Station Taproom

Station TaproomStation Taproom
Station TaproomStation Taproom
Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

207 W Lancaster Ave
Downingtown, Pennsylvania, 19335-2511
United States

(484) 593-0560 | map
stationtaproom.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.52
Reviews:
24
Ratings:
42
pDev:
7.74%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Shandycan:
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Reviewed by Shandycan from Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Looks can be deceiving- it's a little corner bar that I live fairly close to, but they get some killer stuff in. Have had both RR and HF on tap here, so I'm always keeping an eye on their rotation. The biggest pitfalls here are the parking- TINY lot, there's a train station across the street and street parking, so you might have a little bit of a walk, and the second issue is the seating. There's no getting around it that this is a small place, so be prepared, it can get shoulder to shoulder around the bar area. The food is great though, some really interesting stuff being plated- brunch on the weekends is killer, and I've had dinner here a few times with nothing but positive results. Happy hour pork BBQ sandwiches are ridiculously good as well!

I give it $$$ if only because you pay a bit more for fine quality food and beers, that's not detrimental in any way.

If you're in the area it's worth a stop!
Feb 20, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.44 by micropale from Pennsylvania

Jul 11, 2017
 
Rated: 4.36 by AudioGilz from Pennsylvania

Sep 11, 2016
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Reviewed by beer_me_phl from Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
My favorite local spot. Yes, it's small and gets crowded and noisy but it's acceptable when you serve great food on a consistent basis with a quality draft list. I'm excited for the Bottle Room to open up. Take all of my money!
Jun 02, 2016
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Reviewed by BMMillsy from Florida

4.15/5  rDev -8.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.25
Nice spot downtown in Downingtown. Never would have expected to see a place like this there, but there it was. Good food, too. Definitely worth a stop in.
Sep 27, 2015
 
Rated: 4.36 by Slatetank from Pennsylvania

Aug 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.33 by Rizzy17 from Pennsylvania

May 08, 2015
 
Rated: 4.36 by Bill69 from Pennsylvania

Mar 12, 2015
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Reviewed by maseww22 from Pennsylvania

4.76/5  rDev +5.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
Rotating crafts with a good bourbon and wine selection. Food is great for the open kitchen. Get's crowded and a little loud.

Locals hint: Hit Happy Hour for $3 drafts.
Jan 01, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by d_gaff from Pennsylvania

Dec 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4.83 by Philthe from Pennsylvania

Dec 20, 2014
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Reviewed by tonyrocknroll from Colorado

5/5  rDev +10.6%
Best place in Chester County PA to drink craft beer. Only have about 10 taps, but it is always a great selection of quality beers. Food is delicious too.
Dec 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by newbeeraday from Pennsylvania

Nov 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Mantis701 from Pennsylvania

Aug 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by boomsocker

Jul 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by InspectorBob from New Jersey

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by penut from Pennsylvania

Jul 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Yellolab2010 from Pennsylvania

Jun 26, 2014
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Reviewed by mfunk9786 from Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -20.4%
vibe: 1 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3
Incredibly crowded. Incredibly. It makes it very difficult, especially on weekends or at events, to enjoy yourself. It's a very small space and I find it hard to believe that it's even legal to pack it with as many people as they do on a routine basis. Food is only okay, and is often less so (had a particularly poor experience at a brunch here, pulled pork sandwiches are iffy in terms of quality). Delicious beer, extremely passionate staff, great space when it's not too crowded, though.
Jun 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Barnsley from Pennsylvania

May 21, 2014
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Reviewed by crag from Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev -12.8%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4 | food: 4.25
A good place to eat and sample a craft beer, gets a little crowded which effects service. Nice selection of beers & single malts available. Menu is decent and has something for everyone sans gluten free. A good local watering hole - sorely needed in this town.
Apr 25, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Astarzz316 from Pennsylvania

Apr 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by jackrodgers77 from Pennsylvania

Feb 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by FatBoyGotSwagger from Pennsylvania

Jan 06, 2014
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Reviewed by Gavage from Nevada

4.38/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.75
This is your quintessential local corner bar but it has a focus on good beer and food. Located on the main drag and easy to find right across from a train station. This is a small place that has a cool mustard yellow color inside with some funky paintings and plenty of natural light. In the rear there is a nice wooden bar that can comfortably seat 12 patrons. Next to the bar is an open kitchen with a clear view of the stove so you can watch the cooks make your meal. There are a handful of tables for dining.

