Tyler's Taproom And Restaurant

silver0rlead

North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

A fucking great beer bar. Located in the old tobacco district in durham, this place is a must try for area and visiting beer aficionados. This place has a warm and inviting feel to it and the staff are fairly knowledgeable about beer. The menu, while not exciting is diverse enough to satisfy most and the quality of the food is very good. The beer selection is not huge but is extremely well chosen, and i doubt anyone would have trouble finding something worthwhile to drink. There are like 30 taps in the main restaurant, including some obscure belgians, seasonal micro's and a small but well picked and diverse local selection. On my most recent visit, they had sierra nevada harvest and celebration, Duck Rabbit Baltic Porter, Avery the Kaiser and Old Jubilation, and many more excellent seasonals. As a whole this is probably the best beer bar in the triangle, other places may have better selection but shitty food (aka flying saucer). Highly Recommended

11-19-2006 06:05:16 | More by silver0rlead

jackorain

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Atmos-Cool looking place across from the ball park. Nice brick and semi industrial look. Nice comforatable barstools. Had some sofs off to one side for loungin' nice. Billiards in the back, but I didn't go back there. The only thing I didn't like about the design of the place was the large columns at the bar between which only three barstools fit. Three of went in and there were no three seats betwen columns available, so one of us was ont he other side nearly cut off from the other two.

Q-Each of the 50 taps had a shelf beneath where glassware resided. Each beer was poured into the proper glass most with the brewery logo on it.

Service-Went two nights in a row, 1st night bartender was extremely knowledgeble and friendly. He chated with us bout beer whenever he wasn't pouring beer. 2nd night-this bartender was knowledgble enough but not as good as 1st guy. Also not as chatty, lessening the experience a little

food- burger was awsome, apps were good to

Value, beer prices were okay, a touch high. Food prices were alittle high but they do run the gamut from sandwiches to steaks and seafood, so you get find value on the food menu

03-02-2007 18:53:20 | More by jackorain

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Definitely the little brother, but they get all the bigger beers. Apex gets more Founders, but the Durham incarnation has the best pint nights. FBS, Duvel Single, etc. The food is Tylers, dcently priced decent food. The beer can get pricey if youre not careful. The first pint night I went to (Duvel) was 15 dollars for the beer and glass.

They have the best selection around, only competing with Milltown and the other Tylers. about 40 taps between the bar and speakeasy. Located in the Tobacco district in Durham, right next to the Durham Bulls' field.

12-06-2011 01:55:56 | More by VncentLIFE

silenius

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

Be forewarned that this place can be tough to find the first time as it is located inside a courtyard and the front door cannot be seen from Blackwell street.

To get there I walked through the doors of a different restaurant entrance on Blackwell and asked the hostess how to get to Tylers. Entering from Jackie Robinson Blvd. might have been easier.

The atmosphere can be desribed as renovated loft-like warehouse complete with lots of wood. The tables are not too tightly packed, although I did drink and eat at the bar. I ordered two different beers on tap and each tasted fine. I am assuming they clean the lines regularly. Judging by the number of times people ordered tap beer on this Monday night, there is a lot of turnover in the kegs.

They must have had 30 - 40 different beers on tap from around the U.S. and world. Rogue's John's Locker Stock on tap shows this place means business and must do a good job. Other highlights include Hennepin, Maredsous, and some locals. I don't think too many people could gripe about the selection.

All beers come in the appropriate glassware (some law students next to me thought the Chimay glasses were cool and asked to buy them, no dice). The service is fast and courteous. I had the chicken pot pie which came out quickly and tasted very homemade. If I go back to the area, I'll return to Tylers for sure.

04-03-2006 19:13:04 | More by silenius

Pondfish

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

this place is in a converted factory in the Lucky Strike tobacco complex in downtown Durham, brick on the walls and cavernous interior. very high and open ceilings make it a bit noisy when the place is cranking but the energy level is uplifting. very long bar faces the 60+ beer taps and the selection is outstanding while the prices put a smile on your face. the beer menu is most helpful. food is southern recipes (first time I had fried pickles) and very well prepared. this is on my must visit list when back in the area on business.

