Kemp's Upper Tap
305 W Main St
Lexington, Illinois, 61753
United States
(309) 365-7911 | map
facebook.com/kemps.tap
Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 11:00am - 2:00pm, 4:30pm - 9:30pm
Friday - Saturday: 11:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday: Closed
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois
4.45/5 rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
4.45/5 rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
A hidden craft beer gem in central Illinois. Located in a quiet small town, on a main street full of historical buildings. Kemp's looks to be a more modern construction, brick and glass, Half Acre neons, large front windows. For those who may think central IL is still a craft beer desert, i'd welcome them to check out Kemp's. I've witnessed the shifting tides firsthand over the last decade, and Kemp's is certainly leading the charge by promoting many craft breweries in the region.
Inside the bar seats probably 20ish and there's lots more table seating. Kitchen partially open in back with a small army of staff. Decorated with beer signs, sports team flags, bobble heads and more, kind of like an upscale sports bar with broader appeal. Nice bar with framed corrugated metal front panels, a concrete top, and a nice subway tile backsplash with the numbered taps set into the wall.
Beer! Lots of it. Kemp's has an exceptional local selection with drafts from Tryptych, Riggs, Hand Of Fate, Emancipation, White Oak, Lil' Beaver, Keg Grove, Pipeworks, Transient, Half Acre, Phase Three, totaling 21 drafts in all. At first glance the cooler looked a little sparse, but on closer inspection it held gems like Sucaba, Middle Brow, Black Note, and more.
The food was good, "elevated" bar food that was fresh and well made. The owner/chef has culinary experience and prior to Kemp's he was even working at NoMi Kitchen. The nachos with carnitas that I had were piled high and very tasty. Unpretentious food that caters to the local crowd, but also with some creative twists that we appreciated.
Service at the bar was top notch. Quick and friendly, samples were offered. As I was leaving, one of the staff commented on my Scratch t-shirt, which led to an impromptu beer trade. Pretty cool.
We'll be making this a regular stop off of I-55 in the future. There are also a couple Route 66 landmarks nearby and a few little shops down the street if you want to make a day of it. Note that they close for a week or so over Memorial Day.
Draft list:
https://untappd.com/v/kemps-upper-tap/227363
Jan 27, 2020Inside the bar seats probably 20ish and there's lots more table seating. Kitchen partially open in back with a small army of staff. Decorated with beer signs, sports team flags, bobble heads and more, kind of like an upscale sports bar with broader appeal. Nice bar with framed corrugated metal front panels, a concrete top, and a nice subway tile backsplash with the numbered taps set into the wall.
Beer! Lots of it. Kemp's has an exceptional local selection with drafts from Tryptych, Riggs, Hand Of Fate, Emancipation, White Oak, Lil' Beaver, Keg Grove, Pipeworks, Transient, Half Acre, Phase Three, totaling 21 drafts in all. At first glance the cooler looked a little sparse, but on closer inspection it held gems like Sucaba, Middle Brow, Black Note, and more.
The food was good, "elevated" bar food that was fresh and well made. The owner/chef has culinary experience and prior to Kemp's he was even working at NoMi Kitchen. The nachos with carnitas that I had were piled high and very tasty. Unpretentious food that caters to the local crowd, but also with some creative twists that we appreciated.
Service at the bar was top notch. Quick and friendly, samples were offered. As I was leaving, one of the staff commented on my Scratch t-shirt, which led to an impromptu beer trade. Pretty cool.
We'll be making this a regular stop off of I-55 in the future. There are also a couple Route 66 landmarks nearby and a few little shops down the street if you want to make a day of it. Note that they close for a week or so over Memorial Day.
Draft list:
https://untappd.com/v/kemps-upper-tap/227363
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