with a red spicy sauce) and I ordered the Hanger Steak with parmesan fries with truffle aioli. Both were delicious. The wait staff was courteous and quick. Between the food and the service, I'm sure we'll be back.
(4)Adam P.
After a fun Quizzo experience at Local 44, we decided to see how City Tap's compared last week and left disappointed. First off, the website lists that it starts at 10pm (which I even called to confirm). The host didn't show up until 10:40, which according to our waitress, is the new standard this summer. And as it turns out, Johnny 'Goodtimes' is actually a miserable guy in his 30s with the personality and emceeing skills of a log. Pretty tough to sit through that for over an hour. Beer list is huge, albeit more expensive than it really should be for a lot of the selection. Our friends ordered a pizza, which they said was good despite being pretty small for $14+. All in all, can't say there's much of a reason that I'd come here over Local 44, so approach with caution.
(3)Tracy N.
I remember anxiously awaiting Taphouse's opening my freshmen year - it's a nicer alternative to the normal Smokes' and Blarney's nights. The drinks are pretty reasonable and they change the beers they have on tap every now and then. There is always some cool even going on, especially during the summers (watermelon/crab/all you can eat/drink nights). The food is above average as far as bar food goes. The crafted sandwiches are tasty, I suggest the burger. The brick oven pizzas and mussels (huge portions) make for great h'orderves to split if you're just out drinking with a friend. It can get pretty loud and overrun with undergrads on weekends, although I think Taphouse attracts more young professionals and graduate students. The outdoor fireplaces are amazing and add more personality to the patio space. Definitely worth stopping by if you're looking for a chill night of drinks and good food.
(4)DanaJoy88 ..
food is a little overpriced i think but it's delicious so i guess i will deal. My boyfriend and I stopped in for just a few beers and a snack and we didnt leave disappointed.
(4)Christian S.
I made my first visit to the City Tap House this past Friday for lunch. I initially thought my coworkers were leading me into a trap after walking into a hallway and coming to an elevator. I thought we were going to need a special code to get in. The minute you walk into City Tap House you can help but marvel at the layout of the place. The bar area is huge and there is plenty of outdoor seating. I am sure this has been mentioned in just about every other post, but if you are here to drink, this is your place as there is an excellent selection of drafts. After reviewing the menu, I choose to go with the Mussels. Not my usual choice for lunch unless I am on vacation, but after seeing the various ways City Tap prepares their mussels, I was extremely curious. I decided to try the Abigail style mussels served in roasted garlic butter, leaks, and Belgian ale broth. Some of the mussels were a little undercooked, but overall the dish was quite delicious. Of course I used the fresh focaccia bread to soak up the rest of that perfectly seasoned broth. This place is on my list of must visit again establishments. I really need to find out how the other mussels dishes are prepared. The burgers look pretty good as well.
(4)Kate S.
I WANT to love this place 100% and give it 5 stars because the Beer selection is OUTSTANDING! Best in the city --I don't know any other place that has as many taps and reminds of my favorite place in SF (Toronado's) But the service can be painfully slow esp at the bar and at the outdoor firepits, esp on particularly crowded nights which seems to be about every night The bar is highly understaffed, my thing is don't have a giant bar that can sit 40 people around plus have drink orders come in from all of the tables and only have two or sometimes even only ONE bartender, its just not practical That being said, I go back time and time again because the waitstaff is very knowledgeable about their beers and I always manage to have a good time despite the slow bar service. My advice get there before 6 or get a table and eat food otherwise be prepared for slow service at the bar
(4)Kevin S.
I came for beer, and while the draft list was long it seemed to lack any real standouts - and prices were a bit steep for a University City bar. We were served fairly quickly, but it took us an uncomfortably long time to settle our bills, as the bartender seemed to disappear for quite a while. The inside bar has a sports bar feel, but the patio is much more enjoyable (if the weather cooperates). I had a Lagunitas Lil' Sumpin Wild (California IPA) for $7, most drafts seemed to be in the 5-10 dollar range.
(3)Jordan P.
Scheduled for a post-screeening happy hour with some fellow students, I was excited to finally give City Tap House a try. I'd heard about their Sour Saturday and crab fest, as well as their extensive draft list, so I was all in. I love the idea of Flight Nights on Monday ($10 for flights) and the day I went (a Tuesday) the special was canned beer. Naragansett, Brooklyn Lager, and an alleged "Brooklyn Summer IPA". After confirming with Brooklyn Brewery that this is not, in fact, a real beer, I call shenanigans on the offer. Thanks, but no thanks to your imaginary beer. The beer I did end up choosing, Flying Dog's Sour Cherry, was sweet and tart, just as some of my favorite sours are. The prices of the beers weren't too bad, but when I looked at the food menu and contemplated a bite to eat, I noticed that those prices were a bit too steep for my liking. Knowing that Wawa was just around the corner and I had a train to catch (on which I would happily nosh on my sub), I wasn't too worried. Others in my party got the chickpea fritters ($12) which were 3 slightly-smaller-than-a-golfball-sized fried chickpea balls and some pita wedges, along with a bitty cucumber salad that was apparently tasty, but tiny. As far as "bang for your buck" when it comes to appetizers, I think I'd go for the Mezze Plate. A few folks from my party split one, and it looked hearty and diverse. The Feta was apparently really fresh, and the hummus looked awesome, very creamy with little bits of REAL red pepper in it! We were lucky enough to nab one of the always-desirable (according to my fellow happy hour-ers) firepits (no fire needed in the summer, or at least... they weren't lit when we went from 5:40-7ish) which allowed a great seating area in the setting sun. Here's my biggest complaint, though. I'm not sure if it was a dish they'd prepared, or something had spilled, or an actual gastrointestinal problem, but the INSIDE had the distinct smell of recently spewed vomit. I can't imagine that's a norm for them, but the smell made me rush in and out with as much speed as I could muster while holding my breath. I'd prefer some sort of scented candle, or even cleaning supplies to that smell. Brutal. I know I'll be back, as I'm starting at Penn in the fall, and hopefully the odor wafts out by then. Fingers crossed.
(3)Lincoln L.
I have lived in west philly for several years now, been here more times than I care to count, and have finally got around to writing this review. City Tap House (or just tap house) is a great all around bar/restaurant. They serve all your normal beer on tap along with a slew of other local and seasonal beers, also on tap. Beers normally run you $5 to $8, happy hour specials are pretty good with $3 drafts and $5 mixed drinks. There is a good mix of people, more college students on Thursdays. Overall the bar has a casual feel but your are not going to see a lot of drunk students and really loud music, it is a great place to get a couple drinks and meet up with friends. The quality of food ranges a lot from dish to dish, generally good but nothing spectacular for the price. I liked the lamb burger and the mussels, but was disappointed with the flatbread. Supposedly some of their pizzas are a solid choice. The huge outside deck area is one of the best in the city and boasts several fire pits with seating around them. I also really appreciate that the restaurant does a lot of events that are definitely worth going to. My favorite was the all-u-can-eat Maryland blue crab fest that I went to last year. The steamed crabs were delicious and served with potatoes, bread, and corn on the cob. Tap house also does events for philly beer week, restaurant week, and has live music sometimes. I usually find myself coming here at least once a month and is probably my favorite place to go in UC.
(4)Herbie H.
To be honest, I have a complicated and sometimes frustrating relationship with City Tap House. The food is always good, the beer list is always extensive, and the ambiance is always very nice. My issue stems from the menu. I think the menu is a bit all over the place and sometimes mis-guided. A number of years ago they had many more sandwich options, which was nice, because most of the entrees hit around the $20+ mark. City Tap House is a great place to go with your parents, or when you feel like splurging a little bit. But to go just to grab a casual dinner (ie. not spending $15+ for just the entree) can often be a frustrating experience. There's a smattering of appetizers, none of which are as appealing or affordable as I wish they were. I've had all of their sandwiches/burgers, which are all very good. The entree list covers a wide scope of food, which is nice. My favorite of which is the Shrimp & Grits, which is really great. The Grits 'cake' is rich and luscious, and the shrimp have great flavor. On my most recent visit, I ordered the Avocado & Grapefruit Salad, which was really delicious. It had a tremendous bright and fresh flavor. With the addition of chicken, it was a light, but filling entree that I enjoyed a lot. All of my complaints aside (in an ideal world/if I ran the place, I would add 3-4 more sandwich/burger options in the $9-14 range to make it more desirable for a casual dinner, instead of always needing to splurge) I have been to City Tap House many, many times and had generally good experiences across the board.
(4)Virginia E.
Came here on a brunch date on Saturday afternoon. The waitress suggested we try their new test items that were listed on a separate card, so I went w/ the French Toast Croque Madame. It was good! I liked the sweet and savory combo. I was a little nervous it would be TOO sweet since I'm not a sweet meal person and I think by the end, it was just that. If the chef put a little less of the maple bechamel on, that would be a good move. The dish was drowning in the sauce and by the end, it was just too cloying. Also, I 100% didn't taste the gruyere. Not a smidge. BUT I loved the idea! And the ham and egg on top of unsweetened french toast was a good idea. Both were perfectly cooked, too. Just lighten up on the sauce and double down on the gruyere and you have yourself a winner! I also had the Bloody Mary and it was probably the worst Bloody Mary ever. It was very one-note and that note was pepper. There was a ton of horseradish in there, too, but instead of giving it depth, it just gave the drink a flavorless chunky texture in not a good way. I couldn't taste any tomato juice, salt, Worcestershire, ANYTHING. It was just peppery. I'm not entirely convinced there was any alcohol in there, either. Our server was nice, but kinda not w/ it. She literally came over at one point and said she had forgotten about us b/c we were behind a pole. She wasn't on her water game AT ALL. My date had requested an item be left off his burger and the burger came w/ that item on, which she then said was her fault. She dropped the check off and said "Take your time!", but then came back 20 minutes later and asked if we could pay so she could leave. Ugh. In summation, the food was good and I enjoyed trying something different. The no bueno drink and server drag down my rating.
(3)Bryson V.
The food and atmosphere are great, but being located in penn it sometimes draws an obnoxious crowd, and service takes a while- also expensive. This is a good option if you have picky people, a large group or your parents. There is a great selection of beer, however everything is very pricey. Similarly there is a great selection of food, ranging from muscles (delicious), through to steak, burgers, and pizzas. Most recently my girlfriend and I got the mussles and the pizza, and were both very pleased. The mussles come in white wine sauce that is acidic, and tangy, but also savory and salty. ITS PERFECT. All things considered I give this 3 stars because of the fact that often its so crowded that you cannot get a seat, and also because it takes a long time to get drinks. The outdoor firepits are very nice, though it can get very crowded.
(3)Kyle K.
City Tap House will always hold a special place in my heart. I lived in The Radian during my 21st summer and this gastropub was my gateway into the wonderful world of craft beer. There were endless possibilities when the server handed me the clipboard of 60+ beers on tap with helpful and entertaining flavor descriptions. Every food item I've had here is solid too. I remember my friend pushing the Tartufo pizza on me (mushrooms, taleggio, fried egg, black truffle oil) and saying, "Trust me" after I questioned how an egg could work on a pizza. He was right! The unique combo of ingredients were so flavorful and worked well together. The majority of the time I opt for a Craftwich like the wild boar burger or the Free Range PA Turkey Burger. The Tap Burger, especially when an add-on of pork belly is an option, is easily the best burger in Philly. Make sure you save room for dessert: there are a variety of freshly baked cookies that come in a mini cast iron pan and can be topped with house made gelato. My mouth is watering just thinking about that killer combo! Overall, City Tap House has been the go-to place for any occasion. I've been here for birthday celebrations, farewell parties, and even a watermelon eating contest (with delicious watermelon beer of course). This West Philly institution hits the spot every time.
(5)Syvan T.
City tap has the best of both worlds, good food and good beer. We sat outside because it was a lovely sunny day and had the pleasure of listening to Splintered sunlight. The beer selection is vast. I had half philly brewing co Walt wit with half lemonade (not on the menu but they did an excellent job making it) and my boyfriend had a Sierra Nevada Kellerweis. We ordered a Chicken Caesar Salad and the Potato Leek Flatbread. The Caesar was delicious! It had Parmesan crisps and garlic croutons and the chicken was grilled really well and was tasty. Our flatbread had a bit of a kick to it. The potatoes were a bit under done for me but were still good anyway. Our waitress was very nice but when the check came we happened to notice that were charged to split the salad. No where on the menu does it say there is a split charge nor did the waitress give the courtesy of telling us about it so that was a bit disappointing. All in all it was a good experience.
(4)Grace L.
A decent, go-to place to go for the bar and open-fire pits, although the drinks are extremely overpriced (don't go for the hard liquor). I guess it's the only non-sketchy, non-dive bar on campus though, so there's no way not to go. It's not a terrible place to go if you just want to hang out with minimal service. However, if you do want service--especially for a meal, and ESPECIALLY with a large party, I would recommend checking your other options. Yes, they do take reservations for large parties, but are so bad at serving them. During senior week, a group of 10+ other friends and I tried to come for lunch....and ended up getting almost-dinner instead, since we waited 1+ hours to be served and another hour to get our food. After a waitress came and stopped by finally, she argued that we had already ordered, stating that the other waitresses attested to seeing us place our orders. Meanwhile, we sat there in the sun, with no waters, forlornly looking at our menus, wishing the whole time that we had picked another lunch plate. To be fair, the food, when it finally arrived, tasted great. Portions are huge, and the fries & special sauce are delicious.
(2)Victoria L.
Tap House is the go to place to grab a drink and munch on delicious pizza with friends! Being centrally located on Penn's campus, Tap House combines the convenience and fun all in one location. They offer such a wide variety of beer on tap that you will no have a problem finding something that suites your taste buds. They also offer seasonal choices, which some of them have become my favorites over the year as well. In terms of food, I always order the pulled pork nachos and the margheritta pizza. The pulled pork nachos are a MUST try! I have even asked for the pork on the side for my vegetarian friends, and they still love the dish without the pork. It's a plate full of deliciousness! Even though I enjoy the food, beer, and rooftop/outside seating, the service is always a hit or miss. Sadly, the majority of the time it's been a miss. The service isn't really friendly, but I understand they're trying to work with a college customer base. No matter, I'll definitely come back for the food and beer though!
(3)Tia P.
My entire experience here was so overwhelmingly "meh." First off, there was no air circulation in the place. It was a hot day outside and sitting inside did nothing to relieve that. So sweaty and miserable. Then we ordered beers, the server was not at all helpful or knowledgable about the beers so we ended up with two beers completely unlike what we expected. Both beers were flat and they tasted like the lines they used hadn't been cleaned between previous types of beer. Disappointing. We ordered a caesar salad, turkey burger, veggie burger and fries. Admittedly the Caesar salad was fantastic. Veggie burger was dry, crumbly, and not flavorful. Turkey burger was dry and flavorless. Both burgers were stacked so ridiculously high there was no way to get everything in one bite. Fries were so overdone they were inedible. Just looking at the fries you could tell they had been fried for way too long, so I'm not sure why the chef didn't just dump them and start again instead of serving bad food. The worst part was that the entire meal (for lunch, mind you) was $63!!!! That's outlandish for the mediocre service we received and disappointing food and drink. Also, the crowd was the worst (obnoxious UPenn bros and old white dude sausage fest). And the music being played was terrible early '00s pop punk. Never again.
(2)Michael C.
As the name suggests, there's a lot of beer on TAP here. And it's in the CITY. And people live upstairs, so you can think of it as a HOUSE. But seriously they have a lot of weird beers here, and if you can't decide what you want, you can ask to try a few and then decide. Or just try a few more. Me, I'm not a huge beer person, so I usually stick to one of the Belgians on tap (Belgians are lighter beers). Some of the food here is definitely worth a try: the Tap burger is surprisingly good; the meat is usually juicy and it comes with all the trimmings. I'm not a fan of their margherita pizza -- the crust is a bit too think and floppy for a brick oven pizza and the toppings don't have much flavor -- but the Salumi pizza has a nice kick and is worth a try. Their rotating selection of chicken is also usually decently cooked. Also, the silverware is wrapped in cloth, which I like for some reason. So once you've finished sampling all of the beers on the list, grab a fork and have some dinner.
(4)Matt W.
I'm a bit hesitant to write a poor review on the strength of only one visit, but it was just not a great experience and I won't be going back, and that's the gist of a two-star review. Yes, the City Tap has a great selection of beers on tap, a kind of nouveau California-ish inspired menu, and a fancy ski-lodge-like interior. Those are the reasons to give the place a try, and your mileage may well vary quite a bit from mine. What did not work: turkey burger that was so badly charred on the outside (yes, yes, I understand, with ground poultry they *have* to cook it to kill the pathogens) it tasted like burned toast, and the avocado was cold and kind of greasy and just lowered the temperature of the burgers. I honestly should have sent the thing back but between the late hour and the relatively slow kitchen service I was just starving. Apps were a bit unusual (the wings were fairly original cripsy style) but extremely unevenly cooked. I was a little surprised there. I am not getting the "generous portions" comments; none of the four entrees ordered by our table seemed that large. Now, let's throw in: only one wait person that day, and the front of the house staff *sharing this fact with us* as a pre-excuse. I'm sorry, well-run high-end restaurants have backup plans when servers call in sick, and *do not tell the customers about their staff management problems.* It is ****NOT OUR PROBLEM*** that you don't have enough wait staff. So we ended up at the bar. Now, I also appreciate beer recommendations, but tiny glasses at $6.50 a pop? It inhibits sampling their large selection. In turn, places that aren't willing to price their beer up front or don't automatically let their customers in on the range are running a bit of a thin game. So, you throw in the three- to four-star pricing, and it just makes it a bit discouraging. Perhaps we did get them on a bad day -- but again -- this is not *my* problem to deal with, it's the managements. Manage your kitchen. Manage your front of the house. Let the customer know what they're in for when you push something. Thank you.
(2)Kira K.
Service: friendly and efficient :) Food: I tried the tartufo and the honey goat cheese flatbreads and the chicken and waffles - all of the tasted amazing! But I would only recommend the tartufo if you like truffle oil since it does have a strong taste Drinks: I didn't not get drinks my first time here, but my dad enjoyed the selections of beer I would definitely come here again! The portions are big so the prices are worth it
(5)L D.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate a graduation. Our party was big 20+ strong but they manages to seat us without any issues. Got the big chick meal with summer wheat yeungling - yum. The chicken was awesome and the biscuit that it came with was great. The hash/ potato bits not so much because it was too salty and burnt. Additionally got a bite of the tap burger and it was pretty good. The salad that came with it was fresh and lightly covered with dressing, very good after eating such a meaty dish. Overall: Foods good, location is prime, service is friendly and beer selection is plenty.
(4)Marthy S.
So much love for this place!! Every time I'm in Philly, which is usually every weekend and sometimes an additional weekday on top of that, you'll find me at this spot. And every time, you can find me somewhere at the bar since their bar takes up more than half the restaurant and the vibe is always warm and welcoming. You would think that being on a college campus, it would be filled with a rowdy young college crowd but it's far from it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the crowd here. It's always diverse and friendly. I can come here by myself and strike up convos with the bartenders or with random strangers at the bar. Tons of bartenders working on any given day and they serve up the full menu at the bar. Chris is one of my faves since we share a love of IPA's but they all share a love of beer and of this place as well. **You'll have to keep in mind the time and which day you go since they serve their brunch menu and Sat and Sundays from 11-3pm. From 3pm-4pm on these days, they only serve pizza and salads and then the kitchen opens up for the dinner menu after that.** FOOD Recommendations: - Mezze Plate is an excellent starter. As a fall/winter seasonal item they switched the original hummus to a Pumpkin hummus. Tasting this at first was a surprise and might not be for everyone but I truly enjoyed it. - The Abigail and Pancho mussels are solid. Huge plate full of mussels and the broth/sauce for either one is really flavorful. The toasted bread that accompanies this dish is perfect to sop up the sauce. (You may need to ask for more of this bread lol!) - Classic Margherita and Tartufo Pizzas are money as well. That brick oven heat makes the crust with just the right crispiness and the toppings for either are never skimped. - Brunch Menu Item: Pulled Pork Hash, was alright but too heavy for me. The man friend ate it up but still commented that it was only mediocre. And the main reason why I'm always found here is because this is a full fledged CRAFT BEER spot! They have all kinds of events where they feature certain breweries or certain types of beers such as a dark beer event, so their tap menu constantly changes. You must come in and see their selection for yourself. It does not disappoint. Firepits and a large outside patio area make chillen outside accessible all year round. Take the elevator up to the UT floor and stay for some phenomenal beer, great ambiance and an inviting vibe of chill peeps.
(5)Shani T.
I've been to Tap House on a number of occasions for brunch, dinner, and drinks, but finally refreshed my memory of this place yesterday during my quick weekend visit to Philly. Came here for dinner with a group of 8 and got seated in the booth by the kitchen. It was almost uncomfortably warm here near the kitchen, particularly because it was also 75 degrees outside. Tap House is considered one of the nicer restaurants on campus, and the price point definitely reflects this. The food itself is pretty okay. I ordered the chicken and waffles (seems to be a new addition from two years ago, I didn't remember this and was extremely excited to try it!) for $19 and the majority of my friends ordered the Tap Burger for $13. The ten spice wings are a pretty good appetizer, but the skin is thick and fatty, which is normally not my preference with wings. The waitress was very attentive and kind to my group. Some of my friends were drunk and shit and a bit on the obnoxious side but she was just so kind and understanding. Thank you, lovely waitress. Tip was not included in our bill even though we had a party of 8 which was nice, but we made sure to tip well for the hassle we caused. My chicken and waffles were incredibly good--I was actually very surprised. The syrup was not too sweet and the fried chicken was seasoned very well, with the edges nice and crispy. The dish itself was lukewarm at best though, which made me feel like it had been sitting for awhile before being served (we waited awhile for our food, but we did have a large and obnoxious party so I let it go). That was honestly my only complaint, but it made me feel a bit more critical of the food. On other occasions I've come here in the past, I've had less than friendly waitresses before, or have felt my meal was too expensive for the price / experience), which is why this sits at a solid 3.5 stars for me. I do like their outside seating area next to the fires--makes for very cozy drinking sessions.
(3)Ashleigh S.
Love the bar and most of the bartenders: Howie is really fun, Dan the manager is amazing and makes magic happen, and all others are always nice and will really try to help you find a beer from their gargantuan selection that fits your tastes. The fire pits outside are the best. Love coming here when its slightly warmer outside (read:not snowing) to enjoy the comforting ambiance of a toasty fire. Food is good most of the time and I particularly enjoy brunch. Only reason they are not getting 5 stars is I feel like the food is slightly too expensive-it's not out-of-the-park amazing and I feel like I can get most of their food options for a few bucks cheaper at the same quality.
