I love this place so much that after visiting for the first time, I went back the next night! The atmosphere is romantic, yet casual. Yummy bar snacks- even for vegans!!! And you can't go wrong with the wine, as they have so many different varieties to try. Although this place is a little expensive for me to visit on the regular, it is quickly becoming my go-to for special occasions! read more

The Ruby Tap - truffle popcorn, how i love you so... - Wine Bars Near Me - Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

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

Great atmosphere! Delicious snacks, good wine and a decent prices. A little more pricey than I would expect but ok for the atmosphere and area. read more

The Ruby Tap - Delish! - Wine Bars Near Me - Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

This is one of my favorite places in the area. Great atmosphere, very modern. Well-balanced variety of wines. I especially love their International Nights! I moved here from New York and I brought some friends to the Ruby Tap when they visited - they were instantly hooked. Highly recommend. read more

The Ruby Tap - International Night - Spain - Wine Bars Near Me - Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

It was a nice little wine bar. They have four machines that dispense wine in different ounces. You are given a card which you insert into the machine then select your wine and how much you want. They also have wine on tap. They have a wine club as well you can join. Pretty much if you love wine this is a great spot. Price is a little much however but overall it was a great spot! read more

A bit pricey, but hey it is in downtown Tosa. This is such a fun place to go for a few drinks. You are given a card that you swipe at wine taps. You are able to select the size you want which gives you the ability to try many different wines! They have a variety of prices wines and a variety of types. They have a few snacks you can get as well to satisfy your munchies. Great place to meet up with a few friends! read more

I had the opportunity to check this place out after dinner one evening. I highly recommend it. The bar usually has 3 reds and 3 whites on tap and finger foods. There is also a large quantity of wine on the wall where you can "pay as you go" per say. The wine is good quality. There is a large variety of prices and types of wines. What really made me love this place was the atmosphere. My friend and I got a couch by the fireplace and lounged and chatted for the rest of the night. It felt like we were hanging out at mine or hers place. Very relaxing. My only negative statement regarding this place is that it needs to be cleaned better. There was a significant amount of popcorn all over the floor near our couch. I unsuccessfully scooped some of the popcorn away from my area with my feet. But.... I shouldn't have to do that at all. read more

My city tin takes me to all sorts of cute places. Yesterday I ended up say Ruby taps for a fun wine night. Monday's special is bubbly and fried chicken. They get chicken delivered from Chancery and it's delicious. I love this "serve your own wine" fad that's popping up around the city. It's a great way to try all sorts of things. Here they have over 30 wines you can try from the bottles and 3 wines that are on tap out of barrels. The California roadside red was my favorite. So juicy and full of juicy flavor. They also have little plates of cheese and crackers as well as truffle popcorn. Yum! The one thing I didn't like was when I walked in I had no idea what to do. There was no hostess to seat people or explain how the ordering worked. I picked a table awkwardly and eventually a server came out of the back to behind the bar. She was super nice and helped explain everything, but I think a hostess would have helped smoothed the whole process out. I'd love to know how often they change over the types of wines they serve and go back for a girls night out. read more

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Adorable interior + design (as expected). Wine on tap (as expected). Craft brews in bottles (grab one from the fridge if vino ain't yr thing). Large tables for groups, smaller ones for more intimate conversations. A quaint little patio overlooking the village. Ruby Tap, I wish you were situated closer to (my) home! Dang. read more

We stumbled upon this place on opening night and I'm so glad we did! The concept is fun and different: sort of a do-it-yourself wine tasting. Its unintimidating, and I think a great way for those who have varying degrees of knowledge about wine to sample a wide range over the course of an evening. When you arrive, if you're interested in wine, you get a swipe card at the bar. From there you put your card in a slot, order up one of about 25-30 types of wine in various ounce increments, and enjoy. When you're finished for the night, you pay up your tab at the front. They also offer about 30 different types of local bottled beers and platters of cheese and meats. The design of the restaurant is very modern rustic. The room is divided between the wine station, the bar area, larger tables, and then a section with dividers that has couches and lounge chairs with coffee tables. There are small outdoor patio tables and chairs, too, for warm days. We had a nice long chat with who we assume is one of the co-owners and we could quickly tell that this place is a labor of love. We'll be back to help support the village's best new bar! read more

Man, this place makes me so nervous ... that I'm going to become a wino even faster than originally thought! I love Ruby Tap. It's casual atmosphere and friendly staff makes it a perfect place to go at any time. Whether you're getting some drinks before a fancy dinner, or meeting friends out for a little board game (yeah, they have board games available) it's absolutely perfect. What I love about Ruby Tap is that I get exposed to so many different kinds of wine. I can just do a teeny taste to see if that wine is up my alley ... and then the next round I can do a hearty pour. It's fabulous and ALWAYS packed. They do offer a limited assortment of cheeses and snacks, but I'd consider these as more of a "pairing" than a meal. So come with a full tummy so you can indulge. read more

