No food? Who gives a crap. No hard liquor? Go next door. The bar tenders are rad and knowledgeable. I am down with beer or wine so I am happy with the choices.
Although I enjoy the occasional beer I am still attempting to expand my pallet. I look to the bar tenders at joints like this to help me learn a bit more about what they have and what I will potentially like. Out of the two dudes I've met here, they're happy to do that. Â That is much appreciated.
Out of the few times I've been here I have never gotten hungry. However, I have been in when others have and they are happy to help. By providing take-out menus. Â I mean, the place is tiny as crap. You want food? Call this number, you can take-out eat in Taste of Tops!
They have a large selection of beer and the taps have changed every time I have been in. I like that. When I have found beers I liked but aren't on tap any more it has beens in the massive case along the back wall.
So for those who complain about no food....man up. Drink beer, fuhget about it! This is the perfect spot to mellow out for happy hour.
Just don't come in expecting something fancy. Well...i'd hope you wouldn't, it's next to a liquor store for cryin out loud. It's dark. Small. Decent bar size. A few couches. Perfect for what it is.
Check it out. You're welcome.
very low key, more of a serve yourself type of joint. The grapefruit beer is excellent if you like fruit beers, not a wine drinker so my choices were limited, also not having food was a let down... world of beer is known to excel in beer and only beer, this place is so small it should have finger foods.
Review Source:was sitting here drinking and thinkin in tessios when jones showed up to whoop on my ass. He found i crashed his jeep and use all his drugs. he told me to go next door to  tops and spot him sum bucks for a pint of whisky i said "sure". then he whoop on me in the parking lot. Jones has problms dude. i told em go in anger management and he like "why?"
Review Source:Nice selection of taps. Amazing bottle selection. Some hidden gems in the case. Bartender was super chill but hung out with his buddies the whole time. But they were paying customers so not a big deal we were never neglected. Very nice hole in the wall to visit after checking out the store next door (Tops liquor)
Review Source:Awesome selection of beers! Not as crazy as World of Beer so it's manageable and not overwhelming with choices. I went there because they show The Walking Dead on Sundays. Take my advice: If you go at 7pm or 9pm on a Sunday night that The Walking Dead is playing, don't be a douche. Sit down, order a drink and shut up. We take the show seriously, people! If you're not a fan of the show or have Tourette's, please don't go during that time. Otherwise, have at it!
They don't serve food but you can order from the restaurants in the area and they will deliver it to you. Super convenient. The inside is on the small side so it can get full very easily, but it's usually not too bad. It's very cozy. If you're a beer fan, check this place out!
Taste of Tops is a pretty cool place to visit at least once, maybe on the way out of adjoined Tops Liquor.
I came here only once to hear Ken Grossman (owner of Sierra Nevada brewing) speak. Seeing him was AWESOME, even got him to sign a limited edition bottle for me. The place itself seems more like a coffee shop than a bar, but I guess that's what gives Taste its personality. The beer selection is very, very large. They have plenty on tap with prices listed on a chalkboard and way more in several fridges towards the back of the business. The crowd is more mature that the other places in Tempe and nearby Mill Ave so I don't know if it was really my thing, but whatever. I may just need to come back and try the place again.
Since every bar has plenty of Craft beers, it seems that there now needs to be something unusual about the place to make it stick out. In this case, the atmosphere is more like a coffee shop with couches and magazines and a library of books available. The bar only has about 8 seats and the place is small and cramped a bit, but it still is a good drinking atmosphere with a decent slection on tap. It was $5 for a nice Vanilla Porter. Seems out of place in that shopping center, but that is also what makes it a draw probably, well at least for me. Two TV's only, but they do get the NFL network, so that was a plus.
Review Source:Beer selection was excellent. Service was abysmal. The girl working the bar was one of the rudest bartenders I've met. I asked what stouts were on tap, she just pointed at the sign that was scrawled in faint chalk. I can't read in dim light, unfortunately. I apologized and said I couldn't read it, my eyes aren't that good. She said "Well, you'll just have to move closer then" and then ignored me to help someone else.
