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City Tap House

City Tap HouseCity Tap House
City Tap HouseCity Tap House
Bar, Eatery

3925 Walnut St
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104-3624
United States

(215) 662-0105 | map
citytaphouse.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.03
Reviews:
21
Ratings:
44
pDev:
11.17%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by tkdchampxi:
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Rated by tkdchampxi from New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -13.2%

Oct 06, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of tccrochunis
Reviewed by tccrochunis from Pennsylvania

3.74/5  rDev -7.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.5
Visited this City Tap House location for the first time this past weekend. It was a decidedly mixed experience.

First thing I have to note is that finding the entrance was flat out weird. Maybe there is some other way to get in, but we wondered around, finding a stark hallway with an elevator that asked for a code, then back outside (how would this work for accessibility?), then finally locating a sign that pointed us up an exterior stairway to a terrace, past groups of homeless folks and groups of local teens to find the entrance. I mean, this wasn't particularly worrisome, but given that it was hard to know if we were actually going towards the restaurant entrance, it was a little strange.

Once in, things were pretty quiet at 7 pm on a Sunday evening. We chose outdoor seating when we saw there was plenty available and the weather looked good. We had a nice table location with a view of UPenn high rises and an interior wildflower patch. Cool. After a while, more other customers showed up and the feel of the place picked up a bit. Guess 7 pm is a little early for the West Philly crowd.

Our table itself was sort of unwiped, with rings from past drinks. But it was alright...mainly just wet from earlier rains. When eventually our server said she'd come out and wipe it, we thanked her and didn't make a big deal of it. Then she never returned to do what she said she would. Sort of odd. (Meanwhile, we saw several other staff sent out to wipe down other tables that no doubt had similar surface wetness.)

Beer list is absolutely first rate, as one expects from City Tap House. Such wide variety, some offered on Nitro, then also 5 oz. tasting sizes. Not only were there some nice finds on the list, but there were many favorites. Essentially beer heaven. I would note that it took a surprising amount of time to get the first pint delivered.

The food menu was modest in size, but offered some good alternatives for members of our party. It's true that this is a pub-style menu in some ways—offering a few flavorful-sounding entrees, mussels done a few different ways, sandwiches, brick oven pizzas, and a range of appetizers. Still, for a pub-style menu, the variety is nicely on point and a little more than what you might get elsewhere. We tried a Caesar salad and two variations on the mussels. Each of these were good, but one of my party found her Abigail mussels a little lacking in flavor. My Pancho mussels were maybe a little more interesting. The frites were...okay.

Overall, I'd say that the beer menu and other drinks were very good, the food not bad, and the service sort of distracted and a little confused, if friendly. Everyone was pleasant enough and the location...once you find it...is really interesting and enjoyable. I'm inclined to chalk up some of the oddness in service to post-pandemic staffing and business-level uncertainties. But, hey, do something about signage and guiding people into the place.
Jun 14, 2022
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Reviewed by Jlabs from New York

4.83/5  rDev +19.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.75
Went on a slow sunday and the service was above and beyond as our server couldn't be more attentive and friendly with helping us choose different beers...and the beer selection here is outstanding!!..many varieties to satisfy even the most hardcore beer nerds...food was amazing too..the sausage and muahroom pizza was dynamite..we will definitely make sure that when we are back in philly that we will be returning
Jun 19, 2017
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Reviewed by Vetbidder from Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Very cool and dark atmosphere. Hip people are here. They have a very extensive beer selection but they were out of both beer that we selected. They still have a big selection. Service seems to be good.wow I got some pork taco's. Awesome
Jan 07, 2017
 
Rated: 4.39 by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania

Jul 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.61 by mltobin from Connecticut

Jan 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.28 by stevehagy from New York

Dec 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.51 by FightinIrish88 from New Jersey

Oct 05, 2015
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Rated by scottbrew4u from Pennsylvania

4.01/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Overall good experience and excellent selection. Disappointed at the servers attentiveness.
Jun 04, 2015
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Rated by DuaneL from Delaware

4/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Wonderful selection of drafts - good stopping spot for that area.
May 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.48 by Bill69 from Pennsylvania

Mar 12, 2015
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Reviewed by RutgersBeerGuy from New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.5
I visited the City Tap House for the first this past Sunday for the Pliny the Younger tapping. Consequently, this review might not capture the "every day" experience of the the place.

The bar and restaurant itself is remarkably spacious. There's plenty of seating at the lovely copper-topped bar, along with bar tables and a large dining room. The aesthetic is modern, though not particularly distinct.

The selection of beers for the event was fantastic. In addition to the Younger, they had Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig, Supplication, and Damnation, along with plenty of other hoppy offerings from around the country. Prices were reasonable for the city. Beers were served in appropriate glassware and at an appropriate temperature.