I love the concept of this place. It's essentially wine on tap--you're given a glass and a card that acts as your tab, and you can sample as much wine as you want. They charge based on pour and type of wine. Each wine comes with a sweet or dry ranking, which is helpful for me as I like to go for wine that tastes like juice. They also have small plates/snacks. Their cheese plate is presented adorably and was the perfect complement to my several glasses of wine. Great place to come on a date or with a group of girlfriends. read more

The Ruby Tap - Cheese plate - Wine Bars Near Me - Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

What part of self serve wine dispensers doesn't sound amazing? Exactly. They also serve lovely cheese/meat plates. Combine that with lots if comfy spaces to sit and chat with your friends. Match made in girls night out heaven. read more

It's been nearly three years since The Ruby Tap opened in Wauwatosa's village. Somewhat surprisingly, I was the first to author a review for tosa's first and only wine-on-tap bar. My first review was positive, but reflected a hint of irascibility that resided in my soul following a tough day at work. (Regarding the wine tap system: "This defeats the purpose of going out and relaxing a bit, doesn't it?" See what I mean? Surly!) Considering that I've since visited The Ruby Tap at least once a month since their opening, it's time that my review be updated, and what better way to do that than with a poem... Congratulations to you Dear Ruby Tap You've thrived for three years despite my first yap. I shouldn't have been mean with an overtone of scorn For I truly enjoy the fine bar that you've borne. It's not just the smiles Or the wine that most pleases It's also good beer, the charcuteries and the cheeses! The Tap feels like home and it's the first place I go when returning from Riyadh, Bogota, Mexico... So thanks for the cheer and the warm welcomes I like and supporting our series: fun Tosa Tonight! I'll see you real soon save a seat at the bar And I'll offer a toast to the fine folks you are! Congratulations to The Ruby Tap on three wonderful years in Wauwatosa. We're looking forward to many more fun nights of their hospitality and cheer and hope to see you there!! read more

This place is pretty rad! I'm totally the type that would rather try a few things than be stuck with just one. Here you can try as many wines as you want! You get a little card to use, in what I would describe as a vending machine style. The card keeps track and tells you how much your spending so you don't need to worry about getting out of control. You also get a glass when you get in (you can choose red or white RED RED RED). When you are getting your wine from the "tap" you can choose how many ounces you want so you can stick to small amounts until you find what you love - or just try them all! Totally love this place. They have some snacks and such as well which is always a good option for a wine night. read more

I don't really understand the appeal of this place. Like previous reviews stated a wall of wines you can sample and dispense at your own pace is awesome in theory but at the price point of Ruby Tap and the awkward ambience of this place I was not impressed. I came here for happy hour with friends tonight. The staff was stand offish and the only food available are cheese plates... after ordering a cheese plate and 2 half pours of wine we ended up leaving after 20 mins and walking over to Cafe Hollander for a more comfortable atmosphere. read more

I don't even like wine, but this place is really cool. As some of the other reviews have mentioned, you go in, get a wine glass (and a card that tracks your consumption) and then you're set free! They have a great selection in both flavor (more varieties than I knew existed) and price (I think they had a few $70 bottles, but I didn't bother with those). Best thing is, when you finish your first glass, you don't have to wait on anyone to come refill, you just go back up to the dispensing area, pick a new flavor and you're good to go! It's a great place to spend $10 sampling wines and unwind. Great atmosphere and great location in the 'Tosa village. They have some cheeses and appetizers and stuff, but I'd really focus on the wines if I were you. read more

This place charges a corking fee for wine you buy there! This is unequivocally insane. The concept of a corking fee is to discourage people from bringing their own bottles of wine into a restaurant. I would've overlooked the inflated prices for beer and cheese but this is crossing the line. Never again! read more

