The Ruby Tap

I like the concept of dispensing your own wine and the lite food menu. The staff, however are a bit pretentious. I haven’t seen eye rolling like I experienced there since high school. Blatantly talking about customers behind a menu was also a treat. If you go to Ruby Tap be prepared to feel like you are in an episode of mean girls.

Such a cute spot to hang out! I am a big fan. Great selection of wine and with the wine on tap you can taste as many as you like to find the right one! I also really like the idea of getting up and getting the wine you want when you want.
You can also order chocolates or cheese to go with your wine, this is a lovely after dinner or snack date night kind or place, also ideal for a girls night.

It’s been nearly three years since The Ruby Tap opened in Wauwatosa’s village. Somewhat surprisingly, I was the first to author a review for tosa’s first and only wine-​on-​tap bar. My first review was positive, but reflected a hint of irascibility that resided in my soul following a tough day at work. (Regarding the wine tap system: «This defeats the purpose of going out and relaxing a bit, doesn’t it?» See what I mean? Surly!)
Considering that I’ve since visited The Ruby Tap at least once a month since their opening, it’s time that my review be updated, and what better way to do that than with a poem…
Congratulations to you
Dear Ruby Tap
You’ve thrived for three years
despite my first yap.
I shouldn’t have been mean
with an overtone of scorn
For I truly enjoy
the fine bar that you’ve borne.
It’s not just the smiles
Or the wine that most pleases
It’s also good beer,
the charcuteries and the cheeses!
The Tap feels like home
and it’s the first place I go
when returning from Riyadh,
Bogota, Mexico…
So thanks for the cheer
and the warm welcomes I like
and supporting our series:
fun Tosa Tonight!
I’ll see you real soon
save a seat at the bar
And I’ll offer a toast
to the fine folks you are!
Congratulations to The Ruby Tap on three wonderful years in Wauwatosa. We’re looking forward to many more fun nights of their hospitality and cheer and hope to see you there!

This place is pretty rad!
I’m totally the type that would rather try a few things than be stuck with just one. Here you can try as many wines as you want!
You get a little card to use, in what I would describe as a vending machine style. The card keeps track and tells you how much your spending so you don’t need to worry about getting out of control. You also get a glass when you get in (you can choose red or white RED RED RED). When you are getting your wine from the «tap» you can choose how many ounces you want so you can stick to small amounts until you find what you love — or just try them all!
Totally love this place. They have some snacks and such as well which is always a good option for a wine night.

My city tin takes me to all sorts of cute places. Yesterday I ended up say Ruby taps for a fun wine night. Monday’s special is bubbly and fried chicken. They get chicken delivered from Chancery and it’s delicious.
I love this «serve your own wine» fad that’s popping up around the city. It’s a great way to try all sorts of things. Here they have over 30 wines you can try from the bottles and 3 wines that are on tap out of barrels. The California roadside red was my favorite. So juicy and full of juicy flavor.
They also have little plates of cheese and crackers as well as truffle popcorn. Yum!
The one thing I didn’t like was when I walked in I had no idea what to do. There was no hostess to seat people or explain how the ordering worked. I picked a table awkwardly and eventually a server came out of the back to behind the bar. She was super nice and helped explain everything, but I think a hostess would have helped smoothed the whole process out.
I’d love to know how often they change over the types of wines they serve and go back for a girls night out.

The Ruby Tap has a nice location and a fun stylish interior featuring reclaimed wood, nice lighting and mismatched chairs. The pouring machines are interesting, but… so automated (compared to a winery tasting). When I walked in, I did not like the odor (probably from the truffle popcorn) and the wood trim on the machine by the wine descriptions was sticky from an old spill.
The atmosphere is very pleasing, but the wines, they all sounded kind of the same, there were many blends and not many single varietals, and there was something about getting wine from a vending machine that feels too impersonal to me
The dispensary is basically a fun little gimmick. Enjoy the lovely warm and hip atmosphere at The Ruby tap, but I’d prefer a full glass from a charming waiter, a conversation with a winemaker, or a simple bottle at home to a small pour from a machine that’s conveniently linked to my credit card.