(4)Arthur C.
I would call myself a CTH regular, and it is easily my go-to spot for drinks (read: beer). All of my experiences at the bar have been positive, and the bartenders are always friendly and dependable. If you become a regular here, make sure to get the names of some of your favorite bartenders, it really does make a difference. The beer selection is what really makes Tap House stand out. The selection of beers, helpfully distinguished by type (wheat beers, pale ales, stouts, etc.), makes the drinks menu that much more welcoming, especially for the numerous beer neophytes who come through the door. I've had brunch a couple of times at Tap, as well as dinner. The brunch here is not your typical pancakes or french toast fare; it is mostly savory dishes like fried chicken, nachos, or flatbread pizzas. The quality and size is decent, but still a little pricey. Dinner is a similar story, filled with food meant to be paired with a beer. The atmosphere is also great, obviously varying in liveliness depending on the time of day and day of the week you stop by. I've been to Tap for football and basketball games alike and the crowd is decent. However, the service remains dependable, more so for drinks than for food, but great nonetheless. Also a note that Tap does quizzo on Tuesday nights if you're into that kind of thing.
(4)Vidushi B.
Like many Penn students, I frequent Tap House. I mostly go there on weekend nights, but I've also been there for brunch/lunch a few times. Tap has a pretty great selection of beers on tap, and they're relatively affordable. Most beers are between $6-$9, and they have beers of every type complete with descriptions on their list. I've been able to try a bunch of beers I wouldn't have otherwise tried because of this. The food is good as well, though I wouldn't say it's amazing. The brunch menu is pretty good, with a bunch of sweet, savory, and lunchy items. I especially like their pizza/flatbread options. The ambiance is pretty good too. In the winter they have outdoor fire pits which are clutch if you can snag a spot. It can get pretty crowded inside at the bar on weekend nights, however. Overall - great place to have a few great pints of beer in the U City area, and a classier options to the some of the more divey bars around!
(4)Giacomo C.
I went back to this restaurant after not having been there for a while. The staff was very friendly. we were there with a large group and they did a great job of bringing out the food so that we could enjoy each part of the meal in good time. I ordered the Hawaiian fish special with a mango chutney. The fish was exquisite. the mango chutney was a little spicy just the way I like it. It was so good I had several people at my table tasted. I love sharing good food. My wife wanted a light bite and ordered the Caesar salad. She let me taste it. And it was very good as well. My young nephew ordered the clams. He enjoyed them so much that when his father asked to taste one he said NO. Everyone at our table really enjoyed their dinner. At the end of the meal the manager came over to make sure that we had enjoyed ourselves. This is what a dining experience should be, pleasant and tasty.
(5)Erica L.
I've been here numerous times--as have all Penn students. Although it is a bit pricey, the portions are generous and the food delicious. I've always been satisfied with the service here! So, I'll break it down into my Brunch/Dinner/Drinking experiences. Brunch: Definitely not THE brunch place if you want pancakes, eggs, stuffed french toast, etc. Their menu dominates with savory dishes, which are still delicious regardless. I would highly recommend the Pork Burger, it had a lot of flavour that was perfect for any hangover. The Big Chick was alright, a little bland and fairly dry. I'm not a huge fan of their Eggs Benedict either, I found it to be a little sour tasting and didn't bother finishing the potato hash that it came with. The Steak and Eggs is nicely seasoned, but I found the steak to be rather dry when I tried it--definitely not worth $21. Dinner: Starting off with appetizers, the Nachos are pretty popular here and understandable. It comes stacked with SO many toppings, all of which blend perfectly. Everyone knows (or at least should know) how AMAZING the Tartufo flatbread is. Despite the $17 pricetag, it is worth every bite. Even writing this, I am dying to go back and have another. For one of their specials, I tried the steak rolled in bacon. Wow. It was completely next level and if it ever comes on their special again, I HIGHLY recommend you try it. The Tap Burger is also a staple and fairly popular. It's relatively standard, but they also cook it perfectly. Also, the fries that it comes with are amazing. If you can, also try ordering the sweet potato fries! Drinks: At the bar, there are so many TVs to watch games with your friends and they even have specials--especially when the weather warms up. With every single beer you can think of on tap and other various drinks, I am always trying to try something new. Whenever you order a beer, expect it to come filled to the brim with no foam--just as any beer on tap should be. However, I will say that my friend tried getting himself a drink and they turned him away for his "fake" ID, which was absolutely real. I was disappointed because they didn't even scan it, just simply looked at it and turned him away.
(4)Justyn W.
Great spot to delve into an array of beers with selection that is sure to have something fit for any palate. I myself love darker porters and stouts. And they've got that for sure. Food is pretty tasty as well on a consistent basis. Gotta recommend the tap burger or a pizza if you want food. Nachos are CRAAAAZY as well. Please do share those hahaha trust me. Almost forgot. WHEN you go...DO.NOT.LEAVE without going to Howie at the bar. My man does it well in the well haha. But seriously. One of the best bartenders in Philly and you can take my word he'll treat you right. Tell em I said he better!
(5)Carrie B.
I've been going to this bar since the day it opened, what was that, five years ago or some long time like that? I remember when they opened, they had 1/2 off all beer on Wednesday happy hour. It was absolutely hands down the best thing to hit University City ever. ICE COLD EXPENSIVE BEER 1/2 off was perfect because we were young and couldn't afford it otherwise! But as we grew up, so did the bar. I've been there over the years on a fairly regular basis, and the menu has change and grown as the restaurant became more and more popular. I love the food, and I love the drink menu. The atmosphere has always leaned towards the bro-ish side of bars, but that is a-okay when in University City. What else are you going to find, really when you just want a nice craft beer? I was just there yesterday and must say, it really was still great. I don't work or live as close as I used to, so my trips have become more sporadic over time. When my friend said, let's go, I said, heck, sure! We got seats and the gigantic rectangular-shaped bar right after work at 5pm, and we were served by multiple, extremely knowledgeable bartenders, who gave us many samples of beers to try and were skilled and thoughtful with their recommendations. We had a few beers as the bar filled up. When we left at around 7:30pm, the bar was full, crowded and loud, but it didn't bother us one bit. I must say, the icing on the cake was the fact that they accepted two free beer coupons that I had been holding onto for about four years. Thank you, Howie! Definitely will be back for an ice cold beer and to enjoy the outdoor fire pits when it's just a little warmer outside.
(4)Sonal U.
This place has an amazing mellow vibe. Most of the crowd is filled with UPenn students due to this place's location essentially on their campus. Greatest things I noticed 1) awesome fire pits 2) margarita pizza 3) diverse and wide selection of beers 4) live bands ( can be a pro or con depending on the band )
(4)Shereen C.
This review is coming late since I was here over a year ago, but I remember the chicken wings here were great. Chicken wings were succulent & full of flavour. The other bar food I tried was fine but nothing remarkable. 3+ stars
(3)Yatti N.
Tap House, Tap House, Tap House... I have a hate and love relationship with this place. I love their pizza. The only reason I eat here is because of their salumi pizza. One of my favorite pizza in the city. I don't need those fancy toppings. The hate; is their service. At times, I would get the worst waiters that never checks on my table. I would become a THOT in this place when I have these waiters. I can't find to get my cup refilled or order a new drink. This happens when I order take out, too. Waiting to get my take out order seems like I'm waiting for SEPTA.
(3)Alyssa S.
Though it wasn't my first time hanging out here, last night was definitely the best experience I've had. I met a friend for drinks around dinnertime with my dog. Not only were we promptly seated outside in a comfortable area, the host brought out a bowl of water for my pup. This is a huge plus for me at any establishment, as I hate leaving him home alone when I already know I'm going somewhere with outdoor seating. For this reason, I'll probably choose CTH as a default spot for outdoor drinks over Harvest (though they're cheaper) because they don't allow dogs on their patio. Anyway, my friend ordered short rib tacos, which he loved but said they were hard to eat because the tortilla was small. This wouldn't have bothered me, though. We each had three beers, which were all great. The waitress (though I forget her name) was extremely helpful and fun to chat with. I hope to see her there again to take some of her beer recommendations. Overall, a great experience for quiet snacks and drinks. Perfect for catching up with a friend in a relaxed environment.
(4)Victoria R.
Met my husband at this restaurant one night. We had a pleasant experience. It reminded me of a steak house chain restaurant that's prevalent on the west coast. We had the mussels for appetizers which came in a huge big bowl, so good! There were plenty for us to share, the soup in it was delicious and then we split a big burger with fries! We got beers and soda, the service was excellent. Overall, we'd go back for a chill and nice meal.
(4)Annie B.
Lots of beers to choose from, and the food is good. BUT, expect a long wait (even if you have a reservation) and not-so-great service. It's always very busy, even if it's a week night. Waiters/waitresses/bartenders take quite a while to check up on you, take your food order, refill drinks, etc. The honey goat cheese flat bread is AMAZING.
(3)Elli S.
We went to city tap house with a group of friends (15-20 people) for a birthday dinner and our experience was pretty pleasant more people then expected came and the hostess was very happy to help accommodate our whole party. Good food, plenty of different kinds of beer! I wish we had went during the spring/summer because it looks like they had a very nice outdoors area where you can hang out and have a couple of drinks! Only thing is it's a little bit expensive...but nothing crazy! I would definitely go back!
(4)Tina K.
The service here is extremely slow, while the food is not that great to be worth the wait. The menu is quite pricey, too. I don't recommend going here at all.
(2)Mo M.
I've been frequenting City Tap House on various occasions.. from happy hours, dinner, day parties and networking functions. Overall, I like the place. Staff is cool!... The food is good... go for the 10 spice wings and their burgers! Definitely try a beer flight too! Atmosphere is laid back.The outdoor patio is a must when the weather is good. You can can find the college co-eds and professionals at the bar.. all just trying to have a good drink (or two), good conversation and decent food.
(4)Kevin H.
$7 for a beer, tax not included. Even bud light is $5. There's no reason at that price the house can't eat the tax. I've never been to a bar that wants tax on top of tap prices. $8.75 for Jack on the rocks, in the smallest glass I've ever been served in. The atmosphere is ok, but I'll go somewhere else next time, hands down.
(1)Heather S.
This place has changed for the worse !!!! If you are a college student, then you will fit right in....but the staff & management is all about themselves and not about customer service.... Never going to return, Attitude from the bartender (young and inexperienced at performing quality service & full of excuses....) the management is a JOKE & ran by some 20 year old.... STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS SHIT HOLE! NOT EVEN WORTH THIS 1 star....
(1)Andrew B.
This place is great. I've been here too many times to count, but there are a good range of reasonably priced options that are outstanding. They recently dropped my favorite burger (lamb burger was amazing), but they still have my wife's favorite (the turkey burger). The honey goat cheese and salumi flatbreads are great for sharing, and the hushpuppies are always popular. If you have a large group getting together for happy hour, it can be a bit tough to mingle because of the layout of the bar area, but if you're there early enough you can pull a few tables together, and the servers are great. You can also reserve space outside or in a little room off the entrance, if you plan ahead and don't want to be super crowded. You can also set a limit on the tab, to be informed if your group hits a threshold based on what you're budgeting, which is nice (and they can limit the drink options, if you're into that). Basically, they're great for groups. They also have some pretty great table and booth options for groups of pretty good sizes (10-12). I also really like the beer selection, which isn't just large, but also varied. Some places will have 100 beers to choose from, as long as you like it really dark, or like it really hoppy - this has something for nearly every taste (that can be reflected in a 2 page beer list). Probably the best thing about this place is the large amount of outdoor seating! Sometimes these can be taken up by people who have called ahead, but I can probably get outside 75% of the time that I'd like to (may just reflect the distribution of when I've been, but I've been at all hours, from lunch through pretty late dinner). Sitting around the fire pits is also very cool, though you can't share appetizers with people on the other side very easily. Also, be careful that none of the paper that comes with some foods catches on fire.
(5)Jamie C.
City Tap House is a fun sports-like bar right by Penn's campus. There are plenty of TVs to watch the game. A beer is approximately $5.50. The pizza and nachos we ordered was delicious. The City Tap House is a great place to meet up with friends. There is also an outside section.
(4)J K.
I can't even count the number of times I've been to City Tap, but lately I find myself regretting the major cash dropped after each visit... The beer list prices no longer include Philly's 10% liquor tax - so that craft brew listed as $8 is actually $8.75. Similarly, the menu is always changing & not always for the better - the affordable options are now very limited. I've been really unimpressed with the menu as of late - the pizza is greasy, the nachos are soggy & swimming in cheese and their once delicious burgers/sandwiches (ie, the chicken-blt sam!) have been narrowed down to 3 poor burger options (1 of which is vegetarian). Of course the outdoor space is beautiful & removed from the hustle & bustle of Walnut St. below - but it comes with a price. You are PAYING for it. Many of the craft beers on tap here are available for purchase at the Local 44 Bottle Shop for half the price...
(2)Sneha K.
City Tap House is a favorite on Penn's campus! I love their pizzas and sweet potato fries. It is a little expensive though. The service here is alright but nothing great. Their drink selection is really good and well-organized for people who don't necessarily know what they want. I also love the fire pits they have on the patio; they make standing outdoors bearable in colder weather! Tip: On Mondays they have $10 flights.
(4)Stephanie L.
Off the bat two great things about this place are its ability to manage a crowd and the beer selection. My friend organized a two hour open bar at City Tap House for his birthday. Unlike many other open bars, bartenders were attentive, friendly, and willing to give recommendations on beers. The beer menu is extensive. Organized by style as well as a supplemental list of the rotating taps, they give a description and are transparent about price and ounces served with each pour. The fire pits outside are gas powered (so no smokey clothes - awesome) and really do help you keep warm on a chillier night. We had a variety of food served at our party and while I only tried the thin crust grandma pizza (which was amazing), the ribs, sliders and hummus looked wonderful. Friends gave the thumbs up. A great venue when solo, with a small group, or in a crowd. There's a parking garage just up the block, and the University City area is nice to be in.
(4)R E.
I'm writing this review after visiting the City Tap House about 5 times. This last time was with a $35 gift card from Christmas. This place is way over priced. $13 for a burger is very high, and my medium rare order was brought out medium. I didn't send it back because I don't like to make a scene; instead, I just won't go back to this place. There beer options are plentiful but, again, so expensive ($7 and up for a pint). Overall, City Tap House is a mediocre place with a price that suggests a much higher quality experience. Don't be fooled.
(2)Alex L.
The Good: Decent place to grab a casual drink. Solid beer selection and possibly the only bar on campus that isn't a total dive. If you're in the mood for food, try the Big Chick: fried chicken, fried bacon, and fried eggs on a biscuit with gravy. Mmm! The Bad: Food quality, service, and everything else. Most of their food is basically Greek Lady printed on a nicer menu and served up on a heavier plate. Bar appetizers are acceptable but not memorable. The Eggs Benedict was among the worst I've had -- eggs were cooked through completely and the hash browns on the side were chewy, not crispy. The last time I was there, the server was quite rude. She refused to seat us indoors on an incredibly hot day, even though there was plenty of seating available. Nor did they attempt to help us set up our table under one of their outdoor umbrellas. I left disappointed and sweaty.
(2)J. Christopher E.
I'm downgrading. Happy hours specials are no longer any good (the Wednesday 1/2 price on most beers happy hour special long gone), they no longer carry Bell's Two Hearted Ale (!), service not-so-good (a few times I waited more than 10 minutes for someone to take a food and drink order in the main dining area), and staff generally less helpful and pleasant. The food is still good, but most times I leave angry because I don't like the beer choices and the service is terrible. They also need to fix the stone around the fire pits. Did the management change? Why no longer great? I used to love this place. I come here much less often (from once a week to now a few times a year). Now going instead to Local 44 or Dock Street Brewery or SSHP.
(2)Nikki F.
The ambience of the restaurant is great. Hands down I would come here again, just for that. I didn't have the best of waiters, so my experience was just ok. The food is ok, not sure its worth the cost. But I loved the beers and the drinks. I would definitely return in the fall to experience the fire pit. Aside from that, its just ok.
(3)Larry F.
Tap House is a classic choice at Penn. I haven't had too many food selections here, but I do think that the mussels are delicious! For somewhere around $12, you get a huge bowl of savory, fresh (or I hope) mussels with a piece of delicious olive oil baked bread. Each time I come here for food, that's what I order. Another friend is a die-hard striped bass fan, so maybe I'll give that a try next time! Drinks are always not bad either. I'm a bigger fan of their IPA, and some of the speciality drinks aren't too bad either. Happy hour is always worth the value. Service is decent but not great. The waitresses sometimes have a great sense of humor, especially if you're repeat customer that they remember. A couple of the bouncers have been kind of mean - but I guess that's what they're hired for, so I can't really complain.
(4)Tyneisha M.
I came here for happy hour with a few friends and I must say I had a very good time. We sat outside by the fire pits which were very nice and added to the relaxed upscale atmosphere. The drinks were also reasonably priced which was great. I did not order food on this trip but I certainly will next time.
(4)Sebastian And Nicole V.
Great location, nice atmosphere, but in my opinion the drinks are rather over-priced. This place is in the heart of University City, which is flooded with university folk on a budget, so it's a little painful when you are paying $6 for a beer, or TWELVE dollars for a shot! Due to location and ambiance, I will probably end up back here, despite the ridiculous prices.
(3)Jimmy B.
Had basically no happy hour on a Tuesday, but beer selection was second to none and there pizza was probably the best in the city.
(4)Victoria C.
I've come to tap for brunch, dinner and drinks, and it's been great! For brunch, I love the chorizo omelet. It's just about as good as White Dog's omelet, but I think there's more 'stuff' inside. Comes with sliced roasted potatoes. Eggs Benedict is decent. The pizzas are great to share (they come in six slices), and I'd definitely recommend the honey goat cheese and the tartufo. The wings are okay, they're good but not something I'd come to Tap House to order. I think the best bang for your buck comes with the burgers. I ordered the lamb, and it was good. None of the lamb aftertaste that sometimes come with lamb entrees. The Tap was juicy, a good burger. And I heard the chicken BLT wasn't dry as chicken can sometimes be, also good. A huge heaping of fries comes on the side.
(4)Stephen B.
This place gets 5 starts for four good reasons! 1. The location, although a bit challenging to find on the second level, adds a bit of a clandestine feel to it once you do find the place. 2. Wait and bar staff get a solid 5 stars. Super patient in helping me figure out which of their 2 million beers I would like. 3. The burger was cooked PERFECTLY med. rare. And was flavorful. The salad was super fresh, with a great selection of greens and micro greens and a perfectly balanced light vinaigrette dressing. 4. The beer selection is incredible. And the bar persons are extremely knowledgeable. True beer connoisseurs! Will definitely be back.
(5)Maicol B.
Good place to go to watch a game or grab a good Italian-style flatbread pizza. They also serve good burgers and have a decent beer selection. Frequently gets crowded with Penn students hosting events so be aware.
(3)Allister D.
Great place for an evening of chit chats and beer! The place is clean and the service is friendly! The majority of the people here are a bit older and talk about politics lol and preppy adults from college. It's a quiet and intimate place for now. I ordered the Abigail mussels with a yards love stout which is a great dark beer. It's chocolate notes def stick out and there's a slight espresso bite to it! A must try! The mussels were drenched with garlic butter and comes with the best focaccia bread ever! Great beer food!
(3)Melissa S.
Came for dinner and drinks on a friday night and it wasn't too busy so it was easy to get a table. We were seated with the dinner menu and waited a good 10 minutes before our server came up and gave us the drink menus. By then we put an order of nachos in and waited another 10 minutes for the server to come back and take our drink order. We ordered two flights of 4 beers for $16, but couldn't get our top four because they can only do the flight of the beers listed as 10oz or higher (many of ours only came in 6 or 8 oz). But no big deal, large variety of beers available so it was easy to find replacements. The nachos came out about 15 minutes after we ordered them and the flights followed shortly after. THE NACHOS WE'RE AWESOME! I highly recommend them! Dinner came out about 25 mins later. I ordered the taphouse burger for my meal with avocado and garlic parm fries - nothing special for the area but still pretty good. My boyfriend ordered a philly taco- a cheesesteak inside a slice of pizza (YES THAT'S RIGHT) and said it was pretty good as well. We finished our meal with a 6oz porter and stout which we couldn't get on the flight but still worth the extra bucks. All in all, beers were great, food was pretty good, but the service is the reason for 4 stars. Everything was a bit slow. We came in at 645 and paid the check at 930. It's a good place for a beer and bar food, but make sure you have some time for the meal.
(4)Andrew K.
A place a few of my 20-something friends and I come once in a while to desperately pretend to be college students again. Pretty cool location, plus a great patio right outside the bar complete with fire pits. Good/very good draught list. The bar is pretty large but always seems to be well-staffed with friendly and helpful bartenders. They've been great for offering recommendations and describing the beers, and are always really prompt to make sure someone is taking care of you. Crowd seems to be significantly less douchey than what I have seen at Blarney Stone (and City Tap is a lot nicer anyway). Considering I still hop the R5 and lovely MFL (always an experience) on occasion to come out here, I have to say it's a pretty good spot to grab a few drinks.
(4)Alex M.
I was surprised by this place. It's near so much fratty awfulness that I expected it to be the same way. I have heard it's a place to avoid during the evening hours so maybe going at lunchtime was choice. In any case, this is a wonderful spot to have lunch during the late spring/all summer. Sit out on the patio and have a beer or two. The 21st Amendment's Hell or High Watermelon is particularly good. Enjoy a burger. Their veggie burger is one of the best I've ever had. My friend thought their regular burger was also super solid. Great fries. Ask for some of their house-made aioli. Mmmm.
(4)Minh H.
I came here once for some afternoon beers with a friends and really enjoyed it. I didn't know it was on the second floor, so going up I was really surprised at the nice view and layout of the outdoor patio. The selection of beer is fantastic, it makes it difficult to choose. The menu is also pretty great. I got a pulled pork and hash brown mixture, which was the bomb. I would definitely come here again.
(4)Adam F.
Stopped in the Tap House for a late lunch yesterday. I had been here before during happy hour and the food was decent, but over priced. I thought the Tri-Tip Cheesesteak sounded delicious and couldn't pass it up. At $18, I was expecting an awesome sandwich. I have never had a sandwich in Philly that failed this badly. Shitty bread and horribly chewy meat. When I first got the sandwich, my first thought was, "Are you kidding me? Where is the meat?" After my first bite, I was grateful they skimped out on the meat. There was so much sinew, it was almost inedible. The bread reminded me of that crappy generic Italian bread you get at Acme. It was a day away from becoming croutons. And just to rub salt in the wound, the upcharge to upgrade from a house side salad to Caesar was $2!? So $18 for a shitty sandwich, $2 upcharge to add croutons to a side salad and $3 for an unsweet iced tea. For $23, I could have done so much better with all the food options in this neighborhood. After logging into Yelp to leave this review, I was checking out the pictures and saw the City Tap Burger. The guy I was at lunch with got that burger. I can tell you his patty was half the size of the ones in the pictures. So either the cook sucks or was not trained to properly portion the serving sizes or management told them to go easy on the meat. Either way, you won't catch me gambling with my money with this joint.
