Taylor Street Tap Refreshes Its Menu — and University Village Little Italy's Neighborhood Bar Scene Is Thriving

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/University Village Little Italy · May 14, 2026

There's always something worth raising a glass to on Taylor Street, and this week is no exception. Taylor Street Tap, the beloved neighborhood watering hole at 1358 W. Taylor St., has been drawing fresh buzz thanks to a newly updated menu — a welcome sign that one of Little Italy's most unpretentious local hangouts is investing in its regulars and the community it calls home.

Reviewers have long celebrated Taylor Street Tap for its 'friendly staff, great cocktails, and very relaxed atmosphere,' and its tradition of spinning vinyl records behind the bar when live music isn't on the docket gives it a charm that's hard to replicate. The updated menu, spotted this week on Yelp, signals that the bar is keeping things fresh heading into what's already shaping up to be a spectacular summer on Taylor Street.

For a neighborhood where 24.9% of residents walk to work and the streets are genuinely built for strolling, having a dependable, community-rooted spot like Taylor Street Tap continuing to evolve is exactly the kind of quiet neighborhood win worth celebrating. Whether you're a first-timer or a longtime regular, stop in and check out what's new. Have you tried the new menu yet? Tag @SocialhoodChicago with #TaylorStreetTap and let the neighborhood know what you're sipping!

Sources:
1. https://www.yelp.com/biz/taylor-street-tap-chicago
2. https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/il/chicago/university-village