The Underground Tap & Grill

It’s been nearly four years since The Underground Tap & Grill opened its doors in downtown Edmonton, in 2012. They quickly set themselves apart from other establishments by having 72 taps of beer, a vast selection in a city that had not yet seen the explosion of interest in microbreweries that was to come.

But, even through the rise of craft beer in Edmonton, The Underground Tap & Grill has been able to solidify its niche in the local market. They remain the bar with the most Alberta-based brews available on tap in the city, no small feat for a hidden gem in the basement of a building in the downtown core. “Our focus is local,” says general manager Kris Anthony. “We put a lot of thought into not having overlapping styles of beer. We want to have a selection of flavours on our taps at all times so patrons can experience the differences and the options.”

With seating for 145 guests, the bar is surprisingly spacious. When you enter the building, you have to descend on an escalator to get to the door of The Underground, but don’t let it deter you. As soon as you walk in and see the glowing bar and the continuous row of taps, any second thoughts will fade away. This is no seedy underground establishment; this is a fine-tuned hub that just so happens to be downstairs.