(1)Christine V.
This place is a nice place to come and grab a drink with friends. They have daily happy hours for their craft beers and other drinks. I came here with a few people after class. We were seated outside right by the fire pits so that was nice. Only slightly awkward thing is the two benches on either side of the fire pit are pretty far apart so you'd have to put a little more effort into speaking to your friends on the other side. Not a big deal but it'd be nice to have adjacent benches next to the fire. As for drinks, I got the Southern Tier Pumpking. We also got a little hungry so we ordered the pulled pork nachos and the goat cheese pizza. The pumpkin beer was pretty good for the first half and then since it was just chilling by the fire, it got really warm and just tasted pretty bad towards the end of our meal so we couldn't finish it. The pulled pork nachos consisted of a white cheddar sauce, some sort of bbq sauce, some fresno chiles, and onion. A little heavy on the white cheddar sauce but it was pretty tasty even for me, who isn't too big a fan of cheese. I also thought the nachos were pretty pricey for what they gave. The goat cheese pizza was really...interesting. It was a honey goat cheese pizza that had truffled honey, pistachios, and red onions on it. It has a very sweet taste to it. It wasn't bad but I wouldn't say it's great. It's definitely different and enjoyable with one or two slices but nothing more than that in my opinion. The pizza didn't complement the beer very well since it was pretty sweet, causing the beer to taste awfully bitter. Overall, this is a decent place to come if you're in UC and want to grab a drink or some grub. I definitely appreciate the fact that it's so close to Penn and would take me maybe less than 10 minutes to walk there.
(3)Rose V.
Came to this place randomly for a drink and love how spacious it is in here. My friend and I wanted to still outside by the fire (nice outdoor seating) but it was a chilly night so, we decided to seat indoors instead. Although the kitchen was going to close the minute we walked in, I was able to order the margherita brick oven pizza which was delicious. They have a lot of beer on tap so it great for people who love to drink beer. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that we had to go to the bar to order our drinks and food; I felt like we should've been waited on especially since the night wasn't busy at all.
(3)Cliff S.
Second time here during my stay. Up from MS for surgery at CHOP. CTH is a little pricey, but a great atmosphere, with great service and the food is flawless. I would've given 4 stars because of price, but that's not fair. Great job y'all!
(5)Olivia R.
Tap House is a nicer alternative to the bars in University City. Although the drinks are a bit pricier, the selection on tap is extensive and the list is very descriptive which is nice. The bar tenders are generally helpful although they can take a while to serve you if it's busy. The outdoor section with the fire pits is great for a cooler night and the copper counter top is very nice touch. The crowd is often a mix of Penn students, grad students, and older people, which can sometimes be a nice change from the bars nearby. As far as eating goes, I have not been overly impressed but their pizza is pretty decent. They also have a lot of fun events, often including live music which is fun.
(4)Jack J.
This place is packed from the bar to all the seating on a Friday afternoon through early evening. Understandable since it's happy hour and people with social life tend to de-stress during this time. Make reservations early if you want seating. BIG selection of beers; went with the V-12 to start which packs 12% for a beer. The tap burger was cooked just right at medium, and it came with a fairly large portion of fries. Service was quick and friendly, and the ambience was nice for happy hour conversations.
(4)Jessica K.
I do enjoy the City Tap House; I've been here with friends, dates and for events. For the most part, they are very consistent in service and the food/drink menu (with seasonal rotations). The bar itself is comfortable and the outdoor space is lovely, weather-permitting. The only thing that makes me hesitant to walk in the doors is the cost. There are a number of other awesome places around this area that are cheaper so I tend to go to those. There's no real happy hour here to speak of, which is a shame when I can walk across the street for an amazing happy hour with food that is just as good. I always have a good time, however and will continue to patronize this place...but only occasionally.
(3)Amy P.
City Tap for short has the best draft list in West Philadelphia. The regularly rotating list, usually offering ~40 unique beers, is fairly priced and covers many genres having a particular rapport with American ale fans. The draw at Tap does not stop there; service is congenial and will put on your choice of sports on one of the many TV's in the establishment. Get here early on drinking nights--the restaurant and bar will fill up, leaving standing room only around the bar and beautiful outside patio. The food at Tap is far better--and more expensive--than your typical pub fare. The menu is broad, offering gussied-up bar snacks like excellent fries with truffle aioli and pulled pork nachos. I particularly enjoyed my pizza, which is cooked neapolitan style and had a very flavorful crust. All in all, my go-to for drinks!
(4)Katie P.
This place is pretty casual with an extensive amount of beers on tap. I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. It is usually bumpin' with people, but not too crowded. The outdoor seating is great especially with the fire pits if it is a little chilly. That area is always popular. I have also been here for lunch/dinner the food is good. I had the grilled chicken and apple salad. I was satisfied with my meal as were the other people I was with. City Tap House is a good spot to visit, but it is not my favorite.
(3)Dave B.
I hardly make it to University City anymore. I'm usually in this neighborhood for work or to occasionally hang out with friend but most of the time I'm in Center City. I discovered City Tap House during a happy hour on a beautiful summer day. We sat on the patio overlooking Walnut Street and UPenn. The staff are super friendly and accommodating, they do not care if you split the check because they are accustomed to having college students doing that. They have an amazing wide range of beers and of course, cocktails for all. I have not had dinner here so I can't talk so much about the food. I did, however, had the chicken wings, nachos and fries and I was not disappointed. That chicken wings with the dry rub is seasoned and cooked perfectly. The fries are great, you can't really mess that up but the nachos with pulled pork is something else, in a good way. The nachos is so delicious that I could literally eat the whole entire serving. It is cheesy, meaty, fresh and I live for it. I love coming here and I'm a fan so they will continue to see more of me.
(4)Alfreda D.
I came here for lunch in between a long work day. The venue is large inside and out. It was a decent day so my colleague and I sat on the outside patio. I ordered the turkey burger and substituted the cheese and spread for cheddar and smoked paprika aioli and had a side salad. The salad definitely looked like a full order size and the dressing was on the lighter-to-non existent side. I would've preferred a little more flavor but that was okay and allowed me to focus on the burger that looked very juicy. I cut it in half which confirmed that assessment... but again the flavor was just okay. It's not a place I would recommend or be excited about trying again. There are too many great food options in Philly to end up here. Just my opinion. My coworker agreed.
(3)Jason D.
We come here relatively often. Usually it's pretty good. Have had the Korean Short Rib Tacos and burgers, which are consistently good. This time had the Pulled Pork Nachos, which were very greasy and soaked the chips. I wouldn't get them again. The Panang Mussels were OK, better to just stick with the burgers. Service this time was really pretty poor. Took a long time to get served initially, get refills or get the final check. Used open table for reservations. Asked for a table outside, but was told it would be a 25 or 30 min wait vs sitting inside immediately. We were seated inside near the window. Was very hot inside, as we looked out onto 4 open tables outside. Good craft beer selection, but this time nearly all on the front menu were kicked. The place is not cheap for burgers, regular food and beers. Probably won't come back for awhile.
(2)Edward W.
Intro: Too many good nights here. It is really one of the only nicer establishments to get a drink in West Philly. Plus Tap is a full service restaurant which is a huge plus. Basics: 1. Bar set up sucks dong. Whoever designed this place was an idiot and didn't consider humans, traffic flow, basic spacial organization, etc. It gets incredibly difficult to get around when packed. I didn't leave Smokes for this. 2. Food has been variable, but mostly a thumbs up. The pizzas are great. Thin crust, and pretty damn artisan. Go for the one with the mushrooms, truffle oil, and a sunny side up on it. Damn good son. 3. Burger was a bit dry. But well dressed. 4. Good selection of local and foreign beers. Not too craft (which I think is a good thing), but they do get pretty quirky sometimes, eg blueberry chocolate chicken tikka masala IPA from montana. Ok maybe not that quirky. Conclusion: Place where the grown ups go, or people who've learned that there are indeed other establishments besides the Stone and McD's for a meal and a beer.
(4)Kristin N.
We had a nice dinner on the outside deck. Started with the pork belly app...not as tender as others I've had, but flavorful and the corn spoon read that accompanied it was tasty. Hubby had the burger...he thought it was average and sort of small. I had the honeyed goat cheese pizza and loved it!! He had several beers, all of which he liked. The server brought him several options to try, which was nice. As the eternal DD, I only had a pear cider, which was tasty enough. Our bill came to 75, which kind of surprised me, considering the lighter food fare. I always forget how much more $$$ you spend at tap houses in general. The beers go down easy, while the bill goes up ;o)
(3)Justine J.
Not a fan of the goat cheese pizza (red onions, goat cheese, pistachios, truffle honey). It's a white pizza, which I did not realize, but that's just me. The server was such a good sport about it, insisting on switching my order since I only took one bite and wasn't too fond if it. I didn't change my order and just kept the pizza, since there wasn't anything wrong with it - I just don't particularly care for white pizza. I don't regret getting it either. I might get it again and just ask for sauce.
(3)Julia N.
Tap House is a go-to place at Penn. I headed there on Sunday for brunch with a party of 6. Since it was homecoming weekend, we were unable to get a seat (should have booked a table!), so we just sat at the bar. I ordered The Big Chick, which was pretty satisfying. Fried chicken on a biscuit, topped with gravy - how could you go wrong with that? The chicken was crispy and the batter wasn't too heavy. However, the hash browns were a little tasteless, a little more salt would have been nice. While the food was good, the service was slow and disappointing - we waited about 20-30 minutes for our food. Perhaps it was homecoming weekend and the kitchen was backlogged with orders.
(4)Kay A.
F*ck yeah, lamb burger. I had a (medium) lamb burger here that was faaaaantastic. My friend got 2 Mad Elf beers that he enjoyed thoroughly, and the pulled pork nachos. When he got the pulled pork nachos, he looked like he wanted to just put his face in them. I couldn't have them because of dietary restrictions, but the look on his face was ecstasy.
(5)Rich B.
Beer review only as I never tried the food. Nice large (40 tap) selection. Especially fun during Philly Beer Week. Had an extremely sick Avery Tap takeover. Also 1st place I had Flying Fish Exit 4 on tap! Service can be a bit slow. Walked out once as I waited 10 minutes during a slow afternoon for service and did not receive any.
(3)Stephen D.
Very expensive and a decent draft list. Best thing about this place is the fire pits out on the patio, awesome in the fall
(3)Rachel R.
Huge draft beer selection, decent food, and large bar area with TVs in additional to regular indoor and outdoor seating. I usually come here when in the area because of the vast beer selection but my last visit was probably the worst I've had here. The ground was very sticky all around the bar area so you almost lost a shoe when picking up your feet. The first bathroom stall I tried had a broken door with no clasp so it wouldn't close. The first soap dispenser I tried had no soap. The first and second table the hostess tried to sit us at only had 5 seats when we were a party of 6... why it took us walking to three tables for her to figure this out - I have no clue. Several people in our party were overwhelmed with the beer list and took at least 10 minutes to figure out which to order. They also only gave us two lists for a table of 6 people. And we had to ask for the second list. I liked however how they had the beers grouped on the menu. It was mid September and they had ZERO pumpkin beers on tap or in bottles. Very disappointing. The pulled pork flat bread was eh and my pulled pork nachos were served in a puddle of orange grease. Huge! But covered in liquid grease. Overall disappointing. But I will still come back as they have an extensive list of beers on draft when in the area. Maybe won't get food though.
(2)Laura B.
I love coming here when I really want a good beer. It is a bit pricey, but they always have an excellent selection of multiple types of beer (sorted by style). The food is good, if a little more expensive than I would expect, and there are several delicious vegetarian options. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is some of the best in the city. If you are a beer lover, you have to try City Tap House.
(4)Daniel C.
I've been here for brunch and dinner. The menu is limited during brunch. For dinner I got their BBQ pork Stromboli. I enjoyed it however it was dry, but the waiter suggested a side of their signature BBQ sauce and that saved it. Their beer menu is impressive and they offer a menu of seasonal beers. I would say I'm more impressed with their drink selection more than their food. I do look forward to eating their again. Perhaps what draws me to this location the most is their deck. It looks over university city. They have a lower deck and during the day they have games like corn hole out for customers to play. Next fall they are adding another location to center city. They will lack the experience of the university city location, however I think it'll be a great addition to the area. Park at the super fresh parking lot at the end of the street, its easier than finding a spot on the street.
(4)Monique M.
Great for beer.... Best to grab a seat at the bar! If you like beer: you can get a flight of 4, taste any you want to try, and drink lots of local and your non-local craft beers.
(4)Michael F.
I've been delaying my review of City Tap House because I was searching for something to put it over the top and let it lock up a 5-star review. Believe me, I really enjoy CTH, having grabbed dinner and a drink on multiple occasions without a hint of a bad experience. Great beers, solid food offerings, a nice outdoor area with warm fire pits in the winter are just a few of its features. Plenty of TVs to catch the game means you don't need a special reason to come here. But if you do, events like Pumpkin Smash and specials like Flight Nights could encourage you. So why only 4-stars? I don't know, but I can't quite bring myself to put CTH over the top. Check it out for yourself and let me know if you agree...
(4)Juli K.
This place is a tiny chunk of beer heaven nestled above a perfect dessert place. Every day the beer list is reprinted because the taps rotate often; they have every kind of beer you could want and every dinner option is amazing. An incredible spot for brunch, their morning drinks are perfect and the hangover pizza is everything you would've dreamed of had you not blacked out the night before. Steak and eggs also highly recommended. Do yourself a favor and go during the warm months to take advantage of the balcony and fire pits which, from my experience, promote camaraderie among the patrons. It's great.
(5)Keith K.
When I get to Philly, and need a great place to link up with friends and grab some cold craft beers , and watch the game or enjoy the outside fire pits . The atmosphere is college chill. Service is good, and food tasty.
(4)Danielle M.
Okay, so for an establishment called Tap House, this place really nails it. The selection is quite often superb--though last time I went I didn't find anything I really liked. Pout. As far as non tap-related stuff goes...not so amazing. Pros: (1) Like I said, vast selection of good beers on tap. I tried two of the best beers I've ever had here: Stone "Drink By" and Victory "Dirt Wolf." (2) Lots of TVs for the watching of sports. (3) Big roomy bar with the aforementioned TVs in full view. (4) One of the bartenders (looks like he lifts weights, round butt) is really helpful and will give you tastes of beer before you commit to a pint. Saved me a couple of times when I tried to order some of the more unusual selections. (5) Good looking place with a variety of types of seating/ambience. Negatives: (1) The food is really expensive and not awesome for the price. Also there is not bar menu with cheaper things to nibble on, as there should be. (2) It always seems that "sorry, the keg *just* kicked" on at least one beer I really want to drink. (3) All the other bartenders aren't very helpful, personable or attentive. (4) Call me crazy but this place is just too huge and not cozy enough to ever even feel like it could be a favorite hangout spot. (5) Last time I was there during an event (not as part of the group) and there was a terrible band and a guy leading some sort of game and THE MIC WAS UP SO LOUD I WANTED TO DIE.
(3)Carter P.
University City has changed a lot over the past decade. With both Penn and Drexel doing a lot to upgrade the surrounding area, I am glad to say that Penn has built a set of buildings on Walnut which include this watering hole. Tall ceilings, tons of beer choices (on draft) and a rooftop bar area all make this a great spot to have a beverage. Although I tried a beer that was a bit too sour for me, it was still a good experience. I've been here a few times and the food has been good. They have fire pits so the outdoor area is still a good spot in the winter. Important to keep in mind though, this place is not priced like a college bar - so expect the crowd to be late-college to young-adult.
(3)Jay L.
City Tap House has a great open space bar and dinning inside, an even better outdoor seating for nice days, coupled with good food. My favorite dish was the BBQ Pork Flatbread. It was flavorful with a bit of a spicy kick. I would definitely recommend it and get it next time. The rest of the food I have found to be on par with other American Grills/Bars. I have had the Free Range Turkey burger and sweet fries, pastrami sliders, ten spice wings, and steamed edemame. Overall, a great place to hang out, and the food is not bad either.
(3)Khanh V.
When I was here, I felt in love with the Tartufo pizza and Pancho mussels. I also had scallops, they were ok. My favorite has to be the pizza, it was amazing. Also service was good, spacious indoor and outdoor space. I had a great time with friends and would love to come back.
(4)Mike C.
The food was decent. The service decent. The cask beer was on point. Taken there by family. It's american pub food. Good job.
(3)Kimberly Y.
Food and drinks are solid, but service is lacking. I come here sometimes for Quizzo on Tuesday nights. Tap House has an extensive drink list, and they're mostly reasonably priced. I'm not the biggest fan of beer, but I've yet to have a bad experience with theirs! The striped bass was surprisingly good, especially considering I'm pretty picky with seafood. The chicken and waffles are tasty at first, but get old by the end. Some people really enjoy the burgers, but I find them to be forgettable and overpriced. The brunch is decent and very convenient for most upperclassmen on campus (best to make a reservation for brunch!). I really enjoy the steak and eggs, as well as the big chick. However, all the food is still a little overpriced for the quality and relative to many of the other options on campus, though the portions are pretty large. My main problem with Tap House is the service. I can't count the number of times I've came in only to wait minutes for the hostess to return. Today, I mentioned that I had a reservation for 2 at 1 PM, and they asked us to wait a few minutes. Almost ten minutes later, I checked back again, and they said they were waiting for reservations to come in, so it would take a while. I then repeated that I had a reservation, and we were finally seated. Then the waiters took forever, but this is normal. Tap House gets full at random times because they host many private parties or events, so I've had to wait or even just leave. I once ate here at the same time as a bachelorette party, and the atmosphere and the events in the bathroom were a little wild. They should probably give private parties more privacy.
(4)Roopa S.
I've been here for brunch, lunch and dinner and I've had good experiences with all. I love how convenient the location is and the decor is warm and cute as well. As a vegetarian, I'm a huge fan of the veggie burger. The Bistro Breakfast Burger can be made vegetarian and is a little on the dry side, but still tasty. I probably wouldn't order this again, but I love the egg on top concept. The veggie burger for lunch and dinner is absolutely STELLAR. I often crave veggie bugers, and this is the first I think about in the Philly area. It's light and tasty, and I usually opt to not eat the bun and it's still amazing on its own. Perfect flavors. I've also tried a pasta dish here, as well as a pizza. The Margherita Pizza is awesome, and I love adding eggs to pizzas so I've tried the Margherita Pizza with an egg on top which was awesome! The sweet potato fries are also excellent, but beware that when they ask you for what you would like with a SIDE with your dish (salad, fries, sweet potato fries) they charge you extra for sweet potato fries and it ends up adding around $2 to your dish price. The waiters and waitresses also tend to not mention anything to you about the extra charge for sweet potato fries as a side, which irks me. Not worth it in my opinion for the extra cost, but yummy to eat as an appetizer! Overall, yummy and would definitely recommend because it seems to provide a solid and stable dining experience regardless of the hour of day!
(4)Jill L.
City Tap House is one of those places where you sorta just end up at. Like if you are in U City at dinner and need a place to get a drink afterwards. Or if you go to the movies up the street and need a quick bite beforehand. Or if you have a bus/train to catch and have some time to kill beforehand. The food I've had there has been unmemorable, however, they did make some really amazing scallops for the 2012 Yelp Halloween party. The real attraction is their great beer list and the roof deck. If you can go when the weather gets a bit cooler, they have really awesome fire pits on the roof deck that create a really cozy atmosphere. The service can be hit or miss. On our last visit on a Saturday night in September around 8 pm, the wait staff was all over the place. Our waitress gave my husband a really hard time for ordering a Miller Lite, which was awkward. Also, you can apparently reserve the seating around the fire pits, which led to the wait staff constantly having to kick people out of those seats, even though no one was sitting in them. Which was also awkward. My suggestion to you would be to visit when the Penn/Drexel students are home on break. Unless you like hanging around 21 year olds that can't handle their liquor (no shame- I was one of them a decade ago- but now I'm old and shiz and can't be bothered).
(3)Pam S.
I've only been to City Tap House to hang, really, and for events. I'd put it as my top bar in U City, because you can count on having enough space to loiter somewhere with your people and the beer list is good. And of course the outdoor area is a top benefit, and accessible in winter thanks to some heaters (and well, you're lugging your coat around anyway, aren't you?). I've also been to CTH for private events, and it's worked out well, and the snacky foods are good with a couple vegan friendly options (hummus, the usual). Downside? Something they can't do much about; the fact that it's in U City and crawling with drunk collegiates on the weekend. Can't win everything, right? Just remember to bring yourself, your multiple forms of identification saying that you're over 21 (every drink you order needs an id associated with it), and you're good.
(4)Suman B.
They got a ton of options on draft...tried the sweet corn pizza..tasted really good. Good ambience. Good for large group.
(4)Ben W.
Even though I've been to tap house numerous times over the years, I really wanted to write a review on their brunch options, which are delightfully surprising! Came on a quiet Saturday morning with a friend and went straight to ordering food. I ordered their Eggs Benedict, probably one of my all-time favorite brunch dishes. It took a while for the food to come out, but I was so happy with what I got. The eggs, while not as runny as I normally like, were nice and plump and dripped a little as I cut through them. The hollandaise sauce was also great, having the right balance between creamy and sour. Home fries were also great, a little on the salty end, but very hot and crispy. I've always loved Tap House for their drinks, but now it's on my list of go-to places for brunch!
(4)Michael N.
One of the less douchy bars in the greater University City area (which isn't saying too much), this place has a pretty solid draft beer selection and the food quality is pretty spot on as well. I went here with a fairly large wedding party and they were very accommodating, reserving us a private area outside near the fire pits. When we got there and it was 35F outside, they moved us into a nice spot inside. So that night was great. Unfortunately the next night, it got a little weird. After the wedding we rolled up with a fairly large crew only to be told by the bouncer that we could stay and drink but the bathrooms weren't working. Wtf? The bar was packed and the bathrooms weren't working. Something didn't add up. Either he was just lying or the place was violating some sort of health code rule. It was quite disappointing.
(3)Brittany B.
Wound up here randomly on a trip to Philadelphia. Such a nice staff... Turned on my football game for me, went out of their way to modify an item to make it vegetarian for me, bartender was so knowledgeable and helpful about the beer selection. Food was unbelievable. I couldn't recommend this bar enough!
