Those smiles wouldn't look so fake if Taps kept its promise.
(Credit: Michael Cook)
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Decor: When Taps replaced Fort Charles, the new owners got rid of the video poker machines (a good thing), but the pinball machines and pool table also departed (not so good). The new owners shuffled around a few cheap tables and chairs, and want visitors to think they've improved the decor. In reality, they've done nothing with the space. The high ceilings only serve to make the bare tan walls more bare and even taller. Removing Fort Charles' homemade signs didn't help much, either, as the bar just looks naked now. Rumor has it that a massive second story ballroom is available to Taps' owners, but since they don't know what to do with the downstairs space, who cares?
Crowd: Taps has quickly managed to scare away the old, blue-collar crowd and imported a host of 20-somethings not unlike those at most Fed Hill bars. Unfortunately, the massive room made the crowd of drinkers look small.
Drinks: Taps doesn't have any taps. Rumors are bouncing around Fed Hill that the owners plan on putting in 20, 30 or 40. Guess what? Right now, there are zero. Taps does have a pretty decent selection of bottled beer and a small but efficient wine list covering the main varietals. All of this is priced reasonably, but that does little to negate the fact that there are no taps.
Service: Despite an obstacle-free approach to the bar, we didn't get drinks very quickly. The boys behind the bar didn't make up for their lack of speed with overwhelming charisma, either.
Sounds: We couldn't determine where the sounds came from, as there was no jukebox. Trust that had there been one, we would have used it. The Saturday night tunes we heard can be categorized as safe for office-listening. As one female patron said, "I'm drunk and I'm not dancing. That's a problem."
Bottom line: Taps took the big oyster that was Fort Charles, shucked it hollow and has yet to fill it with anything fun.
