21 Taps, a Self-Serve Beer Bar and Restaurant, Opens in Cape Girardeau

21 Taps opened in Cape in mid-January, offering a new experience for the area: self-serve beer. The restaurant and bar utilizes a unique POS system through Table Tap, featuring a signature beer wall with – you guessed it – 21 different beers on draft. In order to get started pouring their own beer, guests will receive a Radio Frequency Identification card upon entering 21 Taps, then use it as a tab to sample as many beers as desired and pay a total by the ounce when finished. Regular customers can also purchase prepaid member cards that can be used indefinitely.

Owner Timothy Menz says 21 Taps offers a range of styles on tap, from domestic brands like Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite to local craft breweries including Charleville Brewing Co., 4 Hands Brewing Co., Schlafly Beer, Six Mile Bridge and Boulevard Brewing Co. In addition to beer, you'll also find Leaky Roof Meadery and Brick River Cider on tap, as well as a full bar.

To pair with the beer, 21 Taps also offers a full menu that Menz describes as "pub grub." The menu offers shareables like pretzel sticks with queso, toasted ravioli and chicken tenders alongside street tacos, quesadillas, housemade thin-crust pizzas and beignets. So far, Menz says the most popular items are the pork wings (served with a choice of sauce), pizzas, street tacos and Buffalo chicken toasted ravioli. 

The roughly 3,800-square foot space is bound to be a destination for sports fans: It features four pool tables, four dart boards and 12 televisions typically set to the game. So far, Menz says the reception has been overwhelmingly positive.

"People have really been enjoying the craft beer wall," he says. "A lot of people say that this is what Cape needs."

21 Taps is open Monday through Thursday from 1pm to 1am, Friday from 1pm to 1:30am, Saturday from 11am to 1:30am and Sunday from 11am to 11pm.

21 Taps, 36 N. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 573.275.0253, 21tapscape.com