(5)J J.
We were staying at a local hotel and looking for a place for dinner. We walked around and noticed there isn't much of a selection of nice sit down restaurants around . Everything seemed like quick , take out places. We settled on this place. We were greeted quickly and sat out side since it was nice out. The patio is not big but it's nice. The menu is limited and pricy. $16 for a burger !? The sweet potatoes fries were tasty. My chicken was tough. Our waitress was friendly. But everything took so loooong. It took a while for our drinks , for our food , for the check( not even busy. We were tired of waiting. 2 drinks , 3 sandwiches , no appetizer or desserts and out bill was $70!! This place is defiantly overpriced and everything to so damn long!
(2)Alyse W.
I go here a lot but I think it's a bit overrated. It's very expensive beer. This is Pennsylvania. Yuengling should not be $6 for a draft... at least not in UNIVERSITY CITY with all the college kids. The food is expensive an also a bit over rated. I'm not a fan of their nachos, which most people rave about. There is a nice big bar, and lots of selection, if that's your thing! I have always just sat at the bar, and truthfully never had a bar tender that was particularly good. They have all been either rude, or slow. I know tending bar is a tough job, but I just wasn't impressed.
(2)Nick G.
Its a great place to hang out with your friends and the entire bar, inside and outside is very stylish and built nicely. The fire pits outside are pretty cool to. Food isn't half bad but when its busy the service can be a tad slow at the bar. My one major complaint is the pricing. While the beer prices are not bad, anything like mixed drinks, liquor and so on can be quite high in my opinion compared to other bars near by. But if your with a group of friends, it can be a chill place, just stick with the beer.
(4)Kyle S.
The City Tap House is a great place to go to sit back and watch the phillies game. They have a wide range of beers on tap including Aventinus, one of my favorites. I have yet to eat anything here but when i look around at all of the dishes everything looks...mediocre. I enjoy the bartenders most of the time however there are a few that can be a somewhat pretentious when you mispronounce the name of beers or don't quite know what to order...(mostly the female bartenders.. cough cough). I manage a restaurant here in Philadelphia and like to enjoy a beer at CTH at the end of the night while my crew is cleaning up. One really neat addition to the restaurant is their outdoor seating with a number of firepits that anyone can cozy up to and hang out all night long. Overall i enjoy going to CTH but i feel like the service staff could be a little friendlier. Well, i'm headed over there for a beer now so lets see how this turns out. Thanks for reading and Happy eating and drinking Philly.
(3)Abigail W.
It's fun to sit outside on the deck, and have lots of greenery around, and then look up and realize you are smack dab in a city. Great beer list and happy hour specials. I snacked on the Abigail mussels, tons of mussels, great broth and giant delicious crostinis. The server was attentive and quick, Great spot to meet up with co-workers after a hectic day.
(4)Michele R.
I'm updating my review without taking the manager up on his offer of a free meal. Much time has passed anyhow. I do believe your experience at this restaurant will be determined heavily by when you dine. We came for the Game of Thrones brunch, & sat at the bar. The servers were all pleasant & attentive, the brunch options were interesting. I took a risk on the pulled duck pot pie, the hubs got a Belgian waffle with caramelized bananas & strawberries, & a side of hash browns. I really enjoyed my dish. My biggest complaint is that the shredded hash browns weren't browned on the grill first like the side dish was. So they were seemingly bland & undercooked in comparison to the side dish...which was truly delicious, & how I like my breakfast potatoes cooked. The Belgian waffle was also really tasty, though the bananas were anything but caramelized. Perhaps they were tossed on the heat for a moment but they were mostly raw. Still, all very enjoyable. I'd give brunch a shot again but dinner hour deters me a bit.
(3)Phanna P.
Visited for the first time on a rainy evening, celebrating a friend's birthday. I like that it's spacious and has outdoor seating. Flight of beers were good, nice happy hour special. As you can see I'm a big fan of HAPPY HOUR! Server was attentive, big flat screens at the bar. You'll enjoy your visit. I can't remember what I ate, which doesn't account for much, but drinking is my thing.
(4)Mina A.
This is a great place to go if you're just trying to grab a few drinks and hangout with friends. In fact I was just there last night and it was extremely packed for a Sunday night. The music isn't too loud so it's always easy to have conversations with people. The ambiance is nice, its spacious so you don't feel crowded (unless it's st.patties day) Their food is pretty good too. The burger is extremely juicy and perfectly cooked. I also really enjoyed the salmon. I'm taking two stars off for the fact that their bar is pretty slow, only two people were working last night and there was a lot of wait time. Additionally the drinks and the food is on the pricey side, so if you're willing to drop some $$$ on casual night, id give this place a go!
(3)Eva H.
It's in West Philly! I hate University City! I think Penn kids are ridiculously sucky! I still liked City Tap House! End exclamation points. I haven't visited CTH in 4 or so years, but it seems the beer list is still huge, the menu has changed a bit (and gotten way expensive--$31 entrees in WEST PHILLY?!), and the staff is still alright. When I entered I kind of stood by the hostess stand for 5 or so minutes. Then I ambled toward the bar. And stood for awhile more. Finally, the bartender asked if I wanted a table, and then seated me. The servers were all sitting around eating (totally understandable--it was 3:45pm, there was only one other table of guests) and our friendly server (whose name I forget, but she's blonde, has dreds, and is a total doll) quickly asked me if I wanted something while I waited for my dining companion. I had a beer. It was an IPA that tasted more like a Belgian wheat, but it was good. She made sure I liked it (totally kind, as I didn't request a gratis taster), and informed me that they were only serving pizzas and salads until 4pm--no biggie, as it was 15 minutes 'til I could have something other than that. Anyway, we ordered food. It was a lot, and it was good, though next time I would have chosen more eclectic selections (totally my fault). The pulled pork nachos were kind of awesome. The cheese sauce wasn't your typical Velveeta crap, the pulled pork tasted slightly like yesterday's reheated stuff but this is Philly not Memphis, and everything just made sense--even the not too sweet barbecue sauce. It didn't get too soggy, even after about an hour of my inhaling it, either. Also got the pulled pork flatbread. It was less of a fan of mine, though the other end of the table liked it. It seemed like more of the same--flatbread (which was a little too black for me on the bottom), some cheese I couldn't really taste, barbecue sauce, the pulled pork, and some red cabbage and carrots that looked straight out of a grocery store salad bag. (Seriously, white, shriveled up carrot shreds that add nothing to the dish?) It wasn't bad, and had I not also gotten the far superior nachos, I wouldn't have quibbled. Service (except for the bartender) was quite good, the meal was good, and though a bit pricey for bar food I felt that the quality almost justified it. Given that we were there on an off hour, it was also not loud, nearly quaint (considering the giant space this is a feat), and reminiscent of Center City, not West Philly--in a good way. Minor quibble: the bathrooms. They smelled clean. So why did I have to go into 4 different stalls before I found one that didn't have toilet paper, pee, hair, or other unmentionables on the toilet seat? I can only imagine at 11pm on a Friday...
(4)Kaynaz M.
Love the atmosphere here , large, open, high ceilings, lots of people and energy. They've got a large patio that overlooks walnut street with a fire pit. Perfect to grab a beer on a warm night. They have an extensive beer list, I like that they have a lot of beers in each category. I like Belgians and wheats and was happy by how many of those they had on draft. They offered a flight where u can sample 4 beers. A little pricey at 15 dollars. Also, a decent amount of their draft beers were already kicked, which was kind of frustrating. I ordered the turkey burger and it was so dry. The cheese, aioli, and avocado were good, but not enough to salvage how dry and awful this patty was. I asked the waiter if I could substitute sweet potato fries instead of the regular fries that come with the burger. The waiter didn't tell me he would charge 5 dollars for this substitution. I could've ordered an extra side of the sweet potato fries for that price. On the bill, I was charged 17 dollars for that awful burger. I could've gone to village whiskey or a Steven Starr restaurant and gotten an amazing burger for cheaper than that cardboard. Our waiter was slow, frazzled, never came around to get additional drink orders, forgot about drinks we ordered, and took forever to get the bill after we asked. I am on the fence whether I'd return here or not.
(2)Srujana Y.
To me the outside seating has a big appeal (except in winter of course). I have been to tap house after work on several occasions. I am not into beer as much but I like their selection of wines and cocktails. I love their flatbreads especially the honey goat cheese and mushroom with truffle oil. Little pricey but service is quick, and nice-elegant ambience is worth it.
(4)Victoria L.
I came here for a casual drinks + dinner yesterday. It wasn't crowded at all on this Wednesday so we decided to just sit at the bar. The bartenders and waiters here are very patient as you decide which beer you'd like from the clipboard. They have around 60 beers or so on draft, which is amazing. A bunch of the ones I wanted were kicked last night, but I assume that was because it's in between seasons. Can't wait for them to have pumpkin beer on tap. After much deliberation and two other tasters, I ended up the Great Lake Silver & Gold, which was very good. My friend decided to be not as picky and played it safe with a Victory Love Stout. We then shared the Pancho mussels in a tomato broth with spicy chorizo. They were fantastic; the spice level was just right. It came with a couple slices of grilled focaccia, and our waitress was very kind in getting us some more for us to scoop up the delicious broth. I've been here in the past and the pizzas are also delicious. One of the best parts about City Tap House is the amazing roof-top patio they had. Since the weather is around 50-60s at night now, they've turned on the fire pits for a cozy factor. There's no bar out there though, which is a bummer.
(4)Grace F.
Man, I really want to love this place. But I can't...all I can say is that I kind of like it. First let me say, I love their outdoor deck. My husband and I love craft beers, and City Tap House seems to be an amazing craft beer bar/restaurant...and yet we leave every time (5X now) feeling disappointed. The bartenders move slowly, they are disinterested, and the beer is overpriced with very limited happy hour specials. I did have a very friendly waitress who actually appreciated beer and she was wonderful, now they just need that to be consistent across the board! Oh and the food, is sometimes good. It depends what you get: their baked wings are fab-u-lous! As is their mussel, frites, and beer special (if they still have it). Their burgers and entrees leave something to be desired. Maybe I would have loved the food if I had been able to enjoy my beer a little bit more beforehand...
(3)Dave H.
City Tap House isn't your typical University City bar. Then again, it doesn't pretend to be. A massive bar fills the venue, and there's seating throughout. Outside is a terrace perfect for mixers, or a meal with friends. Feeling cold? Don't worry, there's an app for that. Well, fireplace. Our bartender's pulchritude enchanted, but her creative streak impressed us more. When I asked about milkshakes, she suggested a root beer float - vanilla ice cream and all - which hit the spot. I wanted a shot to go with it, and she made me a baby Guinness (a shot I haven't had in years), which was perfect. During happy hour, the Tap House offers special-priced appetizers. Their margherita pizza will feed you, and their grilled vegetable bruschetta is tasty enough - can't beat grilled peppers and eggplant - but be sure to try their sweet fries; ours were mostly crispy, and the mustard on the side has a bite.
(4)Herbie H.
To be honest, I have a complicated and sometimes frustrating relationship with City Tap House. The food is always good, the beer list is always extensive, and the ambiance is always very nice. My issue stems from the menu. I think the menu is a bit all over the place and sometimes mis-guided. A number of years ago they had many more sandwich options, which was nice, because most of the entrees hit around the $20+ mark. City Tap House is a great place to go with your parents, or when you feel like splurging a little bit. But to go just to grab a casual dinner (ie. not spending $15+ for just the entree) can often be a frustrating experience. There's a smattering of appetizers, none of which are as appealing or affordable as I wish they were. I've had all of their sandwiches/burgers, which are all very good. The entree list covers a wide scope of food, which is nice. My favorite of which is the Shrimp & Grits, which is really great. The Grits 'cake' is rich and luscious, and the shrimp have great flavor. On my most recent visit, I ordered the Avocado & Grapefruit Salad, which was really delicious. It had a tremendous bright and fresh flavor. With the addition of chicken, it was a light, but filling entree that I enjoyed a lot. All of my complaints aside (in an ideal world/if I ran the place, I would add 3-4 more sandwich/burger options in the $9-14 range to make it more desirable for a casual dinner, instead of always needing to splurge) I have been to City Tap House many, many times and had generally good experiences across the board.
(4)Allister D.
Great place for an evening of chit chats and beer! The place is clean and the service is friendly! The majority of the people here are a bit older and talk about politics lol and preppy adults from college. It's a quiet and intimate place for now. I ordered the Abigail mussels with a yards love stout which is a great dark beer. It's chocolate notes def stick out and there's a slight espresso bite to it! A must try! The mussels were drenched with garlic butter and comes with the best focaccia bread ever! Great beer food!
(3)Virginia E.
Came here on a brunch date on Saturday afternoon. The waitress suggested we try their new test items that were listed on a separate card, so I went w/ the French Toast Croque Madame. It was good! I liked the sweet and savory combo. I was a little nervous it would be TOO sweet since I'm not a sweet meal person and I think by the end, it was just that. If the chef put a little less of the maple bechamel on, that would be a good move. The dish was drowning in the sauce and by the end, it was just too cloying. Also, I 100% didn't taste the gruyere. Not a smidge. BUT I loved the idea! And the ham and egg on top of unsweetened french toast was a good idea. Both were perfectly cooked, too. Just lighten up on the sauce and double down on the gruyere and you have yourself a winner! I also had the Bloody Mary and it was probably the worst Bloody Mary ever. It was very one-note and that note was pepper. There was a ton of horseradish in there, too, but instead of giving it depth, it just gave the drink a flavorless chunky texture in not a good way. I couldn't taste any tomato juice, salt, Worcestershire, ANYTHING. It was just peppery. I'm not entirely convinced there was any alcohol in there, either. Our server was nice, but kinda not w/ it. She literally came over at one point and said she had forgotten about us b/c we were behind a pole. She wasn't on her water game AT ALL. My date had requested an item be left off his burger and the burger came w/ that item on, which she then said was her fault. She dropped the check off and said "Take your time!", but then came back 20 minutes later and asked if we could pay so she could leave. Ugh. In summation, the food was good and I enjoyed trying something different. The no bueno drink and server drag down my rating.
(3)Bryson V.
The food and atmosphere are great, but being located in penn it sometimes draws an obnoxious crowd, and service takes a while- also expensive. This is a good option if you have picky people, a large group or your parents. There is a great selection of beer, however everything is very pricey. Similarly there is a great selection of food, ranging from muscles (delicious), through to steak, burgers, and pizzas. Most recently my girlfriend and I got the mussles and the pizza, and were both very pleased. The mussles come in white wine sauce that is acidic, and tangy, but also savory and salty. ITS PERFECT. All things considered I give this 3 stars because of the fact that often its so crowded that you cannot get a seat, and also because it takes a long time to get drinks. The outdoor firepits are very nice, though it can get very crowded.
(3)Suman B.
They got a ton of options on draft...tried the sweet corn pizza..tasted really good. Good ambience. Good for large group.
(4)Ben W.
Even though I've been to tap house numerous times over the years, I really wanted to write a review on their brunch options, which are delightfully surprising! Came on a quiet Saturday morning with a friend and went straight to ordering food. I ordered their Eggs Benedict, probably one of my all-time favorite brunch dishes. It took a while for the food to come out, but I was so happy with what I got. The eggs, while not as runny as I normally like, were nice and plump and dripped a little as I cut through them. The hollandaise sauce was also great, having the right balance between creamy and sour. Home fries were also great, a little on the salty end, but very hot and crispy. I've always loved Tap House for their drinks, but now it's on my list of go-to places for brunch!
(4)Kyle K.
City Tap House will always hold a special place in my heart. I lived in The Radian during my 21st summer and this gastropub was my gateway into the wonderful world of craft beer. There were endless possibilities when the server handed me the clipboard of 60+ beers on tap with helpful and entertaining flavor descriptions. Every food item I've had here is solid too. I remember my friend pushing the Tartufo pizza on me (mushrooms, taleggio, fried egg, black truffle oil) and saying, "Trust me" after I questioned how an egg could work on a pizza. He was right! The unique combo of ingredients were so flavorful and worked well together. The majority of the time I opt for a Craftwich like the wild boar burger or the Free Range PA Turkey Burger. The Tap Burger, especially when an add-on of pork belly is an option, is easily the best burger in Philly. Make sure you save room for dessert: there are a variety of freshly baked cookies that come in a mini cast iron pan and can be topped with house made gelato. My mouth is watering just thinking about that killer combo! Overall, City Tap House has been the go-to place for any occasion. I've been here for birthday celebrations, farewell parties, and even a watermelon eating contest (with delicious watermelon beer of course). This West Philly institution hits the spot every time.
(5)Syvan T.
City tap has the best of both worlds, good food and good beer. We sat outside because it was a lovely sunny day and had the pleasure of listening to Splintered sunlight. The beer selection is vast. I had half philly brewing co Walt wit with half lemonade (not on the menu but they did an excellent job making it) and my boyfriend had a Sierra Nevada Kellerweis. We ordered a Chicken Caesar Salad and the Potato Leek Flatbread. The Caesar was delicious! It had Parmesan crisps and garlic croutons and the chicken was grilled really well and was tasty. Our flatbread had a bit of a kick to it. The potatoes were a bit under done for me but were still good anyway. Our waitress was very nice but when the check came we happened to notice that were charged to split the salad. No where on the menu does it say there is a split charge nor did the waitress give the courtesy of telling us about it so that was a bit disappointing. All in all it was a good experience.
(4)Grace L.
A decent, go-to place to go for the bar and open-fire pits, although the drinks are extremely overpriced (don't go for the hard liquor). I guess it's the only non-sketchy, non-dive bar on campus though, so there's no way not to go. It's not a terrible place to go if you just want to hang out with minimal service. However, if you do want service--especially for a meal, and ESPECIALLY with a large party, I would recommend checking your other options. Yes, they do take reservations for large parties, but are so bad at serving them. During senior week, a group of 10+ other friends and I tried to come for lunch....and ended up getting almost-dinner instead, since we waited 1+ hours to be served and another hour to get our food. After a waitress came and stopped by finally, she argued that we had already ordered, stating that the other waitresses attested to seeing us place our orders. Meanwhile, we sat there in the sun, with no waters, forlornly looking at our menus, wishing the whole time that we had picked another lunch plate. To be fair, the food, when it finally arrived, tasted great. Portions are huge, and the fries & special sauce are delicious.
(2)Victoria L.
Tap House is the go to place to grab a drink and munch on delicious pizza with friends! Being centrally located on Penn's campus, Tap House combines the convenience and fun all in one location. They offer such a wide variety of beer on tap that you will no have a problem finding something that suites your taste buds. They also offer seasonal choices, which some of them have become my favorites over the year as well. In terms of food, I always order the pulled pork nachos and the margheritta pizza. The pulled pork nachos are a MUST try! I have even asked for the pork on the side for my vegetarian friends, and they still love the dish without the pork. It's a plate full of deliciousness! Even though I enjoy the food, beer, and rooftop/outside seating, the service is always a hit or miss. Sadly, the majority of the time it's been a miss. The service isn't really friendly, but I understand they're trying to work with a college customer base. No matter, I'll definitely come back for the food and beer though!
(3)Tia P.
My entire experience here was so overwhelmingly "meh." First off, there was no air circulation in the place. It was a hot day outside and sitting inside did nothing to relieve that. So sweaty and miserable. Then we ordered beers, the server was not at all helpful or knowledgable about the beers so we ended up with two beers completely unlike what we expected. Both beers were flat and they tasted like the lines they used hadn't been cleaned between previous types of beer. Disappointing. We ordered a caesar salad, turkey burger, veggie burger and fries. Admittedly the Caesar salad was fantastic. Veggie burger was dry, crumbly, and not flavorful. Turkey burger was dry and flavorless. Both burgers were stacked so ridiculously high there was no way to get everything in one bite. Fries were so overdone they were inedible. Just looking at the fries you could tell they had been fried for way too long, so I'm not sure why the chef didn't just dump them and start again instead of serving bad food. The worst part was that the entire meal (for lunch, mind you) was $63!!!! That's outlandish for the mediocre service we received and disappointing food and drink. Also, the crowd was the worst (obnoxious UPenn bros and old white dude sausage fest). And the music being played was terrible early '00s pop punk. Never again.
(2)Michael C.
As the name suggests, there's a lot of beer on TAP here. And it's in the CITY. And people live upstairs, so you can think of it as a HOUSE. But seriously they have a lot of weird beers here, and if you can't decide what you want, you can ask to try a few and then decide. Or just try a few more. Me, I'm not a huge beer person, so I usually stick to one of the Belgians on tap (Belgians are lighter beers). Some of the food here is definitely worth a try: the Tap burger is surprisingly good; the meat is usually juicy and it comes with all the trimmings. I'm not a fan of their margherita pizza -- the crust is a bit too think and floppy for a brick oven pizza and the toppings don't have much flavor -- but the Salumi pizza has a nice kick and is worth a try. Their rotating selection of chicken is also usually decently cooked. Also, the silverware is wrapped in cloth, which I like for some reason. So once you've finished sampling all of the beers on the list, grab a fork and have some dinner.
(4)Matt W.
I'm a bit hesitant to write a poor review on the strength of only one visit, but it was just not a great experience and I won't be going back, and that's the gist of a two-star review. Yes, the City Tap has a great selection of beers on tap, a kind of nouveau California-ish inspired menu, and a fancy ski-lodge-like interior. Those are the reasons to give the place a try, and your mileage may well vary quite a bit from mine. What did not work: turkey burger that was so badly charred on the outside (yes, yes, I understand, with ground poultry they *have* to cook it to kill the pathogens) it tasted like burned toast, and the avocado was cold and kind of greasy and just lowered the temperature of the burgers. I honestly should have sent the thing back but between the late hour and the relatively slow kitchen service I was just starving. Apps were a bit unusual (the wings were fairly original cripsy style) but extremely unevenly cooked. I was a little surprised there. I am not getting the "generous portions" comments; none of the four entrees ordered by our table seemed that large. Now, let's throw in: only one wait person that day, and the front of the house staff *sharing this fact with us* as a pre-excuse. I'm sorry, well-run high-end restaurants have backup plans when servers call in sick, and *do not tell the customers about their staff management problems.* It is ****NOT OUR PROBLEM*** that you don't have enough wait staff. So we ended up at the bar. Now, I also appreciate beer recommendations, but tiny glasses at $6.50 a pop? It inhibits sampling their large selection. In turn, places that aren't willing to price their beer up front or don't automatically let their customers in on the range are running a bit of a thin game. So, you throw in the three- to four-star pricing, and it just makes it a bit discouraging. Perhaps we did get them on a bad day -- but again -- this is not *my* problem to deal with, it's the managements. Manage your kitchen. Manage your front of the house. Let the customer know what they're in for when you push something. Thank you.