I moved closer to the sign, but that didn't help that I couldn't read it in the dim light. I went back and said "If you would, please just pick any stout on tap." She grabbed the smallest glass she could find and filled it with the most expensive stout she could find. I won't go back. Every other brewpub I've gone to has been friendly and helpful, but she made certain that I'll never go to Taste of Tops again.
Pretty good beer selection. Â When I say that I mean GOOOOD beer selection. Â My brother and I checked out the place literally on a whim and we're impressed with the beers. Â The service kept handling the lips of the glasses with their hands and it as kind of wierd to notice that they didn't wash their hands once while visiting. Â It is beer but an occational hand washing is always welcome. Â Go here for a bottled beer and draft with a small group during the off week. Â During the weekend it's ass to elbows and cramped but overall a good place to chill in the heart of Tempe.
Review Source:This place has some of the most unique and bold beers on tap that you'll find in Tempe. They don't brew anything there, but they are literally connected to Tops, the ever-present Tempe stronghold of all things booze. This means that you can buy a bottle of wine at Tops, then walk right into Taste and pay five bucks to cork it there--hey, it's cheaper than going by the glass somewhere else!
You can also bring your own food in here. They suggest the pizza place next door but you'll have much better luck with the Thai place on the end, or hey, cook something for yourself at home, bring it in to the bar and enjoy a nice beer while you go at it. They have a TV too, and the bartender usually puts on SyFy or something else that has a movie on, usually provides some good conversation pieces.
Taste of Tops appeals more mature than other bars in the surrounding area. They have a wonderful selection of brews for more acquired taste buds. The environment is slick and clean and not crowded w/ screeching college girls or the obnoxious boys who chase them, like you typically see at places near by.
Their attached liquor store is astounding. They have a wiiiiide variety of imports and top notch alcohol. Seriously impressive.
Perfect place to enjoy quality beer without hustle and bustle.
Seeking a sour on tap? Â Me too! Â And Taste of Tops is one of the only places I can find a sour on draft in this IPA-soaked land. Â They have 24 rotating taps, always with great variety and top-notch beers -- and they are pretty good about updating their website with what's currently on tap, and chances are if what you want isn't on tap you can probably find it in a cold bottle. Â Bartenders are friendly, helpful, and most importantly knowledgeable about beer. Â Love this place!
Review Source:A lovely low key, unpretentious beer bar off Mill Avenue. Â Accidentally stumbled into Taste of Tops for their Eel River Brewery event, which was amazing in its own right. Â This isn't your bar average college bar, most peeps are in their late 20's and know their beer. Â Â Â
The sampler was amazing, $8 for 4 4oz samplers. Quite a good deal. Â Technically their tasters are a bit expensive, but their selection makes up. Â There are at least 18 constantly changing taps, with a pretty balanced selection. Â 2 beers per style with more pales ales. Â They had famous breweries like Deschutes, Stone and Maui plus a few local brews. Â They go 1 keg at a time, so don't get attached like a one night stand. Â Get a pint or two and love them for the night. Â
The frig was dead on my trip, so they let you bring in food from their neighbors. Â Go two shops down to Tessios (separate review), and while you wait pick a beer from Top's Liquor next door and try it here.
Odd Note. Â They actually had a few beer magazines like Draft sitting about. Â If you can't find a nice peep to chat with, grab a magazine or watch some ABC family channel movie. Â They had Harry Potter The Chamber of Secrets playing, quite unusual movie for a bar. Â Oh yeah they have a small chilled bottle section in the back. Â
A great place for 3-6 peep sized groups, but they place easily gets full. Â Stop by for kick back locale with your friends and enjoy your night.
If the place is going to host annoying tv-zombie fans, they should put a WARNING.
