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    The Ruby Tap

    4.2 (123 reviews)
    ModerateWine Bars
    Closed 3:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    The Ruby Tap Photos

    Business Info

    THE RUBY TAP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Ruby Tap

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    Kelsey J.

    Out with the girls for wine tasting last night for a friend's birthday! We were at Ruby Tap in Wauwatosa! I was really impressed with their wine selection and the food pairings were excellent! Our guide Kelly was very informative!

    a menu on the wall
    Becky L.

    Stopped here for a post-show drink. I love the vibe and ambiance and they have plenty of options for people to try. Our server was friendly but also gave us space to catch up. The wines are good but kind of pricey. Two small pours (3 oz) of a sauvignon blanc was $6.25. Loved that they have self-serve water. May stop by again but would be on the look out for a happy hour.

    Wine tasting
    Barry L.

    Atmosphere = ***** Location = ***** Value = **** Variety = *** Service = **** Atmosphere and location, in the heart of Village of Wauwatosa. Great area to be able to walk with a variety of other places. Plenty of parking across the street from Ruby Tap but I hear the one parking lot is being converted to condos I think. Warm and cozy place. Bar and tap area with seating and a variety of table sizes. A somewhat separate section with a fireplace and couch to be more intimate. Variety, 32 tappers with a good mix of reds and whites and from low priced wines to higher priced wine as well as size of the pours (small to taste, to medium to try and then large to enjoy) and prices of each pour varies by price of the bottle. You can select 1.5-ounce tastes, 3-ounce half pours or 6-ounce full pours of wines from the machines, or 3-ounce, 6-ounce or 18-ounce carafes of wine from the tap. Those who find a wine they enjoy may also purchase a bottle to take with them. Description and background on each wine at each tapper. I've been to a few other "wine tap" wine bars with more tappers and varieties of wines (32 more tappers to be specific). Of course, this is a wine bar, with monthly wine memberships and education on wines to purchasing wines from all over. Two different memberships to check out. What I like about this wine club is the wines from all over versus a wine club membership from say, Cooper's Hawk which is their own "brand". The bar also has other drinks and a few other wines available. A small menu for appetizers and sharable dishes. Value, is subjective but for a wine lover who wants to try wines without purchasing a full glass, this is where you go. $3 on up for a 1.5 ounce can get pricey for some. The value here is not spending $15 on a glass to not like it. The wine tappers are cooled to proper temperature so you are truly tasting the wines as they should be which to me adds to the value. Service, overall good service when you walk up and get your card for the tapper to food service. Friendly staff and knowledgeable staff.

    a variety of appetizers on a table
    Kristin J.

    Such a fun spot! You can order tastings of the wine list on special, or you can grab a card and create your own tasting menu of anything they have in stock. The best part about this place is the combination of knowledgeable staff who can give you their opinion on available wines, and the juxtaposition of wait service if you need it vs self-serve check out all the possibilities nature over the place.

    Isiah K.

    What a great experience! We had the opportunity to try different wines with their self dispenser option. My girlfriend and I went with another couple and really enjoyed our time. We had the chef's choice cheese and meat board. I definitely recommend this spot. Our server was great and knowledgeable! Covid protocols and social distancing is in place.

    White flatbread
    Lori K.

    Seriously one of my favorite places for girl's night. The wine selection is always fantastic and the snacks are delicious too! The staff is knowledgeable and has never steered me wrong. Definitely check them out if you haven't already!

    Natalie R.

    We were here for a bridal shower and the setting was absolutely perfect and just right for our group size! I haven't been to Ruby Tap before and was excited to check it out. The event was on a Sunday so I can't comment on how Ruby Tap is during regular business hours but today's experience was exceptional! The staff was amazing- not overbearing but always there with drinks, food or clearing the table. We started with mimosas (orange, grapefruit or both), or teas, lemonade, etc if that was desired. The water station is a great idea for people to grab water whenever they need it. One detail I was surprised to see was the Riedel stemware. Not typically the kind of high quality you'd normally find in a restaurant but added to the elegance of Ruby Tap. The bites that were served were all yummy. Cheeses, olives, rosemary nuts, vegetable platter and a Parmesan popcorn. Everything was labeled too so you weren't guessing what it was you were putting on your plate. I don't believe Ruby Tap typically serves more than the small bites but for this event, we also had chicken salad in croissants (cut in half, perfect for us ladies who normally wouldn't eat an entire croissant sandwich), a chopped salad with balsamic, pine nuts and blue cheese, and a large fruit platter with only the best fruits (strawberries, raspberries, pineapple and apples). Everything tasted amazing and very much appreciated the healthier option for this luncheon. Finished up with a cappuccino that was absolutely perfect! Gifts were opened by the fireplace where we could sit on the couches and big chairs. I love the rustic elegance in Ruby Tap and can see why people would want to relax here with a glass of wine or two. Outdoor seating is also available. I very much enjoyed Ruby Tap for the bridal shower and would be interested in returning during one of their happy hours soon!