(2)Kira K.
Service: friendly and efficient :) Food: I tried the tartufo and the honey goat cheese flatbreads and the chicken and waffles - all of the tasted amazing! But I would only recommend the tartufo if you like truffle oil since it does have a strong taste Drinks: I didn't not get drinks my first time here, but my dad enjoyed the selections of beer I would definitely come here again! The portions are big so the prices are worth it
(5)L D.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate a graduation. Our party was big 20+ strong but they manages to seat us without any issues. Got the big chick meal with summer wheat yeungling - yum. The chicken was awesome and the biscuit that it came with was great. The hash/ potato bits not so much because it was too salty and burnt. Additionally got a bite of the tap burger and it was pretty good. The salad that came with it was fresh and lightly covered with dressing, very good after eating such a meaty dish. Overall: Foods good, location is prime, service is friendly and beer selection is plenty.
(4)Marthy S.
So much love for this place!! Every time I'm in Philly, which is usually every weekend and sometimes an additional weekday on top of that, you'll find me at this spot. And every time, you can find me somewhere at the bar since their bar takes up more than half the restaurant and the vibe is always warm and welcoming. You would think that being on a college campus, it would be filled with a rowdy young college crowd but it's far from it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the crowd here. It's always diverse and friendly. I can come here by myself and strike up convos with the bartenders or with random strangers at the bar. Tons of bartenders working on any given day and they serve up the full menu at the bar. Chris is one of my faves since we share a love of IPA's but they all share a love of beer and of this place as well. **You'll have to keep in mind the time and which day you go since they serve their brunch menu and Sat and Sundays from 11-3pm. From 3pm-4pm on these days, they only serve pizza and salads and then the kitchen opens up for the dinner menu after that.** FOOD Recommendations: - Mezze Plate is an excellent starter. As a fall/winter seasonal item they switched the original hummus to a Pumpkin hummus. Tasting this at first was a surprise and might not be for everyone but I truly enjoyed it. - The Abigail and Pancho mussels are solid. Huge plate full of mussels and the broth/sauce for either one is really flavorful. The toasted bread that accompanies this dish is perfect to sop up the sauce. (You may need to ask for more of this bread lol!) - Classic Margherita and Tartufo Pizzas are money as well. That brick oven heat makes the crust with just the right crispiness and the toppings for either are never skimped. - Brunch Menu Item: Pulled Pork Hash, was alright but too heavy for me. The man friend ate it up but still commented that it was only mediocre. And the main reason why I'm always found here is because this is a full fledged CRAFT BEER spot! They have all kinds of events where they feature certain breweries or certain types of beers such as a dark beer event, so their tap menu constantly changes. You must come in and see their selection for yourself. It does not disappoint. Firepits and a large outside patio area make chillen outside accessible all year round. Take the elevator up to the UT floor and stay for some phenomenal beer, great ambiance and an inviting vibe of chill peeps.
(5)Rose V.
Came to this place randomly for a drink and love how spacious it is in here. My friend and I wanted to still outside by the fire (nice outdoor seating) but it was a chilly night so, we decided to seat indoors instead. Although the kitchen was going to close the minute we walked in, I was able to order the margherita brick oven pizza which was delicious. They have a lot of beer on tap so it great for people who love to drink beer. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that we had to go to the bar to order our drinks and food; I felt like we should've been waited on especially since the night wasn't busy at all.
(3)Cliff S.
Second time here during my stay. Up from MS for surgery at CHOP. CTH is a little pricey, but a great atmosphere, with great service and the food is flawless. I would've given 4 stars because of price, but that's not fair. Great job y'all!
(5)Shani T.
I've been to Tap House on a number of occasions for brunch, dinner, and drinks, but finally refreshed my memory of this place yesterday during my quick weekend visit to Philly. Came here for dinner with a group of 8 and got seated in the booth by the kitchen. It was almost uncomfortably warm here near the kitchen, particularly because it was also 75 degrees outside. Tap House is considered one of the nicer restaurants on campus, and the price point definitely reflects this. The food itself is pretty okay. I ordered the chicken and waffles (seems to be a new addition from two years ago, I didn't remember this and was extremely excited to try it!) for $19 and the majority of my friends ordered the Tap Burger for $13. The ten spice wings are a pretty good appetizer, but the skin is thick and fatty, which is normally not my preference with wings. The waitress was very attentive and kind to my group. Some of my friends were drunk and shit and a bit on the obnoxious side but she was just so kind and understanding. Thank you, lovely waitress. Tip was not included in our bill even though we had a party of 8 which was nice, but we made sure to tip well for the hassle we caused. My chicken and waffles were incredibly good--I was actually very surprised. The syrup was not too sweet and the fried chicken was seasoned very well, with the edges nice and crispy. The dish itself was lukewarm at best though, which made me feel like it had been sitting for awhile before being served (we waited awhile for our food, but we did have a large and obnoxious party so I let it go). That was honestly my only complaint, but it made me feel a bit more critical of the food. On other occasions I've come here in the past, I've had less than friendly waitresses before, or have felt my meal was too expensive for the price / experience), which is why this sits at a solid 3.5 stars for me. I do like their outside seating area next to the fires--makes for very cozy drinking sessions.
(3)Ashleigh S.
Love the bar and most of the bartenders: Howie is really fun, Dan the manager is amazing and makes magic happen, and all others are always nice and will really try to help you find a beer from their gargantuan selection that fits your tastes. The fire pits outside are the best. Love coming here when its slightly warmer outside (read:not snowing) to enjoy the comforting ambiance of a toasty fire. Food is good most of the time and I particularly enjoy brunch. Only reason they are not getting 5 stars is I feel like the food is slightly too expensive-it's not out-of-the-park amazing and I feel like I can get most of their food options for a few bucks cheaper at the same quality.
(4)Kevin H.
$7 for a beer, tax not included. Even bud light is $5. There's no reason at that price the house can't eat the tax. I've never been to a bar that wants tax on top of tap prices. $8.75 for Jack on the rocks, in the smallest glass I've ever been served in. The atmosphere is ok, but I'll go somewhere else next time, hands down.
(1)Heather S.
This place has changed for the worse !!!! If you are a college student, then you will fit right in....but the staff & management is all about themselves and not about customer service.... Never going to return, Attitude from the bartender (young and inexperienced at performing quality service & full of excuses....) the management is a JOKE & ran by some 20 year old.... STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS SHIT HOLE! NOT EVEN WORTH THIS 1 star....
(1)Arthur C.
I would call myself a CTH regular, and it is easily my go-to spot for drinks (read: beer). All of my experiences at the bar have been positive, and the bartenders are always friendly and dependable. If you become a regular here, make sure to get the names of some of your favorite bartenders, it really does make a difference. The beer selection is what really makes Tap House stand out. The selection of beers, helpfully distinguished by type (wheat beers, pale ales, stouts, etc.), makes the drinks menu that much more welcoming, especially for the numerous beer neophytes who come through the door. I've had brunch a couple of times at Tap, as well as dinner. The brunch here is not your typical pancakes or french toast fare; it is mostly savory dishes like fried chicken, nachos, or flatbread pizzas. The quality and size is decent, but still a little pricey. Dinner is a similar story, filled with food meant to be paired with a beer. The atmosphere is also great, obviously varying in liveliness depending on the time of day and day of the week you stop by. I've been to Tap for football and basketball games alike and the crowd is decent. However, the service remains dependable, more so for drinks than for food, but great nonetheless. Also a note that Tap does quizzo on Tuesday nights if you're into that kind of thing.
(4)Vidushi B.
Like many Penn students, I frequent Tap House. I mostly go there on weekend nights, but I've also been there for brunch/lunch a few times. Tap has a pretty great selection of beers on tap, and they're relatively affordable. Most beers are between $6-$9, and they have beers of every type complete with descriptions on their list. I've been able to try a bunch of beers I wouldn't have otherwise tried because of this. The food is good as well, though I wouldn't say it's amazing. The brunch menu is pretty good, with a bunch of sweet, savory, and lunchy items. I especially like their pizza/flatbread options. The ambiance is pretty good too. In the winter they have outdoor fire pits which are clutch if you can snag a spot. It can get pretty crowded inside at the bar on weekend nights, however. Overall - great place to have a few great pints of beer in the U City area, and a classier options to the some of the more divey bars around!
(4)Giacomo C.
I went back to this restaurant after not having been there for a while. The staff was very friendly. we were there with a large group and they did a great job of bringing out the food so that we could enjoy each part of the meal in good time. I ordered the Hawaiian fish special with a mango chutney. The fish was exquisite. the mango chutney was a little spicy just the way I like it. It was so good I had several people at my table tasted. I love sharing good food. My wife wanted a light bite and ordered the Caesar salad. She let me taste it. And it was very good as well. My young nephew ordered the clams. He enjoyed them so much that when his father asked to taste one he said NO. Everyone at our table really enjoyed their dinner. At the end of the meal the manager came over to make sure that we had enjoyed ourselves. This is what a dining experience should be, pleasant and tasty.
(5)Erica L.
I've been here numerous times--as have all Penn students. Although it is a bit pricey, the portions are generous and the food delicious. I've always been satisfied with the service here! So, I'll break it down into my Brunch/Dinner/Drinking experiences. Brunch: Definitely not THE brunch place if you want pancakes, eggs, stuffed french toast, etc. Their menu dominates with savory dishes, which are still delicious regardless. I would highly recommend the Pork Burger, it had a lot of flavour that was perfect for any hangover. The Big Chick was alright, a little bland and fairly dry. I'm not a huge fan of their Eggs Benedict either, I found it to be a little sour tasting and didn't bother finishing the potato hash that it came with. The Steak and Eggs is nicely seasoned, but I found the steak to be rather dry when I tried it--definitely not worth $21. Dinner: Starting off with appetizers, the Nachos are pretty popular here and understandable. It comes stacked with SO many toppings, all of which blend perfectly. Everyone knows (or at least should know) how AMAZING the Tartufo flatbread is. Despite the $17 pricetag, it is worth every bite. Even writing this, I am dying to go back and have another. For one of their specials, I tried the steak rolled in bacon. Wow. It was completely next level and if it ever comes on their special again, I HIGHLY recommend you try it. The Tap Burger is also a staple and fairly popular. It's relatively standard, but they also cook it perfectly. Also, the fries that it comes with are amazing. If you can, also try ordering the sweet potato fries! Drinks: At the bar, there are so many TVs to watch games with your friends and they even have specials--especially when the weather warms up. With every single beer you can think of on tap and other various drinks, I am always trying to try something new. Whenever you order a beer, expect it to come filled to the brim with no foam--just as any beer on tap should be. However, I will say that my friend tried getting himself a drink and they turned him away for his "fake" ID, which was absolutely real. I was disappointed because they didn't even scan it, just simply looked at it and turned him away.
(4)Justyn W.
Great spot to delve into an array of beers with selection that is sure to have something fit for any palate. I myself love darker porters and stouts. And they've got that for sure. Food is pretty tasty as well on a consistent basis. Gotta recommend the tap burger or a pizza if you want food. Nachos are CRAAAAZY as well. Please do share those hahaha trust me. Almost forgot. WHEN you go...DO.NOT.LEAVE without going to Howie at the bar. My man does it well in the well haha. But seriously. One of the best bartenders in Philly and you can take my word he'll treat you right. Tell em I said he better!
(5)Keith K.
When I get to Philly, and need a great place to link up with friends and grab some cold craft beers , and watch the game or enjoy the outside fire pits . The atmosphere is college chill. Service is good, and food tasty.
(4)Carrie B.
I've been going to this bar since the day it opened, what was that, five years ago or some long time like that? I remember when they opened, they had 1/2 off all beer on Wednesday happy hour. It was absolutely hands down the best thing to hit University City ever. ICE COLD EXPENSIVE BEER 1/2 off was perfect because we were young and couldn't afford it otherwise! But as we grew up, so did the bar. I've been there over the years on a fairly regular basis, and the menu has change and grown as the restaurant became more and more popular. I love the food, and I love the drink menu. The atmosphere has always leaned towards the bro-ish side of bars, but that is a-okay when in University City. What else are you going to find, really when you just want a nice craft beer? I was just there yesterday and must say, it really was still great. I don't work or live as close as I used to, so my trips have become more sporadic over time. When my friend said, let's go, I said, heck, sure! We got seats and the gigantic rectangular-shaped bar right after work at 5pm, and we were served by multiple, extremely knowledgeable bartenders, who gave us many samples of beers to try and were skilled and thoughtful with their recommendations. We had a few beers as the bar filled up. When we left at around 7:30pm, the bar was full, crowded and loud, but it didn't bother us one bit. I must say, the icing on the cake was the fact that they accepted two free beer coupons that I had been holding onto for about four years. Thank you, Howie! Definitely will be back for an ice cold beer and to enjoy the outdoor fire pits when it's just a little warmer outside.
(4)Sonal U.
This place has an amazing mellow vibe. Most of the crowd is filled with UPenn students due to this place's location essentially on their campus. Greatest things I noticed 1) awesome fire pits 2) margarita pizza 3) diverse and wide selection of beers 4) live bands ( can be a pro or con depending on the band )
(4)Shereen C.
This review is coming late since I was here over a year ago, but I remember the chicken wings here were great. Chicken wings were succulent & full of flavour. The other bar food I tried was fine but nothing remarkable. 3+ stars
(3)Yatti N.
Tap House, Tap House, Tap House... I have a hate and love relationship with this place. I love their pizza. The only reason I eat here is because of their salumi pizza. One of my favorite pizza in the city. I don't need those fancy toppings. The hate; is their service. At times, I would get the worst waiters that never checks on my table. I would become a THOT in this place when I have these waiters. I can't find to get my cup refilled or order a new drink. This happens when I order take out, too. Waiting to get my take out order seems like I'm waiting for SEPTA.
(3)Alyssa S.
Though it wasn't my first time hanging out here, last night was definitely the best experience I've had. I met a friend for drinks around dinnertime with my dog. Not only were we promptly seated outside in a comfortable area, the host brought out a bowl of water for my pup. This is a huge plus for me at any establishment, as I hate leaving him home alone when I already know I'm going somewhere with outdoor seating. For this reason, I'll probably choose CTH as a default spot for outdoor drinks over Harvest (though they're cheaper) because they don't allow dogs on their patio. Anyway, my friend ordered short rib tacos, which he loved but said they were hard to eat because the tortilla was small. This wouldn't have bothered me, though. We each had three beers, which were all great. The waitress (though I forget her name) was extremely helpful and fun to chat with. I hope to see her there again to take some of her beer recommendations. Overall, a great experience for quiet snacks and drinks. Perfect for catching up with a friend in a relaxed environment.
(4)Victoria R.
Met my husband at this restaurant one night. We had a pleasant experience. It reminded me of a steak house chain restaurant that's prevalent on the west coast. We had the mussels for appetizers which came in a huge big bowl, so good! There were plenty for us to share, the soup in it was delicious and then we split a big burger with fries! We got beers and soda, the service was excellent. Overall, we'd go back for a chill and nice meal.
(4)Annie B.
Lots of beers to choose from, and the food is good. BUT, expect a long wait (even if you have a reservation) and not-so-great service. It's always very busy, even if it's a week night. Waiters/waitresses/bartenders take quite a while to check up on you, take your food order, refill drinks, etc. The honey goat cheese flat bread is AMAZING.
(3)Elli S.
We went to city tap house with a group of friends (15-20 people) for a birthday dinner and our experience was pretty pleasant more people then expected came and the hostess was very happy to help accommodate our whole party. Good food, plenty of different kinds of beer! I wish we had went during the spring/summer because it looks like they had a very nice outdoors area where you can hang out and have a couple of drinks! Only thing is it's a little bit expensive...but nothing crazy! I would definitely go back!
(4)Tina K.
The service here is extremely slow, while the food is not that great to be worth the wait. The menu is quite pricey, too. I don't recommend going here at all.
(2)Mo M.
I've been frequenting City Tap House on various occasions.. from happy hours, dinner, day parties and networking functions. Overall, I like the place. Staff is cool!... The food is good... go for the 10 spice wings and their burgers! Definitely try a beer flight too! Atmosphere is laid back.The outdoor patio is a must when the weather is good. You can can find the college co-eds and professionals at the bar.. all just trying to have a good drink (or two), good conversation and decent food.
(4)Andrew B.
This place is great. I've been here too many times to count, but there are a good range of reasonably priced options that are outstanding. They recently dropped my favorite burger (lamb burger was amazing), but they still have my wife's favorite (the turkey burger). The honey goat cheese and salumi flatbreads are great for sharing, and the hushpuppies are always popular. If you have a large group getting together for happy hour, it can be a bit tough to mingle because of the layout of the bar area, but if you're there early enough you can pull a few tables together, and the servers are great. You can also reserve space outside or in a little room off the entrance, if you plan ahead and don't want to be super crowded. You can also set a limit on the tab, to be informed if your group hits a threshold based on what you're budgeting, which is nice (and they can limit the drink options, if you're into that). Basically, they're great for groups. They also have some pretty great table and booth options for groups of pretty good sizes (10-12). I also really like the beer selection, which isn't just large, but also varied. Some places will have 100 beers to choose from, as long as you like it really dark, or like it really hoppy - this has something for nearly every taste (that can be reflected in a 2 page beer list). Probably the best thing about this place is the large amount of outdoor seating! Sometimes these can be taken up by people who have called ahead, but I can probably get outside 75% of the time that I'd like to (may just reflect the distribution of when I've been, but I've been at all hours, from lunch through pretty late dinner). Sitting around the fire pits is also very cool, though you can't share appetizers with people on the other side very easily. Also, be careful that none of the paper that comes with some foods catches on fire.
(5)Jamie C.
City Tap House is a fun sports-like bar right by Penn's campus. There are plenty of TVs to watch the game. A beer is approximately $5.50. The pizza and nachos we ordered was delicious. The City Tap House is a great place to meet up with friends. There is also an outside section.
(4)J K.
I can't even count the number of times I've been to City Tap, but lately I find myself regretting the major cash dropped after each visit... The beer list prices no longer include Philly's 10% liquor tax - so that craft brew listed as $8 is actually $8.75. Similarly, the menu is always changing & not always for the better - the affordable options are now very limited. I've been really unimpressed with the menu as of late - the pizza is greasy, the nachos are soggy & swimming in cheese and their once delicious burgers/sandwiches (ie, the chicken-blt sam!) have been narrowed down to 3 poor burger options (1 of which is vegetarian). Of course the outdoor space is beautiful & removed from the hustle & bustle of Walnut St. below - but it comes with a price. You are PAYING for it. Many of the craft beers on tap here are available for purchase at the Local 44 Bottle Shop for half the price...
(2)Sneha K.
City Tap House is a favorite on Penn's campus! I love their pizzas and sweet potato fries. It is a little expensive though. The service here is alright but nothing great. Their drink selection is really good and well-organized for people who don't necessarily know what they want. I also love the fire pits they have on the patio; they make standing outdoors bearable in colder weather! Tip: On Mondays they have $10 flights.
(4)Stephanie L.
Off the bat two great things about this place are its ability to manage a crowd and the beer selection. My friend organized a two hour open bar at City Tap House for his birthday. Unlike many other open bars, bartenders were attentive, friendly, and willing to give recommendations on beers. The beer menu is extensive. Organized by style as well as a supplemental list of the rotating taps, they give a description and are transparent about price and ounces served with each pour. The fire pits outside are gas powered (so no smokey clothes - awesome) and really do help you keep warm on a chillier night. We had a variety of food served at our party and while I only tried the thin crust grandma pizza (which was amazing), the ribs, sliders and hummus looked wonderful. Friends gave the thumbs up. A great venue when solo, with a small group, or in a crowd. There's a parking garage just up the block, and the University City area is nice to be in.
(4)R E.
I'm writing this review after visiting the City Tap House about 5 times. This last time was with a $35 gift card from Christmas. This place is way over priced. $13 for a burger is very high, and my medium rare order was brought out medium. I didn't send it back because I don't like to make a scene; instead, I just won't go back to this place. There beer options are plentiful but, again, so expensive ($7 and up for a pint). Overall, City Tap House is a mediocre place with a price that suggests a much higher quality experience. Don't be fooled.
(2)Alex L.
The Good: Decent place to grab a casual drink. Solid beer selection and possibly the only bar on campus that isn't a total dive. If you're in the mood for food, try the Big Chick: fried chicken, fried bacon, and fried eggs on a biscuit with gravy. Mmm! The Bad: Food quality, service, and everything else. Most of their food is basically Greek Lady printed on a nicer menu and served up on a heavier plate. Bar appetizers are acceptable but not memorable. The Eggs Benedict was among the worst I've had -- eggs were cooked through completely and the hash browns on the side were chewy, not crispy. The last time I was there, the server was quite rude. She refused to seat us indoors on an incredibly hot day, even though there was plenty of seating available. Nor did they attempt to help us set up our table under one of their outdoor umbrellas. I left disappointed and sweaty.
(2)Nikki F.
The ambience of the restaurant is great. Hands down I would come here again, just for that. I didn't have the best of waiters, so my experience was just ok. The food is ok, not sure its worth the cost. But I loved the beers and the drinks. I would definitely return in the fall to experience the fire pit. Aside from that, its just ok.
(3)Maicol B.
Good place to go to watch a game or grab a good Italian-style flatbread pizza. They also serve good burgers and have a decent beer selection. Frequently gets crowded with Penn students hosting events so be aware.
(3)Larry F.
Tap House is a classic choice at Penn. I haven't had too many food selections here, but I do think that the mussels are delicious! For somewhere around $12, you get a huge bowl of savory, fresh (or I hope) mussels with a piece of delicious olive oil baked bread. Each time I come here for food, that's what I order. Another friend is a die-hard striped bass fan, so maybe I'll give that a try next time! Drinks are always not bad either. I'm a bigger fan of their IPA, and some of the speciality drinks aren't too bad either. Happy hour is always worth the value. Service is decent but not great. The waitresses sometimes have a great sense of humor, especially if you're repeat customer that they remember. A couple of the bouncers have been kind of mean - but I guess that's what they're hired for, so I can't really complain.
(4)Tyneisha M.
I came here for happy hour with a few friends and I must say I had a very good time. We sat outside by the fire pits which were very nice and added to the relaxed upscale atmosphere. The drinks were also reasonably priced which was great. I did not order food on this trip but I certainly will next time.
(4)Sebastian And Nicole V.
Great location, nice atmosphere, but in my opinion the drinks are rather over-priced. This place is in the heart of University City, which is flooded with university folk on a budget, so it's a little painful when you are paying $6 for a beer, or TWELVE dollars for a shot! Due to location and ambiance, I will probably end up back here, despite the ridiculous prices.