I came here with two visitors from Europe and we were almost not allowed to have a conversation at a BAR just because there was a small group of die hard fans of a tv show watching their episode there.
You been warned! ask if there is a special crowd going. I certainly plan to attend to my other regular places and avoid this one.
EASILY one of my favorite hang outs. Whether its a random tuesday night or a fun night out on the weekend with friends.
The atmosphere here is great. This place is teeny tiny so on weekends its more than likely it will be super packed. During the week its nice and mellow. Grab some thai take-out from Thai Basil next door and enjoy it at a table at Taste of Tops along with a  wine or beer flight! Beer flights consist of your choice of four 2oz pours of beer and the wine flight consists of your choice of three 2oz pours of wine. Perfect for a tasting and to wash that thai food down.
You can tell the cliental here LOVES Taste of Tops and are regulars here. I feel I too am becoming a Taste of Tops snob! Lots of amazing beer options and TONS of beers on tap. I've really enjoyed all the wines I've tried except for that one elusive red that still pops up in my flights when I tell them to surprise me.
Came tonight for a beer after work. I've lived in Tempe for a year and a half, about 6 minutes away from Taste of Tops, yet I'd never been here...Shame on me.
So I freely admit, I have really high standards for my beer...If you've read my review of Four Peaks, you'd know that. I don't apologize for it, but I'm definitely a snob when it comes to this stuff.
I was pleasantly surprised that Taste of Tops has a great selection of beer and helpful bartenders that make spot on recommendations for what you're in the mood for. I'd go so far as to say that it's the best selection of beers I've found so far in Arizona. Not the widest selection, but they offer really good options as well as some obscure selections you won't see too many places.
Tonight I had a Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and a winter brew that was delicious (okay, okay...I had two of those). My wife had a hard cider that she liked a lot, and we also tried a coffee/beer combo that was pretty good. One of the coolest things about Taste of Tops is that they let you bring in outside food since they don't offer a kitchen. We had Thai food delivered from next door, and they were totally cool just watching us eat.
It's a small place, but there's good seating at the bar, and enough tables to make it work. Taste of Tops is a must if you're a fan of good beer. Ambiance and decor is interesting, they have art made from water bottles and milk jugs, which can make for interesting conversation. Ample parking outside, and plenty of food options close by that you can either bring in or get delivered.
I'll definitely be back. A+
I freely admit I'm kind of a beer snob...
Now that we've got that untidy tidbit out of the way, Taste of Tops is probably my favorite place to have a drink this side of the Mississippi. A readily revolving reservoir of refreshing remedies, Taste of Tops is a veritable oasis for a beer connoisseur, amateur snob, or DGAF type alike (although it DEFINITELY caters to the former two). I've struck up many a random conversation with individuals with far more knowledge than myself and it has not only expanded my interest in several types or styles of beer I would have not tried, it has also humbled me to the extent of how much one can really know about beer in general. If you're intimidated, it's OK. Step back... take a breath... pick something... and dive in.
To be honest, I felt somewhat out of place the first time I sallied up to the bar. It can seem intimidating for someone who's not been in a "speakeasy" style establishment, as seating can sometimes be difficult to come by and it sometimes seems like everyone knows everyone else BUT you. It's worth the wait and the temporary sense of possible discomfort. Trust me.
The biggest benefit (for me, at least) is the sheer amount of beers you can "technically" consume whilst at the establishment. For those who aren't satisfied by their constantly refreshing draft menu, you are able to inform your bartender what specific beer from any fridge they have available you'd like to consume (Taste of Tops or Tops Liquors) and after paying a monetary bottling fee, enjoy it amid friends (or enemies, if that's you're bag). Nonetheless, I appreciate the extreme variety of choice that Taste of Tops offers.
They constantly have wine or beer tastings, freshly tapped kegs of relatively unknown or difficult to find stuff (HOPSLAM!!!) and a friendly staff of people who honestly appreciate, are interested in, and want to promote the craft beer community. What more could you want?
