The Taphouse Restaurant - Nanaimo

We went there recently on one of the few nice-weather days. The outside seating was full but there were very few people inside. A female came and took our drink order. We waited. After a while a second female came to our table and said "We can't remember what drinks you ordered" So we ordered drinks and food this time. I ordered the lamb burger, which was good. My companion ordered chicken strips which he said were good. No-one came to our table again until we'd finished our meal and drinks. While we ate our meal, the original woman who couldn't remember our drink order was standing at the bar drinking shots! A third female came and asked if we wanted another drink. When we said No she left very promptly (before we had time to ask about desserts) and came back with the bill. We said we would like dessert, at which point she whipped the bill off the table and told us the choice of desserts (there were only two). I had cheesecake. It was very ordinary - not good, not bad. The woman who was drinking shots at the bar then came by and asked if we wanted the window closed. We said it was fine. When no-one came to the table, we went to the bar to pay. At this point the woman who was drinking shots was behind the bar - looked like she was checking stock. The girl behind the bar (there didn't seem to be a full-time bartender - there seemed to be several who worked the floor and behind the bar) asked how everything was. I said the food was okay, but that we were not impressed that this one woman was drinking shots while on shift. Her reply was something to the effect that she was the general manager and was actually off shift. I said, "well clearly she's behind the bar now ten minutes ago she was drinking shots on the customer side of the bar". To which she replied "Well, that's just your opinion"Are these people not trained in how to run a restaurant? Are there no rules about drinking on the job? What a shame - I really liked the restaurant when it was Fibber Magee's, but it's clearly gone downhill. They've put in TV's that make it feel like a sports bar, but no-one seems to watch them, and they've taken away lots of the wonderful beers on draft that should/could have been a selling point. With a little better layout and some marketing this place could be a money-maker. The cheesecake was very average and I doubt that it was made in-house. I think the menu could be a lot more interesting but the food we had was well-cooked and tasty, but the service was so abysmal that I'll never go there again.I run a B

I am very disappointed with what was supposed to be a great evening for a coworkers retirement party/birthday. The service was terrible and when I mentioned it to the bartender we were all asked to leave. In all the years of travelling around to different pubs/restaurants this experience was by far the worst. I am sure that the owners would like to know what kind of employees they have representing their establishment so I will be following up with them. The Fox and Hound in Ladysmith was an amazing experience however it was the owners son that was behind the bar so at least the owners family knows what it takes to have returning customers. I will not ever waste my time or money on going to the Taphouse in Nanaimo again. It was very poor service on so many levels. Such a shame because it could be a great place if operated properly by Staff that care about their patrons.

My two friends and I were enjoying a evening out on the town when we decided to stop by The Taphouse for appys and drinks. As we approached the restaurant, we saw the posted hours which specifically said the business was open until 11pm on Saturdays. It was barely past 10pm, and although the restaurant appeared empty, the lights were on and we saw two staff by the bar. We walked up to the door when one of the staff, a young man, had seen us through the glass door. Before we had a chance to open the door, the young man dashed towards it and locked it shut. He turned around and didn't even give so much as a second glance to the three prospective customers waiting confused in the cold. This was completely rude. As two of us had spent many years in the food and beverage industry, we know very well how imperative it is for a restaurant to remain true to their posted hours. And even if the pub had decided to shut down early (which is unwise), the man didn't even have the decency to open the door and explain to us that they were closed, and to inform us of the hours the pub is actually open, like any polite and respectable employee should do. As it was my birthday celebration, many drinks would of been consumed, and tips would of been givin. The Taphouse is guaranteed to never see the three of us, along with many of our friends, enter the restaurant.

The Taphouse is a huge place that was virtually empty the day we went ~ which should have been a red flag. Their menu is basic pub fare which is fine if it's done well but unfortunately, it wasn't. Tasteless bratwurst sausage, grocery store white bread, bland cheese and mushy fries. We won't be back.

Typical pub menu with a few surprises. Lots of beer to choose from. It can get loud inside if it is busy