MMMMMMMMmm
Turn Ons:
AMAZING Beer selection
Poutine
Buffalo Tofu Bites
Fish 'n Chips
Social/relaxed Atmosphere
Turn Offs:
Getting served at the crowded bar
Variance in Food quality
Occasionally irritating guests
Summary:
Tap and Mallet is in the heart of the South Wedge of Rochester. In fact, for some people it is the landmark of the South Wedge. We frequent this bar often, so we have quite a few visits to base our review on. Let's begin with our first impression.
The outside of the bar is not very inviting at all. Very plain and bland. If not for their name, you wouldn't know what's behind the door. Once you walk in, you're greeted with a rather dark atmosphere, huge bar, and tons of taps. With a name like Tap and Mallet, they make sure to have loads of taps. And they DO! I also appreciate them using the actual taps of the beers they have on tap. So, if I don't want to look at a menu, a quick glance down the bar will show me most options. We can usually find something we like at first glance. But, if we want something new, we'll grab their 500 page menu. (Not actually 500 pages)
Here is where we have had varying experiences. Getting the bar tender's attention. During non-peak hours, it isn't too difficult. But, we've noticed that during peak hours, if the bar tender doesn't recognize you, you're going to have a tough time placing an order. "Hello? I see that you see me. Why are you still at the other end of this bar?" They don't move with any sense of urgency, and they seem to like to socialize with their friends at the bar, rather than serve us. This is a very social area and everyone knows everyone. It is good in some ways, but irritating in others. We've had conversations butted into by others who just felt the need to impart their extensive beer knowledge upon us, and been irritated by the "whoo" girls on the weekends. Can you blame the bars for their customers? Not totally. But a bar attracts a certain crowd. This is a younger, more hipster crowd. That's not necessarily good or bad, but you can't deny it. And this has to be the greatest concentration of IPA connoisseurs on the face of the planet. It seems like everyone knows everything about IPAs, and if you aren't drinking one, then you know nothing. Fortunately, they do allow you to order other beers, and they have a lot of them.
Lets get back to the review.
If you're looking for a table, it seems like the servers double as the host(ess). So, someone walking by usually asks if you want a table. You don't have to wait long, because the first server to grab you can seat you in their section. It can just be a bit confusing, because one server will tell you "just a sec" as they're hustling to the bar to grab something. Then, another server will ask if you need to be seated, and you're just like "I'm not sure. I think that other person was going to seat me, but I can't find him/her."
The beer list is daunting, even for an avid beer drinker. You have to use your context clues to figure anything out. Be aware. These beers are for beer drinkers. In addition to your more "drinkable" Belgians and wheats, you're going to come across some very dark, hoppy, and IPA-y beers. So, while they have something for everyone; that includes people with very refined and extreme tastes. Meaning, you run the risk of coming across something that you really don't like. Fortunately, they're very knowledgeable of all of their beers, which is impressive, given the extensive selection. They even know all of the correct pronunciations, which is not easy. They'll let you get a few free small samples to make up your mind, if you want. You'll find something. If you can't find 5 beers that you like at Tap and Mallet; we've got news for you: you don't like beer.
Now, you pick your beer. Order the Poutine and the Hot Buffalo Tofu Bites. They're both to die for. You can't beat them. We know, we said the curse word "tofu". Trust us, friends. DO IT! mm so good. Then, pick out your entree if you want. You can't go wrong with the Fish 'n Chips. With the other entrees, we've had mixed results. We're usually very pleased. However, there have been a few times when we thought they must be joking when they brought our food out. Shrimp skewers, shrimp tacos, and we think buffalo chicken tacos. We won't go into details, but we were utterly disappointed in the small effort and amount of food for what we paid. But, their more "usual" dishes were very good. So, it can be hit-or-miss. If you get more traditional "pub" food, you should be safer. It's too bad, because the food that they're good at, they're REALLY good at. But the "bad" is quite disappointing.
Again, this is the south wedge, so be prepared for a more eccentric server. If you faint at the sight of tattoos and piercings, you might stay away. We will say, that they're not so extreme at Tap and Mallet as they are at other places. They're also very knowledgeable and helpful. You can't serve at Tap and Mallet and be a dummy; especially W.R.T. beer.
In conclusion, we definitely recommend getting to Tap and Mallet, if just for the experience. You will be impressed with the bar and beer selection. Try to go during off hours, if you can, but it isn't as bad as it used to be. Mostly because it seems like traffic is beginning to slow a bit, compared to when we could barely move through the bar area. Get the apps we recommended. If you want a sit down meal, get their more traditional British food.
Tap and Mallet hangs its hat on its huge and diverse beer selection and the staff's knowledge. But, the rest of Rochester is catching up, so they'll need to improve other aspects of their experience if they want to remain a go-to place in Rochester. Their specials need to get better and they need to either improve their bar tenders' performance or put more bar tenders back there. But, when all is said and done, Tap and Mallet is definitely a place in Rochester that you need to go to at least once.