This place is great. There's always some interesting new beer on tap. And if youre not in the mood for something new, there's always the cases of bottles w/ your new or old fave. Ive been here when its packed to the gills and when we were the only people there- its always a good time. Plus, they let you bring food in from both Thai Basil and Tessios.
Cant go wrong here.
I live RIGHT down the street and have always thought Tops was simply a liquor store until I opened my eyes and realized there was this awesome little bar attached to the side. Â
Its a pretty tiny and narrow space but that definitely is part of its charm. Â Its simple yet comfortable. Â Only serves beer and wine but some really interesting and rare kinds. Â My boyfriend tried the Dark and Orange beer and that is EXACTLY what it tastes like. Â Its almost strange to have a beer taste like exactly what you would expect it to.... I am not a fan of dark beers but the flavor was so intriguing that I would order it myself next time.
They have wine and beer tasting all the time for fairly reasonable prices (that is my plan for next time) and a GIANT beer case in the back with all kinds of cool beers... Its like Whole Foods beer selection x 10! Â
.... uh there are just so many I want to try while relaxing on their comfy leather couches that I should probably go back tonight! :)
Sooooo....I kinda live here.
Let me clarify- over the years I have found myself seeking ToTs as a refuge. Yeah, I come here so often I abbreviate it. Sometimes its like, "Let us check out Taste", but I've reduced myself to calling it "ToTs" when I type it out on my phone. Yeah, it autocorrects to "ToTs". Then I think the phone types "Lush" after it.
Let me break it down:
Scenario 1) I am exhausted, riding my bike from work, I go to Tops to pick up a beer or bottle of wine...and then see that lovely John Malkevich portal into the lovely inviting, warm, softly lit bar and I am drawn to it like a moth. Like a lushy moth, I guess. I succumb and get a drink and 9 times out of 10 I run into I someone I know anyway. A sad day turns into a happy night (which sometimes turns into a confused morning, but that may be another story).
Scenario 2) I have a short time to chat up with friends visiting from out of town, I can convince them to meet me for a high quality beer or wine before they pick up a case at Taste or relax without a bar "scene' impending on our socializing.
Scenario 3) I'm a chatty cathy, and I like to shoot the shit with my lady friends (boys I love you, but sometimes you gotta talk some "shits gettin real" stuff with the ladies), and I can rest there in the comfortable booth with too many beers or Sofia Coppola champagne, and not worry about random dudes trying to pick us up b/c this a friendly bar, but not a pick up bar.
Scenario 4) I'm hungry. And lazy. Time to eat something and bring it in so I can drink yummy beer while I eat greasy spring rolls.
I really like the vibe here, they have honed the menu, the bartenders are always friendly, prompt and professional, their playlist always makes me happy (lovin the Talking Heads rotation lately), and its drunk bicycling distant away for me.
ToTs has really come into its own, and I'm glad I kept going here.
And yes, the bathroom is just as great as ever.
Wanna find a pack of happy beer nerds? Head on down to Taste of Tops, where their rotating drafts always feature some of the best and most eclectic beers around! If you are a true beer nerd, start chatting up the bartenders and they'll hook you up with some small samples of their favorites on tap. You will be sold! If you can't find what you're looking for in the bar, you can go into the Tops Liquor Store (attached to the bar) and the bartender will bring it over to Taste for you!
The atmosphere here is small, warm, and inviting, usually packed with locals and college kids.
I haven't tried the food yet... maybe one day... but let's be real, this place is about the beer!
Best place to go for a pint. The revolving beers make this place fresh and new with every visit. They feature delicious craft brew, none of that yellow piss stuff college kids call beer these days. The local features are always great since you don't have to hunt all over the valley to find them.
The folks behind the bar are great and laid back, offering up suggestions if you're ever stuck. The biggest bonus to this place is the fact that you can drink here anything you buy from next door, and they have a remarkable selection of already chilled bottles.
