Tapp’d—the new bar and restaurant replacing Union Jack’s—will be a “true taphouse” with an emphasis on local beers and hopes to become a destination for beer aficionados, according to co-owner Johnny Natoli.
Natoli confirmed last week he and his business partner, Gary Ouellette, the owners of Union Jack’s, are behind the concept. He said Tapp’d will have a more upscale feel than the British-themed bar that had an 11-year run at the St. Elmo Avenue location in Bethesda. They plan to open the restaurant in late March or early to mid-April.
Rob Cousins, who will be general manager at Tapp’d, said Monday they’re positioning the restaurant to fill a niche that he says Bethesda doesn’t currently serve. He noted that there are several bars in the area that offer as many as a dozen craft beers, but doesn’t believe there is another restaurant that offers the 40 taps and more than 100 bottles of beer Tapp’d plans to offer.
Since Union Jack’s closed in February, Cousins said the restaurant has been completely gutted and crews have started renovating the space, which will have an entirely new look.
“The four walls Tapp’d is going to be in is the only remnant of Union Jack’s that’s going to remain,” Cousins said.
He said the owners are undertaking the concept change as a way to appeal to changing demographics in the area and a growing demand for craft beer. The American menu will feature beer pairings and the restaurant will focus more on dinner service and offering a happy hour rather than hosting late night parties as did Union Jack’s. Cousins said that in order to fill the beer list to his liking, he’s even helped two breweries—Diamondback Brewing Co. in Baltimore and Calvert Brewing Co. in Upper Marlboro—get listed with the county’s Department of Liquor Control so the restaurant can serve their products.
Cousins said the Tapp’d concept may also be expanded to other areas if it’s successful in Bethesda. Ouellette and Natoli also operate Union Jack’s locations in Columbia, Annapolis and Gaithersburg.