Beerwise they had 12 beers on draft with one cask. A nice variety of beer here from Southern Tier Warlock, Allagash White, SN Northern Harvest, Duclaw Mad Bishop, Oskar Blues Dales Pale Ale, Victory Liberty Bell Ringer, and Paulaner Pilsner to name a few. No macros on tap. Some bottles are located in the glass from refridgerators behind the bar.

Service was very friendly and prompt. The food we had was decent and hit the spot.

Overall this is a nice little neighborhood bar that is comfortable and has a nice beer selection.
Oct 26, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by mvanaskie13 from Pennsylvania

Oct 17, 2013
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Reviewed by mikefuski17 from Oregon

3.89/5  rDev -13.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4
This place rocks. Awesome beer. I have heard the food is great but never tried if get. Sneaky little beer spot. They Russian River and Firestone Walker and Founders. On tap or bottle, they have some sneaker stuff. Very recommended if possible. Price is decent and there are great beers.
Sep 08, 2013
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Reviewed by mikem0487 from Pennsylvania

4.51/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
Station Taproom is my local beer bar that I go to at least twice a month. The atmosphere is nice, refreshing and new. It has only been open for three years now but the quality of the food has been consistent since day one and the service is probably the best you are going to get around. All the servers and bartenders are knowledgable and well rounded on the micro beer scene and can help anyone out to find what beer would fit their palate at the time. Along with the beer they serve excellent white and red wine from around the country and have a very nice selection of quality whiskeys and bourbons.
I would say for the majority of the people that come to stations what keeps people coming back is the food and the beer. Recommendation food wise is to order the mussle(seasonal rotation), cheese plate, tacos(seasonal rotation), the burger, thai red curry and/or one of their panini's(seasonal rotation) . Their truffle fries in my opinion might be the best fries you can get outside of Monks Cafe.
Their beer selection most of the time is very good and covers a wide spectrum of styles. On draft they usually have a large assortment of IPA's, PA's and amber/red ales that take up around 3-4 taps. Saisons, wheat beers and belgian brews are always found on tap with porters and stouts rounding out the usually suspects on the draft list. The other draft lines are more hard to come by beers, seasonals and unusual brews the average person would not know what they were. The bottle list is around 50 bottles long and has a nice selection of unique beers that are rare or one offs. The only thing that distracts me about the bottle list are the prices. Other than the bottles prices there is nothing else really to complain about other than the size of the place. I like the small quaint atmosphere it allows but means you may be waiting at the bar for 20 plus minutes to grab a table. But with the quality of the draft list most of your time is taken up trying to figure out what beer to drink and trying new brews you have not had yet.
Overall I highly recommend this place. If you are into heady brews and great food with good service stop in, you wont be disappointed.
Jul 02, 2013
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Reviewed by chim52chim from Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -12.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4.5
Stumbled into this place yesterday for the first time. Small town corner bar with a pretentious hipster craft beer bar feel. The beer, excellent, wide range to choose from. The truffle fries, well you'll just have to try them to understand, they are good.

If I had to point out negatives, it would be the prices for some of the bottled beer. The size is very small and gives you the illusion that you are part of a small exclusive club, but that is what gives the place its charm.