Also, if you're hungry they let you bring in food from Thai Basil or the pizza place just down the way. Awesome.
This is definitely another Tempe gem. If you are a fan of locally made spirits then you MUST check this place out. It is adjoined to its parent liquor store Tops and the bartenders are the same people you see checking you out while picking up a six pack.
This place is really special because not only does it specialize in micro/craft, local brews and wine, they have any other sort of spirit you could want! Literally there is cooler after cooler of bottled spirits that you grab and then buy, Not your normal deal but you could get lost for days in those things. Basically anything and everything they sell in the store, they have chilled next door for you enjoy.
The lounge is VERY small yet comfortable. A few couches, plush love seats and coffee tables. The bar itself is pretty small.. about 10 chairs filled with local color.
You should probably eat before going there since they do not serve food there... I mean there are like a hand full of some apps but nothing really tasty. I had the spinach dip once when I was starving but it was something that came from a package and then microwaved. The food there is basically a just-in-case type thing....
Tops is off the regular beaten Mill path and it has the hands down greatest beer selection for a bar in Tempe. It is great intimate lounge, not a place to see and be seen (unless if you're a super cool hipster... :) )
Build your own beer flight? Yes I think I will.
for $8 you can get four 4oz tasters of any beer's on tap of the 24 they have on tap. Granted unless you get all $8 a pint beers you are not getting the full value but you do get to sample many good micro and craft brews.
Inside the door is a high top table, tow couches a small bar that can seat about 12 ans several booth chair table combos. It is a small narrow place, cozy if you will. Wood paneled walls add a touch of class.
There are a few fridges too for bottles of other exotic beers.
From what we saw it is order at the bar style service, so some one will need to watch your seat. It is also BYO food from the Thai or pizza places next door.
I enjoyed the fact the music was not too loud and the lights were no too low. It is a coffee shop of beer (and wine) I liked the style.
Oh, Taste of Tops, I kind of love you. Â Luckily, so do many of my friends so I find myself here on a semi-regular basis. Â They have great beers, wines and bartenders. Â I also should probably pretend it has never happened but they don't ever flinch when I bring in my random slice of pizza from next door.
I'm always down for some Taste of Tops!
MENU
They only have a very small menu of appetizers but they're actually pretty tasty. Â I love the brie and the spinach dip and am not quite sure how they manage to do it without a real kitchen. Â They also allow you to order in from Thai Basil or Tessio's Pizza in their complex. Â I recommend both. Â Although, please don't get double Thai spicy and drink beer with it. Â It's a bad idea. Â Trust me. Â
THE BEER
Uh-mazing variety. Â They have a cooler with all the beers they sell and about 8 beers that rotate on tap, including a good variety of 10%'ers. Â They regularly stock Rogues, Lagunitas, Left Hand, and Sierra Nevada's more obtuse varieties among lots of other craft beers. Â They do a good job of keeping the tap full of very different-tasting beers and keeping my palate in rotation. Â Yum. Â Rarely dislike their tap choices.
CLEANLINESS/OVERALL QUALITY
New, clean, cute.
SERVICE
I love the bartenders here. Â They're all attentive and great at their jobs and never get irked when you want to taste something. Â Plus, if you order at the bar, they'll still bring it out to you at a table. Â
ATMOSPHERE
Sort of bare bones wine bar atmosphere BUT always stocked with great art. Â They have a new artist every month and I'm almost always into them.
I like this place...I don't love it, but I like it. I've only been a couple times and was super excited (much like other reviewers) for it to open since I pretty much visit Tops and mix and match a 6-pack of beer once every week or two.
The beers on tap are on the pricier side, provided they are a high quality selection. Back towards the bathrooms there is a refrigerator section of bottled beers that are more in the $3.00 range so this provides a more economical alternative to the beers on tap (usually running more about $6.00).
The wine list changes monthly (huge plus) and glasses of leftover wine from the wine list the month prior is available for 1/2 off (another huge plus).