The brunch menu was outstanding. I deliberated for close to a half-hour before settling on "The Big Chick." It was a large, flaky biscuit topped with a Southern-fried chicken breast, bacon, and a fried egg, all topped with a rich sausage gravy. It was all that you could ask for when you're drinking in the morning.

The service was very good. Water glasses were promptly refilled, and there were complimentary (amazing) doughnuts in honor of the event.

I'd love to revisit the place on a "normal" day, but if their ability to pull off this event is any indication, the place seems to be a real winner in University City.
Mar 10, 2015
 
Rated: 3.79 by IdrinkGas from Pennsylvania

Mar 08, 2015
 
Rated: 4.05 by LehighAce06 from Pennsylvania

Feb 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by baybum from Pennsylvania

Nov 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Jason from Massachusetts

Nov 07, 2014
Photo of roan22
Reviewed by roan22 from New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +11.7%
Been here many times, probably my favorite bar in the city. Familiar neighborhood to me. I like City Tap House because they frequently have Deschutes beer on tap or other west coast breweries that are hard to find on the east coast. Also I like the bar its very spacious and the service is good. The food also is great. On special brewery takeover nights or beer week brewery special events, its always a fun time. We love Andy the owner, one time he gave us beer glasses from New Belgium Brewery with bikes onthem that I just love. Tonight we had the Mezza plate, chicken and waffles and beer from Hardywood Brewery. Just an awesome place. They also have an outdoor area with firepits that you can sit around. Cheers!
Oct 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.88 by BeerForMuscle from New Jersey

Aug 31, 2014
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Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -11.9%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
Beautiful summer day in Philly, breezy and relaxed. Perfect for a bike ride, and a little exploration of University City- a neighborhood I rarely explore. City Tap is located in a busy street deep in the colleges, and within a modern apartment building. You can access it via an elevator or climbing up a bunch of strangely-shaped concrete stairs/steps.

Once you get to the bar, it is surprisingly large and very modern, but it looks more like a nightclub than a bar. It's got none of that coziness you expect from a beer-centric bar. The wraparound bar is gigantic, there are flat-screen TV's all over broadcasting sports and the vibe is just "off".

I did enjoy the terrace, though. You can order a beer from the bar and sit outside overlooking the street and the college buildings. I bet it would be a good place to watch a sunset.

The selection is typical of this massive beers touting dozens of beers: huge but disappointing. The menu is divided by styles (wheat, fruit/wild, porter/stout, brown/barleywine) and there are between five and fifteen beers for each niche. There are a ton of some styles (IPA's) and there are none of other styles (barleywines).

Some highlights from the menu are RR Damnation, Allagash Tripel, Deschutes Hophenge, BFM Square Root 225. Nothing too crazy, though, and only two stouts (no imperials).

If you're going to flaunt 65 taps and that you're all about the beer, then you ought to do better. That is all.
Aug 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by soulcougher from Pennsylvania

Jul 01, 2014
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Reviewed by Budinetz from Pennsylvania

4.51/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.75
Very good value for the price! The staff was phenomenal and the food was fantastic. The only downside was that a large group had been booked in that took over the bar and most of the outside for a private event during happy hour. The list was also not updated accordingly, however the bartender informed us upon arrival that Philly beer week was upon them and this was the reason for the low stock. This is understandable and we appreciated the heads up. Very interesting style of pizza! Both the goat cheese pizza and the BBQ pulled pork pizza were awesome. Definitely pay a visit to this place...worth the trip.
Jun 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by acurtis from New Jersey

Apr 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by baconfromwalmart from Pennsylvania

Mar 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by JMFP from Delaware

Mar 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by InspectorBob from New Jersey

Feb 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by JKWBMH from Pennsylvania

Feb 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by jackrodgers77 from Pennsylvania

Feb 12, 2014
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Reviewed by msimone372 from Delaware

3.64/5  rDev -9.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.5
City tap house typically has about 30-40 beers on tap. The only problem: the last 4 times I went in the first THREE beers I requested were out. And after that point I requested several other beers that were out!

Besides that I really enjoy this place.
Feb 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by oglmcdgl from Pennsylvania

Jan 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Necropsy from Maryland

Nov 18, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by Thirsty2383 from Pennsylvania

Nov 17, 2013
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Reviewed by ColForbinBC from New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Located on the second floor of a commercial complex, this place is large. A huge bar that houses 60+ taps and easily that many seats with glass along one side that overlooks a patio area with fire pits. Beyond the bar area is a good sized dining room and open kitchen.

Top to bottom, everything I have had here has been really good. I've had a couple of the pizzas, a handful of the apps, and s few entrees. All have been satisfying and portion size is perfect.

With over 60 taps, they have a wide range of each style on tap. The beer menu groups everything by style and usually offers a mix of harder to find stuff and common examples. I've stumbled upon many a rarity here.