I would definitely go back to see some of the craft beers they offer, but maybe during a less busy time.
Jun 07, 2013
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Reviewed by Casey3236 from Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
Been going here for a couple years, since they first opened. While I wished they had more taps, the ones they do are always quality brews. The food is great,especially the truffle fries. The place is very small so it's always crowded, but it still provides very good service. I love that they are a true craft beer bar; I've seen guys come in and ask for a Guiness only to be told they can't get one here and then turn the guy on to a Narwhal or DFH Bitches Brew and know he'll never drink Guiness again!
May 26, 2013
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Reviewed by ensign11 from Maryland

4.9/5  rDev +8.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
This is a great little bar, with a great staff and a great selection of beers. There's also wine and whiskey for other choices. This is the first place I stop when I travel up to downingtown.

Between the beer selection and the knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, you can't beat this place. Every time I go, I have a great time and a new beer to try. Despite Victory Brewing Co. down the road, I'd recommend this place to anybody who wants to sit down and enjoy a beer with friends.

From the little bit of food i've tried, its pretty good. But the beer selection and bartenders are what keep me coming back.
Mar 14, 2012
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Reviewed by garuda from Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Been to this gem on a number of occasions, so I guess its time to review. First off, its a small place, with very few seats (10 maybe) at the bar. Everything's in the one room, too. Its a nice atmosphere with the kitchen open to the dining room and bar, but can become quite loud and crowded quickly.

The quality is top-notch across the board, from the food to the beer. No complaints at all there. Service is also great with friendly, attentive, knowledgeable staff.

The selection lacks a bit, though, especially when compared to some other area beer bars. 12 taps just doesn't cut it when others have 24+. All of their taps, however, are taken by quality beers, and they get the best ones our distribution network has to offer.

This is a great little place, and something that Downingtown really needed to go alongside Victory. They have a great location across the street from the R5, so many people won't even have to bother driving to get there.
Nov 30, 2011
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Reviewed by koopa from New Jersey

4/5  rDev -11.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Stopped here for the first time today while in town for Capone's Black Friday event. There is a good amount of parking in a side parking lot which is metered up until 5:30pm at the price of $0.25 per hour (2 hour limit on the meter).

Atmosphere: The decor is very nice - contemporary yet warm and inviting. Nice framed art aligns the yellow walls. The walls are tiled style wood and painted brown. The bar itself is a beautiful smooth wood bar and the taps are short black perlick handles that are below the bar and barely visible. A large chalk board is adorned to a wall above the bar and is easy to read. Hanging contemporary lamps add to the warm feel.

Quality and Selection: The bar seats about 12 people and there are about 12 beers on tap + 1 cask on engine pull. Most beers are fairly common but solid regional choices. Some west coast and european imports accentuate those options. Prices for drafts were typically $5 for either a pint or a 10oz depending on the ABV of the beer you choose. A small but nice bottle selection including a few russian rivers, some dogfish heads, and some euro lambics are available although a bit pricy ($5 - $35).

Service: Friendly, attractive, attentive, but with minimal beer knowledge. I was given a buy back as was another person sitting near me.

Food: A bit upscale but reasonably priced and not pretentious. I had the ham and brie panini which was tasty, especially with thick sliced ham.

I enjoyed my time here and liked the spot even more than the Drafting Room although it is a bit limited in scope.
Nov 26, 2011
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Reviewed by hackomal from Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5
Everything you could want in a small gastropub. They have a small but fresh and awesome menu. I usually order the pulled pork, but have never had a bad meal. Nice selection of beer that rotates daily. 12 taps and 1 beer engine. Station also has a solid bottle selection with about 20 bottles always on hand. If your into scotch and whiskey, that looks fully stocked as well. They have great happy hour beer and food specials that are a great value. The servers and bartenders are always ready to help if you have any questions. It is also 3 miles from my house which is great.
Aug 03, 2011
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Reviewed by mhatters from Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
Talk about a gem - the area is rich with beer barsgastropubs - but we have a leader. Great beer (12 taps or so, always quality) with a good selection of bottles (tres fontaine, etc.), but hat sets this place apart is the food and service. Open kitchen, nice menu, but these people know what they are doing. Food quality matches that of 5-star dining - bar staff know details of food and beer, and in a relaxed atmosphere. I have been here dozens of times, the quality and selection is always top notch and the valie as well - beer dorks and first timers can mingle in a mutually comfortable atmosphere. The risotto is to die for. The model for a beer bar.
Mar 18, 2011
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Reviewed by sims158 from Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Hello BA, this is my first review so bear with me.