I’m confused. Wine haven’t I written a review for this fine establishment yet?
I must just be in a happy wine stupor when I leave Ruby Tap. That has to be it!
I’ve come here on a mommy daughter date, group date and girls’ night, and the Tap perfectly catered to each event. You can easily stay happy with a smattering of tasting samples or enjoy one or two larger pours.
Not into wine? No worries — Ruby Tap has a solid beer selection, so you too can join in on the fun.
The décor is so on point. Large tables for talkative groups, two tops for intimate dates and a couch set up for lounging with friends. Perfection.
And the staff isn’t all up in your grill. They are super friendly, welcoming questions and offering suggestions, but leave you to find your self-​dispensing happiness.
And no griping about the $ 4.50 popcorn. Get it and enjoy it and want more of it.

Delicious food, authentic drinks, cozy atmosphere, and still enough lighting. Good service too.

Great place for quiet conversation and/​or a date. Fine wine selection and delicious cheese. Affordable.

This is a great hidden gem in Tosa. Love the concept of wine being poured from a tap. This place has daily specials. Casual with a nice atmosphere. They also have a number of wines that you can sample as well. Just start a tab and make sure to get a wine sample card. Each sample will cost between $ 2.50 — $ 5.00 depending on the wine. Great date spot or casual meet up for a drink. They also serve beer (micro and macro brews) as well!!! Can’t say enough about this place

This is one of my favorite places in the area. Great atmosphere, very modern. Well-​balanced variety of wines. I especially love their International Nights!
I moved here from New York and I brought some friends to the Ruby Tap when they visited — they were instantly hooked. Highly recommend.

I love this place. We used to live in Tosa but don’t anymore, and I still make the trip over here just for this place.
Great selection of wines and small plates of food. Nothing more to say that others have not already said, except I wish we still lived down the block!

This review is going to be simple. Self-​serve dispenses delicious wine, paired with «build your own» meat, cheese, dessert platter. The truffle popcorn is the most delicious popcorn I have had.
The bartender gives you a glass of wine and a card to be swiped so pour your own glasses, which allows no room for moderation. Get a platter of 3 cheeses, 2 meats, and the popcorn, sit outside to enjoy the weather, and you just had the best cocktail hour ever. If you want to sit instead, enjoy the reclaimed wood interiors and the casual ambiance that has me hooked.
For two people, I walked out spending $ 46 on one bill. Almost too reasonable.

Brought my wife here as a night cap to our date night. She is a huge fan and had never been. It was recommended by a friend and boy did he nail it. She loved the concept and went a little crazy on the wine. Since it was our first time we let the bartender know and he helped my wife by explaining how things worked. They have beer and enough of a selection that I was able to grab something I haven’t had before. We sat outside and scanned the menu. While we sat there she made future plans with friends to come back.
The only downer was that fact that there was a lady with a little dog there. I am not opposed to that per se but they serve food here and the dog crapped on the deck. Then, she proceeded to wipe the dogs butt with a napkin and just left it sitting on the deck. When the wind shifted you caught a whiff of it. She must have been friends with someone that works there because the same lady behind the counter would come over and chat with her pretty often.
I hear they are opening one in Mequon which is closer to us and we may get a chance to visit it more often. Hope no one brings their dogs.

What part of self serve wine dispensers doesn’t sound amazing? Exactly.
They also serve lovely cheese/​meat plates.
Combine that with lots if comfy spaces to sit and chat with your friends. Match made in girls night out heaven.