(3)Jimmy B.
Had basically no happy hour on a Tuesday, but beer selection was second to none and there pizza was probably the best in the city.
(4)Victoria C.
I've come to tap for brunch, dinner and drinks, and it's been great! For brunch, I love the chorizo omelet. It's just about as good as White Dog's omelet, but I think there's more 'stuff' inside. Comes with sliced roasted potatoes. Eggs Benedict is decent. The pizzas are great to share (they come in six slices), and I'd definitely recommend the honey goat cheese and the tartufo. The wings are okay, they're good but not something I'd come to Tap House to order. I think the best bang for your buck comes with the burgers. I ordered the lamb, and it was good. None of the lamb aftertaste that sometimes come with lamb entrees. The Tap was juicy, a good burger. And I heard the chicken BLT wasn't dry as chicken can sometimes be, also good. A huge heaping of fries comes on the side.
(4)Stephen B.
This place gets 5 starts for four good reasons! 1. The location, although a bit challenging to find on the second level, adds a bit of a clandestine feel to it once you do find the place. 2. Wait and bar staff get a solid 5 stars. Super patient in helping me figure out which of their 2 million beers I would like. 3. The burger was cooked PERFECTLY med. rare. And was flavorful. The salad was super fresh, with a great selection of greens and micro greens and a perfectly balanced light vinaigrette dressing. 4. The beer selection is incredible. And the bar persons are extremely knowledgeable. True beer connoisseurs! Will definitely be back.
(5)Melissa S.
Came for dinner and drinks on a friday night and it wasn't too busy so it was easy to get a table. We were seated with the dinner menu and waited a good 10 minutes before our server came up and gave us the drink menus. By then we put an order of nachos in and waited another 10 minutes for the server to come back and take our drink order. We ordered two flights of 4 beers for $16, but couldn't get our top four because they can only do the flight of the beers listed as 10oz or higher (many of ours only came in 6 or 8 oz). But no big deal, large variety of beers available so it was easy to find replacements. The nachos came out about 15 minutes after we ordered them and the flights followed shortly after. THE NACHOS WE'RE AWESOME! I highly recommend them! Dinner came out about 25 mins later. I ordered the taphouse burger for my meal with avocado and garlic parm fries - nothing special for the area but still pretty good. My boyfriend ordered a philly taco- a cheesesteak inside a slice of pizza (YES THAT'S RIGHT) and said it was pretty good as well. We finished our meal with a 6oz porter and stout which we couldn't get on the flight but still worth the extra bucks. All in all, beers were great, food was pretty good, but the service is the reason for 4 stars. Everything was a bit slow. We came in at 645 and paid the check at 930. It's a good place for a beer and bar food, but make sure you have some time for the meal.
(4)Andrew K.
A place a few of my 20-something friends and I come once in a while to desperately pretend to be college students again. Pretty cool location, plus a great patio right outside the bar complete with fire pits. Good/very good draught list. The bar is pretty large but always seems to be well-staffed with friendly and helpful bartenders. They've been great for offering recommendations and describing the beers, and are always really prompt to make sure someone is taking care of you. Crowd seems to be significantly less douchey than what I have seen at Blarney Stone (and City Tap is a lot nicer anyway). Considering I still hop the R5 and lovely MFL (always an experience) on occasion to come out here, I have to say it's a pretty good spot to grab a few drinks.
(4)Alex M.
I was surprised by this place. It's near so much fratty awfulness that I expected it to be the same way. I have heard it's a place to avoid during the evening hours so maybe going at lunchtime was choice. In any case, this is a wonderful spot to have lunch during the late spring/all summer. Sit out on the patio and have a beer or two. The 21st Amendment's Hell or High Watermelon is particularly good. Enjoy a burger. Their veggie burger is one of the best I've ever had. My friend thought their regular burger was also super solid. Great fries. Ask for some of their house-made aioli. Mmmm.
(4)Minh H.
I came here once for some afternoon beers with a friends and really enjoyed it. I didn't know it was on the second floor, so going up I was really surprised at the nice view and layout of the outdoor patio. The selection of beer is fantastic, it makes it difficult to choose. The menu is also pretty great. I got a pulled pork and hash brown mixture, which was the bomb. I would definitely come here again.
(4)Adam F.
Stopped in the Tap House for a late lunch yesterday. I had been here before during happy hour and the food was decent, but over priced. I thought the Tri-Tip Cheesesteak sounded delicious and couldn't pass it up. At $18, I was expecting an awesome sandwich. I have never had a sandwich in Philly that failed this badly. Shitty bread and horribly chewy meat. When I first got the sandwich, my first thought was, "Are you kidding me? Where is the meat?" After my first bite, I was grateful they skimped out on the meat. There was so much sinew, it was almost inedible. The bread reminded me of that crappy generic Italian bread you get at Acme. It was a day away from becoming croutons. And just to rub salt in the wound, the upcharge to upgrade from a house side salad to Caesar was $2!? So $18 for a shitty sandwich, $2 upcharge to add croutons to a side salad and $3 for an unsweet iced tea. For $23, I could have done so much better with all the food options in this neighborhood. After logging into Yelp to leave this review, I was checking out the pictures and saw the City Tap Burger. The guy I was at lunch with got that burger. I can tell you his patty was half the size of the ones in the pictures. So either the cook sucks or was not trained to properly portion the serving sizes or management told them to go easy on the meat. Either way, you won't catch me gambling with my money with this joint.
(1)Christine V.
This place is a nice place to come and grab a drink with friends. They have daily happy hours for their craft beers and other drinks. I came here with a few people after class. We were seated outside right by the fire pits so that was nice. Only slightly awkward thing is the two benches on either side of the fire pit are pretty far apart so you'd have to put a little more effort into speaking to your friends on the other side. Not a big deal but it'd be nice to have adjacent benches next to the fire. As for drinks, I got the Southern Tier Pumpking. We also got a little hungry so we ordered the pulled pork nachos and the goat cheese pizza. The pumpkin beer was pretty good for the first half and then since it was just chilling by the fire, it got really warm and just tasted pretty bad towards the end of our meal so we couldn't finish it. The pulled pork nachos consisted of a white cheddar sauce, some sort of bbq sauce, some fresno chiles, and onion. A little heavy on the white cheddar sauce but it was pretty tasty even for me, who isn't too big a fan of cheese. I also thought the nachos were pretty pricey for what they gave. The goat cheese pizza was really...interesting. It was a honey goat cheese pizza that had truffled honey, pistachios, and red onions on it. It has a very sweet taste to it. It wasn't bad but I wouldn't say it's great. It's definitely different and enjoyable with one or two slices but nothing more than that in my opinion. The pizza didn't complement the beer very well since it was pretty sweet, causing the beer to taste awfully bitter. Overall, this is a decent place to come if you're in UC and want to grab a drink or some grub. I definitely appreciate the fact that it's so close to Penn and would take me maybe less than 10 minutes to walk there.
(3)Olivia R.
Tap House is a nicer alternative to the bars in University City. Although the drinks are a bit pricier, the selection on tap is extensive and the list is very descriptive which is nice. The bar tenders are generally helpful although they can take a while to serve you if it's busy. The outdoor section with the fire pits is great for a cooler night and the copper counter top is very nice touch. The crowd is often a mix of Penn students, grad students, and older people, which can sometimes be a nice change from the bars nearby. As far as eating goes, I have not been overly impressed but their pizza is pretty decent. They also have a lot of fun events, often including live music which is fun.
(4)Jack J.
This place is packed from the bar to all the seating on a Friday afternoon through early evening. Understandable since it's happy hour and people with social life tend to de-stress during this time. Make reservations early if you want seating. BIG selection of beers; went with the V-12 to start which packs 12% for a beer. The tap burger was cooked just right at medium, and it came with a fairly large portion of fries. Service was quick and friendly, and the ambience was nice for happy hour conversations.
(4)Jessica K.
I do enjoy the City Tap House; I've been here with friends, dates and for events. For the most part, they are very consistent in service and the food/drink menu (with seasonal rotations). The bar itself is comfortable and the outdoor space is lovely, weather-permitting. The only thing that makes me hesitant to walk in the doors is the cost. There are a number of other awesome places around this area that are cheaper so I tend to go to those. There's no real happy hour here to speak of, which is a shame when I can walk across the street for an amazing happy hour with food that is just as good. I always have a good time, however and will continue to patronize this place...but only occasionally.
(3)Amy P.
City Tap for short has the best draft list in West Philadelphia. The regularly rotating list, usually offering ~40 unique beers, is fairly priced and covers many genres having a particular rapport with American ale fans. The draw at Tap does not stop there; service is congenial and will put on your choice of sports on one of the many TV's in the establishment. Get here early on drinking nights--the restaurant and bar will fill up, leaving standing room only around the bar and beautiful outside patio. The food at Tap is far better--and more expensive--than your typical pub fare. The menu is broad, offering gussied-up bar snacks like excellent fries with truffle aioli and pulled pork nachos. I particularly enjoyed my pizza, which is cooked neapolitan style and had a very flavorful crust. All in all, my go-to for drinks!
(4)Katie P.
This place is pretty casual with an extensive amount of beers on tap. I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. It is usually bumpin' with people, but not too crowded. The outdoor seating is great especially with the fire pits if it is a little chilly. That area is always popular. I have also been here for lunch/dinner the food is good. I had the grilled chicken and apple salad. I was satisfied with my meal as were the other people I was with. City Tap House is a good spot to visit, but it is not my favorite.
(3)Dave B.
I hardly make it to University City anymore. I'm usually in this neighborhood for work or to occasionally hang out with friend but most of the time I'm in Center City. I discovered City Tap House during a happy hour on a beautiful summer day. We sat on the patio overlooking Walnut Street and UPenn. The staff are super friendly and accommodating, they do not care if you split the check because they are accustomed to having college students doing that. They have an amazing wide range of beers and of course, cocktails for all. I have not had dinner here so I can't talk so much about the food. I did, however, had the chicken wings, nachos and fries and I was not disappointed. That chicken wings with the dry rub is seasoned and cooked perfectly. The fries are great, you can't really mess that up but the nachos with pulled pork is something else, in a good way. The nachos is so delicious that I could literally eat the whole entire serving. It is cheesy, meaty, fresh and I live for it. I love coming here and I'm a fan so they will continue to see more of me.
(4)Alfreda D.
I came here for lunch in between a long work day. The venue is large inside and out. It was a decent day so my colleague and I sat on the outside patio. I ordered the turkey burger and substituted the cheese and spread for cheddar and smoked paprika aioli and had a side salad. The salad definitely looked like a full order size and the dressing was on the lighter-to-non existent side. I would've preferred a little more flavor but that was okay and allowed me to focus on the burger that looked very juicy. I cut it in half which confirmed that assessment... but again the flavor was just okay. It's not a place I would recommend or be excited about trying again. There are too many great food options in Philly to end up here. Just my opinion. My coworker agreed.
(3)Jason D.
We come here relatively often. Usually it's pretty good. Have had the Korean Short Rib Tacos and burgers, which are consistently good. This time had the Pulled Pork Nachos, which were very greasy and soaked the chips. I wouldn't get them again. The Panang Mussels were OK, better to just stick with the burgers. Service this time was really pretty poor. Took a long time to get served initially, get refills or get the final check. Used open table for reservations. Asked for a table outside, but was told it would be a 25 or 30 min wait vs sitting inside immediately. We were seated inside near the window. Was very hot inside, as we looked out onto 4 open tables outside. Good craft beer selection, but this time nearly all on the front menu were kicked. The place is not cheap for burgers, regular food and beers. Probably won't come back for awhile.
(2)Rich B.
Beer review only as I never tried the food. Nice large (40 tap) selection. Especially fun during Philly Beer Week. Had an extremely sick Avery Tap takeover. Also 1st place I had Flying Fish Exit 4 on tap! Service can be a bit slow. Walked out once as I waited 10 minutes during a slow afternoon for service and did not receive any.
(3)Stephen D.
Very expensive and a decent draft list. Best thing about this place is the fire pits out on the patio, awesome in the fall
(3)Edward W.
Intro: Too many good nights here. It is really one of the only nicer establishments to get a drink in West Philly. Plus Tap is a full service restaurant which is a huge plus. Basics: 1. Bar set up sucks dong. Whoever designed this place was an idiot and didn't consider humans, traffic flow, basic spacial organization, etc. It gets incredibly difficult to get around when packed. I didn't leave Smokes for this. 2. Food has been variable, but mostly a thumbs up. The pizzas are great. Thin crust, and pretty damn artisan. Go for the one with the mushrooms, truffle oil, and a sunny side up on it. Damn good son. 3. Burger was a bit dry. But well dressed. 4. Good selection of local and foreign beers. Not too craft (which I think is a good thing), but they do get pretty quirky sometimes, eg blueberry chocolate chicken tikka masala IPA from montana. Ok maybe not that quirky. Conclusion: Place where the grown ups go, or people who've learned that there are indeed other establishments besides the Stone and McD's for a meal and a beer.
(4)Kristin N.
We had a nice dinner on the outside deck. Started with the pork belly app...not as tender as others I've had, but flavorful and the corn spoon read that accompanied it was tasty. Hubby had the burger...he thought it was average and sort of small. I had the honeyed goat cheese pizza and loved it!! He had several beers, all of which he liked. The server brought him several options to try, which was nice. As the eternal DD, I only had a pear cider, which was tasty enough. Our bill came to 75, which kind of surprised me, considering the lighter food fare. I always forget how much more $$$ you spend at tap houses in general. The beers go down easy, while the bill goes up ;o)
(3)Justine J.
Not a fan of the goat cheese pizza (red onions, goat cheese, pistachios, truffle honey). It's a white pizza, which I did not realize, but that's just me. The server was such a good sport about it, insisting on switching my order since I only took one bite and wasn't too fond if it. I didn't change my order and just kept the pizza, since there wasn't anything wrong with it - I just don't particularly care for white pizza. I don't regret getting it either. I might get it again and just ask for sauce.
(3)Julia N.
Tap House is a go-to place at Penn. I headed there on Sunday for brunch with a party of 6. Since it was homecoming weekend, we were unable to get a seat (should have booked a table!), so we just sat at the bar. I ordered The Big Chick, which was pretty satisfying. Fried chicken on a biscuit, topped with gravy - how could you go wrong with that? The chicken was crispy and the batter wasn't too heavy. However, the hash browns were a little tasteless, a little more salt would have been nice. While the food was good, the service was slow and disappointing - we waited about 20-30 minutes for our food. Perhaps it was homecoming weekend and the kitchen was backlogged with orders.
(4)Kay A.
F*ck yeah, lamb burger. I had a (medium) lamb burger here that was faaaaantastic. My friend got 2 Mad Elf beers that he enjoyed thoroughly, and the pulled pork nachos. When he got the pulled pork nachos, he looked like he wanted to just put his face in them. I couldn't have them because of dietary restrictions, but the look on his face was ecstasy.
(5)Rachel R.
Huge draft beer selection, decent food, and large bar area with TVs in additional to regular indoor and outdoor seating. I usually come here when in the area because of the vast beer selection but my last visit was probably the worst I've had here. The ground was very sticky all around the bar area so you almost lost a shoe when picking up your feet. The first bathroom stall I tried had a broken door with no clasp so it wouldn't close. The first soap dispenser I tried had no soap. The first and second table the hostess tried to sit us at only had 5 seats when we were a party of 6... why it took us walking to three tables for her to figure this out - I have no clue. Several people in our party were overwhelmed with the beer list and took at least 10 minutes to figure out which to order. They also only gave us two lists for a table of 6 people. And we had to ask for the second list. I liked however how they had the beers grouped on the menu. It was mid September and they had ZERO pumpkin beers on tap or in bottles. Very disappointing. The pulled pork flat bread was eh and my pulled pork nachos were served in a puddle of orange grease. Huge! But covered in liquid grease. Overall disappointing. But I will still come back as they have an extensive list of beers on draft when in the area. Maybe won't get food though.
(2)Laura B.
I love coming here when I really want a good beer. It is a bit pricey, but they always have an excellent selection of multiple types of beer (sorted by style). The food is good, if a little more expensive than I would expect, and there are several delicious vegetarian options. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is some of the best in the city. If you are a beer lover, you have to try City Tap House.
(4)Daniel C.
I've been here for brunch and dinner. The menu is limited during brunch. For dinner I got their BBQ pork Stromboli. I enjoyed it however it was dry, but the waiter suggested a side of their signature BBQ sauce and that saved it. Their beer menu is impressive and they offer a menu of seasonal beers. I would say I'm more impressed with their drink selection more than their food. I do look forward to eating their again. Perhaps what draws me to this location the most is their deck. It looks over university city. They have a lower deck and during the day they have games like corn hole out for customers to play. Next fall they are adding another location to center city. They will lack the experience of the university city location, however I think it'll be a great addition to the area. Park at the super fresh parking lot at the end of the street, its easier than finding a spot on the street.
(4)Monique M.
Great for beer.... Best to grab a seat at the bar! If you like beer: you can get a flight of 4, taste any you want to try, and drink lots of local and your non-local craft beers.
(4)Michael F.
I've been delaying my review of City Tap House because I was searching for something to put it over the top and let it lock up a 5-star review. Believe me, I really enjoy CTH, having grabbed dinner and a drink on multiple occasions without a hint of a bad experience. Great beers, solid food offerings, a nice outdoor area with warm fire pits in the winter are just a few of its features. Plenty of TVs to catch the game means you don't need a special reason to come here. But if you do, events like Pumpkin Smash and specials like Flight Nights could encourage you. So why only 4-stars? I don't know, but I can't quite bring myself to put CTH over the top. Check it out for yourself and let me know if you agree...
(4)Juli K.
This place is a tiny chunk of beer heaven nestled above a perfect dessert place. Every day the beer list is reprinted because the taps rotate often; they have every kind of beer you could want and every dinner option is amazing. An incredible spot for brunch, their morning drinks are perfect and the hangover pizza is everything you would've dreamed of had you not blacked out the night before. Steak and eggs also highly recommended. Do yourself a favor and go during the warm months to take advantage of the balcony and fire pits which, from my experience, promote camaraderie among the patrons. It's great.
(5)Danielle M.
Okay, so for an establishment called Tap House, this place really nails it. The selection is quite often superb--though last time I went I didn't find anything I really liked. Pout. As far as non tap-related stuff goes...not so amazing. Pros: (1) Like I said, vast selection of good beers on tap. I tried two of the best beers I've ever had here: Stone "Drink By" and Victory "Dirt Wolf." (2) Lots of TVs for the watching of sports. (3) Big roomy bar with the aforementioned TVs in full view. (4) One of the bartenders (looks like he lifts weights, round butt) is really helpful and will give you tastes of beer before you commit to a pint. Saved me a couple of times when I tried to order some of the more unusual selections. (5) Good looking place with a variety of types of seating/ambience. Negatives: (1) The food is really expensive and not awesome for the price. Also there is not bar menu with cheaper things to nibble on, as there should be. (2) It always seems that "sorry, the keg *just* kicked" on at least one beer I really want to drink. (3) All the other bartenders aren't very helpful, personable or attentive. (4) Call me crazy but this place is just too huge and not cozy enough to ever even feel like it could be a favorite hangout spot. (5) Last time I was there during an event (not as part of the group) and there was a terrible band and a guy leading some sort of game and THE MIC WAS UP SO LOUD I WANTED TO DIE.
(3)Carter P.
University City has changed a lot over the past decade. With both Penn and Drexel doing a lot to upgrade the surrounding area, I am glad to say that Penn has built a set of buildings on Walnut which include this watering hole. Tall ceilings, tons of beer choices (on draft) and a rooftop bar area all make this a great spot to have a beverage. Although I tried a beer that was a bit too sour for me, it was still a good experience. I've been here a few times and the food has been good. They have fire pits so the outdoor area is still a good spot in the winter. Important to keep in mind though, this place is not priced like a college bar - so expect the crowd to be late-college to young-adult.
(3)J. Christopher E.
I'm downgrading. Happy hours specials are no longer any good (the Wednesday 1/2 price on most beers happy hour special long gone), they no longer carry Bell's Two Hearted Ale (!), service not-so-good (a few times I waited more than 10 minutes for someone to take a food and drink order in the main dining area), and staff generally less helpful and pleasant. The food is still good, but most times I leave angry because I don't like the beer choices and the service is terrible. They also need to fix the stone around the fire pits. Did the management change? Why no longer great? I used to love this place. I come here much less often (from once a week to now a few times a year). Now going instead to Local 44 or Dock Street Brewery or SSHP.
(2)Jay L.
City Tap House has a great open space bar and dinning inside, an even better outdoor seating for nice days, coupled with good food. My favorite dish was the BBQ Pork Flatbread. It was flavorful with a bit of a spicy kick. I would definitely recommend it and get it next time. The rest of the food I have found to be on par with other American Grills/Bars. I have had the Free Range Turkey burger and sweet fries, pastrami sliders, ten spice wings, and steamed edemame. Overall, a great place to hang out, and the food is not bad either.
(3)Khanh V.
When I was here, I felt in love with the Tartufo pizza and Pancho mussels. I also had scallops, they were ok. My favorite has to be the pizza, it was amazing. Also service was good, spacious indoor and outdoor space. I had a great time with friends and would love to come back.
(4)Mike C.
The food was decent. The service decent. The cask beer was on point. Taken there by family. It's american pub food. Good job.
(3)Kimberly Y.
Food and drinks are solid, but service is lacking. I come here sometimes for Quizzo on Tuesday nights. Tap House has an extensive drink list, and they're mostly reasonably priced. I'm not the biggest fan of beer, but I've yet to have a bad experience with theirs! The striped bass was surprisingly good, especially considering I'm pretty picky with seafood. The chicken and waffles are tasty at first, but get old by the end. Some people really enjoy the burgers, but I find them to be forgettable and overpriced. The brunch is decent and very convenient for most upperclassmen on campus (best to make a reservation for brunch!). I really enjoy the steak and eggs, as well as the big chick. However, all the food is still a little overpriced for the quality and relative to many of the other options on campus, though the portions are pretty large. My main problem with Tap House is the service. I can't count the number of times I've came in only to wait minutes for the hostess to return. Today, I mentioned that I had a reservation for 2 at 1 PM, and they asked us to wait a few minutes. Almost ten minutes later, I checked back again, and they said they were waiting for reservations to come in, so it would take a while. I then repeated that I had a reservation, and we were finally seated. Then the waiters took forever, but this is normal. Tap House gets full at random times because they host many private parties or events, so I've had to wait or even just leave. I once ate here at the same time as a bachelorette party, and the atmosphere and the events in the bathroom were a little wild. They should probably give private parties more privacy.
(4)Roopa S.