This is definitely my new favorite hangout in Tosa. I concur with all of the raving reviews so far: the place is hip, but not snobbish; the wines are delicious (seriously, I didn't know I could like white, but Ruby Tap whites are making me think twice!), but not outrageously priced; and the staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and approachable -- not at all pretentious. Brooke and Sarah are never too busy to help you, despite the larger-than-anticipated crowds they've had in their opening weeks. I really recommend this place for meeting up with friends. The area with the tables makes you feel like you're just sitting around someone's kitchen table in their home --- very cozy and comfortable. The couch/armchair area is also great for board games and conversation. Being able to serve yourself is such a high point: you get what you want, when you want, with no waiting. And if you're like me and have trouble choosing a wine, their sample system is great for deciding what your palate is in the mood for that night. At my most recent visit, Sarah suggested some great cheeses to go with the wines my friend and I had selected. I definitely recommend the Heidi cheese. If you're in the mood for something more substantial, Brooke and Sarah have allowed their guests to bring in take-out from area restaurants since they don't have a full kitchen. How sweet! My only hope for Ruby Tap is that they seek out some nice, live music in the future. That would just be the icing on the cake! Even without it, I know I will be back here again and again. Welcome to Tosa, Ruby Tap! We're so glad you're here. read more

My new favorite hangout spot! It should be yours, too. If you are into wine If you dig rustic and contemporary mix of design esthetic If you live/work/play in Tosa Village If you like hanging out by the fire Friendly environment. Nonchalant approach to wine. You will not get the attitude from the owners/staff here. They are learning wine as they go themselves, which makes it that much more fun. I love the self-serve idea. You can try every wine displayed for around $3 a pour, or get a full glass for $5-7. Reasonably priced, hey. Then if you like the wine, buy a bottle! Try it. It's crazy fun! read more

This was another city tin visit for me. We stopped in after our dinner at Cafe Bavaria. I like wine but I don't drink an abundance of it and neither does my boyfriend. Ruby Tap is a nice environment to try some different wines without buying a whole bottle. The premise is you can taste different wines by the pour. They hand you a glass and you go to the machines and insert a card which acts as your tab. At the end you pay based on that total dollar value of different pours. Each pour size has a different price point and is based on the wine variety. You can also skip that and drink from the bar taps which feature 3 different reds and whites, again all priced by pour. They also have a decent beer list and some sparkling wine options as well . If you are hungry you can order bar snacks like cheese, meats, buts, etc. The Tosa Ruby Tap has a nice ambience and the location in the village is great. Plenty of parking in the lot across the street. This is a 3.5 to 4 star place to go if you want to be adventurous with wine... might be good for a date night or ladies night. I'm giving 3 because it was an off night for me and the selection of wines I chose. read more

Ruby Tap was designed for people like me - WINOS!. I have been here a couple times and look forward to going back. Upon entry you go right up to the bar and start a tab. You get a sort of hotel-key card sort of thing. There is a wall of different wines with descriptions and you can decide how big of a pour you want. All the pours are tallied up on your key card, and when you're done it's all put on your credit card. There are options for snacks such as charcuterie and cheeses. The portions are very small, but the selection is good. I wish the descriptions were a little more...descriptive for the cheeses. The olives were wonderful, I could have eaten a bowl of them, however it was almost $5 for just a few of them. My main complaint is the size, it is tiny. I would suggest going around 3:00 in the afternoon, but if you are going in the evening, expect to stand with your wine. Very fun, check it out! read more

This is certainly a place where one can knock down stress or just be. There is a complete air of calm and happiness that comes from the folks mingling by the wine machines. It is electric, and I know that I will always find peace at one of the reclaimed tables or next to the fireplace on a cushy chair. Of course, that peace comes with one of my [many] 4 oz pours in hand. I can count on Brooke and Sarah to select a fabulous array of bottles, so I happily sample my way through the majority of them. I never like to rush my visit at Ruby Tap. It is the best way to start a night on the town or call it a night. Either way, it is my Ruby Zen. read more

This review is going to be simple. Self-serve dispenses delicious wine, paired with "build your own" meat, cheese, dessert platter. The truffle popcorn is the most delicious popcorn I have had. The bartender gives you a glass of wine and a card to be swiped so pour your own glasses, which allows no room for moderation. Get a platter of 3 cheeses, 2 meats, and the popcorn, sit outside to enjoy the weather, and you just had the best cocktail hour ever. If you want to sit instead, enjoy the reclaimed wood interiors and the casual ambiance that has me hooked. For two people, I walked out spending $46 on one bill. Almost too reasonable. read more

Such a cute spot to hang out! I am a big fan. Great selection of wine and with the wine on tap you can taste as many as you like to find the right one! I also really like the idea of getting up and getting the wine you want when you want. You can also order chocolates or cheese to go with your wine, this is a lovely after dinner or snack date night kind or place, also ideal for a girls night. read more

If they had a top 100 list of things to do in Wisconsin.. the first 20 would have to do with things involving lake Michigan. Calatrava, Bradford Beach etc.. But after that... don't SKIP RUBY TAP. Besides the fact that its located in the beautiful village of wauwatosa, and next to the best yogurt place we have in the city(YO MAMA).. this is a unique wine bar ran by two sweet girls. A self serve wine bar, usually something most people have never seen. I can not talk more highly of this, and you definitely will be happy you made it here. read more

