Tap House

The Tap House seems like a place where everybody is glad you came.

It has that atmosphere. Its bright green walls, tables and booths, cheery neon beer signs and affable staff create that welcoming ambiance. You can go in for a quick cold one or linger, enjoying food, friends and a full array of cocktails, wine and beer.

The Tap House is under new ownership. Ernie Petit and his two sons began operations March 30 and are enjoying their new enterprise.

“We couldn’t be happier,” Petit said. “We are making changes, and getting more and more involved in the community.”

Petit recently opened his restaurant to a group of Realtors who are raising funds to purchase a sculpture to add to Fountain Hills’ public art collection. He also is happy to have groups come in to celebrate special occasions – birthdays, anniversaries, promotions.

“And we like it when single people come in, too,” he said.

The Tap House is becoming that kind of place where a single woman can come in for a cocktail and enjoy her space. It also is a friendly gathering spot for the guys at the end of the workday.

“People feel comfortable here,” Petit said. “I think they find it a good place to go and meet up with their friends or just enjoy a drink and some good food.”

One of the Tap House’s original cooks, Craig “Craiger” Fehr, is back at the grill, preparing favorites from appetizers to Mexican food selections, salads and pizza, and burgers and other sandwiches. There are three specials daily that don’t appear on the regular menu.

Fehr had been offering “sliders” as one of the specials, but customers liked them so much they were added to the menu.

Petit said he is involving his customers in menu changes, as well as drink specials and what kind of activities they like to see at the bar.

“We ask people for suggestions,” Petit said. “We want their input and ideas. It helps us be more successful.”

As a result, there are menu changes. A lot of prices have been lowered, Petit said, and some of the combination plates have been rearranged. The children’s menu is expanded, and Petit said he is considering still other changes.

“This is a process,” he said. “We’re making ongoing changes and offering specials.”

Mondays are Ladies’ Nights and Margarita Nights. Karaoke nights are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Wednesdays are $1 pint nights (domestic beer).

Petit said he featured spiced rum drink specials recently, and June was $3 “Skinny Dip” beer month.

“We will change things around every month,” he said.

Petit said he gives away sodas to customers serving as “designated drivers.” He also is considering providing a shuttle service for local customers, where a van picks them up and drives them home at the end of the evening.

“We want to provide a good, safe environment for people,” Petit said. “These are just some of the ideas we are considering.”

Petit may be a familiar face to some Fountain hills residents. He owned the Tastee Freeze in the mid-1980s. After living in the community several years, he was offered a consulting job with General Motors and returned to his home state of Michigan. He recently returned to Arizona.

Much of Petit’s background is in the automotive field, although his mother was in the restaurant business when he was a youngster.

“I spent a lot of time in restaurants when I was young, and I have been involved in the restaurant business off and on all my life,” he said.

When he isn’t working at the Tap House, Petit has another love – he engages in exhibition drag racing. He plans to incorporate that sideline into the bar.

“I’m going to bring my rig out here (from Michigan), and we’ll have a grand opening,” Petit said. “It will be a day for the whole family. We’ll have all kinds of cars on display, and activities for the community.”

Petit said he plans to have street rod and classic car nights, as well as bike nights as time goes on.

“There are just a lot of ideas we’re working on,” he said.

The Tap House is located at 16828 E. Parkview Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; until midnight Thursday; until 2 a. m. Friday and Saturday and noon until 10 a.m. Sunday. Call (480) 837-5220 for more information.