Are you tired of the same old bar atmosphere?
Wanting a place that’s local? Where you can get good food and drinks at great prices? Where everybody knows your name?
Then look no further than downtown Oxford’s own Irish pub? The Oxford Tap.
For the past four years, the Tap, located at 36 S. Washington St., has been the social hub of downtown Oxford with its various lagers, ales and spirits.
Co-owner Mike Phipps said he and his partner Lou Conley opened the Tap because they’ve been in the bar business their whole lives and knew the ‘homier feeling? in the village would bring in more customers.
‘The downtown village idea was very appealing to us and with the amount of growth in Oxford, it was pretty much a done deal,? he said.
With an atmosphere straight out of Dublin, the Tap’s high-top tables, lengthy bar and friendly patrons make it feel like every day’s St. Paddy’s Day.
The Oxford Tap offers its customers a variety of drinks straight off the tap. Try out Boddington’s English pub ale, Kalamazoo’s own Bells, Killians Irish Red and, of course, don’t forget your Guinness. Every month, Phipps features a beer of the month where the lucky patrons get to try out 22 ounces for $3.50. Saturday and Sunday’s features are a build your own Bloody Mary bar from opening until 5 p.m.
‘We give you a glass with the liquor in it and you pick your mixes, your pickles, olives, peppers, whatever you want,? Phipps said.
Not only does the Tap offer great drinks, their grub will always send you home with a full stomach, but not an empty wallet.Lunch specials include homemade pasties, Coney dogs, French dips, beef and cheddar sandwiches and even specialty salads like a Caesar or Maurice. In the mood for something spicy? Pick up some 10 cent buffalo, BBQ or honey garlic chicken wings on Monday’s from 9-11 a.m. (8-11 a.m. in the summer).
From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every day, enjoy a juicy pub burger, fries and beer or pop for only $4.95. Traditional Irish fish and chips, made with Alaskan beer battered cod, will run you $8.25.
But the menu doesn’t stop there!
The Oxford Tap also has daily dinner specials, like their mouth watering ribs for $11.95 on Wednesday, New York strip steaks for $10.95 on Thursday and a Friday Lake Perch dinner for $10.95. Friday’s also feature a free Happy Hour buffet (5-7 p.m.) with meatballs, Italian sausage and chips and salsa. Got a midnight craving? Check out the free build your own taco bar from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. on Thursdays.
‘If you’re gonna do it you gotta do it right,? Phipps said.
The Tap also has live entertainment every Tuesday and Saturday at 9 p.m. Look for cover, classic rock and blues bands like Twisted Tarantulas and one man-band Mike Ridley.
New to the Tap this year will be a 460 square foot outdoor eating area in the back of the pub. With a permanent awning and plastic walls to enclose the space if needed, patrons can enjoy their brew and grub with the beautiful summer weather.
‘It’s going to be big enough to seat about 30 people comfortably,? Phipps said. ‘Along with that we’ll do some promotions like an outdoor BBQ once a week or maybe a motorcycle night once a week.?
The Oxford Tap will also continue to cook for the summer’s Concerts in the Park located at Centennial Park.For more information on The Oxford Tap, call (248) 236-0380.