Love this place. Great to meet up with a group as everyone orders their own food whenever they want. Little difficulty with folks who aren't as tech savvy as there are not servers or menus but if you don't want a typical restaurant experience where you have to wait for everyone to arrive (you know you have those friends that are always late for everything!) to order this is your jam. Food has always been good and their drink selection is as diverse as you're going to find in the craft beer scene today. Yes, 1/3-1/2 of their taps are IPA's but that's what you people have done to this world. read more

It's been about a year since I've been here and the concept of this place still just blows my mind. It runs very well, and pretty much no staff. The business model is genius. A hostess who takes your money and gives you a bracelet, automated beer, and you use your phone to order from the kitchen, they text you and you go get your food. I wondered many times how they could serve alcohol and not monitor how much people were drinking? So I asked. The host is in the front said at the end of 32 oz is your bracelet will not work and you need to come up and see me to reset it. I guess that's how they would monitor whether or not someone could get another 32 oz? I'm surprised not more places have copied their business layout. With the new generation, this would be the place to go, you barely have to speak to anyone except for the people you're with. read more

North End Taproom is a great addition to downtown Royal Oak! This self serving bar is a brilliant idea and top notch implementation. They have simple pricing per ounce, a self serve with wristband model, and don't accept tips. Also, there was a great variety of Michigan beer, cider, and wine to taste. It was so nice to get up and pour our own drinks throughout. The food menu was small but mighty. My group has never been disappointed by a food order here yet! My go to are the fish tacos. They were delicious and fresh. As for the sides, both the fries and chips are a knock out! To top it all off, this place has games! There was a variety of card and board games. My group ended up with Codenames; a classic. RUN don't walk to North End Taproom!!! read more

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I would rate this a 3.5. To be perfectly transparent, I don't drink beer, so I can't speak to the main draw of the restaurant. I did really enjoy the layout of the space, and we had a big group that was able to be accommodated fairly easily. However, the general opinion was that the beer was good, but the food was okay, and a few of us had some run-ins with staff who were not very friendly towards us. I get that it can be a little overwhelming to deal with a big group, but some of us felt like we couldn't ask questions. Overall, though, we liked the vibes and those who were drinking enjoyed the variety of beer! read more

North End Taproom - Sweet potato fries and chicken sandwich - Beer Bar Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

The food and beer is good, and can taste many beers to try It's self service for food and beer read more

North End Taproom - Poutine - Beer Bar Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

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Oh em geee, I loved this taproom. The concept is super fun. The beer selection is wide. And the service was excellent. Upon entry you receive a wrist band. You can use this wrist band to pour your own beer and are only charged for what you pour. You can have a shot of every beer if you want! Just note each drink is priced differently. If you are not drinking, they usually offer n/an options (when we went they had a cream soda and nitro coffee). I didn't get food, so I can't comment on that. The overall ambiance of the taproom is very fun and open. There is a selection of games you can pick to play with your party. Seating ranges from bar seats, classic tables and even cozy chairs. 5/5 stars, I will return and order food next time! read more

North End Taproom - Beer Bar Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

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Love the self service tap room. They have food too and you can order right from your phone. Greta vibes & good for groups. read more

North End Taproom - Beer Bar Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

Beers good, food is mediocre and overpriced. Cooks look busy. Busy with what? Making mediocre food.

The place does not accommodate large groups. The drink system is cool but overpriced. The food is good but ordering system is complex. Would not come back for the price. read more

Good vibes, good drinks, good food. What more do you need? I've been to North End Taproom both with small groups of friends and for large group events (30-50 people), and I appreciate the excellent customer service and consistency that North End Taproom provides. Each time we have been welcomed by the wonderful staff and it was explained to us how to use the bracelets for the pour-your-own drinks. The rotating drink options have continued to be a 10/10 since they opened. They really do have an excellent variety - not only the different types of beers, but also having wines and non-alcoholic options. I'm currently in that phase of life where more and more of my friends are pregnant or not drinking, so I would love to see an expansion of non-alcoholic options in the future. The food here is good. I appreciate how quickly everything is ready once you order through the app. The totchos, sweet potato salad, chicken wings, tofu bahn mi, meatballs and sweet potato fries are some of my favorites. There was a salad with beets in it that I don't currently see on their menu, but that was a favorite of mine as well. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. For our large group events we ordered the food ahead of time and they set everything up for us buffet-style. It worked really well. Everything was done for us and they made sure that we were well fed, rotating in hot and fresh platters throughout the evening. It was great not having to worry about every little thing! This is such a fun spot to visit. We'll be back soon! read more