I've been here for brunch, lunch and dinner and I've had good experiences with all. I love how convenient the location is and the decor is warm and cute as well. As a vegetarian, I'm a huge fan of the veggie burger. The Bistro Breakfast Burger can be made vegetarian and is a little on the dry side, but still tasty. I probably wouldn't order this again, but I love the egg on top concept. The veggie burger for lunch and dinner is absolutely STELLAR. I often crave veggie bugers, and this is the first I think about in the Philly area. It's light and tasty, and I usually opt to not eat the bun and it's still amazing on its own. Perfect flavors. I've also tried a pasta dish here, as well as a pizza. The Margherita Pizza is awesome, and I love adding eggs to pizzas so I've tried the Margherita Pizza with an egg on top which was awesome! The sweet potato fries are also excellent, but beware that when they ask you for what you would like with a SIDE with your dish (salad, fries, sweet potato fries) they charge you extra for sweet potato fries and it ends up adding around $2 to your dish price. The waiters and waitresses also tend to not mention anything to you about the extra charge for sweet potato fries as a side, which irks me. Not worth it in my opinion for the extra cost, but yummy to eat as an appetizer! Overall, yummy and would definitely recommend because it seems to provide a solid and stable dining experience regardless of the hour of day!
(4)Jill L.
City Tap House is one of those places where you sorta just end up at. Like if you are in U City at dinner and need a place to get a drink afterwards. Or if you go to the movies up the street and need a quick bite beforehand. Or if you have a bus/train to catch and have some time to kill beforehand. The food I've had there has been unmemorable, however, they did make some really amazing scallops for the 2012 Yelp Halloween party. The real attraction is their great beer list and the roof deck. If you can go when the weather gets a bit cooler, they have really awesome fire pits on the roof deck that create a really cozy atmosphere. The service can be hit or miss. On our last visit on a Saturday night in September around 8 pm, the wait staff was all over the place. Our waitress gave my husband a really hard time for ordering a Miller Lite, which was awkward. Also, you can apparently reserve the seating around the fire pits, which led to the wait staff constantly having to kick people out of those seats, even though no one was sitting in them. Which was also awkward. My suggestion to you would be to visit when the Penn/Drexel students are home on break. Unless you like hanging around 21 year olds that can't handle their liquor (no shame- I was one of them a decade ago- but now I'm old and shiz and can't be bothered).
(3)Pam S.
I've only been to City Tap House to hang, really, and for events. I'd put it as my top bar in U City, because you can count on having enough space to loiter somewhere with your people and the beer list is good. And of course the outdoor area is a top benefit, and accessible in winter thanks to some heaters (and well, you're lugging your coat around anyway, aren't you?). I've also been to CTH for private events, and it's worked out well, and the snacky foods are good with a couple vegan friendly options (hummus, the usual). Downside? Something they can't do much about; the fact that it's in U City and crawling with drunk collegiates on the weekend. Can't win everything, right? Just remember to bring yourself, your multiple forms of identification saying that you're over 21 (every drink you order needs an id associated with it), and you're good.
(4)Michael N.
One of the less douchy bars in the greater University City area (which isn't saying too much), this place has a pretty solid draft beer selection and the food quality is pretty spot on as well. I went here with a fairly large wedding party and they were very accommodating, reserving us a private area outside near the fire pits. When we got there and it was 35F outside, they moved us into a nice spot inside. So that night was great. Unfortunately the next night, it got a little weird. After the wedding we rolled up with a fairly large crew only to be told by the bouncer that we could stay and drink but the bathrooms weren't working. Wtf? The bar was packed and the bathrooms weren't working. Something didn't add up. Either he was just lying or the place was violating some sort of health code rule. It was quite disappointing.
(3)Brittany B.
Wound up here randomly on a trip to Philadelphia. Such a nice staff... Turned on my football game for me, went out of their way to modify an item to make it vegetarian for me, bartender was so knowledgeable and helpful about the beer selection. Food was unbelievable. I couldn't recommend this bar enough!
(5)J J.
We were staying at a local hotel and looking for a place for dinner. We walked around and noticed there isn't much of a selection of nice sit down restaurants around . Everything seemed like quick , take out places. We settled on this place. We were greeted quickly and sat out side since it was nice out. The patio is not big but it's nice. The menu is limited and pricy. $16 for a burger !? The sweet potatoes fries were tasty. My chicken was tough. Our waitress was friendly. But everything took so loooong. It took a while for our drinks , for our food , for the check( not even busy. We were tired of waiting. 2 drinks , 3 sandwiches , no appetizer or desserts and out bill was $70!! This place is defiantly overpriced and everything to so damn long!
(2)Alyse W.
I go here a lot but I think it's a bit overrated. It's very expensive beer. This is Pennsylvania. Yuengling should not be $6 for a draft... at least not in UNIVERSITY CITY with all the college kids. The food is expensive an also a bit over rated. I'm not a fan of their nachos, which most people rave about. There is a nice big bar, and lots of selection, if that's your thing! I have always just sat at the bar, and truthfully never had a bar tender that was particularly good. They have all been either rude, or slow. I know tending bar is a tough job, but I just wasn't impressed.
(2)Nick G.
Its a great place to hang out with your friends and the entire bar, inside and outside is very stylish and built nicely. The fire pits outside are pretty cool to. Food isn't half bad but when its busy the service can be a tad slow at the bar. My one major complaint is the pricing. While the beer prices are not bad, anything like mixed drinks, liquor and so on can be quite high in my opinion compared to other bars near by. But if your with a group of friends, it can be a chill place, just stick with the beer.
(4)Kyle S.
The City Tap House is a great place to go to sit back and watch the phillies game. They have a wide range of beers on tap including Aventinus, one of my favorites. I have yet to eat anything here but when i look around at all of the dishes everything looks...mediocre. I enjoy the bartenders most of the time however there are a few that can be a somewhat pretentious when you mispronounce the name of beers or don't quite know what to order...(mostly the female bartenders.. cough cough). I manage a restaurant here in Philadelphia and like to enjoy a beer at CTH at the end of the night while my crew is cleaning up. One really neat addition to the restaurant is their outdoor seating with a number of firepits that anyone can cozy up to and hang out all night long. Overall i enjoy going to CTH but i feel like the service staff could be a little friendlier. Well, i'm headed over there for a beer now so lets see how this turns out. Thanks for reading and Happy eating and drinking Philly.
(3)Abigail W.
It's fun to sit outside on the deck, and have lots of greenery around, and then look up and realize you are smack dab in a city. Great beer list and happy hour specials. I snacked on the Abigail mussels, tons of mussels, great broth and giant delicious crostinis. The server was attentive and quick, Great spot to meet up with co-workers after a hectic day.
(4)Michele R.
I'm updating my review without taking the manager up on his offer of a free meal. Much time has passed anyhow. I do believe your experience at this restaurant will be determined heavily by when you dine. We came for the Game of Thrones brunch, & sat at the bar. The servers were all pleasant & attentive, the brunch options were interesting. I took a risk on the pulled duck pot pie, the hubs got a Belgian waffle with caramelized bananas & strawberries, & a side of hash browns. I really enjoyed my dish. My biggest complaint is that the shredded hash browns weren't browned on the grill first like the side dish was. So they were seemingly bland & undercooked in comparison to the side dish...which was truly delicious, & how I like my breakfast potatoes cooked. The Belgian waffle was also really tasty, though the bananas were anything but caramelized. Perhaps they were tossed on the heat for a moment but they were mostly raw. Still, all very enjoyable. I'd give brunch a shot again but dinner hour deters me a bit.
(3)Phanna P.
Visited for the first time on a rainy evening, celebrating a friend's birthday. I like that it's spacious and has outdoor seating. Flight of beers were good, nice happy hour special. As you can see I'm a big fan of HAPPY HOUR! Server was attentive, big flat screens at the bar. You'll enjoy your visit. I can't remember what I ate, which doesn't account for much, but drinking is my thing.
(4)Mina A.
This is a great place to go if you're just trying to grab a few drinks and hangout with friends. In fact I was just there last night and it was extremely packed for a Sunday night. The music isn't too loud so it's always easy to have conversations with people. The ambiance is nice, its spacious so you don't feel crowded (unless it's st.patties day) Their food is pretty good too. The burger is extremely juicy and perfectly cooked. I also really enjoyed the salmon. I'm taking two stars off for the fact that their bar is pretty slow, only two people were working last night and there was a lot of wait time. Additionally the drinks and the food is on the pricey side, so if you're willing to drop some $$$ on casual night, id give this place a go!
(3)Eva H.
It's in West Philly! I hate University City! I think Penn kids are ridiculously sucky! I still liked City Tap House! End exclamation points. I haven't visited CTH in 4 or so years, but it seems the beer list is still huge, the menu has changed a bit (and gotten way expensive--$31 entrees in WEST PHILLY?!), and the staff is still alright. When I entered I kind of stood by the hostess stand for 5 or so minutes. Then I ambled toward the bar. And stood for awhile more. Finally, the bartender asked if I wanted a table, and then seated me. The servers were all sitting around eating (totally understandable--it was 3:45pm, there was only one other table of guests) and our friendly server (whose name I forget, but she's blonde, has dreds, and is a total doll) quickly asked me if I wanted something while I waited for my dining companion. I had a beer. It was an IPA that tasted more like a Belgian wheat, but it was good. She made sure I liked it (totally kind, as I didn't request a gratis taster), and informed me that they were only serving pizzas and salads until 4pm--no biggie, as it was 15 minutes 'til I could have something other than that. Anyway, we ordered food. It was a lot, and it was good, though next time I would have chosen more eclectic selections (totally my fault). The pulled pork nachos were kind of awesome. The cheese sauce wasn't your typical Velveeta crap, the pulled pork tasted slightly like yesterday's reheated stuff but this is Philly not Memphis, and everything just made sense--even the not too sweet barbecue sauce. It didn't get too soggy, even after about an hour of my inhaling it, either. Also got the pulled pork flatbread. It was less of a fan of mine, though the other end of the table liked it. It seemed like more of the same--flatbread (which was a little too black for me on the bottom), some cheese I couldn't really taste, barbecue sauce, the pulled pork, and some red cabbage and carrots that looked straight out of a grocery store salad bag. (Seriously, white, shriveled up carrot shreds that add nothing to the dish?) It wasn't bad, and had I not also gotten the far superior nachos, I wouldn't have quibbled. Service (except for the bartender) was quite good, the meal was good, and though a bit pricey for bar food I felt that the quality almost justified it. Given that we were there on an off hour, it was also not loud, nearly quaint (considering the giant space this is a feat), and reminiscent of Center City, not West Philly--in a good way. Minor quibble: the bathrooms. They smelled clean. So why did I have to go into 4 different stalls before I found one that didn't have toilet paper, pee, hair, or other unmentionables on the toilet seat? I can only imagine at 11pm on a Friday...
(4)Kaynaz M.
Love the atmosphere here , large, open, high ceilings, lots of people and energy. They've got a large patio that overlooks walnut street with a fire pit. Perfect to grab a beer on a warm night. They have an extensive beer list, I like that they have a lot of beers in each category. I like Belgians and wheats and was happy by how many of those they had on draft. They offered a flight where u can sample 4 beers. A little pricey at 15 dollars. Also, a decent amount of their draft beers were already kicked, which was kind of frustrating. I ordered the turkey burger and it was so dry. The cheese, aioli, and avocado were good, but not enough to salvage how dry and awful this patty was. I asked the waiter if I could substitute sweet potato fries instead of the regular fries that come with the burger. The waiter didn't tell me he would charge 5 dollars for this substitution. I could've ordered an extra side of the sweet potato fries for that price. On the bill, I was charged 17 dollars for that awful burger. I could've gone to village whiskey or a Steven Starr restaurant and gotten an amazing burger for cheaper than that cardboard. Our waiter was slow, frazzled, never came around to get additional drink orders, forgot about drinks we ordered, and took forever to get the bill after we asked. I am on the fence whether I'd return here or not.
(2)Srujana Y.
To me the outside seating has a big appeal (except in winter of course). I have been to tap house after work on several occasions. I am not into beer as much but I like their selection of wines and cocktails. I love their flatbreads especially the honey goat cheese and mushroom with truffle oil. Little pricey but service is quick, and nice-elegant ambience is worth it.
(4)Victoria L.
I came here for a casual drinks + dinner yesterday. It wasn't crowded at all on this Wednesday so we decided to just sit at the bar. The bartenders and waiters here are very patient as you decide which beer you'd like from the clipboard. They have around 60 beers or so on draft, which is amazing. A bunch of the ones I wanted were kicked last night, but I assume that was because it's in between seasons. Can't wait for them to have pumpkin beer on tap. After much deliberation and two other tasters, I ended up the Great Lake Silver & Gold, which was very good. My friend decided to be not as picky and played it safe with a Victory Love Stout. We then shared the Pancho mussels in a tomato broth with spicy chorizo. They were fantastic; the spice level was just right. It came with a couple slices of grilled focaccia, and our waitress was very kind in getting us some more for us to scoop up the delicious broth. I've been here in the past and the pizzas are also delicious. One of the best parts about City Tap House is the amazing roof-top patio they had. Since the weather is around 50-60s at night now, they've turned on the fire pits for a cozy factor. There's no bar out there though, which is a bummer.
(4)Amanda C.
A lamb burger with fennel salad, smoked paprika aioli, kalamata olives and feta yogurt. Pork nachos with walt wit white cheddar sauce, love stout bbq, fresno chiles, coriander and red onion. Broccoli rabe. Garlic parmesan fries with truffle aioli. Ladies and gentlemen, this food came from a bar! Well, I guess it's defined as a Gastropub, but still, for somewhere we went to "grab a drink" that turned into "let's have a bite to eat," I was beyond impressed at their selection as well as their quality. Add to that the remarkable service we received, and the awesome beers on tap we tried (Love Stout!), and you've got yourself a 5 star experience. Nothing about this place gave me pause. The decor was dark but classic, the seats were comfortable, we experienced a short wait time on a Friday night - I can't complain. The coolest part was when the check came at the end of the meal, and the server brought over a tablet. It allowed us to check off the items that we had and pay with our card right then and there, signing with a finger and getting a receipt emailed. Then our cohorts did the same thing to pay for their portion. Such a simple concept, but it made things so easy and dare I say - made paying the bill fun?! City Tap House, whether it's for another lamb burger and fries or just some craft beers, we'll be back in no time. If only just to get to pay the bill again!
(5)Amber W.
Great beer and wine selection and good happy hour specials. Also, very nice inside and service was great. Was not crazy about the menu options but overall, good experience if there is stuff you like.
(4)Gautam T.
A great place to come and lounge on the rooftop during the summer, don't even bother coming here during the winter because you'll be inside, unless you're into frost bite and polar vortexes. The beer selection is great but the food is incredibly mediocre. Being a center city folk I don't get out too much in uni city but when I do I inevitably end up at city tap house (for some reason I'm really craving a dosequis right now)
(4)Lauren M.
I came into City Tap House for brunch with high expectations because I liked the ambiance: large, roof deck, cute/kitschy signage. Unfortunately, the dining experience didn't match up -- the eggs Benedict and hash browns were very COLD and tasted plastic-like. Plus, our waitress didn't exactly go out of her way to be friendly. Will not return next time I'm in Philly.
(2)Robyn T.
Went there around 3pm with my husband and 2 year old.... We really needed a drink after spending a few hours at a kid museum. They were very accommodating to my son's needs and very nice to him. Great beer selection. My husband is a beer snob And he left happy. My son actually ate some pizza and sweet potato fries which is saying a lot. Great atmosphere. Reasonable prices for a city place.
(3)Vincy O.
City tap house was a great place to have my boyfriends birthday party!! My boyfriend does not like the typical sit down formal dinner. The set up was more interactive for him to get up and mingle with friends and family. We reserved a couple of cocktail tables and 3 firepits for a party of 35 on a great wknd in July. It was such a great spot to overlook Penns campus and we couldn't have asked for better!! The breeze that came by the balcony added such a great feel and the area on the balcony was more than I expected! The lower terrace was set up with corn hole, which allowed our party to go down and play!! City taps greatest asset was the waitress we had, Amanda. If your having a party or even dining you want Amanda! Our party praised Amanda! She got along with every single person and gave everyone her undivided attention. She was attentive to all our needs. Never complained, frowned, didn't seem overwhelmed because we did have a lot of demands. She composed herself the same from the very beginning to the very end with a pleasant demeanor. It felt like she was a part if our party and didn't even feel like she was our waitress, she fit in great with our family!! I had cake on my dress and she grabbed club soda and a napkin and took it off for me!! She deserves all the praise!! She sets the bar very high for others. Amanda made my boyfriends party and unforgettable one!! I hope u get a raise!!!
(5)Jennifer D.
I cannot say enough about this place...all good. I tried the chicken and waffles a few months ago and I loved it then, but trying it again on Valentine's Day, I loved it all the more. It is one amazing meal. The wait staff was great on both occasions, and my hubs was impressed with the beer that was suggested for him. amazing. If you can get by the fact that it's in University City...it's pretty amazing. That being said, get the chicken and waffles. A-Mazing.
(5)Lehigh Valley Eats K.
The City Tap House is a great place to go to sit back and watch the phillies game. They have a wide range of beers on tap including Aventinus, one of my favorites. I have yet to eat anything here but when i look around at all of the dishes everything looks...mediocre. I enjoy the bartenders most of the time however there are a few that can be a somewhat pretentious when you mispronounce the name of beers or don't quite know what to order...(mostly the female bartenders.. cough cough). I manage a restaurant here in Philadelphia and like to enjoy a beer at CTH at the end of the night while my crew is cleaning up. One really neat addition to the restaurant is their outdoor seating with a number of firepits that anyone can cozy up to and hang out all night long. Overall i enjoy going to CTH but i feel like the service staff could be a little friendlier. Well, i'm headed over there for a beer now so lets see how this turns out. Thanks for reading and Happy eating and drinking Philly.
(4)Brian T.
Quality - 4 stars (Good). Price - $$$ (Pricy) Taste - Fine Good: City Tap House Steak on Saturday. First of all, If you are looking for decent nice steak, Tap House may not really satisfy you. But if you are looking for a place for dining or drinking. Tap house is always a good choice especially for couple. I personally amazed by Tap House's everyday special, they keep change their menu, so you always get surprise from them. In opposite way, it creates some problems. You may see some very nice pictures from yelp. But they may stop serve them from long time ago. You always need to confirm with your servant. So far I think City Tap House Steak is the most tasty dish they offer. The steak is pretty big portion, taste juicy and rich. So if you go to there on Saturday, don't miss it. I also recommend their mussel. The Pacho Mussel is a little bit of spicy but leave very strong impression to your tongue. The Arbigail Mussel is not spicy, but the ingredient mix with tomato and garlic just made it taste rich. I actually kind of disappointed by the way they cook Sea Bass. They pan fry sea bass, so when kitchen is busy, it's very easy to make it overcook. For delicate meat like sea bass, they really need to carefully mange the temperature to maintain the tender quality. Otherwise pan fry may just made the expensive fish taste dry up. Beside these advice above, go for their happy hour for drink. Try their burgers, you will enjoy the casual environment there. (Especially if you seated outdoor.)
(4)Nataly N.
City Tap house has a great selection of beers and plenty of seating in a roomy and relaxed atmosphere. They have booth seating that can fit over ten people. I also like the fire pits they have outside - for fireside chats with friends while overlooking the edge of Penn campus. I've ordered food here several times. For the price they charge, the food could be better. I've ordered both the Tap Burger and the free range Turkey burger - and both had good burger patties, but the brioche buns they used were very stale and dry, and I ended up leaving them aside every time. The appetizers I've had were also just OK. I guess I'd be better off coming here with a greater focus on beer than anything else.
(3)Nina P.
There is nothing more appealing to a bunch of twenty-somethings on a cold weekend night than a bunch of fire pits! I went to City Tap House once before and again on Saint Patrick's day. The bar has delicious food (not your typical burgers and fries like at other bars) and always has an upscale feel. The prices on the menu are a little more expensive but the ambiance and unique menu options are worth a few extra dollars. I enjoyed my experience at this bar and I would certainly go again!
(4)Dana R.
This place is just okay. The atmosphere is really nice, and the waitstaff was also pretty nice. They have interesting beers on tap here. My bf and I shared an order of the Abigail mussels. HUGE portion, and two hunks of slightly-burnt and overly salty bread. I did not partake in the bred but I ate quite a few of the mussels. We were unable to finish them. Overall, if I wish to drink interesting beer close the my bf's apartment and feeling too lazy to go anywhere else, I'll come back here. Otherwise, I'm going to Monk's Cafe.
(3)Angela J.
Ok, the chicken wings here??!!!!! Hands down, quite possibly the best I've ever had. Really. Crispy outside, not breaded, and served with some amazing rub on the outside, they were phenomenal! There was some kind of horseradhishy dipping sauce to go with them too that was super tasty. I was here for a private event, so I don't know what it's like during normal hours, but the ambiance was pretty cool, and I love that it's an upstairs bar, very fun. The margherita pizza was also very good...perfect amount of sauce, thick slices of mozzarella, and a nicely cooked crust. I'll have to check this place out again when I'm in the neighborhood...
(4)Anne K.
How have I not reviewed this place already? Having a drink at Tap House always takes me back to my college years. I've always been a big fan of how spacious their bar is - it's one big rectangle! They turn on their fire pits on chilly nights, which is always a plus. I'm a big fan of their ciders - they used to have a delicious pear cider, but they rotate through their drink selections like a good bar should. It's definitely the classiest watering hole on campus.
(4)C C.
My boyfriend and I head here semi-frequently when we're in the mood for a few beers and some awesome snacks (shishito peppers and wings are to die for!!) but tonight's experience really set itself apart from the usual good food and good service. Our server was Bryan and he was awesome, he was extremely polite and professional from beginning to end. He had great recommendations when a few things we wanted weren't available ( totally understandable for a sunday night) and was great about checking in on us and making sure we had what we needed. He even went out of his way to catch us on our way out to let us know about a discount we could use for our next visit. I have never once been disappointed in the food or service here but tonight was definitely above and beyond.
(5)Dylan G.
This place is phenomenal! The beers on tap are diverse and delicious, and the food is much more than you'd expect from a bar in a "college town". Even the service is great. The waitstaff is friendly and fast, and there is one blonde hostess who is is out of this world. And by out of this world, I mean she's good at her job and really hot ;)
(5)Mary H.
The place is very cozy, pretty and fancy. I love restaurants with tall ceilings. The prices are a little steep but you wont be surprised when you step in and check out the vibrant atmosphere. I ordered the Striped Sea Bass plate and it was really good. The citrus caramel sauce they line on the plate is especially good, i wanted so much more of it. The bass was cooked well and very moist. The corn relish was very delish and gave a punch of flavor when combined with everything else on the plate. I was able to finish everything on the plate because it was so light and healthy. The burgers and potato fries look really good, I will probably try them the next time I come here.