I love the Ruby Tap! This new feature to the Wauwatosa village is definitely something to talk about! There are 30 some wines on tap, which are self serve. An excellent concept so you don't have to rely on a server to get a fresh glass of wines. The taps are great because you can sample many wines before you buy a bottle. There is also a great assortment of local Wisconsin beers for the beer geek. Not too mention cheese platters (also local) and tasty olives and nuts to snack on. The atmosphere is very welcoming with a lounge to hang out in, tables and a bar and last but not least out door seating, another plus! The Ruby is very hip, trendy modern but also casual. The staff is very friendly, out going and more than happy to help new comers and wine enthusiasts. I would recommend this establishment to anyone and cannot wait to revisit! read more

Love this place. It's located in the Tosa village with free public parking across the street. They have a wine machine and a nice happy hour. My favorite part is definitely their cheese boards and truffle popcorn. You can pick the cheeses and meats you want and they are priced by item, which I love. They have comfortable seating and friendly staff as well. You can also take a bottle to go and they are always well priced. Best wine bar in the MKE area! read more

First time visit to any wine bar, so i have no point of comparison. But it was a great experience. 20+ wine vending options. Really friendly, educated service. Tasty charcuterie platter. Best pickles I've ever had. read more

The Ruby Tap - Random selection of cheese and charcuterie. And the best pickles ever. - Wine Bars Near Me - Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Top notch customer service from Sarah & Brooke + staff. Great selection of wines. Date night stop is perfect. read more

The Ruby Tap - Truffle butter popcorn. Great with our bubbly. - Wine Bars Near Me - Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

After visiting Ruby Tap 3 times, I feel well equipped with information to make the judgment that this was just the type of place that Tosa needed, and it was wonderful to see it bustling this past Saturday night. (Wonderful, after we were able to secure a table for our group of 13, if we hadn't been able to, I might not have looked on the evening as fondly as I do, but I'm glad my stealth was rewarded) The place: It's a serve yourself, sip-yourself to a tipsy state kind of place. You can opt for a carafe of 3 house whites, or 3 house reds, ranging from $20-$30 or so for 18oz. Or you can opt for the daily special (Hello $3 mimosa on a Saturday night.....it's breakfast somewhere, right?) - OR if you are really daring (or like to mix it up) you can go to the WALL OF WINE. Literally, a wall, of wine, with buttons to press to determine how many ounces of each you want to taste. The taste: If you don't like wine, they have beer. If you don't like wine or beer, they have cheese, chocolate, charcuterie, truffle popcorn. If you don't like any of those, go to Yo Mama next door after your cool friends eat and drink to their heart's content. Or move. Your call. Basically, don't come here for dinner, but for a night of tasting, drinking, and feeling like the cool grown up you are. My face: Always blushed because I just can't help myself to that *third* glass of wine. But the $3 mimosas on Saturdays keep my tab pretty low. Two of us got a carafe, a special, and another glass of wine - I think the damage was $30, and we got to share wine with our friends. You just can't put a price on those smiles. You just can't. read more

The Ruby Tap is a place for true blue wine fans. You go to the bar and open a tab by exchanging a credit card for a card they give you. You proceed to a sort of wine automat system against the wall, where you can choose from many fine wines. You plunk in the card and select a wine to try, and amount and voila...you can enjoy tasting whatever you like, and your little card keeps tally of your purchases. This is a great way to enjoy tastes of very expensive wines! OR simply go up to the bar and get a glass of wine that they have on tap. I had the best Pinot Noir of my life this way. You can also order appetizer plates with meat, cheese, crackers, fruit and nuts from a neat a la carte menu - all good nibbly stuff to go with your wine. You can sit at a table in the main area which is well lighted with big solid wooden tables (great for my knitting group) or grab a couch area in the dimly lit back corner. My only regret about this place is that its VERY noisy - small place crammed with very happy patrons who are all parked there for the entire evening (seems), all clucking away noisily over their wine - my party had to shout at each other to be understood. But I'll be back. read more

I love this place. We used to live in Tosa but don't anymore, and I still make the trip over here just for this place. Great selection of wines and small plates of food. Nothing more to say that others have not already said, except I wish we still lived down the block! read more