The concept is you enter your credit card and given a bracelet as you enter. Two long walls are lined with taps. You place your bracelet on the beer you want to try and recorded on your credit card. Fun and easy. Nice atmosphere with large tables. Was not impressed with food. I ordered the olive burger and it was more mayonnaise than burger. Another in my group ordered tacos and he had to order another dinner at our next stop after leaving because they weren't enough to fill him up. read more

Super cool place. We came for the Adult Book Fair with Side Track Book Shop and enjoyed some good ciders and yummy food. Staff were friendly and helpful. You use a bracelet to "open" the spout of the beer/coder/wine/drink of your choice. Names of the drink and prices are on the screen. If you need details, you can touch the screen for more info. You pick how much you pour and it gets added to your account. They offer flights, and 2 other size glasses for your drink. Food menu is on a QR code, you order on the app and they text you when it's ready then you grab it at the kitchen counter. I ordered the fish tacos and tator tots. The food was freshly made and really good. I'll be back another day to sit and relax. read more

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We decided to visit this one in Royal oak on Sunday when they host a trivia night. The trivia is a lot of fun for sure, music could use a bit of low volume as it was getting hard concentrating on answers. The taproom as such was pretty impressive, it was all self serve.. they gave a wristband tied to your credit card and you just have to tap the band at whatever drink you want.. priced per oz.. For a beer tasting this is a great idea.. wines though, options are very limited, barely 3 and expensive.. also very less variety of food and barely any options.. so I'm cutting 1 point for the food options only. read more

This place is just what we needed in Royal Oak. I feel like it energizes this part of the street as well. It's a fun, casual place where you can get some drinks and visit with friends or play games. Very high tech. I love the wrist band pour your own beer concept. I also like that you can know exactly how much money you spent while you're pouring. They have a good menu as well. Kid friendly so you can come here with anyone. I was shocked by how many people brought their kids. I loved the challah grilled cheese and the sweet potato fries were great. My fave beer was the coconut hazelnut one and it was 11% alc! I'll def be back! Also, free parking behind was so convenient. read more

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Located on the north end of the popular strip in Royal Oak, nearby pay garages. Large garage style doors to the small sidewalk patio. Inside are tables and some chair clusters. Game table. Wall of taps. Kitchen service counter. You enter, show ID, run your credit card, and get the bracelet to run the taps. Grab a 10oz beer glass or a sample size (they have sample boards to carry them) and use the bracelet to turn on the tap you want to try. Empty glasses go into bins. They have a kitchen, you order on their app and pick it up at the counter. Burgers and pub snack type food. Juice boxes for the kids (there were several groups with kids) It was loud inside even at only 1/4 full, the beers were a little pricey. In particular because they don't have to pay servers. The bathrooms were clean and bright. read more

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I was pleasantly surprised by this place. I love that the self serve taps have non beer options and non alcoholic taps too. We split the spicy chicken sandwich and the burger. The chicken sandwich was really thin and crisp. The burger was pretty solid too. It's a really chill vibe and would be great for catching up with friends. There are also no tips here so I'm hoping that means a they pay their staff a living wage. read more

Amazing first time at North End Taproom! From start to finish, we had a great experience. The host thoroughly explained how everything worked, and then we hit up the tap wall. Highly recommend the pineapple tangerine seltzer mixed with the brut for a mimosa. Food portions were generous and everything came out quickly. We had the kids grilled cheese, hot honey sandwich, BLT, fish tacos, and shishito pepper appetizer. We'll definitely be back! read more

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This is a cool hangout spot. I really enjoy the self serve beer places because I like sampling a lot of them. They had some pretty good options to choose from here. The food was really good as well, I got an olive burger and it was legit! You order all the food online, and I found it to be very user friendly. They also have a ton of games to play while you're there. read more

North End Taproom - Olive burger and chips - Beer Bar Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

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Cool self serve brewery with a great selection of beer the burgers were okay the buns were toasted to perfection but the burger patty itself was small and a little dry. I'd expect more from a taproom burger but the tots and fries and fried green beans were great! read more