After visiting Ruby Tap 3 times, I feel well equipped with information to make the judgment that this was just the type of place that Tosa needed, and it was wonderful to see it bustling this past Saturday night. (Wonderful, after we were able to secure a table for our group of 13, if we hadn’t been able to, I might not have looked on the evening as fondly as I do, but I’m glad my stealth was rewarded)
The place: It’s a serve yourself, sip-​yourself to a tipsy state kind of place. You can opt for a carafe of 3 house whites, or 3 house reds, ranging from $ 20-​$ 30 or so for 18oz. Or you can opt for the daily special (Hello $ 3 mimosa on a Saturday night… it’s breakfast somewhere, right?) — OR if you are really daring (or like to mix it up) you can go to the WALL OF WINE. Literally, a wall, of wine, with buttons to press to determine how many ounces of each you want to taste.
The taste: If you don’t like wine, they have beer. If you don’t like wine or beer, they have cheese, chocolate, charcuterie, truffle popcorn. If you don’t like any of those, go to Yo Mama next door after your cool friends eat and drink to their heart’s content. Or move. Your call. Basically, don’t come here for dinner, but for a night of tasting, drinking, and feeling like the cool grown up you are.
My face: Always blushed because I just can’t help myself to that *third* glass of wine. But the $ 3 mimosas on Saturdays keep my tab pretty low. Two of us got a carafe, a special, and another glass of wine — I think the damage was $ 30, and we got to share wine with our friends. You just can’t put a price on those smiles. You just can’t.

Upcoming Events Oct 9,16,20. Had came here for the first time to have an after dinner drink and meet up with other Unilocalers. Who were in the area. Had a great time discussing various topics from checking to location tips and hints. They have all types of wines to try as you desire allows. Make sure to check in with Unilocal or foursquare as they have specials to start with.
Overall a nice location parking can be found around the area. As usual for the area be prepared to walk a little.
Food: wine paring events see schedule.
Ambiance: 5 unique memorable open areas and cozy corner
Service: 4 two helpful staff to explain the process almost self serve you trade a DL or a CC for a wine card the machines gives you either a taste size portion or half or full glass depending on your choice or budget.
Location: 3
Value: 3 self serve portion is your destiny

Adorable interior + design (as expected).
Wine on tap (as expected).
Craft brews in bottles (grab one from the fridge if vino ain’t yr thing).
Large tables for groups, smaller ones for more intimate conversations.
A quaint little patio overlooking the village.
Ruby Tap, I wish you were situated closer to (my) home! Dang.

Love the concept of this. A wine lover my self this is a great way to explore different wines without having to break the budget/​or having to buy a full glass of wine.
I echo the other reviewers comments
— don’t expect service. You have to write what you want to order and give it to the counter
— there is pretty much nothing to eat here that is filling.
— cheese comes with few crackers. (But for $ 2 – 3 you cant expect a lot either)
— the wines are 100% markup though than listed price. So although you don’t pay alot for each pour (1.5, 4, 6 oz) i felt kinda robbed after the scanned price for the wine bar codes cMe out 50−100% less than listed prices
One tip if you want different cheese order then at different times. My friend ordered 3 types of chess than came with the same amount (maybe 4 – 5 crackers) that i got when ordering one cheese
Olives were really good. But its not worth$ 5
It’s a local business so i would promote supporting the business. Love the whole experience and the concept of it so although there was nothing much to eat i enjoyed my visit. Will come again

What a fantastic addition to the Tosa Village! Living in Toaa, I’ve been here multiple times and always have a great experience. The atmosphere is a comfortable rustic chic with bar, table and lounge seating (most of the lighting and furniture seems to be from West Elm or similar if you ever shop there). Perfect for both groups and if you are looking for something more intimate.
There is a whole wall of wines to choose from, each with a description of it’s flavor and the prices clearly marked. I love the self serve concept and the fact that I can try out as much as I’d like. They also have a large cooler or craft beers for those who prefer that. The menu consists of snacks with cheese, meat, crackers, truffle popcorn, olives etc. that are good for light noshing. They also have daily specials and wines you may purchase by the glass or mini bottles.
Highly recommend for a lovely, unique experience. Everyone that I go here with always wants to return!