I love the artwork which has been different on the two occasions I went in there. I always wonder if anyone purchases the artwork that is displayed at bars like this or restaurants like Pita Jungle. Cool idea though and a great way for artists to have their stuff displayed to a wide variety of people.
I'm not a huge fan of the seating and tables at Tops. The bar seating is fine but there just needs to be more of an inviting atmosphere and layout. Right now its all just kind of basic, and I want some OOMPH to draw me in and keep me coming back for more!!! Also, the appetizers could be improved upon. I've tried the baby brie plate and wasn't blown away.
Ahhhh Taste of Tops. Â I remember when I heard about this place opening I was like, "Oh, my god. Â I'm never gonna leave. Â I'm gonna spend upwards of five thousand dollars a year at this place. Â Tops is the shit so if they're opening a beer and wine bar it's going to be nothing short of epic."
And the bar is good. Â I do enjoy it when I go out, but I don't go there nearly as much as I imagined I would. Â I've been a handful of times, somewhere around 5-10 times and have usually had a good time there. Â
So, why only 3 stars? Â I don't know. Â It's cramped, relatively expensive for my neighborhood bar and the tables are just too close to each other. Â I always end up sitting hip to hip next to someone I don't know and it's just a little awkward. Â Sometimes the couches are all filled up with really loud, obnoxious people who go, "Whooooh!" a lot. Â Whooh is an expression that in certain situations will drive me nuts. Â It's like when bulls get pissed from seeing the color red. Â It's like that, but I'm not as badass or fierce as a ball, I'm more like a fat kid who goes, Quuuiiiit iiiit!
The best time to come here is when it's relaxed and there's only a few people. Â On the few occasions I've come in when it's subdued and the bartender is wanting to shoot the shit with you, it's a really fantastic, great place. Â Get yourself a beer on tap or champagne in a can and soak it all in.
I'm still a fan of the place, I like it, I just wish it were bigger. Â I wish it had more sparkles too. Â I dunno, sparkly things around the bar seems fitting. Â Like a shiny thing-a-ma-jig hanging up somewhere. Â That's not entirely necessary, but it would be awesome to have.
But hey, at least Taste of Tops, their refrigerated beer isn't piss warm like the liquor store itself :-D
Went here a couple times over the long Thanksgiving weekend.
The first night was post Downtown Tempe Light Parade (which was quite chintzy, I don't recommend it). We were walking to Casey's from Mill and 3rd and decided to pop in for a drink to check it out. I liked the dim lights and warm atmosphere. The long and narrowness of it reminded me of a Portland or SF bar. It was busy, but not crowded and still had open tables on a Friday night.
The beers on tap were posted in good view on the chalkboard (most hover around $6 and go up from there to $10 for a pint - pricey, but this is the good stuff: Lagunitas, Chimay, etc.). They also have a cooler with a larger selection of local/micro brews from all over the country (Ska Brewing, New Belgium, etc). Those were as cheap as $3 per bottle, and up to $8 for the rarer or larger bottles. They have wine as well, but I didn't check out the menu.
Speaking of menus...they should keep these (if they even have them? I never saw one) at every table. It's a little disconcerting when you walk in because there are couches, tables and a bar. It's small enough to wonder i f you're just supposed to order at the bar. Â While you wait to figure that out, you realize only the chalkboard of taps reveals what they carry. So on my first night I just ordered off the chalkboard. But once the server came out to take our order, she was very cool and knowledgeable about the beers, and helped me pick one based on what I normally drink. She offered tastes as well.
The second time I came in, my group wasn't in a six-bucks-per-beer mood, so we headed to the cooler. I assumed it was like Papago, where you make your own selection and bring it back to the table or up to the bar to add to your tab (again with that uncomfortable "i'm in a new place and not sure what is protocol"). But eventually a bartender came over and popped and poured our drinks into glasses.