A great place to watch a game too. They have many TV's in the bar area making it easy for you to follow along wherever you are sitting.

This place is in my regular rotation.
Aug 21, 2013
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Reviewed by Dennycurr from Pennsylvania

3.71/5  rDev -7.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
I've only been there 3 or 4 times----in the afternoon, on weekdays, so, take this review for what that is worth.
I was one of a few customers there, every time I went. Naturally, the service was good.
I definitley like this place.
Plenty of selections. ALL draft. I basically only drink Belgian or German beers but I have branched out to experimenting with these up and coming good American beers, when I can find them. This place looks like the place to be able to fulfill those experiments and if I don't see any of those, I can sink myself into a DRAFT of a good Belgian, (of which they always have a few----but---only a few), or---one of their staples, Aventinus, also on draft
The next time I'm going is around the beginning of March. I was told by the very friendly bartender they are having a "BELLS", event going on that week. All kinds of beers from that brewery.
See?....that is the kind of thing that I would dabble with, when not drinking Belgians.
This is the place that will do things like that.

Not a big fan of all the space, in, around and up, surrounding the huge bar. It doesn't seem cozy. Seems more industrial. Especially, when it is empty like when I go in there.
The outdoor patio looks inviting, when it would be crowded. One would be looking down on Univ City.
That this place has 12 reviews in BA, already, since it has only been open for a short time-- speaks volumes.
This is a rare find in Univ City.

Den
Feb 25, 2012
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Reviewed by Rifugium from North Dakota

4.04/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 3.75
Located in the college district on 40th & Walnut in Philly. I visited first when it was essentially brand new (May 2010). Nice place with an outside/rooftop dining area. It's more on the modern/hipster side as far as atmosphere goes, but there's still a remnant of rustic air about. Good big bar with a variety of beers on tap...they have the capability to have at least 60 different draughts at any given time. My first visit occurred during Philly Beer Week, and there was a Bell's event going on, with over 30 Bell's brews on tap, which obviously gave me a great first impression. EXTREMELY busy it was, however, the bartenders and servers were amazingly on the ball, and it was actually astounding to watch. Recommended!
Apr 29, 2011
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Reviewed by pdeepak from Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +18.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
I frequent City Tap House a lot, as I live a block away.

I love this place! Great selection and service, the few times I have encountered even a small problem, all I have to do is mention it and it is fixed immediately.

The food is excellent, if a little bit on the pricey side, especially now that they have increased the prices by about 15-20%. I have heard great things about the mussels, the sausage pizza is great and the chicken press sandwich takes the cake.

Obviously, the beer is the key component here. They have new kegs that rotate on as old kegs are killed and every Tuesday they have a bunch of new kegs ready to flood the pipes. I have had some really rare brews here, the Abyss and Black Butte on tap among them, as mentioned by another reviewer. They also had the Ommegang Cup O Kyndnes which is a one off!

They have had several events related to promoting beer awareness including a huge craft beer tasting event over the summer of 2010. Sixpoint and Avery have also come into the bar to hold tasting sessions and seminars.

