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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Wednesday, 28th August 2024
With picture contributions to 5437 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (9 more images)
Detail Pages
The Apothecary Tap, Banbury
Banbury
OX16 5JH
Served areas
Reviews of The Apothecary Tap (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about The Apothecary Tap
Crafty micro, taken-over and re-located from its first incarnation. And done very well for the genre; there’s two rooms, a main bar with another room behind right with a stage area for music and comedy nights. Wood planking, corrugated ceiling, exposed brick, old music press cuttings. Tidy covered courtyard garden. Another one with the LGBTQBBCITVAC/DC+ pride flags up in here, seems be the latest wheeze in a number of pubs and it’s hard to separate the sincere from the lazily cynical (you never see disability pride flags anywhere, do you? Maybe because assisting the disabled to utilise your gaff might actually be an effort). Genuinely impressive selection on the kegs. Mixed bag on the serve, my Vault City was excellent though the Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen was a bit flat. Chatty owner who has many tales to tell. Worth popping in, they're making a genuine effort.
On 4th September 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Apothecary Tap
ORIGINAL REVIEW January 2018
Komakino's review is very thorough,I enjoyed my visit and found the guv'nor to be a very engaging and friendly host.The interior is actually larger than many micros,and there is a banquette style section to the left,a couple of high tables and enough other seating to be able to cope with quite a few punters.However conversation is the order of the day ,and there's no muzak,machines and other distractions.The strip lighting is a little unforgiving,but the 20ppp CAMRA discount is generously given to anyone drinking with a CAMRA member,even if they are not members themselves.You can also bring in your own food,while dogs are welcome and there are biscuits for them.
On my trip there were 6 real ciders,while on the real ale front there are 4 handpumps drawing from pins,to maintain freshness while the place gets established.The aim is to offer two national award winners,and two Locales.On my trip the choice was Oakham Citra,West Berkshire Maggs MILD (very decent),Gun Dog Jack Spaniels and Silverstone Pit Stop.Expect ales to rotate rapidly.
For many years Banbury was a difficult place to find decent real ale,but now this micro would always be on my list for a visit.It's only been going for 2 months but has already got some loyal followers and it deserves to succeed.In time it should be considered for the GBG.
UPDATE
The original micro pub that I reviewed above failed in late 2018,but the site was taken over by The Apothecary Tap and reopened as a craft keg outlet. Now the Apothecary Tap has moved to a new location on Butchers Row but sadly all the existing photos up to February 2023 show the old location.
The Butchers Row site is shabby chic with lots of unplaned wood finishes ,a metal corrugated ceiling ,a mix of furniture with some small high tables and metal chairs and a side room away from the bar with a small stage at one end.The walls are covered with music posters and album covers,there is a small lit shrine in one corner with changing coloured lights and a large and curious pub dog which occasionally moves voluntarily to a cage.The atmosphere is very friendly and chatty and you quickly get drawn into conversation with the couple who run the pub and the other punters.
A TV screen shows the keg options which on my trip included New Invention Coconut and Marshmallow Stout,Nothing Bound Brewing Cheeries Underground and Phantom Brewing Hop Punk's Not Dead ,an 8% IPA and superb.There is a sparkling cider and 10 rotating beers which on my trip also included output from Deya and Chadlington.There is a wide range of ABV's and a mix of styles ,but with a focus on Pales and IPA's.Beers priced in thirds ,halves and schooners but not by the pint.
Comedian perform here ,some events will be ticketed in the seperate stage area while there is also a beer garden outside.
An eclectic place but will always be on my list of pubs to visit when in Banbury ,and would probably be the first port of call ,which could easily morph into a session.An upgrade from me.
On 3rd March 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Collett left this review about Apothecary Tap
Apothecary Tap is well and truly open at 10-11, Butchers Row, Banbury. I visited on Saturday and received a warm welcome from Rob and Karen, not to mention the dog! 10 keg beers on offer: sampled a stout and an IPA - both full-flavoured and interesting. Children and dog-friendly, comedy nights. Worth a visit if you find yourself in Banbury and the match has been postponed!!
On 17th January 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 6 recommendations about 6 pubs]
View more reviews of The Apothecary Tap (7)
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- Official site of Apothecary Tap - www.theapothecarytap.com
- Facebook page of Apothecary Tap - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Apothecary Tap - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 17 January 2023 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 17 January 2023 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No - 20p per pint, 10p per half - last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : Yes - 7pm - last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Darts : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Function Room : No last updated 17 January 2023 by Tris C
- Hot Food : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Live Music : Yes last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 17 January 2023 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : No last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
- WiFi : Yes last updated 04 September 2024 by Quinno _
