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 smiling man with a beard and gray hair standing in a well-lit restaurant or cafe. He is wearing a maroon T-shirt with the text "Tapster Philadelphia" and "It's OK to be self-serving" on it.

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. 

Multiple guys standing at a wall of taps, browsing the various drink options available. Centered is a man in a dark grey hat, tapping his card on the tap wall to select a beer.

The Tapster Difference

A guy selecting what beverage he wants to drink at the tap wall. He's in a white sweatshirt and tapping the screen above the taps.
There are two men in the photo -- one is standing behind the cash register, holding a card in his hand and the other is standing on the other is a customer who is pointing and smiling at the guy behind the register. In the background is a neon sign.

A better way

to bar. 

A guy pouring a glass of dark beer at a tap wall. In one hand is the glass of beer and in the other hand is his tap card.

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: 

  • A guy wearing a hawaiian shirt, pouring a glass of beer at a tap wall. The taps are blue. Above the taps are screens showing the various beverage options available.

    Self-pour technology = guest freedom + operational efficiency

  • A green table with a variety of local take out food options on top of it. The hands from two guys are in the photo, holding full glasses of beer.

    BYOF = no kitchen, lower overhead, more flexibility

  • A man in a blue baseball cap and woman in a maroon blouse playing the game Guess Who.

    High design, low pretense = swings, board games, and good energy

  • A man's hand holding a full glass of light-colored beer in front of the Tapster entrance in Lexington, KY.

    Sustainability = no bottles, no cans, less waste, lower carbon footprint

  • Eight bottles of various types of bourbon available on tap at the Tapster in Lexington, KY.

    Community-forward = local taps, local events, local ownership

Group of 8 women sitting on swings at a table, drinking beer and playing candyland. On the table is a bowl of popcorn and plates with light snacks. In the fore front is a woman in an orange shirt smiling.

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. 

A man and woman smiling, while standing in front of a wall of taps. The man is in a beige long sleeve shirt and holding an empty glass.

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?  

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