(4)Colin H.
I've been here more than I should probably admit. Whenever I have friends come into town, this is one of the first places I bring them. It's without a doubt the largest contributor to West Philly / UC area's craft beer scene. I've had a bunch of the food and it's all incredible, I highly suggest the shishoto peppers, 10 spice wings, and creole shrimp and grits. Let's talk about the service first. The bartenders are very knowledgeable about what they've got on tap. They will not only help you pick a beer of you're feeling lost, which is understandable considering the number of taps they have. Beyond just that, they're all friendly, I wouldn't feel uncomfortable calling a few of them friends. They regularly host some of the best beer events in the city. Their "Black Friday" event was incredible, they must plan these things years in advance. I came over today on a whim and there's some $4 Abita beers on. Excellent. I can't speak much to the liquor as I'm a beer guy through and through, but I assume the selection is nearly as varied. Their glassware is kept in pristine condition and properly cleaned. It's one of very few times I've seen foam rings form properly on a double ipa in a 10oz glass in Philly. I've had the pleasure of speaking with Andy, the GM a few times, and he is a great guy. Never before has the GM come over to me while I am eating wings and ask how they are. He's even replying to most people on here! Great guy. I don't want to rave too much because my meal just arrived and I am hungry, but if there's one bar within a mile or two you can't go wrong visiting it, it's City Tap House.
(5)Walter K.
Does hold up as much as my first few visit. The beer list, as large as it is, lacks ambition. The dinner entrees are okay, but overpriced and unimpressive. The service, the atmosphere, and really, just the general feel of this place simply exist without any real effort. This place is a good idea that needs more direction and attention to truly be worthwhile. But then again, most place in University City don't really need to try all that hard.
(3)Eric B.
I can't believe that I have lived in Philly so long and never knew about this place. If you're a craft beer person, this is the place to come...over 50 options on tap and many I haven't seen before, which is a big deal for a beer person like myself. I didn't try the food, but the menu looks really good as well. The decor of the bar/restaurant is modern with a enthuses on dark wood, plus, they have a large outdoor terrace overlooking U of Penn that I will certainly coming back for when the weather changes. Nothing better than relaxing outside and enjoy a beer. Can't wait to come back!
(4)Brianna K.
The few times that I've been here, it's been nice, but not worth the money. They do not label any vegan items on their menu. And although they do have decently good food, I prefer going to restaurants where I don't have to grill the servers about every possible animal ingredient. Cute atmosphere, great location. Good beer as well from what I've heard but I have not yet had the chance to partake.
(3)Kiki L.
You would enjoy their various selection of appetizers and entrees. Honey lavender ice-cream was refreshing and creative.
(3)Vichet O.
I just feel like I need to reiterate how much I love this place. Remember that show, "Cheers"? With Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammar? Yeah, it's kind of like that, but with me instead of a whole bunch of actors that I can't name because they aren't Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer. If any place could be considered a red flag for my questionable drinking habits, this place is it. Even better, it teeters in that price range between cheap and pricey that scares off most Penn and Drexel undergrads who would rather drink room temperature, lightly hopped piss at Blarney, Smokes, and Cav's. Beers I've discovered here: Bear Republic Racer 5 Kona Brewing Koko Brown Kwak Hitachino Nest Bell's Two Hearted Ale And many more that I can't remember because I was drinking when I discovered them. A lot of the food is pretty good. Specifically, the burger, the lamb burger, the chicken-sausage griddle sandwich, the calamari, the sweet potato fries, the mussels, and the pizza. Their hummus could use a little more salt, but I'm not really there for hummus. Here's to you, Tap House. As long as he's in Philly, your boy Vichet will always be a customer.
(4)Phi Psi PA Sigma U.
Always a great time. They NEVER dissapoint. City Tap House has always been willing to work with us- a men's organization, to organize events including Happy Hours and Dinner events. Consistently they support us with City Tap House donations that we auction/raffle off at our events and that is what makes all of the difference. Many business' tell us, a LARGE group of college gentlemen, that they don't want to help. When they do it is incredibly frustrating but City Tap House is one of the Businesses that never lets us down, always ready to work with us and always ready to make a difference on the local as well as national effort to better the world.
(5)T S.
This place has a fire pit, if I had a date this would be perfect, I recommend. City Tap!, AWESOME !!!!!,EVERY ONE IS SO NICE, AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEER,the Food was delicious,I took home leftovers..
(4)Shane J.
This restaurant that is located on Penn's Campus in University City is a nice surprise with good food and if you see a trend in my reviews - GREAT BEER selections!! I enjoyed the open layout and ability to see the kitchen. The food is unique and tasty. I like that it has a fun vibe - I have been here several times and one night it was quizzo night. My table participated and it was super fun. Those types of unexpected things can make a dining experience go from ok-to rememberable. The service was average and the wait staff friendly enough. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys a great beer from time to time.
(3)S P.
Second time back and it was such a disappointment. The place was just about empty, but it took someone 5 minutes to come and greet us. A person at the bar had to go let the staff know that we were there. They were behind the bar chewing the fat instead of in place. Once seated, our beverage order was taken, but that was it. Almost 10 minutes went bay and our waitress never came back. Again, the place is just about empty. We decided to get up and leave. They didn't even realize we were leaving. My husband went back and told them we were leaving, and why, and the waitress came up with an off excuse. It looked like a 'manager/supervisor's away, so the staff will play' atmosphere. It will be awhile before we return.
(2)Mike R.
I was a little harsh on my previous review so after a recent trip to Penn I figured I'd update and show some much needed love. The food at Tap House is delicious to say the least. I went on a Monday so the college crowd wasn't around and the servers were able to focus and really make us the center of attention. I loved my burger and the shared pulled pork nachos were amazing. It actually got me thinking that I wish I would have opened my eyes to CTH food while still in school... service was very good and the food was positively delicious. As always, the beer selection was superb. I opted to go with the Green Flash Green Bullet which is simply out of this world. The CA brewery is nearly impossible to find on the East Coast. I've been impressed in the past that CTA brought in Cisco Whale's Tail (Nantucket) and High Five (Sweden) but as an IPA lover I was delighted to see Green Flash. We ate outside by the fire pits which was lovely on a "light jacket" evening in October. Love the fire pits outside on the deck overlooking Spruce Street. There is no better place to hang out around Penn. Love the slate benches and the HUGE bar inside. The mood is wonderful and the beer selection is simply unmatched by anything in UCity let alone the city of Philadelphia. Good luck to you guys with your opening in DC. I'm really excited to get some good beer in town. See you at your opening at 901!!
(5)Lauren S.
City Tap gets 4 stars for the atmosphere. It is the perfect setting for a crisp fall night: fires blazing outside, views of university city, cozied up to your guy or group of friends...Sounds amazing, right? Even the inside is warm and inviting! Lots of places to sit, and love the open kitchen! I have eaten here many times, and the food does not match up to the atmosphere. Sweet potato fries are probably the only winner on the menu for me. Calamari is rubbery and unseasoned. I would suggest grabbing food at Chipotle, BBP or Hummus and then coming up to enjoy City Tap. That is what we have been doing recently. Beer selection is amazing. From local beer to bud light, they have everything you could want. LOVE the pear cider, it is a perfect accompaniment to the outside setting. City Tap has a place in my heart.
(4)John F.
One of the few places in university city you can go to where you actually feel like you are in a nice upscale bar. During the summer and fall this spot is great with the roof top outside area with Bon fires. The bar is huge, I have never had a problem getting a seat. The options of seasonal and craft beer are the best I've came across in ucity. If you don't mind spending 60-100 bucks for two people I recommend coming here for a chill night. That's my only con, the prices.
(4)L G.
Went there a few days ago with a friend - they have wonderful selection of beers on tap, and not only that, but they will offer you a small sample of your chosen selections so that you can make your final choice. But best of all - we had been chatting with our wonderful bartender, Jenny, who is also a nurse. When my friend felt ill (a problem with her leg), Jenny came over and was extremely supportive and helpful until my friend could sufficiently recover. Thanks so much again Jenny! We are fans of this place and look forward to returning!
(5)Chris T.
Awesome place! Good craft beers! Try the Evil Genius Purple Monkey! Also try the Lamb Burger!! Couldn't put the burger down!
(5)Jemi J.
Ugh, they are so picky about non diners drinking at the tables toward the rear of the venue. Often times, these tables are empty, and the bar overflowing. It's not as if the empty tables will magically fill up with people if the kitchen is already closed! And the waiters can sometimes be snippy, which is surprising because tap house gets a mix of college, grad and neighborhood people. But besides this, Taphouse is just a beautiful place to sit and relax with friends, especially when the weather is beautiful out on the patio, and/or when they have fires going (! I still have to experience the latter, but can't wait!!) The Pear Cider is UHMAZING. I had the lamb burger, medium well,which had a surprising amount of flavor packed into the huge burger. I am conflicted as to whether it was worth $15 ( especially if you can get the same burger, if not a lot better, at copa) but with the fries and ambience, I guess I had it coming. The lamb burger had an overwhelming rosemary flavor, and I'm glad that I asked for it medium well, because it was more tender ( our waiter warned us that getting it well done might be too dry, and I could see his point. Thanks!)
(4)Sooin L.
City tap house is a little expensive but I like it a lot. I think their menu is a little limited but there is something for everyone. In case of dinner, I've had the steak which was underwhelming. Probably better to get the pizzas or something. Personally i go for brunch. I love the steak&eggs as well as the waffle. Delicious!!
(4)Ruchi G.
City Tap offers DELICIOUS food. Seriously. Come for the food, stay for the beer. Amazing selection on both--I'm particularly partial to the shrimp n grits (cried when they left the menu rotation, actually cried) which are creamy, smoky, juicy...perfect. The sweet potato fries and gnocchi are always amazing, too. Dry rub wings were meh, but still better than most places. And the beer selection! Wowza. The people here know their stuff and there's a LOT of stuff on offer. It's a great place to come if you're a regular (but a little pricey for regular patronage) because the bartenders who stay really try to get to know you (shoutout to Cathy!!!!) Altho there's been a lot of bartender turnover since I first started coming here in 2010. I took a star off for the seating on crowded nights--it's extremely hard to get bar seating, although in the summer maybe it'll be better 'cause the outdoor space (I don't want to have to pay for fire pit seating though!) and obviously you can't sit down unless you're going to order food too. Dunno what the solution is, but it's made some Friday nights kind of uncomfortable--though again, not nearly as bad as most CC bars! I love this place.
(4)Jillian R.
As a first time visitor to City Tap House, I have to admit... I was impressed. I met a friend for dinner on Monday night, and the bar was hopping with professionals (both young and seasoned) with a sprinkling of college kids. The dining room was nearly empty when we sat down for dinner, but quickly filled up as our evening went on. The beer menu was extensive and they have a special called Flight Night on Monday nights. $10 for 4, 6 ounce tastes of almost any beer on the menu (only bumping off a star since the one beer I was really in the mood for, they ran out of). For dinner, my friend ordered the mussels (with a red spicy sauce) and I ordered the Hanger Steak with parmesan fries with truffle aioli. Both were delicious. The wait staff was courteous and quick. Between the food and the service, I'm sure we'll be back.
(4)Adam P.
After a fun Quizzo experience at Local 44, we decided to see how City Tap's compared last week and left disappointed. First off, the website lists that it starts at 10pm (which I even called to confirm). The host didn't show up until 10:40, which according to our waitress, is the new standard this summer. And as it turns out, Johnny 'Goodtimes' is actually a miserable guy in his 30s with the personality and emceeing skills of a log. Pretty tough to sit through that for over an hour. Beer list is huge, albeit more expensive than it really should be for a lot of the selection. Our friends ordered a pizza, which they said was good despite being pretty small for $14+. All in all, can't say there's much of a reason that I'd come here over Local 44, so approach with caution.
(3)Tracy N.
I remember anxiously awaiting Taphouse's opening my freshmen year - it's a nicer alternative to the normal Smokes' and Blarney's nights. The drinks are pretty reasonable and they change the beers they have on tap every now and then. There is always some cool even going on, especially during the summers (watermelon/crab/all you can eat/drink nights). The food is above average as far as bar food goes. The crafted sandwiches are tasty, I suggest the burger. The brick oven pizzas and mussels (huge portions) make for great h'orderves to split if you're just out drinking with a friend. It can get pretty loud and overrun with undergrads on weekends, although I think Taphouse attracts more young professionals and graduate students. The outdoor fireplaces are amazing and add more personality to the patio space. Definitely worth stopping by if you're looking for a chill night of drinks and good food.
(4)DanaJoy88 ..
food is a little overpriced i think but it's delicious so i guess i will deal. My boyfriend and I stopped in for just a few beers and a snack and we didnt leave disappointed.
(4)Christian S.
I made my first visit to the City Tap House this past Friday for lunch. I initially thought my coworkers were leading me into a trap after walking into a hallway and coming to an elevator. I thought we were going to need a special code to get in. The minute you walk into City Tap House you can help but marvel at the layout of the place. The bar area is huge and there is plenty of outdoor seating. I am sure this has been mentioned in just about every other post, but if you are here to drink, this is your place as there is an excellent selection of drafts. After reviewing the menu, I choose to go with the Mussels. Not my usual choice for lunch unless I am on vacation, but after seeing the various ways City Tap prepares their mussels, I was extremely curious. I decided to try the Abigail style mussels served in roasted garlic butter, leaks, and Belgian ale broth. Some of the mussels were a little undercooked, but overall the dish was quite delicious. Of course I used the fresh focaccia bread to soak up the rest of that perfectly seasoned broth. This place is on my list of must visit again establishments. I really need to find out how the other mussels dishes are prepared. The burgers look pretty good as well.
(4)Kate S.
I WANT to love this place 100% and give it 5 stars because the Beer selection is OUTSTANDING! Best in the city --I don't know any other place that has as many taps and reminds of my favorite place in SF (Toronado's) But the service can be painfully slow esp at the bar and at the outdoor firepits, esp on particularly crowded nights which seems to be about every night The bar is highly understaffed, my thing is don't have a giant bar that can sit 40 people around plus have drink orders come in from all of the tables and only have two or sometimes even only ONE bartender, its just not practical That being said, I go back time and time again because the waitstaff is very knowledgeable about their beers and I always manage to have a good time despite the slow bar service. My advice get there before 6 or get a table and eat food otherwise be prepared for slow service at the bar
(4)Alli H.
I've been three times and have had the same experience each time: Beer = Excellent Service = Mediocre (or less) All three times, I've sat at the bar - And all three times have waited quite a while before finally being greeted by anybody, had to flag down the bartender to ask for another round, etc. The beer selection is great. I wish the service could match the beer selection in awesomeness.
(3)Kevin S.
I came for beer, and while the draft list was long it seemed to lack any real standouts - and prices were a bit steep for a University City bar. We were served fairly quickly, but it took us an uncomfortably long time to settle our bills, as the bartender seemed to disappear for quite a while. The inside bar has a sports bar feel, but the patio is much more enjoyable (if the weather cooperates). I had a Lagunitas Lil' Sumpin Wild (California IPA) for $7, most drafts seemed to be in the 5-10 dollar range.
(3)Jordan P.
Scheduled for a post-screeening happy hour with some fellow students, I was excited to finally give City Tap House a try. I'd heard about their Sour Saturday and crab fest, as well as their extensive draft list, so I was all in. I love the idea of Flight Nights on Monday ($10 for flights) and the day I went (a Tuesday) the special was canned beer. Naragansett, Brooklyn Lager, and an alleged "Brooklyn Summer IPA". After confirming with Brooklyn Brewery that this is not, in fact, a real beer, I call shenanigans on the offer. Thanks, but no thanks to your imaginary beer. The beer I did end up choosing, Flying Dog's Sour Cherry, was sweet and tart, just as some of my favorite sours are. The prices of the beers weren't too bad, but when I looked at the food menu and contemplated a bite to eat, I noticed that those prices were a bit too steep for my liking. Knowing that Wawa was just around the corner and I had a train to catch (on which I would happily nosh on my sub), I wasn't too worried. Others in my party got the chickpea fritters ($12) which were 3 slightly-smaller-than-a-golfball-sized fried chickpea balls and some pita wedges, along with a bitty cucumber salad that was apparently tasty, but tiny. As far as "bang for your buck" when it comes to appetizers, I think I'd go for the Mezze Plate. A few folks from my party split one, and it looked hearty and diverse. The Feta was apparently really fresh, and the hummus looked awesome, very creamy with little bits of REAL red pepper in it! We were lucky enough to nab one of the always-desirable (according to my fellow happy hour-ers) firepits (no fire needed in the summer, or at least... they weren't lit when we went from 5:40-7ish) which allowed a great seating area in the setting sun. Here's my biggest complaint, though. I'm not sure if it was a dish they'd prepared, or something had spilled, or an actual gastrointestinal problem, but the INSIDE had the distinct smell of recently spewed vomit. I can't imagine that's a norm for them, but the smell made me rush in and out with as much speed as I could muster while holding my breath. I'd prefer some sort of scented candle, or even cleaning supplies to that smell. Brutal. I know I'll be back, as I'm starting at Penn in the fall, and hopefully the odor wafts out by then. Fingers crossed.
(3)Sarah K.
I came here with a bunch of friends in late fall/early winter. The fire places outside are awesome! I was disappointed that they had run out of the banana bread beer, but they have a great variety of drinks available. I ordered a pear cider that the waitress recommended, and I'm glad I did. The food was awesome (not sure if that's due to drunkenness haha). But, the mussels were delicious and I just sopped up all the soup/juice with my bread. :) I have dreams about that meal. It's a nice place to come and drink with your friends. I wish there was a bar like this at Temple campus. Definitely will be returning once the weather gets warmer.
(4)Lincoln L.
I have lived in west philly for several years now, been here more times than I care to count, and have finally got around to writing this review. City Tap House (or just tap house) is a great all around bar/restaurant. They serve all your normal beer on tap along with a slew of other local and seasonal beers, also on tap. Beers normally run you $5 to $8, happy hour specials are pretty good with $3 drafts and $5 mixed drinks. There is a good mix of people, more college students on Thursdays. Overall the bar has a casual feel but your are not going to see a lot of drunk students and really loud music, it is a great place to get a couple drinks and meet up with friends. The quality of food ranges a lot from dish to dish, generally good but nothing spectacular for the price. I liked the lamb burger and the mussels, but was disappointed with the flatbread. Supposedly some of their pizzas are a solid choice. The huge outside deck area is one of the best in the city and boasts several fire pits with seating around them. I also really appreciate that the restaurant does a lot of events that are definitely worth going to. My favorite was the all-u-can-eat Maryland blue crab fest that I went to last year. The steamed crabs were delicious and served with potatoes, bread, and corn on the cob. Tap house also does events for philly beer week, restaurant week, and has live music sometimes. I usually find myself coming here at least once a month and is probably my favorite place to go in UC.
(4)Lorenzo L.
Love Tap House, everything I've eaten there I have liked. I especially enjoy their regular fries (go figure!). They also have an amazing beer selection. A couple of factors keep me from giving it a 5-star, though it is one of my favorite places in Philly. It is pricey and there's only a random happy hour on Wednesdays I think. (and it's not substantially cheaper.) Also service could use some improvement. The places fills up with large groups that can monopolize the staff but even in the absence of large groups sometimes you have to wait a while for a second round or the bill. It's not bad enough to keep me from recommending this place though!
(4)Clint R.
We had a birthday party come there and the fire alarm started going off from the time we got there. It was very distracting. The manager came over at the end of the meal and rectified it. We ended up having a great time. The service and food were on par. All of the appetizers were delicious and everyone loved their meal. I would recommend!
(5)Emily K.
Amazing veggie burger, and great beer selection. Space is nice and big but inviting. Location is perfect.
(4)Karen G.
Ate dinner here last night, asked to be seated in a more secluded area but hostess only wanted to seat us right next to other customers even though there were many open tables. The food was great, we had pancho muscles without the chorizo, a Tartufo piZza and a Caesar salad and it was delicious
(3)Benjamin M.
Wesside! I never get over to University City, but I've always wanted to check out City Tap House. So, Pumpkin Smash 2012 was a good enough reason to meet up with Michael F. and Jennifer N. for an afternoon of football, food and pumpkin beer. The place was extremely busy and I was lucky to secure a seat at the huge bar in front of one of the flat screens. Before they arrived I ordered the Roast Pumpkin Ranchero, a brunch special comprised of a pumpkin quesadilla, two sunny eggs, hashbrowns and a black bean chili. It was such a unique combination of things, but I had no problem inhaling all of it and pushing away an empty plate. While I ate, one of the bartenders asked me if I enjoyed the meal (Yes!) and then informed me that I got one of the last brunch plates before they ran out. Great timing for me I guess. Once they arrived, we started looking (well, not just looking) over the list of 30+ pumpkin beers, which were all tapped at 1 pm. So many interesting options: Elysian Apocalypse Blight, RJ Rockers Gruntled Pumpkin...uhh, I forgot to take any other notes after that. Or was it after Jenn ordered all three of us delicious pumpkin bombs...twice? Oh boy...
(5)Justin A.
Wow. I was looking forward to coming to City Tap. Overall: City Tap is a huge place with unknowledgeable beer servers. "wet hops or dry hops"? The waiter did not know. If you are a beer restaurant, train the waiters in the art of craft beer. Or just stay a pretender forever.
(2)Jessica S.
I don't usually make it over to U City but every so often, we get an urge to take a cab over and end up at this place. My last visit solidified my opinion on this place: LOVE the beer options, love the atmosphere, good food, but lacking in the service department. We always get the 10 spice wings when we come here. They are grilled, no fried excessive skin, and have a really great flavor which is not spicy at all. We tried a couple of the pizzas and flat breads last visit, and the pulpo flat bread definitely came out the winner. Other than that, fairly basic food options, but a great compliment to really great beers. With that many draft beers, there really is something for everyone, and the list rotates seasonally. We discovered Brewworks Rude Elf during our last visit and I'm still trying to find somewhere to buy bottles of it. They have brewery nights where they feature specific brewers and have a dinner and beer pairing, which I haven't tried but would be looking forward to giving a shot. The only reason this place doesn't get more stars is the fact that every time I go I'm waiting forever for service. It was not busy last time we visited, so I'm not sure whats going on here. Because of this, I'll still come back but probably not as frequent in the rotation as some other places.
(3)Erik G.
Food and beer selection, great! Service... meh. Our waiter was fine but the front desk all but completely ignored us. Would go back and hopefully have better people at the front desk.
(4)