Tap That — Restaurant in New York

This was such a bizarre experience. My two friends and I stopped into Tap That yesterday afternoon for a bite to eat. We were hungry and tired and were just in the mood for a few burgers. We walked in and were explained how the self-serve taps work by who we think is the owner, given two cards to use, and told to order food through the QR code.

We went into the back garden area and found a seat and scanned the menu. The website first wasn't loading on all three of our phones. When it did load, we realized the ordering process was just the restaurant's website, and we needed to process the order as if we were ordering takeout (put in credit card information, etc). After putting everything into each of our carts and trying to check out, the website wasn't loading again. We didn't get any sort of confirmation on our phones that they'd even gotten our order.

We were exhausted, and we just wanted to eat somewhere with table service and where--honestly--we didn't have to deal with our phones.

So we went back to the front and I gave the guy the two cards back and explained that we're sorry, but we were going to head out. He immediately acted defensive, telling me that I needed to sign for the food I ordered. I told him that we hadn't ordered anything because the website wasn't working. I guess what we had put into the card showed up because he told us we had a $33 dollar bill (which wouldn't have even matched what we had tried to order). When I explained that the process was confusing and we just wanted to leave, he replied with "Yeah, at most restaurants you order food and then you pay for it."

Not only that, but for the five minutes we were outside, a little kid grabbed one of our cards off the table and ran away. I had gotten up and got the card back. But while we were explaining everything to the owner, I mentioned this because I was worried that maybe the card I got back was the wrong card, so maybe that was why there were charges on there. His response was "Yeah, I get how this is confusing when you give a kid your card" which wasn't what happened at all.

When I said we changed our minds and didn't want the food that we never actually thought went through and we also hadn't received he said, "Does the kitchen know that?" as if I was expected to have walked into the kitchen myself and tell them that I didn't want the food. Wasn't telling him enough? I don't work there, so why I would even know to go and tell the kitchen?

He also rudely asked my friend his name (which is John). And when he did the guy responded with "So, JOHNNY. You're telling me you didn't order all this food?" Finally, he threw up his hands and said "You know what? Go!"

He was incredibly hostile. He treated us like we were not only unintelligent, but trying to steal food from him. We were there for a maximum of ten minutes, and that's being generous. There wasn't a server in sight.

I had first thought the self-serve tap situation was cool, but asking patrons who are physically at your restaurant to order through the website and put in their credit card information through a spotty system isn't what most people are looking for. Using QR codes to read menus is already annoying, but nobody wants to be on their phones to actually order food. Or else wouldn't we just order takeout?

And to not have servers at all and still charge $28 for a sandwich with tater tots feels criminal to me. I don't see how a business model like that paired with such a hostile owner will be successful anywhere but especially in New York. Never stepping foot in there...

A True Gem! Tap That Delivers on All Fronts! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Tap That Beer Garden and Restaurant truly knocked it out of the park! From the moment we walked in, we were impressed. The atmosphere is fantastic – lively but not overwhelmingly loud, with a great buzz that makes you feel right at home. The beer garden aspect is brilliant, offering a relaxed and spacious setting, perfect for enjoying a sunny afternoon or a cool evening.

Now, let's talk about the beer selection. Wow! They live up to their name with an incredible, diverse array of taps. Whether you're a craft beer aficionado or just looking for a refreshing lager, you're guaranteed to find something amazing. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and helped us navigate the extensive list, offering great recommendations tailored to our tastes.

And the food! This isn't just your typical pub fare. The menu is creative and delicious, with a fantastic variety of options. Everything we ordered was fresh, well-prepared, and bursting with flavor. The portion sizes were generous, and the quality was top-notch.

Beyond the fantastic food and drink, the service truly sets Tap That apart. Every single staff member we encountered was friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy their job. They were efficient without making us feel rushed, and their positive energy contributed significantly to our enjoyable experience.

Tap That Beer Garden and Restaurant is more than just a place to grab a drink; it's a vibrant, welcoming spot that offers excellent food, an unbeatable beer selection, and outstanding service. We left feeling completely satisfied and already planning our next visit. Highly,...

This bar provides a welcomed addition to Rockaway, with a wide selection or rotating beers and other beverages that you serve yourself. The ambiance is nice, and the staff is very nice and welcoming. However, the prices are outrageously high. I poured a glass of beer 3/4 of the way full, and the cost was $11.60 - and that was not even for a full glass. (A full glass of draft beer would have been around $13, which is unheard of.) By far, the draft beer at this place is the most expensive I've encountered in the entire city, and it is certainly more than anywhere else in Rockaway (including higher than the nearby Rockaway Hotel which offers far more amenities). As much as the new Rockaway commercial establishments would like to think the peninsula is the new Manhattan, it's not and never will be. Further, unlike every other bar I've ever been to within the City, including the Rockaway Hotel and those throughout the peninsula, Tap That does not allow you to sample draft beers without paying for those samples. So, if you go to Tap That, be prepared to spend about 1/3 more than you would elsewhere for the same products. Of course, it may be worth it as the ambiance is nice and quiet (I think because most people are finding it too expensive to go here), and the staff is very nice.

My main recommendation to this establishment if it wants to stay in business is to reduce its prices for self-pour beer, wine, and other alcohol by about 1/3rd. In addition, they should set their "self pour" machines to give one ounce for free so that a person can sample...