Had the worst fish tacos ive ever experienced . Maybe 1 oz of fish. Asked if it came crispy, was told yes. It isn't crispy at all. Would have gotten a 0/5. I know theres no service, but you could have pointed out silverware and napkins. The salad I ate was a 10/10 though. read more

The food is excellent. The beer is awesome and it is a cool place.I have been here multiple times and have enjoyed each visit. The staff is always very friendly. If you are looking for a multitude of different beers, ciders, and seltzers, North End will not disappoint. I like being able to pour the amount I want. Maybe it is a taste, a half glass or a full pint. You only pay for what you consume. Inside, you will find a few TVs, some couches, chairs, and tables, along with a lot of different board/card games. Give it a try. read more

Love North End Tap! Their beer selection is stellar and I love that they have a handful of non-beer options, too. They revamped the food menu since I last went and it is still awesome. The white fish dip was a great serving size for the price to be split between 2 people. Ambiance is super clean and crisp. Also appreciate that it feels affordable to get drinks and food here since it is self-serve. We will be back! read more

Awesome addition to downtown Royal oak. Extensive beer menu and self service makes it a fun experience. I did not expect the food to be so good. Coming from a burger guy, The royale with cheese is one of the best burgers I've ever had. read more

I will start with the good; the beet salad was absolutely amazing and blew my socks off. Best thing about the entire night of food here. Also got the Brazilian cheese bread which unfortunately was frozen, but whatcha going to expect sometimes. Totchos were mid and not crispy at all. Great pickles though! Very over priced beer but good selection. The person who greeted us was incredible at their job and informed us what was going on. Loved that I could chill on a couch after an emo nite. read more

This place fully exceeded expectations. I went in expecting a decent meal and some drinks but left already talking about going back. They had a great selection of (self serve) beer. I loved the glass cleaning stations! The vibe was warm and comfy. The food was absolutely stellar and was much better than anticipated. Our table had the elote and totchos (both are musts!), a walking taco, Royale with cheese, and the Krabby Patty. It was all super fresh and flavorful. I'm excited to work this one into the rotation! read more

This was a totally unique experience. Now that might just be the 47 year-old man talking, but it was pretty cool. Self serve beer and you get your own food after they make it. There were over 40 beers on tap. The burger was absolutely out of this world. Sorry I didn't get any pictures. They had board games and shuffleboard that you could play. It was a very social environment. Lots of seating and even a little bookstore in the front. You must stop in here if you're nearby. You will not be disappointed. read more

After a Wings game we decided to stop in at a restaurant in Royal Oak for a "Linner." We did, but after being sat on a cold hard bench by a drafty window, and then not getting service, we walked out in search for something else. As we're walking down Main, we see North End Taproom across the street. Hey - let's go there and try it out. Perfect. We walk in, and aren't quite sure what to make of it. We were greeted by... I can't recall his name but if you check out their IG account, he's the one who drew the name for the Shorts onesie prize. lol! Anyway, we told him we'd never been here, so he did an extra greeting, and then explained what it was all about, was friendly and patient with my questions. You give them your credit card to scan for payment and a phone #. Then you get a rubber wristband. You walk over to the wall of taps (40 of them). Each tap has a video screen and if you tap on it you can read more about the beverage. If you want to try something, pick a glass (they have smaller or larger glasses), hold your wristband up to the tap sensor, and when the screen tells you it's okay, pull the tap and pour your drink. They had a wide variety of beers, some ciders, wine, pop and even cold brew coffee from Dessert Oasis (their next door neighbor). If you want some food, you sit at a table, scan the QR code that's there, and order on your phone. When it's ready, they send you a text and you go up to the window at the back of the joint and pick up your food. Each time you want something new to drink, you drop your dirty glass in the bin at the end of the taps, grab a new glass, and start the process over again. You also bus your own tray if you order food. So, let me tell you why I really enjoyed the place. You pay by the ounce. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to a bar and hadn't really wanted a huge beer. I honestly don't drink a lot of beer. Maybe I just want a "juice glass" of beer. Here, I can have as little or as much as I want. I can try an ounce of something, and if I don't like it, I can try something else. This was great. And I did. I tried three different beers, just having 2 ounce pours, and finished the the cold brew coffee. The food was good. We tried T's Beer Nuts(YUMMMMMMM!!!), Esquites, BBQ Chicken Lettuce Wraps, and the Crabby Patty. Everything was good and fresh. Nothing was overpriced (especially when we're talking about Royal Oak!!). Super glad that other restaurant had crappy service and we stumbled in here. We'll definitely be back! read more

