Duluth’s first self-pour bar opens its doors in Lincoln Park’s Craft District
Duluth Tap Exchange is the first self-poor taproom in Duluth, consisting of a wide variety of local selections and a full bar. Photo by Izabel Johnson
You walk in the front doors of Duluth Tap Exchange and are greeted by an employee who asks for your ID and credit card. These items are scanned and, if you are over 21, you receive a wristband.
You then go and get a drink, but not from a bartender. You will be pouring your own from a vast selection of taps lining the walls of the bar. You have the choice of beer, seltzer, wine or cider.
By scanning your wristband, you check in at the tap that you are using and the system records how many ounces that you pour. You are allowed to pour 32 ounces before you are required to return to the host stand.
Located on West Superior Street, Duluth Tap Exchange is the first bar in Duluth to offer this type of self-serve system using iPourIt technology. The bar opened on Jan. 18 and has already been a hit with the community, according to owner Jordan DeCaro.
“It’s been really exciting and it’s just been getting busier and busier,” team member Bella Pike said.
DeCaro stated that he had the idea for Duluth Tap Exchange for a while and had previously discovered the iPourIt technology online but finally decided to go for it while visiting a self-pour bar in Minneapolis.
“I was blown away,” DeCaro said. “I told them ‘I want to take this thing to go. Can I take it?’”
DeCaro first called the iPourIt sales representative on Jan. 12, 2019, and almost exactly a year later, Duluth Tap Exchange was opened
DeCaro is not the only person to be impressed by the idea.
“It’s a cool concept because you’re more in control,” customer Leah Roushar said.
“People have been loving it,” Pike said. “People love the fact that we change out the taps and are getting new and upcoming things that people haven’t necessarily tried before.”
Pike also stated that the system allows for more interaction with the customers.
“You can really talk to your customers and get to know them rather than just pouring them a beer and moving on to the next person,” Pike said.
Duluth Tap Exchange employees (from left) Kent Trehus, Bella Pike and Esse Angell Pose inside the recently-opened taproom in the Lincoln Park Craft District. Photo by Izabel Johnson
DeCaro stated that he and his team work very hard to create a fun atmosphere for the customers.
“It’s about the team,” DeCaro said, “It’s about who you have here.”
According to team member Kent Trehus, customers have been shocked at the low price that they paid for the variety of beer and liquor they tried.
“It’s like a buffet...you can literally try everything and not..spend a ton of money,” Trehus said, “If you’re interested in trying something new, you don’t have to pay for a full beer, you can literally pay for an ounce.”
“Being able to serve yourself is nice,” customer Rik Roushar said. “You don’t spend six dollars on a beer.”
The Duluth Tap Exchange offers 40 tap beverages, including a variety of local selections and a full bar. Food is not available at the establishment, but they partner with local restaurants, such as OMC Smokehouse, that offer delivery to the bar.
“I think it was just a really interesting concept to bring to Duluth, especially with the big scene of craft beer and ciders…. it’s the perfect addition,” Pike said.
According to Pike, they will soon begin offering specials such as bottomless mimosas and a bloody mary bar.
“It’s not just one dimensional...we kind of cater to everybody,” Trehus said.
DeCaro stated that eventually the business is looking to expand, possibly to Superior, but for now they are focused on making sure the first one is done correctly.
Customer Ray Hausch stated that he has seen the self-pour system in bigger cities, but not in Duluth.
“It’s hard to know if it’s going to make it in Duluth or not,” Hausch said.
DeCaro and his team, however, appear confident.
“The concept will...draw people here and that will draw people’s interest...it’s going to be a staple in this community,” DeCaro said. “I think it’s gonna be awesome down here for a long long time.”