Tap
by Joe Hakim
Put aside all preconceived notions you have about sports bars before you walk into TAP, MGM Detroit's newest "old" sports pub. TAP opened for business on 9/20 and – rest assured – it will make an immediate splash. Its eclectic interior design with old sports memorabilia, tables made of repurposed wine barrels and hard wood floors is truly unforgettable.
Usually craft beer isn't a focus at a casino bar. TAP goes against the grain with over 30 beers on draft with a large contingent from Michigan. It is pretty refreshing to have a decent beer selection at a casino restaurant. Craft beer is no longer a niche market and TAP recognizes this. The beer list is curated, meaning it will be ever-rotating with plenty of seasonal offerings. TAP even has its own house brew, cleverly called Roulette Red.
Even with their impressive beer collection, Tap doesn't stop there. Melissa Jensen, who has earned a Forbes Four Star rating for her MGM Detroit beverage program, has been named TAP's manager. The cocktail menu is extensive, as is the wine list. Basically, anyone who walks into TAP will have something they'll enjoy.
Even though we've only spoken about booze, that doesn't mean families aren't welcome. In fact, TAP has an entrance from the hotel so kids are definitely allowed to join the fun. There's even a kid's menu and with their 40+ flat screen HD TVs, not only kids will be mesmerized, everyone will have their eyes glued to the game.
The menu is a celebration of Detroit with modern twists on classic bar food. Take the macaroni and cheese sticks, for example. Deep-fried mac and cheese in stick form, served with cheddar cheese sauce. It's the ultimate in finger foods. Pizzas are baked in a wood fired oven, burgers have a Detroit theme and more. The menu is close to 80 items, so your food choices are not lacking in the least.
Open until 2 a.m. daily, TAP will be a classy spot to watch all of those west coast Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons games. And don't forget about those Lions, Spartans and Wolverines – TAP will open at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during football season to make pre-gaming super easy. Really, TAP would be a great idea before any event downtown. Their hours make it easy to stop whenever you want.
TAP is a Detroit original. Not only referring to its décor, but also that it is the only bar of its type across the MGM restaurant family. From all of the classic sports memorabilia to the not-a-bad-seat-in-the-house TV viewing, TAP will be a sports bar destination not only for metro Detroit but possibly the entire Midwest. |RDW
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