Chicken Sandwich was amazing. Perfect amount of sweet and spicy. So crispy! Olive burger was great! Green bean fries were great. Love all the beer on tap. Great ciders. Love the vibe! read more

Great addition to the neighborhood. Pour as much or as little as you want. They also serve food. Kid-friendly, group-friendly, and date-friendly! I'm a fan! read more

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Really lovely place that my wife and I were thrilled to happen upon. Ask about the story behind Mark's Handy Amber Ale! read more

North End Taproom - Beer menu - Beer Bar Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

When we found out about this place, we knew we had to check it out since we haven't been to a self-serve tap room in 8 years (in Colorado). What a great place! The beer selection was great, and the wristbands worked flawlessly. You simply hold your wrist up to the scanner under the screen, then pour your own beverage. Quick and easy. The menu was abbreviated to allow the kitchen staff to get into a groove, but my family of 4 was able to sample all different, and delicious meals! I generally grab a burger, and the Royal Oak was absolutely incredible. It didn't have any special toppings to make it unique, it was simply made with fresh, high quality ingredients and cooked perfectly. Honestly one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. Subtle things we really enjoyed: great environment for children to blend in, everything is self-serve and efficient, no tip required(!!!), and you don't have to wait for a bill since it's closed out automatically when you turn in your wristband. 10/10. Well done! read more

Excited for another self pour spot in the area. The staff was very nice and explained how everything worked clearly. I loved the beer selection and there was something for everything. The food was good too. We ordered royal burger with fries and the crab cake sandwich with tots. We had the meatball appetizer and it was decent but not really my kind of flavor profile. The ambiance is great as well. Comfortable seating and games, plus a couple of TVs. Overall great experience and we will be back! read more

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Have tried it twice. 1st time just us to test it. Found the vibe great. Easy going. Lots of choices from beer, wine and seltzers. Bought some bread bites and was not impressed with the taste nor price. Talked to a couple that bought the Royal w/Cheese and they said it was great, agreed it looked great We played some shuffleboard, nice to have though the table needs a little work on its surface. The employs there were 2nd visit we brought a couple of friends after a night at Johnnys. They liked it as we did. Again many choices to drink. Casual table and easy guest to speak with, many of whom were playing various games. Asked to switch the channel on TV and no problem did it right away. Overall we will be back and want to try the burger read more

Fun spot. Love the concept. Food was good. Variety of beverages definitely the highlight. Friendly crew to help out!

Loved this place! The staff took the time to explain how the taproom was structured, gave some background on the beers they offer, and even chatted with me and my friends for a few minutes before heading back to the front. I instantly felt welcomed and really liked the structure! You get a wristband when you enter that you use to scan/pour the beers that you want and your tab is automatically charged. You can also order food right from the link you get when you enter and it comes out quick! I got a bbq pulled chicken sandwich, which was delicious. The place is very clean with a great vibe. I will definitely be back! read more

North End Taproom - Entrance - Beer Bar Near Me - Royal Oak, Michigan

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I love that you can get up and pour your own tap and not wait for anyone! I would like more food options though. their current options are alright but kinda pricey. Maybe more snackey foods? Love the variety of beer options! read more

Really liked our experience. Great atmosphere. Getting to sample several beers in small pour your own portions was a lot of fun. You get a bracelet when you arrive that you scan at the tap. The food was prompt and didn't disappoint. read more

Great atmosphere, great location, and the food was spectacular. The owner helped us and she was genuine and helpful. She explained to my colleague and I how almost everything is made from scratch. Great experience overall read more

Love love love this place! Took my whole family when they were in town. There were games for my nephew, multiple food options that you order from your phone and come out pretty quick. Love the self service option so everyone gets what they want to drink. Very relaxed chill atmosphere. Easy place to work from mid afternoon too! read more

This place is stellar. When you walk in you get a wristband to activate the beer wall. It's attached to your credit card and then you serve yourself. You can taste as many beers as you want, try a little, try a full glass, anything goes. Chill vibes and friendly staff make for a welcoming place for all ages. There are TVs, but they are subtle enough that they don't overpower the place. The food is great too, with plenty of meat, vegetarian or vegan options. There are board games and a shuffle board table and some kids toys. If you haven't been yet, you should definitely check it out. read more