03-25-2009 19:33:18 | More by Pondfish

CWiggins

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

Visited Tyler's for the first time this past Saturday night (Dec. 30). My wife and I were a little concerned that it may a little busy, due to the date's proximity to New Year's Day, but that wasn't an issue. We arrived around 8pm, and the place was about 3/4 full. It wasn't too loud, the waitress was pleasant and very helpful, and the beer selection was pretty incredible, both draft and bottled. The food was basically pub-grub and average in terms of quality; it certainly wasn't bad or disappointing.

As for beer, I had three interesting selections: Foothills Brewing Co.'s Festive India Brown Ale, DFH's Burton Baton, and Maredsous 10 for dessert. All were served in their respective brewer's signature glasses, and each was served at the appropriate temperature for it's style. There are so many selections on the beer menu that I'll have to return time and time again to get through them all.

I highly recommend this taproom for those interested in trying new selections and looking for a nice place to hang out for a little while.

01-03-2007 22:58:30 | More by CWiggins

blackie

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$$

atmosphere: Love the outdoor seating and the views it offers. I'm sure the place itself has been well described by everyone else.

quality: Over the few visits I've made to Tyler's, everything has always been fresh and served in the appropriate brewery glassware.

service: Nothing exceptional, but certainly good service.

selection: Great selection of beers. A range of NC locals as well as some rare finds you'd be hard pressed to get anywhere else in the area.

food: Really depends. The portobello mushroom sandwich I had on my first visit was good, but the fish and chips I had this past weekend sucked. The "chips" were excellent, but the two tiny and flavorless strips of fried catfish left much to be desired. Decent burgers, though. Definitely better than the other beer bars of the Triangle.

value: a little pricey but nothing exorbitant

09-10-2007 17:06:02 | More by blackie

jimbotrost

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped in before nad after the World Beer Festival in Durham. As it is noted, the place is across the street in an old tobacco warehouse area. The big brick structure welcomes you to the facility, it is big and open there are actually 2 bars dispensing many many drafts. If I wasn't drinking, I could have counted, many hard to get and even some obscure drafts were pouring that weekend due to the festival. After the festival, place was too busy too get a drink in but previously beer was served well, and tasted well taken care of.

10-17-2008 15:02:11 | More by jimbotrost

oldhippie247

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I was lucky enough to be employed at Tyler's Durham location during the summer months before it actually opened and for a brief time thereafter (before relocating to Charlotte). It just so happened that Pop The Cap was passed during that time, putting me in one of the best positions around. I try to get back to Tyler's every time I'm in town (which isn't as often as I'd like), just to see what's new on the approximately 50 taps. For selection there's only The Flying Saucer for comparison, but you don't have to suffer the smoke and noise at Tyler's. My latest visit left me with the same conclusion I'd developed years ago:

Tyler's is the best place to drink beer in Durham.

02-02-2009 20:08:11 | More by oldhippie247

woolyb

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

Located in an old tobacco factory/warehouse, with very high ceilings and exposed brick walls. There are two indoor areas, plus an outdoor beer garden which was made after NC banned smoking inside bars/restaurants. The far-side indoor section is more of a sportsbar atmosphere, with pool tables, video games, and several TVs...along with a bar along the wall.
The primary dining side has ample seating and is dimly lit, creating a nice, relaxed atmosphere. On a busy night (like a Durham Bulls game, or DPAC show) expect to wait to be seated. During the spring/summer Tyler's will have a large grill outside for quick burgers and sausages, plus a few choice beers. Best outdoor dining in durham, with views of man-made river and old Lucky Strike watertower.

The beer selection here is the best in the area...locals, regionals, seasonals, state-exclusives..it is all here. Extensive tap list, with all their drinks listed in a (usually) up-to-date large book. Beers on the list are separated by style for easy browsing. Seasonals and special selections even have their own section in the black book. Also, weekly pint nights. Large bottle selection, well beyond the typical restaurant selection

the food here is ok...upscale bar food, using some locally sourced items. The occasional chef's specials are good and sometimes creative, but the real reason for visiting is always the beer.

02-20-2011 19:54:29 | More by woolyb