Located on Ewell’s High Street, Ewell Tap was opened in 2003 by founders Daniel Clamp, Richard Keats and John Fry, who turned the former deli into a bar and tap room for locals.
Daniel explained: “We had a vision for it — to turn it into this from the counter it used to be before.
“There’s not a lot like this around here and so we thought, let’s give it a go.”
The bar marked the trio’s second venture, after taking on the Jolly Coopers pub in Epsom earlier that year, however the Tap Room marked the opening of one of Ewell’s only bars, serving primarily craft beers along with wines and spirits.
The beer offerings change regularly as stocks are replaced with a mix of beers, from classics to contemporary options, including a range of sours with flavours like Apple Guava Breakfast Smoothie Sour and Double Chocolate Pistachio Stout.
“Beers change all the time, so it’s difficult to name a specific favourite,” Daniel said. “We try to keep it local, but also international with beers from places like Belgum and Hungary.”
Daniel added: “Locals call us a wine bar, but we primarily deal in beer – that’s our thing and what we specialise in.”
Described by the team as a “craft beer bar”, this dog-friendly bar with an open plan feel offers inclusive and accessible drinks options to all, including alcohol-free options.
Daniel explained: “We want to be inclusive — if we just did beer, we might lose a whole group because one person doesn’t drink it.”
“We get 18-year-olds on a Friday night, right through to people in their 80s or 90s – it’s a really diverse mix”
The team celebrated a huge success with the Muddy Award 2024 in the Bar category for Surrey, marking the business out as one of the best in its field.
“People in the village seem to have loved it — there’s strength in that,” Daniel explained.
“Whether there’s one person in here or thirty, it’s got a really nice vibe.”