When I first heard about this place I was really excited. Victory has put D'town on the map so it was nice to have an alternative. I have gone in several times and always enjoy the atmosphere. Its got that PA small town feel, real people who enjoy good beer, good food, and good company. To illustrate, two weeks ago I went in on a Saturday. It seems to be a local gathering spot for locals, so groups will sit and chat. I was going solo and they have allowed me to join in on the conversation. It is a friendly place to go, especially on weekend afternoons.

Now on to the most important part, the beer. Everytime I go in there are almost completely different beers on tap. I usually go twice a month. They range from weiss beers to barleywines and even a cask. There is a fine selection of bottles as well to take home and enjoy. The website is kept up-to-date, so you can see a beer list before going.

Another post mentioned the thai curry, I second that. I had the Thai curry wings and they were delicious with my IPA (I forgot the name already, I really should write these things down.). It's not Monk's or Grace tavern, but for the location it's worth it. I highly recommend Station, come out on a Saturday afternoon.
Mar 11, 2011
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Reviewed by slander from New York

4.5/5  rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Well, at least they're open on Thursdays. I guess someone could've checked their website. Again. Yes, that's a slam on "Ed of Bullshit", who checked the tap list on line but didn't bother to look and see whether they were open on Sunday, which they weren't. Not at the time, anyway, though it seems they now are. But man, that sure set for a Sunday of suck. Had to come back and do a revisit one night working my way back East. Well, at least they're open on Thursdays...

Sweet slander lot spot off the small corner place, and we enter the single shorty room. "L" shaped wood bar to the left rear seating 12 on backed stools. Barback is sunken counter space with wines displayed on center, shelved stemmed glassware above, and booze shelved up atop. More glassware shelved to both sides, and the bottled selections trio coolered below.

Open kitchen to the rear, it all happens right there, the brick arch décor a seemingly vintage façade. Elsewhere, mostly deep yellow walls over wood framed lowers on one side, and a 5 backless stool lined bar counter on the other wall. Black & white framed prints run one wall, and mix & match paintings. Some are good, some are very not. Plank wood floors and drop ceiling tiles. Track spots running the length of the room on 2 rows, dangle lamps over the 2 front tables, and drop hairdryer lamps tracing the bar. A single TV mounted in the back corner for the looking at. A baker's dozen tables throughout the room, hightops to the rear and forward the bar, and shortys across most of the floor, and in each window nook, painted peach in this light.

Smallish tight foodings menu, was contemplating something from their cheese menu of 7, but we went with a pair of small plates each. I had the shrimp skewers and an amazing beef short rib eggroll with bacon braised collard greens. Ed also had the short rib eggroll of amazing, and the chicken cordon bleu panini with a vinegar pickle. He was not diggin' on the latter; felt it was a bit over the top.

12 taps, an excellent mix of very local (Victory Village, Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout & Pikeland Pils), other PA play (General Lafayette Copper Crow Pale Ale, Weyerbacher Lima Black IPA), a few regionals (Brooklyn Lager & Black Chocolate Stout '07, Great Lakes Octoberfest, Smuttynose Pumpkin), some not (Stone Ruination, 21st Amendment IPA), and a lone import (Kira Belgian Wit). I had the Victory Village, Great Lakes Octoberfest & Weyerbacher Lima.

And bottles, 3 dozen + and a single cider from Spain, no less. More than ½ the bottles are American craft, the collection seemingly well thought out covering most styles (Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Jolly Pumpkin La Roja, Avery Ellies Brown Ale, Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA, Cascade Kriek, Cigar City Jai Alai Cedar Aged IPA, DFH Saison Du Buff, Founders Pale Ale, Troegs Hopback Amber, Allagash White, Rogue Shakespeare Stout, Weyerbacher Riserva '09, Thomas Hooker Liberator Doppelbock, Brooklyn Lager & Sorachi Ace, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Torpedo Extra IPA, Victory Hop Devil & Prima Pils, Russian River Damnation, Consecration, Temptation, Isolation, Desolation, Isolation, let it go, aha, and so fade away...). I'm liking the American craft selections, true. If I wasn't about the draft beer tonight, I could easily do some hard time in bottleville.