The interior is simple, warm, and reasonably cozy. Seating will make a big difference in your overall experience. The seating near the back is mostly sofas complete with a fireplace, and will offer you seclusion from the general public and will keep you out of the path of people walking in from outside or people heading to the restrooms. Unfortunately when I was there a private party rented out the entire back area but decided it would be appropriate to yell at scream at the Packer game while surrounding our table. It was unpleasant. I did not get the opportunity to taste or even see any of the food, so I'll will just block off this little section here for the future. The most important thing was 3/4 of the wines I tasted were top notch (the Malbec was a little too light for my taste). But they had a very pleasant Vignoles (Semi-sweet, slightly acidic, smelled of honeysuckle and something else..I can't quite decide) and a couple very nice Cab Savs with deep blackberry undertones, light acidity, and smooth buttery finishes. The service was great. I believe the two female bartenders that were there at the time were sisters and they were both very personable and sweet. They are a big part of what will keep you coming back . The environment is very comfortable (minus the loud private party), and I love the self-service pick your own pour size set up. I will be going back as soon as possible. read more

After reading rave reviews on Yelp, decided to check it out. Brought my boyfriend in for his birthday, which was a change of pace from the usual bars we go to downtown. We brought take out in from Noodles around the corner, got our card to pour wines, and sat down to watch the Packer game - easily visible from the eclectic wooden tables and chairs :) Very much enjoyed the atmosphere - looking forward to coming back and grabbing a couch by the fireplace. Loved the novelty of taking my time to read about the wines, try them out, then pour a small or large glass if I wanted to. For the amount and choice of wines we drank, was a very reasonably priced birthday celebration. The dessert menu did leave something to be desired. I wasn't a huge fan of the Tiramisu - was a little on the bitter side for my taste and the layers separated as you cut into the piece with your fork. The truffle was also very small for the price and difficult to bit in to due to its cooler temperature. Recommendations include having a salt and pepper shaker available if you allow people to bring in food - I just like putting pepper on basically everything and forgot to ask for packets when we grabbed our food. Also would recommend a better dessert selection, especially if this is somewhere that people will come for a drink and/or dessert after dinner in the village. Wonderful decor, atmosphere, good wine selection, very nice place. Will definitely come back. read more

The place is basically a do-it-yourself wine tasting venue. I've never seen anything like this before! One of the walls is filled with chilled cases with bottles of wine. 32 wines in all. You insert a card, a lot the keycards from a hotel, press the wine you'd like the try and the sample size you prefer. Place your glass under the spout by that wine and watch as the wine pours into your glass. Tada! The wines are sorted between whites and reds, with descriptions under each bottle and food pairings so you get an idea of what you are getting into. The venue was perfect for sipping wine and talking with friends. There are a variety of tables in all different shapes and sizes. Plus there is a fireplace and couch to sit on or a bar area. My friends and I arrived around 3:30 on a Saturday afternoon and there was only one other person there. By the time we left, around 5, there were six others trying the wines out. Personally, I enjoyed The Doctors' and Baileyena. The Chocolate Shop is worth a small taste, but NOT a whole glass. Wine not your thing? They also have a number of local craft beers in bottles. read more

We come here maybe once a week to unwind. It's like being a kid in a candy store with the serve yourself setup. Be careful though, it's easy to get carried away and run up your tab! They have a decent selection of beer if wine isn't your thing. The owners and the staff are extremely friendly and easy going. Now, if they were only open on Mondays...my only complaint. read more

Super crowded on a Saturday night, but filled w very attractive people. The tables opened up quickly. Such a great idea to be able to serve your own wine. Come for the wine wine but stay and play one of the many games they have around the place. Service is 5 Food is a 5 Don't forget to grab a cheese plate and say hi to Sarah ! read more

The Ruby Tap has a nice location and a fun stylish interior featuring reclaimed wood, nice lighting and mismatched chairs. The pouring machines are interesting, but... so automated (compared to a winery tasting). When I walked in, I did not like the odor (probably from the truffle popcorn) and the wood trim on the machine by the wine descriptions was sticky from an old spill. The atmosphere is very pleasing, but the wines, they all sounded kind of the same, there were many blends and not many single varietals, and there was something about getting wine from a vending machine that feels too impersonal to me The dispensary is basically a fun little gimmick. Enjoy the lovely warm and hip atmosphere at The Ruby tap , but I'd prefer a full glass from a charming waiter, a conversation with a winemaker, or a simple bottle at home to a small pour from a machine that's conveniently linked to my credit card. read more

Four stars for humble prices and wine selection. Three stars for ambience and atmosphere..this place doesn't exactly spell romance. There were about 30 women and 2 men (actual head count). Would I return? Maybe! Some sort of live music on the weekends or wall art my spruce up the joint. Also free 3hr public parking across the street. Awesome read more