Willard's Tap House

Deadheadbill

Florida

4.28/5  rDev -9.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Willards is awesome, with a great beer selection, knowledgeable friendly staff and a warm inviting decor. The forty taps range from wheat beers to Belgian Sours with everything in between. Friendly, knowledgeable owners and staff make it a pleasure to sit and enjoy a few craft beers in this place. There is no food to speak of (crackers and chips and dip are about it), however they invite you to bring in food from one of the surrounding restaurants and even have started having food trucks occasionally. The only issue is at times the music can be loud which is less than conducive to conversation. Still overall one of the best beer bars around.

02-09-2012 18:31:25 | More by Deadheadbill

lordofthewiens

Maine

4.28/5  rDev -9.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Willard's is a small place located in a strip mall off a main drag. It was a bit on the grungy and dark side, even on a sunny afternoon. There was a U-shaped bar that seated 16-18 people, 10 high top tables, and a couple regular tables. Two TVs. The decor consisted of collections of bottles and coasters.
My wife and I arrived on a Wednesday afternoon, shortly after they had opened. They were cleaning lines, so the selection was limited, at least initially. More beers quickly became available. There were 40 beers on tap. Ten of these were called the Local 10, and these included local beers such as 7th Sun, Cigar City, Swamp Head, Cycle, Barley Mow, and Dunedin. A nice touch. The blackboard with the beer listings included the ABV and was color-coded, also a nice touch. We had a couple Jai Alai IPAs, one of my favorites.
We spent a pleasant time there. Excellent beer selection. Service was adequate. It looked like you needed to be a local to get the better service.

02-24-2013 18:29:57 | More by lordofthewiens

MarcatGSB

Michigan

4.34/5  rDev -8.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped by Willard's after a real nice meal at the Cajun on the Bayou. They have 40 taps, clearly listed on a large chalk board with a color coding system by style. Nice touch.
It has a pretty simple decor, which is nice, not too busy. A couple TV's but no one, not one person was even the least bit interested. They had a nice selection of local Florida brews, and some great American craft, with some Belgian's mixed in there too. A very impressive bottle selection as well, although I attempted to order a Cascade that was out of stock, oh well. A real friendly, neighborhood style craft bar. Awesome stuff.

12-29-2012 17:12:30 | More by MarcatGSB

marksto

Florida

4.44/5  rDev -5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $

Willard's opened a few weeks ago, the latest in a series of beer-dedicated bars to pop up in the Bay area. You gotta love that.

Was able to stop in for a couple pints yesterday after a freind came to town and was staying nearby. A quaint space with large bar and some tables in a small strip center off of Ulmerton Rd. A big chalkboard lines the back bar with the all the names and style descriptors of thier 40 offerings on tap . A nice range of beers from imports, Belgians, and a big lineup of US craft offerings.

Although a previous review mentioned they had one tap with Bud Light, I didn't see it. If it's still there they must have it in (appropriately) very small print...

The bartender mentioned they have a plan to offer bottles but they are not in yet. For now it's just drafts. Staff was enthusiastic and knowledgable. Foodwise they only have some bar snacks, so if you're hungry eat before you come.

Overall, another solid addition to the ever-expanding beer bar scene in Tampa Bay and mid-Pinellas.

01-31-2010 17:37:37 | More by marksto

regspeir

Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev -5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I feel like we are very spoiled in SE PA - such great distribtion of stuff from all over, but especially great bars. Florida is NOT a place I expect to find anything that rivaled here but I was in for a surprise when my sister took me to Willard's on a visit to Largo. This is such a comfortable and friendly place. There was a sample or so if I wasn't sure, but the owners and staff knew their stuff. Staff this friendly, knowledgeable and giving of their time, attract what matters 2nd most to me - a great mix of people. But the MOST important factor is the beer and they had that covered too - near 40 taps that had enough variety to make any BA happy. My only regret was that they had no real kitchen or hot food but I am betting that changes. Next trip to Florida you better beleive I will be back. Hopefully this place is successful - these people deserve it.

06-26-2010 00:13:28 | More by regspeir

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

My wife and I are on vacation and this is the opening weekend for this place. I must say this place surprised me when I went in. A few people on a Friday night. Not very crowded. A small bar indeed but is comfy. Amazing tap selection and to my surprise not loaded with macro's. Chimay,Two hearted also local breweries from Cigar city to Dunedin. Out of there 40 taps one macro of Bud Light.

The service is amazing the bartender's walk over to your table and ask what you need when they aren't busy. Some of the best service I have ever received at a bar. They actually take the extra effort to pour into the proper glassware and serve at the proper temperature. Always a plus.

The only downside is that they don't serve food. You have to walk down the strip to the pizza place.

A very nice place for BA's to gather and the staff was very helpful and friendly.If you are in the area and you want some good beer stop in.

01-16-2010 16:42:56 | More by TheFightfan1

PorterLambic

Florida

4.58/5  rDev -3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Let's start with the important stuff: 40 taps and a beer engine.
Decor is nothing special, almost an old style, 70's bar vibe inside.
Lots of beers from Cigar City, Dunedin, Tampa Bay Brewing, Florida Ave/Cold Storage and other home state breweries to go with Lagunitas, Bell's, DFH and Highlands.
Two rows of shelves ringing the place hold hundreds of 'dead soldiers' from way too many breweries for me to count.
Knowledgeable staff and friendly, too.
They've a mug club for serious regulars.
If I ever get in this area again, I'll stop in for sure.

03-12-2012 22:51:32 | More by PorterLambic

CampusCrew

Florida

4.64/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

Nice little simple, but perfectly exected craft beer pub. Of course, not crap on tap, knowledgable bar staff, over 20 on tap and always rotating. They even used correct glassware in most cases. Loved the menu above the tap handles. Large chalk board, color coded, easy to read because of how large it is. Plus, they even had a section where they show what's coming up on draft. I really like the simple set up of the bar too. Tons of ordering access. if I owned a beer bar i would do alot of things similar. I took some mentel notes.

I didn't have food there but I think they only had small snacks and appetizers. Not sure....

01-27-2011 20:43:47 | More by CampusCrew

NickRWB

Florida

4.64/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This is the best beer bar I've been to in the Tampa Bay area. They have 40 taps, and the vast majority are high quality offerings. The atmosphere is very laid back, and the bar setup allows for a lot of interaction with the other patrons. If you'd like some space, though, they also have tables lining the walls. I go rather frequently, and I don't ever remember being let down by the bar staff, all of which are knowledgeable and friendly. Prices are in line with the other beer bars in the area. They seem to have special offerings and events more frequently than the others. I really can't recommend them highly enough.

02-16-2011 17:28:16 | More by NickRWB

Drizd

Florida

4.8/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$

Willard's Tap House is one of the best places to drink in the Tampa Bay area. I came here for my first drink when I turned 21, tried some other bars over the following few months, then came right back to Willard's and have been going ever since.

With 40 taps and a variable beer selection this is the place to get your craft beer fix. I like to walk in and ask them "What's good?" and the extremely knowledgeable staff will direct me to a delicious beer every time. The food selection is slim (they don't have a kitchen), but they do offer a variety of snack foods that are enough to keep you going through the night. The atmosphere is fantastic. The regulars are extremely friendly and music selection never disappoints. Don't expect the sports bar feel. The people that come here are here to share good beer and good times.

If you are in the area I definitely recommend visiting Willard's Tap House. You'll be glad you did.

01-19-2012 15:08:51 | More by Drizd