Tyler's Taproom And Restaurant

drryankelly

Massachusetts

4.36/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I visited Tyler's while in Durham for a friend's wedding. I was most impressed with the selection. The most "macro" beer they had on tap was probably Kronenberg 1664, so there are no complaints about a lack of quality of beers on tap (I hate it when a bar has lots of taps but half of them are stocked with terrible and/or boring beers).

Tyler's features a lot of local brews, which was exciting for me because I got to try a lot of beers that I hadn't ever had before. The bartenders were knowledgeable and eager to give samples as we tried to decide what to order. The beer menu was helpful, also, and well organized with mostly good descriptions. They perhaps could have had more detailed descriptions of their seasonal brews on the menu.

The atmosphere was fun. The large space keeps the bar from getting too crowded. There are two halves of the establishment. One is the normal bar, with tons of tables - this is the more mellow half, fun while relaxing and good for conversation. The other half is referred to as the "speakeasy." This half is a bit louder, and features pool tables. All 50 beers on tap are available on either side, although when we were there, the normal-bar side stopped serving around midnight, but the speakeasy stayed open until closing (although they didn't mind if you went to the speakeasy, got your beer, and returned to the other side).

I didn't try any of the food, but I glanced at the menu and there are a few things I'm interested to try.

This is a great bar that anybody passing through (or living in) the Durham area should visit.

07-07-2007 14:18:41 | More by drryankelly

mantupeht

North Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +7.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Great place, especially considering it is right by the Durham Bulls ballpark - whih is when I enjoy this joint.

A - Busy, but not packed since there is plenty of space. The restaurant bar area could get cramped, but the Speakeasy in back is nice and open with TVs and pool tables. Great outdoor seating when the weather is nice.

Q - Lots of great beers and a big selection of rotating features. More detail below in the other categories

S - Never head a problem having to wait too long for anything here. Maybe it is the time I have arrived, but I have been seated and served fairly quickly usually

S - Huge beer list - dozens - and, like I said, lots of rotating features. Menu is divided up into types of beer, which is helpful. It's fun to look at all the tap handles and wing it based on that

F - Burgers are fantastic, as is the french dip and pulled pork. Garlic fries are excellent

V - Food is reasonably priced - $7-$14 for most items. Beer is reasonable also, many good selections at $4 or less a pint. Only drawback is after games when it is more crowded, I think they resort to smaller plastic cups rather than glasses

06-23-2008 00:10:25 | More by mantupeht

lalarry2001

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -17.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 5 | food: 1 | $$

Great Beer Selection, served in the appropriate glass. Awful frozen, pre-cooked food. Some of the bartenders are very knowledge some, not so much. The wide selection of beers is second to none in the area. Not a great place to watch sports. Outside bar is nice. Some really great local and Belgian beers. The pint nights are really nice, with a keep the glass promo. The burgers seem to be not fresh.zels are the best thing on the food menu. Management is not real friendly, and the wait staff is like a fast food place.

07-20-2010 23:08:37 | More by lalarry2001

kacpa

North Carolina

2.48/5  rDev -41.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 1 | service: 1 | selection: 5 | $$$

My wife and I decided to try Tyler's after a Bulls game. May as well wait for the parking deck to clear while drinking a pint. No such luck. If you just want a beer, you should go elsewhere.

The first time we waited a long time while 2 wait staff ignored us. I finally went to the bar since the bartender would not come to us. He filled our pint glasses with no chatter. I tried. We couldn't get a second a pint from the wait staff. We left.

The next time we mentioned to the front door staff our dissatisfaction. They suggested we try the Speakeasy in the back. It was crowded and full of cigarette smoke. The wait staff were not to be found. The bartenders successfully avoided us. We went to the main bar in the dining room. Again the2 wait staff would not take an order for just beer.The bartender would not come to us. We left.

I have twice written the management from their web site. No response to either email.

Tyler's is a place to go only if you want pub fare and a beer.

05-30-2006 22:04:43 | More by kacpa

spencerchristie

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -3.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

Tyler's Taproom is a great place to hang out in Durham. I was in Durham for a wedding and was left on my own to wander around town. I was told that Tyler's would be a nice place to sit down, grab a few drinks and some food. While it wasn't the greatest burger, the beer selection and service were wonderful.

It was hot (90's) and I was in the mood for some Hefeweizen's so I sampled both the Pyramid Hefeweizen (CO) as well as a German Hefeweizen. Both beers were brought out within 5 minutes in the appropriate glasses. Just for talking a little bit about local beers with the waitress, she brought me a few samples to try.

On a warm day, it was nice to be able to choose between the air conditioned restaurant or to sit outside by the running creek (man-made in the middle of a plaza). Great location, great selection of beers, knowledgeable waitstaff and good service. Well worth a visit.

06-04-2008 19:13:06 | More by spencerchristie