    Pepperoni flatbread, charcuterie, olives, truffle popcorn
    Katie S.

    The Ruby Tap was a blast! My friend and I went on a Tuesday night...the vibe was great! The wine selection was vast and I was able to sample varietals I've never had before. Great food, too!

    Wine tasting!
    Christina S.

    Wine. You can't go wrong with it! We have been to Ruby Tap before and it is a great hang out. Today we did a private tasting with a group of 8. Brooke one of the owners was absolutely fantastic! She was so knowledgeable, fun and relatable. We had a tasting of 5 wines with pairings. All the wines and pairings were phenomenal. I can't say enough good things about this place! We would come back in a heartbeat for a private tasting and would recommend it to friends. Awesome setting and great wines!

    The Ruby Tap. Wine bar.
    George T.

    Upcoming Events Oct 9,16,20. Had came here for the first time to have an after dinner drink and meet up with other yelpers. Who were in the area. Had a great time discussing various topics from checking to location tips and hints. They have all types of wines to try as you desire allows. Make sure to check in with yelp or foursquare as they have specials to start with. Overall a nice location parking can be found around the area. As usual for the area be prepared to walk a little. Food : wine paring events see schedule. Ambiance : 5 unique memorable open areas and cozy corner Service : 4 two helpful staff to explain the process almost self serve you trade a DL or a CC for a wine card the machines gives you either a taste size portion or half or full glass depending on your choice or budget. Location : 3 Value : 3 self serve portion is your destiny

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    4 years ago

    Ruby Tap is an excellent wine lounge/ bar with inside and outside seating great menus and fantastic wine choices been going for years .

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    11 years ago

    Great place for quiet conversation and/or a date. Fine wine selection and delicious cheese. Affordable.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - The Ruby Tap

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    Review Highlights - The Ruby Tap

    The decor is very hip - a NYC vibe in a comfortable, cozy, and relaxing location in Tosa Village.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Charles E Fromage - Fromage Cheese Glop

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    Hawthorne Glen, Washington Heights

    What a gem of a spot in Washington Heights! This cute and tiny wine bar serves up a limited menu of…read moresnacks, wine, solid beers on tap and some killer cocktails. They have an amazing patio and live music on the rooftop on Thursdays. When I say the interior is tiny, I mean tiny! There are a few small tables and a couple of chairs at the bar. No reservations taken, so it can be difficult to find a spot on weekends. If you're in the area, check this spot out! Perfect for date night, or a nightcap in a cozy and cute space.

    Great spot for a date, to have pleasant conversation over a charcuterie board and a cocktail or…read moreglass of wine. But go on a slow night. They don't accept reservations, and there is nowhere to stand and wait for a table. You can't even put your name on a wait list and come back because they don't have one. If you leave, you lose your spot in line. It took us three visits before we landed on a night with no line. It is a very small place with only a few tables in the seating area and bar seating. The service was attentive and polite. The cocktails are fantastic and flavorful, including their N/A offerings. The menu is basically just choosing how much cheese and charcuterie you desire. There aren't many choices for variation because the offerings change depending what is curated that week. The prices might be a bit high for what is served, but the quality of every ingredient is superb. The two of us were satiated with the largest board ($40) and an extra order of toasts. Glad to have tried Charles From age, but our curiosity is satisfied.

    Story Hill BKC - Good Morning Viet Nam!! Great special today

    Story Hill BKC

    (828 reviews)

    $$

    Story Hill

    I've been here before, but I don't know that I've ever ordered as well. The special was a giant…read moreburger that my new friends at the bar were splitting, but most of the menu is set up more family style - divided by plate size. The waitstaff will walk you through how that works your first time. We started with some of the taste & share plates - showing off WI cheese to the out of towners - and then a few people shared some gnocchi and beef tartare while a couple people got burgers. We had maybe 4 bites leftover, and no room for dessert, it was a personal victory. I'm sad I didn't get photos because I love the feel of each unique area that's here. The restaurant is bigger than you think because it's subdivided into smaller rooms. We had a group of 7 for a work event (which meant I kept my phone put away) and were in a cozy little nook in the back by ourselves, I'd never even noticed this little spot. What a fantastic time we had!

