Taprooms offer a distinctive experience for craft beer lovers, serving the freshest beer straight from the source. Rather than supplying mass-produced beer, they feature rotating or exclusive taps. It’s not uncommon for a patron to try a seasonal release one day and return another day for a limited-batch brew or a limited edition flavor not yet sold in stores. It’s clear that visiting a taproom is a memorable experience, so the environment should be memorable as well. Here’s how business owners design their taprooms to stand out:   

Careful Materials Installation

Traproom owners must balance aesthetics, function, and durability. It’s not an easy ask. However, with the expertise of their building team, tradespeople, and even their local carpet installer, they can work their magic to create a comfortable, noise-controlled environment. 

A beautifully presented, easy-care taproom space features robust materials, including hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, blackened steel, and timber slat details. For budget control, painted drywall for acoustics is also popular. Eye-catching art also isn’t uncommon, such as a feature wall with local artwork, branded murals, or even brewing equipment. The more care and attention to detail that goes into construction materials, the more owners can feel assured of their materials’ durability and lifespan. 

Attention on the Bar Top

There’s no denying that thirst-quenching beer is the main motivation for visiting a taproom, but it doesn’t hurt if it’s a warm and welcoming place to spend time in. That often comes down to the ‘heart’ of the taproom: its bar. 

If you’re going to splash out on any materials besides flooring, make sure it’s the bar top, where your patrons will spend much of their time. White oak is a great option for its warmth, beautiful aging, and durability. You also can’t go wrong with stainless steel accents that promote easy sanitization and reinforce the industrial vibes of a brewery. For something a little more elegant, consider quartz for its stain resistance, modern vibes, and maintenance-free conveniences. 

Don’t Neglect Seating

Your patrons may spend a lot of time milling around in the bar, but they’ll still want somewhere comfortable to sit and rest their weary feet. Don’t neglect seating, whether it’s tables and chairs or booths. Opt for multiple seating types to suit a range of patrons, including bar seating, two-person tables, communal tables, and lounge seating. When choosing tables, stability is key. 

Powder-coated steel bases are robust and aesthetically pleasing, and they can work in harmony with solid oak or ash tops. Stability is just as important in chairs. Opt for commercial-grade metal frames and upholstered seats in lounge areas. If you hope to increase ‘dwell’ time in your establishment and maybe make a little money on food sales, install a few booths. 

Layer the Lighting 

Lighting can really set the mood, so make sure that mood is uplifting and inviting with layered lighting. Install warm pendants over tables and accent lighting on the taps. Opt for a color temperature of around 2700 to 3000K and invest in dimmer controls for easy customization to improve the customer experience. 

A taproom can be a great extension of a brewery, but its design should differ from the brewery’s. Focus on warmth, comfort, and eye-catching features that have your valued patrons wanting to return to try your new brews time and time again.