Tight Barrel Distillery-Bare Bones Taproom

Step inside Tight Barrel Distillery-Bare Bones Taproom and you’ll find a space that feels both rough-hewn and warm, the sort of spot where flannel jackets and laughter are equally at home. The old brick building sits on Menasha’s Main Street, a beacon for locals who know where to find a proper pint or a bold pour. On any evening, the taproom hums with energy—regulars perched at the bar trading stories, newcomers welcomed by staff who remember your face after one visit. The air carries the scent of yeast and toasted grain from their on-site distilling, with an undertone of baking pizza drifting from the modest kitchen. Here, experimentation is part of the DNA. You might find yourself nursing a pint of Blue Nose wheat ale with its gentle fruit finish, or going all-in on their Cookies & Milk stout—a liquid dessert that’s unafraid to push boundaries. Cocktails are crafted with care; the bartender’s old fashioned is a point of local pride. Sure, sometimes the food options skew simple (expect frozen pizzas rather than haute cuisine), but there’s an honesty in it that fits. Bare Bones anchors more than just happy hour. Comedy nights and casual gatherings draw in an eclectic crowd: young couples after work, retirees reliving small-town glory days, new arrivals discovering their community one round at a time. It’s not without its imperfections—a chilly winter draft or an unpolished surface here and there—but that’s part of its charm. This isn’t a polished tourist trap; it’s Menasha distilled—unfussy, inventive, and always ready to raise a glass to whoever walks through the door.