City Tap House

Seaport is Boston's shiny, soulless new business district—a monument to gentrified ambition and the tech bros who traded sunny California for the masochistic chill of New England winters. Once the gritty stomping grounds of dockworkers and union men, it’s now a playground for tight-collared corporate drones whose ancestors would’ve been tossed into the harbor by Samuel Adams himself. The skyline glitters with logos from tech companies desperate to feel edgy by slapping their names on trendy skyscrapers. A pantomime of importance in a district that reeks of curated ambition.

I stumbled through the cold, dinner weighing heavy on my gut, searching for a nightcap to take the edge off the day. City Tap appeared like a mirage, its dimly lit interior beckoning me into its overpriced embrace. I slammed the door open, shaking off the icy wind and planting myself at the bar with the confidence of a man who doesn’t yet know he’s about to spend his last twenty dollars. Coat thrown down, I demanded an IPA like a belligerent patriot who’d just dumped tea in the harbor.

The lighting inside was low—mercifully so for the tragically unattractive and their lofty romantic ambitions. It was the kind of place where a man relies on his charm because his face is obscured by shadows and a $16 pint of beer. That’s right, $16 for an IPA. I could feel the ghost of Paul Revere rolling in his grave. Excessive taxation, they call it—same as it ever was. You’d think they’d use some of that highway robbery to pay the electric bill and light the place properly.

The beer list, admittedly, was solid—IPAs of every stripe and persuasion, all designed to tempt you into surrendering your dignity and your wallet. But there was no romance here, no sense of belonging. Just the cold transaction of overpriced hops in a space that felt like it had been designed by an algorithm.

I polished off my drink and eyed the bartender. There was no second round to be had; the weary traveler was broke, his pockets as empty as his soul after a long night in the Seaport. I threw my last twenty at the counter and disappeared into the night—not a mysterious figure, just a man chasing warmth and a beer he could afford.

 

 

Went here after Boston Childrens Museum with family and before I went to Trillium. The place is pretty conveniently located near Congress Street in the Seaport District with a few parking garages nearby. Big outdoor patio with fireplaces were available, but inside you get a somewhat fancy, old mill building look. Huge bar area with a ton on tap it looked like and several tables with only a few booths.

The online menu described their lunch hours as running until 5PM, but we were told they had a smaller mid day menu which was active at the moment. This disapointed us but our server was nice and apologetic. We decided to stay and just get pizzas which were really, really good. I was a little taken aback however by the beer menu. I clearly saw a ton on tap at the bar but the waiter gave me this menu that only had a few things on tap. It was my own fault for not inquiring, but I was disappointed the waiter did not try to highlight how much they seemed to have on tap. I decided to have the Dogfish Head Flesh and Blood which I never had before and then Lord Hobo Boomsauce which is one of my go-tos.

Overall, its better to go to this place when advertised hours are better shown. I could definitely see this as a fun place to go after work. Wait staff was good and ambiance was neat. Again, I just wish communication was clearer on menu hours and beer on tap.

 

 

WENT ON A FRIDAY NIGHT. TOLD THERE WAS 1.5 HOUR WAIT BUT THE HOSTESS FOUND OUR PARTY WITHIN TWO SIPS OF OUR FIRST BEER AT THE BAR.

GREAT RESTAURANT SERVER, GREAT BEER SELECTION, YOUNG (LATE 20S TO EARLY 40S) CROWD, GREAT FOOD.

ONLY DRAW-BACK (WE ARE 50 +) WAS THE LOUD (CONVERSATION WAS DIFFICULT) NOISE...BUT EVERYTHING ELSE MADE UP FOR THAT SHORTCOMING!

Here's another chain beer house, but this one is pretty decent. Located in the Seaport district in South Boston (not far from the convention center), it has a good local following. It's a large room with a long bar and some outdoor seating.

There are 50+ beers on tap which are mostly New England based microbrews. The rest are nationally available craft beers and popular Belgians--a pretty good mix. I could find a few beers I had never tried which fits my criteria for a brew bar to return to.

I had the 10-spice wings for my lunch. If anything, they were over spiced, but they were very hot (temperature) and attractive.

Cool spot in the Seaport/Fort Point area. Lots of buzz for a late summer Saturday night, a bit on the loud side.

Over 100 taps so chances are you'll find something you'll like. Nothing too esoteric or rarez which was fine with me. Beers were in good shape & priced reasonably for Boston.

Mussels app was spot-on, cooked & flavored perfectly.

Main course of steak n eggs fried rice was delivered before we finished the mussels (GRRRR) & was just so-so.

Decent place to visit if you're in the area. I'd probably just go back for beers/apps @ the bar though.

Came here for lunch after going to Trillium around the corner. As usual, I was there way too early, but this place got off to a great start by letting me in early, instead of letting me stand in the rain.

The vibe was nice, long bar, with loads of tables of different sizes.

The beer list was really excellent, they had a couple of beers from Lawson's on tap, which is the big reason I chose to go here. Very good selction, no matter which style you like, they will have something for you.

Service was really good, just the right amount of help, and what seemed like a genuine interest in the customer.

The food was very good, I had the Cubano, and it was really good. Good fries too.

I liked City Tap a lot. No matter what you like, this place will work for you, both when it comes to beer and food.