Tap Tavern is Richmond's friendly neighbourhood beer house — an independent free house with 20 rotating draft lines that they proudly call South West London's biggest. The selection leans craft and local (London breweries, German lagers, cask ales on the handpumps), backed up by honest pub grub and a specialist gin menu. The real surprise? A hidden speakeasy called Dropkick Jonnys tucked in the attic upstairs, serving rare whiskeys and expertly crafted cocktails to about 15 people at a time.
Twenty rotating craft beer taps, a retro soundtrack, and a hidden whiskey speakeasy tucked in the attic — Richmond's friendliest beer house has layers.
Ask the bar staff about Dropkick Jonnys upstairs — the hidden speakeasy isn't always obvious to find, but it's worth the hunt for rare whiskeys and cocktails.
Richmond's beer-lovers' HQ with a secret upstairs
Tap Tavern is Richmond's friendly neighbourhood beer house — an independent free house with 20 rotating draft lines that they claim is South West London's biggest. The selection leans craft and local: London brewery taps alongside German lagers and cask ales on the handpumps. The vibe is "Central Perk meets Cheers" — retro soundtrack, friendly faces, zero pretension. You'll find beer nerds and casual drinkers equally at home here, and the staff genuinely know their stuff when it comes to recommending a pint.
Food is solid pub grub — the fish & chips get particular praise (not your standard beer-battered affair, but a genuinely good piece of fish), and the fried chicken sandwich hits the spot after a few pints. They also stock a serious gin selection if beer isn't your thing. It's the kind of place where you pop in for one and end up staying for three.
The real surprise is upstairs: Dropkick Jonnys, a hidden speakeasy cocktail and whiskey bar tucked in the attic. Cosy, intimate, about 15 seats, with expertly crafted cocktails and rare whiskeys. It's the kind of detail that turns a good pub into a great one — ask the bar staff about it if the door isn't obvious.