Our Story
Where We Started. Where We’re Going.
What began as a simple idea—give people more control over how they drink and gather—has grown into a nationwide movement. Tapster is redefining the bar experience with a self-pour model that’s fun, flexible, and community-first. It’s not just about what’s in the glass – it’s about the vibe, the people, and the freedom to make the night your own.
Since 2017, we’ve been building spaces where great drinks meet good company, and we’re just getting started.
A Journey Worth Pouring Into
Tapster was founded by Roman Maliszewski, a Chicago native with a background in advertising and a passion for meaningful connection. After a yearlong trip around the globe—and a lot of drinks shared with friends and strangers—he realized something was missing from the typical bar experience.
In 2017, he opened the first Tapster in Chicago: a laid-back tasting room powered by self-pour technology, filled with 40+ rotating taps, and built around one goal: letting guests take the lead.
The Tapster Difference
Tapster:
a better way
to bar.
At Tapster, guests pour their own drinks at their own pace. With everything from beer and cocktails to kombucha and craft soda, there’s something for everyone—no lines, no pressure, no wrong orders. Add in BYO food and a warm, welcoming vibe, and you’ve got a space that feels more like your coolest friend’s living room than a traditional bar.
Core elements that define us:
-
![]()
Self-pour technology = guest freedom + operational efficiency
-
![]()
BYOF = no kitchen, lower overhead, more flexibility
-
![]()
High design, low pretense = swings, board games, and good energy
Guests Come for the Taps.
Stay for the Vibe.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, the Tapster experience is always welcoming, interactive, and a little unexpected. Guests check in, grab a Tap Card, and start exploring over 40 taps of beer, wine, cocktails, cold brew, and more. They pour what they want, how they want – just 0.5 ounces at a time if they’re curious, or a full glass when they know what they love.
With BYO food and a relaxed layout designed for hanging out, Tapster becomes a go-to spot for birthdays, post-dinner drinks, work hangs, and weekend drop-ins. It’s social without being overwhelming, curated without being exclusive, and always centered on connection.
Built on Purpose
We’re not in the bar business. We’re in the connection business.
Tapster was built on three core values:
Empowerment – for guests to choose their experience, and for local owners to shape their community
Sustainability – minimizing waste, maximizing efficiency
Hospitality Without Pretension – creating spaces that feel like home, without the pressure of traditional bar culture
As we grow, we’re staying true to what got us here: high-quality drinks, low-friction operations, and the belief that bars should bring people together – not keep them waiting.
From One Tasting Room to a Nationwide Movement
We opened our first location in Chicago in 2017. Since then, Tapster has expanded to five-plus tasting rooms across:
Chicago, IL
Cleveland, OH
Lexington, KY
Philadelphia, PA
Seattle & Bellevue, WA
With new locations in the pipeline—including Long Island and Denver—we’re partnering with passionate franchise partners to bring Tapster to cities across the country.
Want to bring Tapster to your neighborhood?