    I finally visited Story Hill BKC for an actual dinner - my birthday dinner actually. I had a $5…read moreBDay credit and it was on my list so BF and I went at about 5:30 sans reservation. At that time we were easily seated in the main dining area, but there were quite a few full tables already seated. Our service was excellent and friendly, thanks to Elly. The main dining room is not large. It remains fairly cozy and seating spills over to high top tables in the liquor store area, but no one was seated there during our visit. We started with the twin mushroom handpies - Local Mushroom Duxelles, Shredded Saxony and Montamoré, Sherry Syrup, Thyme Almond Gremolata. They took a long time to come out from the kitchen, which was understandable since they were baked in house, but they were still a little raw on top. Nonetheless, they were the best bite I had all evening. I had the Root Vegetable Agnolotti - Black Garlic Pasta, Sweet Potato And Ricotta, Celery Root Soubise, Toasted pine Nuts, Crispy Parsnip and Sage, Basil Oil. It was interesting and I enjoyed trying it, but I wasn't blown away. The sauce was thick and the filling was similar in texture and the overall effect was kind of muddy and smushy. It was helped by all the toppings, but this wasn't a home run. BF had the Tuesday burger special, in this case a Bacon Barbecue - Prime beef, coffee BBQ, crispy onion strings. He enjoyed it quite a bit and said the barbecue sauce was not too overwhelming. It was a big burger and quite filling. I had a Manhattan and a glass of wine - both of which were very good. They offer up a celebration dessert - an unbaked cheesecake slice with chocolate sauce and cherries. It was a nice light bite to end the dinner and we enjoyed it. I will say that I find their pricing to be somewhat aggressive. Several of their appetizers, sharables and sides are priced like main dishes and their main dishes are priced as if this were a high-end steak house instead of a more casual eatery. My pasta was fairly good, but more than a steak at comparable restaurants at $33. It was not THAT good.

    Ca'Lucchenzo - Focaccia (1000/10)

    Ca'Lucchenzo

    (159 reviews)

    $$$

    Well shit, no wonder this place is nominated for a James Beard Award. I'm literally still thinking…read moreabout all the good food 24 hours later. It's actually shocking I've only just made it here because Ca'Lucchenzo has been on my to-go list for years. Lucky for me, my girlfriends planned a dinner to catch up and one of them chose this spot. Hot tip: make the reservation. Those go fassst! We went on the Tuesday night and it was full, with repeated table turnover. Delightful atmosphere. Very cozy, with warm tones, dimer lighting, and thoughtfully curated Italian'esque decor. Loved that there is a whole area where you can look onto the from-scratch pasta being made. However, that's over in the dining room and we actually sat on the bar side. There's maybe a dozen seats wrapped around their full-service bar, and then a small high-top tucked behind, where we sat. Our server, Malichai, new allllll of his stuff. When I tell you this menu is so clearly planned with immense detail, and changes pretty much daily, but this man knew every thing there was to know. We found that to be so helpful because as first timers it's hard to know what - and how many dishes - to choose. In the end, we landed on a handful of picks from the antipasti section, which we're all great shareable sizes. And then of course we needed pasta, so selected two of those to share as well. Can I recall what each dish was? No. Can I recall everything being extremely flavorful and enjoyable? Absolutely! From goat cheese and white asparagus, to creamy potato ravioli and the most insane/delicious focaccia of my life... we all noted how great every bite was. Oh and the drinks + dessert selection lived up to the hype too. I had a citrusy gin cocktail, and we finished with some sort of hazelnut chocolate cake. 10/10. Super duper excited to bring my husband here. He appreciates the craft of good food and boy that is what this place is alllll about.

    I was so excited to try this place when I heard they had homemade pasta with a rotating menu so…read morethat there's always something new to try. First off, the focaccia was hands down the best bread I've ever had in my life. It was so soft with the perfect amount of seasoning/salt with olive oil for dipping. I had never had squash blossoms before and I thought they were light and flavorful. The homemade pasta dishes were both so good. Our server helped us pick out our dishes based on our flavor preferences and wine choice. I can't wait to come back!

    Il Mito Trattoria e Enoteca - Chocolate hazelnut tort

    Il Mito Trattoria e Enoteca

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    $$

    SO DISAPPOINTING!!…read more We were a party of three - I arrived before the others. Hostess could not find our reservation, but after some time claimed to have found it and attempted to seat me at a table for two - I had to correct her, and I was then seated at a table by the window - the draftiness was significant and distracting on a cold evening. We were offered a small basket of bread with a small plate of olive oil with a blob of what appeared to be roasted garlic. Our party ordered the lamb shank, the lasagna, and I ordered the Carbonara-our waiter exclaimed how that was an 'excellent choice and his favourite item on the menu. I expected a bowl of hot fettuccine with a thick, flavorful, creamy cheese sauce, but what I got was a bowl of lukewarm pasta at best. The 'sauce' was runny and lacked flavour - it resembled milk. There was no salt or pepper on the table, nor was any Parmesan cheese offered to help improve the flavor of the sauce. No additional bread was offered. We ordered Creme Brulee for dessert. It too was NOT hot, the sugar topping was burnt, and what should have been a firm vanilla custard was also runny - and had almost a curdled appearance. Again, outside of burnt sugar, there was no flavour. Our server was nice enough, but the food was so lackluster I can't recommend Ill Mitto. I will have to think long and hard before attempting to dine there again.

    Perfect location to spend a Valentine's Day dinner. We went a few days early and were able to take…read moreadvantage of the 3 for $35 menu, which is available Sunday-Thursday. I had the Caesar salad, lasagna and hazelnut torte. I would order the lasagna and torte again without a doubt. I'd pass on the salad as the addition of hard boiled eggs and bacon fell flat in my opinion. The personally branded wine add a nice touch to any meal. We already have plans to come back on a Sunday night for a special treat

    The Ruby Tap - wine_bars - Updated May 2026

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