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Richmond is the kind of place that’s primed for a pub crawl. And yet, locals and visitors alike tend to find a favourite and stick to it – like The Tap Tavern. The ex-Richmond Arms is head and shoulders above the competition, one of the area’s most in-favour drinking holes thanks to a huge range of craft ales and great accompanying grub. In summer, the doors are flung open and punters spill on to the street, and when the nights draw in, drinkers can glug in the slightly dim, warm and cosy glow indoors. Adding to its appeal, the pub has opened a ‘hidden’ (I mean, opposite the loos and signposted) saloon upstairs.
It’s small enough and busy enough to encourage table reservations, with room for 20 people in among the eclectic mess of rugby and music paraphernalia on dark wooden walls (the bar is loosely Irish-themed, but you can’t really tell). While there are more extensive whisky lists in London, what’s on offer is well-chosen, poured in 35ml measures that start at £7. Along with that, and ale, a few cocktails are also on offer – coming in at £9-ish they are almost half the price of drinks ‘up town’ but, in truth, they’re made with half the finesse. Staff are enthusiastic and eager, though, and there’s a 1am licence, even on Wednesdays and Thursdays. With a few tweaks, this bar could reach the heady heights of the pub down below.