Lastly, they do growler pours which vary in price depending on the original price/size of a single serving of the beer. If you are on foursquare, every 10 check ins nets you a free growler! fantastic deal!
Jan 08, 2011
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Reviewed by LordAdmNelson from Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -8.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Stopped by this place near UPenn while visiting Philly. Good atmosphere, chill and classy, though not stuffy or fancy or anything. They've got a ton of taps with generally pretty good stuff, though the selection is not as exclusive as I might like. A little heavy on the pale Belgians (wits, pales, etc.), which is fine, but not exactly what I was in the mood for. Service was largely responsive and quick, though one of the bartenders told me that the reason why my Tripel Karmeliet tasted like movie theater popcorn was because I had let it warm up too much. He worked with me and gave me another beer, so props to him for that, but I'm almost sure it was a dirty tap line. Not a huge deal, happens to all bars, I guess. Not too expensive, most beers are in the $6-8 range. Fun place.
Sep 27, 2010
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Reviewed by stingrayvr6 from New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
As a beer bar, this place has few rivals. The selection is typically excellent with great diversity and quality. However, many of the beers are fairly commonplace, with only a few great ones worked in. I first visited the week they opened last spring and the food was incredible. Returning this fall, the menu did not live up to what I had remembered. Food was mediocre, generally overpriced and service was nothing to write home about. As well, many of the bartenders are not as knowledgeable about beer as I would like at a place with such an extensive tap list, though they are very quick to offer samples. The ambiance is great, but definitely along the lines of a restaurant and not a beer bar. Great place to take a beer inclined date? Trendier/more hip feel than, say, Monks or Eulogy, not as hipster as Local 44, (also not really on par with the first two in any respect, be it food or drink) but definitely the place to go if you want to put on a button down and sport coat. Only reason that this will be a regular stop of mine is that it is walking distance, but only if Local 44 hasn't changed their menu recently. Very good, but more of a restaurant than beer bar.
Sep 16, 2010
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Reviewed by orangesol from Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +3.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
City Tap House is in a word, huge. There is a big bar and even bigger dining room to go along with the big outdoor dining area. The beer selection is pretty damn good but it better be if you have 60 taps. Very good selection/variety. I had an Abyss and a Black Butte Porter. Don't find those on tap every day on this coast. The food is good, but pricey. The menu is small but has a good variety. I got the shrimp and grits and while they tasted great the portion was very small for the $12 price tag. I paid less for both my beers! The bartenders/servers were decent. They were attentive but at times they were nowhere to be found. They also didn't really know very much about some of the better beers on the list. Overall it is a really cool place that I'll definitely go back to.
Jun 28, 2010
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Reviewed by tim9887 from Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
City Tap House is a pretty big place - a good sized bar and even bigger dining room as well as a nice big outdoor dining terrace. The beer selection is pretty damn awesome - 60 taps is quite a number. Always great beer on tap and usually something hard to find and/or new releases (or stuff new to the area like Cigar City, Deschutes, etc). The food is decent, but sort of pricey, and the menu is pretty limited - gourmet pizza, sandwiches, and some various apps/entrees - not a great variety. I stopped in on June 12th during Philly Beer Week and they had a bunch of "leftovers" and I ordered a Pliny The Elder. The waitress came back and told me it was gone, and then suggested I go for the Damnation, which in her words, the bartender described as a similar beer. Are you freakin kidding me??? Damnation similar to PtE?! The only things in common they have are that they're both ales brewed by Russian River. This situation left me wondering about the knowledge of the staff. But otherwise it is a really cool place, I'll definitely go back.
Jun 24, 2010
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Reviewed by Soonami from Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +9.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
6/28/10 Update:

I talked to the general manager of the bar/restaurant yesterday when I returned and he was very nice about addressing the main problem that I had and expressed in this review.

The beer listings give the serving size, so you know exactly what to expect for what you pay for. I understand this is a huge new restaurant, with a lot of staff to train, but we still got the wrong pour of a beer my date order (10 oz tulip of <5% Left Hand Sawtooth ESB instead of a pint) I told the server about the mistake and it was instantly corrected. I hope that this is something that they can figure out and with 60-70 beers on tap, mistakes are bound to happen. The serving size/pricing issue was my main concern and it seems like that is being rectified.

Talking to the manager, he was very excited about upcoming events where they will invite brewers host themed nights and have other educational program, which I think is a fabulous use of the enormous space. Hopefully, the establishment will prosper as it hits its stride. There is a lot of potential with City Tap House.
___
This new West Philly bar has a lot going for it. Located just off Penn's campus it's an easy walk from class or work for the tens of thousands that find their way onto to campus everyday. You enter by either walking up the steps in front of the Radian Apartment complex or use the elevator accessible on the ground level next to Jimmy John's and Capo Giro.

When you first walk into the tap house, you will see an enormous bar, that could sit 50. The bar offers several beer flights, like locals, imports, hoppy, etc, which will be great for the uninitiated, but for the beer advocate, it is a pedestrian selection. The bar has about 60 beers on tap at any given time and will often have special events where they will give a brewery all the taps they want. For instance, during Philly Beer Week, Bell's had 31 beers on tap!

The food at this bar is quiet good and they offer a diverse selection of pizza, burgers, and casual dining options. The specials sound interesting too, like roast suckling pig on Thursday.

This bar is not perfect though, I have a few complaints. First of all, the beer is far too expensive. Most of the beer pours are 10 oz, but the glasses could fit at least 12 or 16 oz, so they often give you a glass of beer that looks half full, but you pay the same price or less for a full pint elsewhere. Case in point:
Yards Brawler, ESB and Pale Ale are all $5.50 for 10 oz! However, they will also pour you 10 oz of Avery Mephistopheles for $7 also...The food is also slightly more expensive than other beer bars, like a $12 burger or $13 individual sausage pizza. Although the bar has 60+ taps, a lot of the selection are just average beer, sure I had Bell's Batch 9000 and Expedition Stout, Pliny, and Mephistopheles, but most of the taps are nothing special.

I would go again for a special event, but normally, I think it's just a bit over priced and not worth my hard earned dollars. Given the choice, I think Local 44 is a better choice, the servers are more attentive and the tap list, though smaller, is better edited. The huge bar and dining room does make this a great place to take a large group and they take reservations
Jun 17, 2010
City Tap House in Philadelphia, PA
Place rating: 4.03 out of 5 with 44 ratings