Tap & Barrel in Bar Harbor

“You can get a drink anywhere,” says owner Josh Forcier. “What matters here is how people feel when they walk in.”

Tap and Barrel in Bar Harbor reopened in June 2023 after a full winter of renovation, much of it done by Josh himself. He built the bar, refinished the wood, and shaped the space to feel comfortable from the moment you step inside. The name reflects his love of both craft beer and bourbon, but for him, the real focus is hospitality. “Just be kind,” he says. “That’s the rule here.”

Chef Brandon Sanders leads the kitchen, bringing skill and creativity from his years at Fathom and Salt & Steel. The lobster grilled cheese layers American and goat cheese on homemade sourdough. Scallop street corn is served with feta cream and potato crisps. Mussels arrive in a spicy cream sauce with pickled fresnos, and the kimchi burger with smoked gouda, crispy kale, and spicy aioli has quickly become a favorite. “I’ve worked under great chefs,” Brandon says. “Now I get to cook food that feels like mine.”

Tap and Barrel is open most of the year, closing briefly after the Super Bowl for a quick refresh. Inside, the atmosphere shifts easily between a locals’ hangout and a travelers’ find. The shelves behind the bar hold an impressive bourbon collection, the beer list rotates constantly, and the staff seems to know everyone by name.

Josh has worked in hospitality long enough to know that great food and drink only go so far. “What keeps people coming back isn’t what’s on the menu,” he says. “It’s how they’re treated once they sit down.”

FAMOUS FOR:
The crowd might come for the bourbon list or the craft beers they can’t find anywhere else, but they stay for the food. Chef Brandon Sanders has built a small but knockout menu that regulars talk about long after they leave town. 

ADDRESS:
41 Rodick St in Bar Harbor, ME

WEBSITE:
tapandbarreltavern.com

photos by Peter Logue