Historic Tap Room at Hotel Winneshiek offering another night venue on Water Street

The Tap Room, with a name that revisits the old days at the Hotel Winneshiek, is now open at the Hotel Winneshiek. Russ McDougall, Food and Beverage Manager, says he hopes the new venue will appeal to a "mature cocktail" crowd. The Tap Room, which opens at 4:00 p.m. daily and remains open until late night closing, features specialty martinis, wine, cocktails, and Iowa brewed beer. The menu includes a variety of small plate appetizers. McDougall says the most popular have been the local smoked trout dip, truffle popcorn and smoked chicken wings. He adds that the menu may expand in the future to include heavier items, depending on customer interest.

Design highlights, coordinated by Sondra Peterson, include the original Tap Room letters that were found in the hotel basement; and fabric from famed designer Jack Lenor Larsen that is incorporated into the "banquette" seating on the far wall. The Tap Room ambiance is intended to provide a quiet and intimate setting and has already served numerous small party gatherings. McDougall indicates that the angled bar and quiet atmosphere is particularly attractive to the hotel's large number of business travelers who prefer the quiet bar atmosphere.

The Tap Room setting includes numerous items from the previous Victorian Rose Restaurant and Albert's Lounge, as well as newly constructed tables, cabinets and floors from local vendors. The bar service extends to exterior seating adjoining the main hotel lounge. The Tap Room opened in late May.

Additional note: Hotel Winneshiek staff  indicate that a good history of the historic Tap Room and Hotel Winneshiek dining is lacking. Anyone interested in providing such information could contact Guest Service Manager, Terri Mazonne.

view from hotel lobby