The remainder a collection of imports leaning mostly Belgian (Drie Fontainen Oude Gueuze, De Dochter L'enfant Terrible, Saison Dupont, Orval, Rochefort 10, Girardin Gueuze, St. Bernardus Abt 12, Tripel Karmeliet, Chimay Red, painfully bastardized shell of its former self Rodenbach Classic, Hoegaarden, Lindemans Framboise), with a few Germs (Ayinger Celebrator, Schneider Aventinus, Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse), and a lone Brit (Samuel Smith Taddy Porter), in the mix.

Can't recall the pricing of things but I'm pretty sure things were quite reasonable. Tapwise, I suspect the flight of 4 for $7 to be the way to go, and my gauge for bottled beer pricing finds (lovely ) Orval at $10. Food was very good (I'd like another shot at some of the other menu choices there), and is perfect in a "don't love the food at Victory and wish there were somewhere else we could go locally for food" kind of way, and the beer scene, in both selection and quality, are on. Solid joint, I would come here again. Ed can come, too, I guess.
Mar 03, 2011
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Reviewed by sholland119 from Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
A great corner bar/restaurant on the western edge of Downingtown borough across from the train station. This place has become a favorite hangout.

Originally a nuisance bar, Station was completely gutted and redone in beautiful style. A 12 seat L-shaped bar take up the left side of the far end of the room. High tops are lined up on the right side by the bar, with low tables throughout the front of the room. The open kitchen is located in the back of the room.

The staff is always competent and friendly. You are never left to sit with an empty glass or in need of a salt shaker or something.

There are about a dozen taps and one cask. The tap list is always well considered, and varied among American, German and Belgian styles. The bottle list is small but well thought out also. But there is never a shortage of draft choices so I never get a bottle unless I am really in the mood for an Orval.

Food is good, especially the thai red curry and the soups. The cheese plate is always sure to have at least three killer choices.

Update: The menu has continued to expand and diversify over recent months, including the addition of Sunday brunch. We always have fun here.

HV
Feb 18, 2011
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Reviewed by BeerDetective from Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
This as other posters have said, is a cool little hole in the wall pub in Downingtown. THe place is a bit small, reminding me of the Fox And Hounds Young's tied pub in Chelsea, with a friendly and open feel to match it. The beer selection was awesome, and served in proper glassware. I had Saison Dupont on draft,And my friend and I spilt a bottle of Ithaca Brute. The bartender was even nice enough to split the cost of the bottle between the two of us.

The staff was very nice, and the food was excellent, especially the truffle salt fries.My dining companion also got the cheese plate and a huge bowl of Thai curry.YUM!! All in all another nice beer bar in the Far Western 'Burbs.
Oct 13, 2010
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Reviewed by ctg115 from Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
My wife and I stopped by for the first time the other night and really enjoyed ourselves. The place is small but has a nice feel to it with a nice bar and open kitchen with some great exposed brick. The art on the walls is from a local artist, always a plus. There are about 12 taps and 20 or so bottles, a nice variety. They update their taplist on facebook which is handy since their website isn't live yet. When we were there they had choices ranging from local (Victory, Sly Fox and Boxcar) to Port Brewing, Lagunitas, Ommegang, etc...

The food was very good, we got the short rib egg roll, fish and chips, chickpea burger, and rosemary creme brulee. We enjoyed everything very muchThe menu says they try to source from local farms which is great. The service was very good too, we were there on a Saturday and while the place was full we didn't lack for attention from our server.

We will definitely be back and are happy to have this place within walking distance.
Jun 10, 2010
Station Taproom in Downingtown, PA
Place rating: 4.52 out of 5 with 42 ratings