Turn Ons:
AMAZING Beer selection
Poutine
Buffalo Tofu Bites
Fish 'n Chips
Social/relaxed Atmosphere
Turn Offs:
Getting served at the crowded bar
Variance in Food quality
Occasionally irritating guests
Summary:
Tap and Mallet is in the heart of the South Wedge of Rochester. In fact, for some people it is the landmark of the South Wedge. We frequent this bar often, so we have quite a few visits to base our review on. Let's begin with our first impression.
The outside of the bar is not very inviting at all. Very plain and bland. If not for their name, you wouldn't know what's behind the door. Once you walk in, you're greeted with a rather dark atmosphere, huge bar, and tons of taps. With a name like Tap and Mallet, they make sure to have loads of taps. And they DO! I also appreciate them using the actual taps of the beers they have on tap. So, if I don't want to look at a menu, a quick glance down the bar will show me most options. We can usually find something we like at first glance. But, if we want something new, we'll grab their 500 page menu. (Not actually 500 pages)
Here is where we have had varying experiences. Getting the bar tender's attention. During non-peak hours, it isn't too difficult. But, we've noticed that during peak hours, if the bar tender doesn't recognize you, you're going to have a tough time placing an order. "Hello? I see that you see me. Why are you still at the other end of this bar?" They don't move with any sense of urgency, and they seem to like to socialize with their friends at the bar, rather than serve us. This is a very social area and everyone knows everyone. It is good in some ways, but irritating in others. We've had conversations butted into by others who just felt the need to impart their extensive beer knowledge upon us, and been irritated by the "whoo" girls on the weekends. Can you blame the bars for their customers? Not totally. But a bar attracts a certain crowd. This is a younger, more hipster crowd. That's not necessarily good or bad, but you can't deny it. And this has to be the greatest concentration of IPA connoisseurs on the face of the planet. It seems like everyone knows everything about IPAs, and if you aren't drinking one, then you know nothing. Fortunately, they do allow you to order other beers, and they have a lot of them.
Lets get back to the review.
If you're looking for a table, it seems like the servers double as the host(ess). So, someone walking by usually asks if you want a table. You don't have to wait long, because the first server to grab you can seat you in their section. It can just be a bit confusing, because one server will tell you "just a sec" as they're hustling to the bar to grab something. Then, another server will ask if you need to be seated, and you're just like "I'm not sure. I think that other person was going to seat me, but I can't find him/her."
The beer list is daunting, even for an avid beer drinker. You have to use your context clues to figure anything out. Be aware. These beers are for beer drinkers. In addition to your more "drinkable" Belgians and wheats, you're going to come across some very dark, hoppy, and IPA-y beers. So, while they have something for everyone; that includes people with very refined and extreme tastes. Meaning, you run the risk of coming across something that you really don't like. Fortunately, they're very knowledgeable of all of their beers, which is impressive, given the extensive selection. They even know all of the correct pronunciations, which is not easy. They'll let you get a few free small samples to make up your mind, if you want. You'll find something. If you can't find 5 beers that you like at Tap and Mallet; we've got news for you: you don't like beer.
Now, you pick your beer. Order the Poutine and the Hot Buffalo Tofu Bites. They're both to die for. You can't beat them. We know, we said the curse word "tofu". Trust us, friends. DO IT! mm so good. Then, pick out your entree if you want. You can't go wrong with the Fish 'n Chips. With the other entrees, we've had mixed results. We're usually very pleased. However, there have been a few times when we thought they must be joking when they brought our food out. Shrimp skewers, shrimp tacos, and we think buffalo chicken tacos. We won't go into details, but we were utterly disappointed in the small effort and amount of food for what we paid. But, their more "usual" dishes were very good. So, it can be hit-or-miss. If you get more traditional "pub" food, you should be safer. It's too bad, because the food that they're good at, they're REALLY good at. But the "bad" is quite disappointing.
Again, this is the south wedge, so be prepared for a more eccentric server. If you faint at the sight of tattoos and piercings, you might stay away. We will say, that they're not so extreme at Tap and Mallet as they are at other places. They're also very knowledgeable and helpful. You can't serve at Tap and Mallet and be a dummy; especially W.R.T. beer.
In conclusion, we definitely recommend getting to Tap and Mallet, if just for the experience. You will be impressed with the bar and beer selection. Try to go during off hours, if you can, but it isn't as bad as it used to be. Mostly because it seems like traffic is beginning to slow a bit, compared to when we could barely move through the bar area. Get the apps we recommended. If you want a sit down meal, get their more traditional British food.
Tap and Mallet hangs its hat on its huge and diverse beer selection and the staff's knowledge. But, the rest of Rochester is catching up, so they'll need to improve other aspects of their experience if they want to remain a go-to place in Rochester. Their specials need to get better and they need to either improve their bar tenders' performance or put more bar tenders back there. But, when all is said and done, Tap and Mallet is definitely a place in Rochester that you need to go to at least once.
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