Tap'd Bar Ipswich — Restaurant in Ipswich City

Great selection of beer and cider on tap, customer service and food can be very below standard even for a local pub.

Come here at least once a month with a group of 5-8 people each time, progressively each visit has gotten more “shit”.

Booked a table for 8 for 5:30pm (called and booked around midday). We (2/8 guest) arrived more than an hour early and sat in the Tap’d bar where our reservation was, we were told to sit wherever we’d like as it was quiet. A starter and a few beers later, 2 more people from our party arrived at 5:30, they messaged us as they were told that the tap’d bar area was closing, they weren’t allowed to come in and when they said we were already in there the waitress reluctantly let them in. While waiting for others to arrive a waitress came over to let us know that the tap’d bar was closing and if we went into the char’d area they would happily seat us, disappointing as the tap’d bar has the best atmosphere in the venue and faster service of drinks but what can you do.

Once the other guest arrived (2 couldn’t make it due to an emergency) the 6 of us, carrying drinks each, walked into the char’d restaurant, we were redirected to the front counter. I’d like to have a special mention to the waitress who served us at the front counter, you weren’t very nice, especially for someone who is working front of house. When told our booking name she denied we had a booking, then once she realised we did have a booking but in the tap’d area not char’d she let us know that because they were shutting that bar they had just cancelled our booking completely. She began to grab menus and asked how many people we had, when I mistakenly said 8 instead of 6 she gave a look, laughed and said “are you sure? 8 will be very squishy in a booth”. It was quite rude the way she said it, as far as I’m concerned I made a booking for 8 people so I should be entitled to a table spacious enough for 8 people, that would just be common sense.

No cutlery was bought to the table unless asked for, mains actually arrived and had to ask for cutlery then. I ordered two jugs of water and they didn’t arrive. 3/6 meals came out and were finished before the other 3 came out. Food was very standard, we have had amazing food here before but each time we come it declines in quality and quantity. 2 drinks didn’t even arrive till mid way through the second round of meals.

It wasn’t that busy from the looks of it but I do understand that you may have been understaffed (hard to believe when staff are standing at the kitchen window talking) and had issues with the order printer in the bar but there are easy ways to fix a customers experience when these situations occur. It would of been nice to have an explanation as to why we were kicked out of the tap’d area when there were still people in there after 6pm when it was “closed” or an apology for the delays on food and drinks being delivered.

We have been regular customers who would tell their family and friends to come check this place out all the time but now I feel like we are wasting our time and money to come here. I would love to hear back from someone in regards to our experience...

Love this restuarant. Food is always great as is the atmosphere. The only reason i didnt give it a 5 star rating is because the wait staff take a while to take orders and dont often come back to ask if you'd like more drinks etc. Also they often dont bring out everyones meals at the same time which bugs me a little. Otherwise the staff are always very friendly and the food has never disappointed. They also have an adjoining bistro of sorts and sports bar which looks amazing. They have always got their famous 72 beers on tap at the sportsbar which are updated often so return customers always have something new to try. Overall its a great place that i visit at least...

Tried Tap'd for the first time tonight with my partner. The establishment is very nice inside which was the highlight of the evening and the staff were friendly enough. We each got a chicken parmigiana (one southern style, one hawaiin) as on Tuesdays you can get them for $20 each as opposed to full price ($30). They were just okay, very average tasting but a decent size. Ordered an extra bowl of chips with one ($5) and the portion was very small, not worth that in my opinion. Didn't get the extra gravy ordered so had to go back up and grab it which was not a big deal. Overall, it was just an average dining experience and I probably won't...