Chef’s Selections
Savor hand-crafted dishes and drinks
Buffalo Chicken Nachos
Ginger Beer
Sprite
Iced Tea
About
Tap It Local
Located in the heart of Norfolk, VA, Tap It Local offers a casual tap house experience that aims to blend good food and local brews in a relaxed atmosphere. The spacious venue with large windows creates an inviting space for both people watching and socializing, especially with its upstairs area featuring pool tables. The highlight here clearly lies in their food offerings, which showcase a mix of familiar comfort dishes with unique twists.
For starters, their chicken roll appetizer packs a subtle kick that balances well with the savory flavors, making for a satisfying snack alongside a drink. The BBQ sandwich, though sometimes described as just “okay,” pairs perfectly with their standout spiral plank fries—crispy, golden, and a memorable side that elevates the meal. Don’t miss the fried cheesecake dessert, which arrives drizzled with rich chocolate sauce, delivering a sweet finish that resonates long after the meal ends.
When it comes to drinks, Tap It Local presents a mixed bag. While they showcase some local IPAs and craft beers, beer selection can feel limited or inconsistent at times, often leaving popular spirits like vodka, rum, or whiskey unavailable. This can lead visitors to opt for alternative drinks, like a Froot Loop shot cocktail that recreates the nostalgic cereal flavor with surprising accuracy.
The vibe is laid-back and unpretentious, though service quality may vary. Some patrons note a lack of detailed menus and a bartender stretched thin between roles, which can impact recommendations and overall experience. Nonetheless, special deals—such as the Tuesday night combo of any burger with any beer for $10—add a compelling value proposition that caters well to budget-conscious guests.
In essence, Tap It Local is a neighborhood spot with strong food highlights wrapped in a cozy setting, ideal for casual gatherings and casual drinkers. While the beer lineup might not satisfy the most passionate tap enthusiasts, the combination of good eats and friendly ambiance makes it worth a visit, especially for those who appreciate local flavor in both their plates and pours.
People talk
Guestbook
“ Decent location with good service, however whenever I go they seem to be out of half of their beer. For a "Tap House" style bar, it has a pretty awful selection. When I last visited they had such few beers on tap, I decided to get a mixed drink... Which I had to settle for a gin drink as they were out of all vodka and rum/whiskey. In general I have seen better beer selection almost anywhere, with better local breweries on tap. Not sure if it is worth revisiting again in the future. Food is alright, but more expensive than it is worth, there are better food options on the same street at better prices. ”
“ This was my first time eating here. I had a pleasant experience. We ordered the Froot Loop shot. It tasted exactly like Froot Loops! We shared a chicken roll appetizer. It had a slight kick to it, but was pretty good. I had the BBQ sandwich. It was ok. The fries were so good! They were like spiral planks. For dessert, we shared the fried cheesecake. It was soooo good with the chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. The dining room was spacious and roomy. ”
“ This is actually a really good place! Great location with big windows for people watching. Nice variety of beers and good food. Tuesday nights they have a special where you can get any burger and any beer for only $10. It's a really good deal. There's an upstairs with pool tables and stuff. ”
“ Pretty bare bones establishment. We tried it out for happy hour. They did not have menus, and beer selections were on a screen behind the bar that constantly changed. The bartender was not very helpful with recommendations. She was working the bar and tables along the window. Limited spirit selection, but had a local iPA tjat was good. Maybe an off night, but probably will not make a return trip. ”