TapStation

TapStation

A Historic Service Station Reborn

In the heart of downtown Apex, TapStation pours craft beer and stacks smash burgers inside a building that once kept the town’s cars running. The space began life as Holt & Sons, a vintage automobile service station, and when the current owners took it on they made a point of preserving that character rather than erasing it. Custom Ford Model A axles have been turned into tap handles, a 1957 Chevy truck doubles as a rooftop booth, and garage-inspired details thread through both floors. The result is a two-story bar and grill that feels rooted in Apex history while serving a thoroughly modern menu.

TapStation opened in the spring of 2022 and is independently owned by local operators — the same Apex-based team behind Scratch Kitchen & Taproom — rather than a national chain. That local ownership shows in the details, from the house-brewed beer to the family-friendly courtyard out back.

Beer Brewed On-Site

Beer is the beating heart of TapStation, and much of it is made right here. The draft list runs around 23 rotating taps, with a large share brewed in-house and the rest coming from the owners’ sister operation, the Mason Jar Lager Company. That means the lineup leans toward easy-drinking lagers and approachable house creations that change with the seasons, so regulars always have something new to try.

Anyone who leans toward brown spirits is well cared for, too. The bar stocks roughly 60 bourbons and whiskeys, and the kitchen even turns out playful adult milkshakes for those in the mood for something sweeter. Whether you want a fresh pour from the on-site brewery or a well-made cocktail, the selection is deep for a small-town spot.

Smash Burgers and Bar Snacks

The food is built for sharing and pairs naturally with a cold pint. Six styles of smash burger anchor the menu, from the classic All-American with American cheese and comeback sauce to the Cowboy piled with cheddar, crispy onion, bacon jam, and BBQ aioli. Oversized hot dogs, beer brats, and crispy chicken sandwiches round out the handhelds.

Starters are half the fun. The two-pound soft pretzel arrives with mustard and beer cheese, the tot-chos bury tater tots under chili, jalapeños, and cheddar, and the pimento cheese egg rolls have become something of a signature. Prices stay friendly, with most burgers landing in the low-to-mid teens and appetizers running from around eight dollars up, which keeps TapStation firmly in casual, come-as-you-are territory.

The Rooftop Bar

Climb the stairs and you reach the reason many first-timers come back: the rooftop patio bar. Open to the sky with views over downtown Apex, it is one of the most sought-after seats in town on a warm evening. The restored 1957 Chevy truck tucked into the corner serves as a one-of-a-kind booth, and a full bar upstairs means you never have to travel far for the next round.

A Gathering Place for Everyone

TapStation was designed to welcome the whole family, not just the beer crowd. The ground-level courtyard is lined with picnic tables and anchored by a firepit and a fenced playground, so parents can relax while kids burn off energy nearby. The whole property can hold several hundred guests, and seating is first come, first served, which gives the place a relaxed, neighborhood-tavern energy on weekends.

Visiting TapStation

You’ll find TapStation at 320 S Salem St in downtown Apex, an easy walk from the shops and sidewalks of the historic district. The kitchen and taps run Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 10pm and stay open until 11pm on Friday and Saturday. Seating is walk-in only, so there is no need to reserve — just show up, grab a table inside, in the courtyard, or on the roof, and settle in. For anyone exploring Apex’s dining scene, it is a lively and distinctly local place to raise a glass.