As I looked around a little more on the second trip, I realized this place looks just like Starbucks - complete with the same exact light fixtures along the bar. Literally, you could replace the bottles behind the counter with syrups and this would be a Starbucks. All of the sudden this place went from "warm and homey" to "generic suburban cool" and  felt uninspired. Compounding that, you can bring in take out from Tessio's and Thai Basil next door, and plenty of people were eating pizza out of the box as they drank their expensive beers. I admit, bringing in takeout is pretty cool, but it doesn't really jibe with the atmosphere and décor they're going for - is this place a stylish new pub or a pizza parlor with beer?
But I have such fond memories of Tops the liquor store that of course I'll return to support their latest endeavor. Also, it's yet another step in the chic-ing up of Tempe. I'll certainly drink a six dollar beer to that.
Anyone who's anyone in Tempe knows that Tops Liquor is the go-to local liquor store, ready to fulfill your every alcoholic desire. Naturally, its spawn-child of a bar, cleverly named "Taste of Tops" would be just as precious. Right? Right.
Taste of Tops has a simple, unpretentious vibe, and is a fresh addition to the businesses in this part of town. This is a beer drinker's paradise for sure, with a consistent selection of good brews on tap. There is always something new and interesting to try (and samples are happily offered). The wine list is straightforward and well-crafted, featuring inexpensive, "more bang for your buck" selections. As for the beer selection, you want it - they got it.
I can't wait to make this place a regular hangout.
I must admit that I was skeptical when I heard that Tops Liquor Store (which seems to always have a homeless man getting arrested outside its front door) had opened up a bar next door. I envisioned a room with long, flickering, florescent lights, plastic-tiled floors and tables and chairs fashioned out of stacked up 30 rack boxes.
What an awesome surprise! Not only is Taste of Tops surprisingly nice inside, but the beer selection is incredible. They have beer on tap that's hard to find even in bottles and their fridge selection warrants excessive drooling (and drinking).
Hooray for finally having a bar nearby where the beer actually tastes good (eh hem...Casey's).
It turns out, I'd heard of Taste of Tops months ago, but I had assumed that my friend was referring to his own mixed selection from Tops liquor store. Â This friend has a nickname for everything -- he calls his Tupperware "Tuppies", he calls single cigarettes "Loosies". Â I should have known that Taste of Tops was not a creation from his imagination when it didn't end in "-ies". Â
Alas, I was a fool, but I love their eclectic and rotating tap selection as well as their bottles and their strange exhaust system that occasionally billows in pizza aromas from the place next door. Â Another treasure in the stripmall matrix that is metroPhoenix.
I grew up in Las Vegas. I was not introduced to the concept of "Last Call" until I moved to Ohio at 17 years old. It was a huge shock. I couldn't believe other people had the right to tell me when I could or couldn't purchase delicious alcoholic beverages. Despite the fact that I was 17 years old and I was therefore legally forbidden to buy alcoholic beverages for at least another 3 years, this "Last Call" business really chapped me.
I'm typically not ready to end the night just because Mr. Last Call wants to be a party pooper and rear his ugly head. I usually plan for this likely event beforehand, but I'm not going to say I'm a stranger to jumping in a cab at 1:50 screaming at the driver with the urgency some may reserve for labor pains that I need a liquor store PRONTO! This leads to me overpaying for the cab, overpaying for liquor, and generally overtesting my patience because apparently to some cab drivers "PRONTO" means "Drive Safely and Obey all Posted Speed Limits". Pussies.
This, my friends, is where the beauty of a liquor store with a built-in bar comes in. This way, when last call comes around, I merely need to mosey on down the hall to make my after-hours selection, and patiently ask my cab driver to take me to the destination of my choice. Everybody wins!
The bar has a great selection of beers on draft. On our last visit, which just happened to be Halloween night, there was not one but TWO different Pumpkin drafts. The ever popular Four Peaks Pumpkin Porter, and another one which I don't quite remember the name of, but it tasted like pumpkin pie in a pint glass. I was tempted to ask for whipped cream.
We experimented with several different beverages throughout the course of the night. I awoke the next morning to find a note written to myself in my phone that merely said:
los abbey angel share is the most delciousber of allll time
As you can clearly read, Lost Abbey Angel's Share is the most delicious beer of all time. They serve it here, for $13 a glass. It's totally worth it though. It's extremely strong and tastes like a combination of chocolate and jesus. Another win-win.
I'll definitely be back to Taste of Tops. Cab drivers everywhere rejoice.
I love me some Top's, and so of course I love me this bar just as much. Perhaps too much, but that's a discussion between me and my liver, thankyouverymuch.
Anyway, Taste of Top's has a really well-chosen selection of beer on tap and wine by the glass, all reasonably priced, and all connected to Tempe's friendliest, funkiest, best-stocked liquor store, where you can ask for pretty much any bottle you'd like.
It's also got sweet bartenders who don't mind if you bring your Thai food or pizza in while you drink. Who don't give your friend a hard time when she gets wasted and breaks a glass. Who remember you a few days later when you're buying a sixer next door, even though they've only been open a couple weeks. Who generally have a good attitude and an even better pouring hand.
Typical Tempe neighborhood crowd, minus the dipshits, douchetards and assorted skanks of Mill Ave. Minus the trying-too-hard hipster scum who congregate around Casey's pretending to be too good for said douchtetards and skanks before paying their bar tabs with their parents' credit card and tottering off on a fixed-gear bike they don't even know how to ride as well.
Thank fucking god.
Scratch that. Thank fucking Top's. Tasty, tasty, tasty Top's.
I've always said that Tempe needed a beer and wine bar. We needed something to fill the gap between grand dives like The PV and the fancier bars and restaurants like House of Tricks. For a while I even thought about opening one myself (yeah right). Â But when I heard that Tops Liquor was opening their own beer and wine bar I was thrilled because if anybody in town could do it right it's the folks at Tops. Tops Liquor has been a favorite in town for as long as I've lived here.
Taste of Tops is directly connected to Tops Liquor through a common hallway. As you would expect the selection of beers is phenomenal. And if there is something you don't see in the bar they will happily walk next door and grab whatever you were looking for.
Honestly, I don't understand anything less than a 5 star review. Maybe I'm overly enthusiastic but if you want a chill atmosphere and a fantastic beer and wine selection this place is spot on.
Okay, in interest of full disclosure, I literally live around the corner and across the street from Tops Liqour and have been waiting forever for this place to open. The anticipation is so high and...it did not dissapoint. I'm more of a beer guy and wow, they have some great stuff on tape. A dark porter from Stone brewery is out of this world, a really hoppy beer that tasts like Four Peak's Hop Knot but even better, and a number of other beers I ahve not made my way through yet.
The wine selection, though I doubt I will ever make it past the beer to ever really get into that area, seems well rounded. A little something for everyone and as others have mentioned, you can have a taste before you buy. If you are a real vino specialist you can even go into the store area and choose from a huge mix of wines and simply pay a reasonable cork fee to drink it there.
As for food, they admit they are working on that one. I've head the artichoke dip and my only comment is....don't dice up the artichokes so much, and maybe put some mayo into the mix. When it cools it gets pretty glue like though the taste is good. I've been told they plan to off Bruschetta as well in a few weeks, which will be a nice addition. If you really need something hot you can order take out from either the Thai place or the Pizza place in the shopping center and bring it in (they told me so).
Finally, as of today, I believe they have a lass from Scotland starting so you even have a bar person with a charming foreign accent to provide the approriate atmosphere. For those in college, a great place to move away from cheap beer pictures into a classier bar experience, rignt next to all those crazy college bars. Okay, I'm off to see what they have on tap tonight and then maybe over to MadCap Theatres to see the worst movie ever made - The Room!
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